Mythic Quest Season 4, Episode 8, “Rebrand,” is a thoughtful character study of Brendan, otherwise known as Pootie Shoe, who has not been on the comedy since its debut season. This episode, written by Elisha Henig – Pootie himself – and directed by Todd Biermann, opens up the season’s conversations about kids making money from video games into a more considerate commentary. It reflects the cringe-worthy and scary yet realistic world of gaming influences.
It reflects the cringe-worthy and scary yet realistic world of gaming influences. “Rebrand” finds itself amid an evergreen conversation, given the current state of the internet. Mythic Quest approaches such a hefty topic through three relationships in Pootie’s life – his father, Ian, his mother, Shannon, and his manager, Spencer. The episode moves through those dynamics to take Pootie from a bit of a nightmarish place to a hopeful one.
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Pootie and Ian
Once it’s clear that “Rebrand” is a Pootie-centric episode, it’s easy to assume that none of Mythic Quest’s regulars will appear, even if one of those characters is Pootie’s father. The script furthers that belief when it tells a succinct yet influential story through Pootie and Ian’s limited texts – and the one that Pootie doesn’t send. So, Rob McElhenney’s appearance comes as a genuine surprise. Ian making his gesture for Pootie about Poppy isn’t that surprising, but it is nice to see “Rebrand” continue those serialized stories.
That choice also works in the episode’s favor, emphasizing Ian and Pootie’s nonexistent relationship. It’s painful that Ian’s gesture for Pootie is dependent on proving a point to Poppy. Likewise, it’s tough to know that Pootie would rather take the streamer-to-boxer pipeline at the risk of his life instead of taking Ian’s money. With just one scene, “Rebrand” creates another brutal indictment of Pootie and Ian’s dynamic, instilling doubt that it will ever change from where Mythic Quest introduced it in 2020. This season features Ian’s gradual, albeit sometimes all-too-slight, development. So maybe there’s a chance for Ian and Pootie after “Rebrand” – if Ian does better and Pootie chooses to let him in.
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Pootie and Shannon
On the other side of that parental coin is Pootie’s relationship with Shannon. After Mythic Quest Season 4, Episode 5, “Second Skeleton,” it’s a delight to see Alanna Ubach reprise her role again. That episode is more about contextualizing Shannon in Poppy and Ian’s story. “Rebrand” paints a more complete portrait of her and her life as Pootie’s mom. The script immediately introduces a very delicate at-home dynamic where Pootie funds their lifestyle, and Shannon feels responsible for supporting Pootie’s dreams to the detriment of his character.
Ubach is excellent at carrying humor and earnestness in her performance. Both come through so clearly when Shannon and Pootie’s manager Spencer try to figure out how to get Pootie out of the fight. That comedic rhythm Ubach and Charlie Day find is so quick that there’s a joke in every line, and they all land. Meanwhile, Ubach comes in with a beautiful, subtle performance that the camera has to pull focus (Incredible work by Mythic Quest’s crew, by the way!) to catch. Shannon’s second look back when she sees her kid just being a kid is one of the most emotionally compelling beats of “Rebrand.”
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Pootie and Spencer
The other is Charlie Day’s turn as Pootie’s manager, Spencer. Day’s arrival comes as a surprise despite his appearance in the trailer. The distance between when Apple TV+ released the trailer and “Rebrand” makes it a bit easier for his guest-starring role to slip the mind. So, it’s a delightful surprise when the camera pans to reveal Day, who happens to be one of Mythic Quest’s three creators alongside McElhenney and Megan Ganz. Day’s character appears to be a nice cameo but majorly inconsequential until Spencer becomes the spine of “Rebrand.” His performance at the end of the episode has so much authenticity that it almost knocks the wind of Pootie – and the audience.
That sentiment also resonates with Pootie as a character, too. He has not been present on the show since its first season in 2020. Nevertheless, Mythic Quest crafts an introspective and sentimental episode about him, and it works. Rachel tries to articulate what video games mean to younger people. She fails to convey her points in front of Congress effectively, but Mythic Quest finds the clarity in “Rebrand.” This episode shows the lights and shades that come from living a life like Pootie’s while expressing the importance of trying to soak up life how, when, and while you can. If this is what Mythic Quest’s spinoff will be like, it’s a relief that this season leads right into Side Quest’s debut.
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What did you think of Mythic Quest Season 4, Episode 8, “Rebrand?” Let us know in the comments below!
New episodes of Mythic Quest stream on Wednesdays on Apple TV+.
