Mythic Quest Season 4, Episode 4, “The Villain’s Feast,” plays deadly games with matters of the heart – all with the standout backdrop of a murder mystery party. This episode, written by Megan Ganz & Humphrey Ker and directed by Ganz, fuses horror and humor in an homage to Traitors (and the like). It also serves as an evergreen reminder that themed TV episodes are becoming a lost art. Mythic Quest bolsters its fourth season’s efforts to expand the show’s world by understanding the characters better. “The Villain’s Feast” pulls off the seaside outing with character-driven ease.
MORE: Did you miss our review of Mythic Quest Season 4, Episode 3, “Breakthrough?” Here it is!
Bring Back Themed Episodes
This episode never pretends that it will spend a second at the office. Therefore, it’s easy to dive into whatever this change of pace has in store for Mythic Quest. “The Villain’s Feast” could be a sign of concern in a 10-episode season, but not with this show. Mythic Quest Season 1, Episode 11, “Everlight,” justifies that this show can pull off a themed episode. Alternatively, episodes like this also feel nostalgic. They don’t occur in the same abundance as in 22-episode seasons, which also don’t exist in the same magnitude. Consequently, “The Villain’s Feast” is a real bittersweet treat.
Beyond its themed elements, this episode could also be a bottle episode if it weren’t for the establishing shot. All the characters are stuck in Brad’s house; the camera doesn’t even follow Storm to the generator. That containment means that the characters have no choice but to interact. The proximity also means that underlying conflict rises to the surface. That’s quite the way for Storm to meet everyone. More importantly, the setting helps the ensemble shine. Even though Brad fakes his friendship with David, the connections between these characters are undeniable.
MORE: Have you read our review of Mythic Quest Season 4, Episode 2, “1000%?” Here it is!
Rachel and Dana Take the Next Step
Dana and Rachel’s proposal is the heart of the episode. Of course, Jo is the perfect person to pull it all off for them – her potential last thought is about Dana. It’s also sweet to see Dana’s affinity for Jo when she introduces Jo to Storm. But nothing is better than the joy on Jo’s face when she turns on Mitski’s “My Love Mine All Mine” to set the proposal’s scene further. Hopefully, there is much more from Jo, Dana, and Rachel in Mythic Quest’s future. Regardless, Jessie Ennis is in her element during “The Villain’s Feast.” She even anchors a one-shot that lasts three minutes.
That technical feat is fun to watch, but nothing is more exciting than seeing Dana propose to Rachel. Their love story has been one of the most consistent and exceptional parts of Mythic Quest from its first season. Naturally, “The Villain’s Feast” pulls it all off with the murder mystery misdirect. Still, Dana’s questioning of marriage in “Breakthrough” seals the surprise. It’s an in-story example of Dana’s efforts to make everything as memorable as possible with Rachel’s “dream party.” Down to Butter’s (still off-screen) involvement, Mythic Quest and Imani Hakim & Ashly Burch’s chemistry make this beyond-earned milestone utterly romantic.
MORE: Do you want to revisit Mythic Quest Season 4, Episode 1, “Boundaries?” Here’s our review!
Where Do Ian, Poppy, and Storm Go?
While Dana promises not to play games with anyone else, that’s all Ian, Poppy, and Storm do. “The Villain’s Feast” makes an intentional, tangled mess between what’s real and what’s not. Ian oversteps, full stop. Poppy and Ian are friends, full stop. Poppy wants space, and Ian cares about Poppy. Rob McElhenney has that affection written on his face in every scene Ian shares with Poppy – or even thinks of her. All those things are true, and Mythic Quest’s interpersonal conflict is better for it. Ian telling Poppy, “You deserve somebody that can help you bring your ideas to life,” knowing he’s not that person? That’s fantastic, character-driven drama.
Likewise, it’s entertaining that Poppy’s plan backfires into everyone recognizing how similar Ian and Storm are and Ian and Storm becoming friends. But that dynamic is the least of Poppy’s worries by the end of “The Villain’s Feast.” Poppy being pregnant isn’t all that surprising – the sex, the cravings, the sickness. For now, it’s more shocking to imagine what it all means. After all, this episode reinforces Storm’s imminent and potentially temporary exit to the Netherlands.
Despite Poppy’s denial of the seriousness of the relationship on her part, “Breakthrough” has a more honest representation. “The Villain’s Feast” allows Poppy to put on a show with costumes and a scenic backdrop. However, Poppy can only publicly pretend it’s casual until the fun and games come to a screeching halt. Now everything is very real – Charlotte Nicdao plays that complex reaction so well. Nicdao sells the cliffhanger that solidifies “The Villain’s Feast” as a successful side quest.
MORE: Did you know Mythic Quest has a new spinoff series premiering later this year? Read all about Side Quest here!
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What did you think of Mythic Quest Season 4, Episode 4, “The Villian’s Feast?” Let us know in the comments below!
New episodes of Mythic Quest stream on Wednesdays on Apple TV+.
