| Cult of Mac

The 15 best shows on Apple TV+

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Best shows on Apple TV+
Looking for something to stream? Check out the best shows on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+’s programming slate seems like a crazily oscillating slate of highs and lows. But the highs thus far prove dizzying indeed.

Directors like M. Night Shyamalan, Rupert Wyatt and Kim Jee-Woon, writers like Min Jin Lee, Paul Theroux, Emily Dickinson and Isaac Asimov, high-concept premises and legendary ensembles all meet on Apple’s streaming service.

The result is a collection of art worth signing up for. On the fourth anniversary of the service’s launch, here’s a look at the best shows on Apple TV+.

Mythic Quest makes all the right moves in uproarious season three finale [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★

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Poppy (played by actress Charlotte Nicdao) gets a big surprise in the Mythic Quest season three finale.★★★★
Poppy (played by Charlotte Nicdao) gets a big surprise in the Mythic Quest season three finale.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewApple TV+ comedy Mythic Quest hits the end of season three this week with a bittersweet and very funny episode. Ian must fix the rift between himself and Poppy. David must regroup from a loss, and Jo’s got just the ticket (though maybe so do Ian and Poppy). Plus, Dana, Brad and Jo need a new challenge.

I cannot stress how much I need this show’s creative team to crank out new seasons more quickly. I do not want to go another two years without checking back in with the Mystic Quest crew. A fine season comes to a very lovely ending.

It’s a topsy-turvy week of fun, games and neurosis on Mythic Quest [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★

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Mythic Quest recap: You never know what's going to happen on Mythic Quest.★★★★
You never know what's going to happen on Mythic Quest.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewApple TV+’s Mythic Quest finds the crew on the cusp of something great this week, but that’s usually when you fall on your face.

David, forced to work with a prima donna actor to develop the Mythic Quest movie, receives a confidence boost from Jo. Poppy and Dana set out to boost Poppy’s confidence before a big, expensive presentation. Ian feels lost now that he’s admitted he and Poppy aren’t working anymore. And Phil finally finds a way to feel important.

It’s another stellar outing with the amazing cast of this fantastic Apple TV+ comedy.

Mythic Quest hunts for a mouse, strikes a nerve [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★★

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Mythic Quest recap: Sometimes a mouse is most definitely not just a mouse.★★★★★
Sometimes a mouse is most definitely not just a mouse.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewThere’s a rat at the office on this week’s episode of Mythic Quest — and for once it’s not one of the employees. David sees a rodent and makes it Jo and Brad’s problem, which they immediately take too seriously.

Meanwhile, Poppy and Ian are having spatial issues, but those are a mask for something larger eating away at their partnership. And, as usual, Dana is caught in the middle.

A typically funny episode of the Apple TV+ workplace comedy, entitled “To Catch a Mouse,” becomes shockingly tense in its final minutes.

Mythic Quest flashback episode gives us the Ian and Poppy origin story [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★★

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Mythic Quest recap Apple TV+: A young Poppy Li (played by Isla Rose Hall) gets her game on.★★★★★
A young Poppy Li (played by Isla Rose Hall) gets her game on.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewApple TV+ comedy Mythic Quest takes its annual journey to the past with a stunning episode about the origins of game designers Poppy Li and Ian Grim. We meet the geniuses when they were petulant kids who’d rather dream in nonexistent worlds than pay attention to the one they’re in.

Mythic Quest fans are in for a treat this week. This is a superb episode of this consistently well-played comedy series.

Mythic Quest spinoff Mere Mortals coming to Apple TV+

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Apple TV+ plans to air “Mere Mortals,” a new “Mythic Quest” extension series from Ashly Burch, John Howell Harris and Katie McElhenney.
Apple TV+ plans to air “Mere Mortals,” a new “Mythic Quest” extension series from Ashly Burch (pictured), John Howell Harris and Katie McElhenney.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ said Thursday its hit show Mythic Quest, a workplace comedy about a gaming company, will hatch a spinoff series called Mere Mortals.

Calling the new show an “extension series,” Apple TV+ said it “will explore the lives of employees, players and fans who are impacted by the game.”

Ian and Poppy try to un-scrooge Christmas on Mythic Quest [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★

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Mythic Quest recap Apple TV+: Would you trust Christmas to this guy?★★★★
Would you entrust Christmas to this guy? Nope.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewApple TV+ comedy Mythic Quest rings in the holiday season with a very special Christmas episode this week. The Mythic Quest offices are full of misery as David makes everyone stay and work through Christmas Eve. His attempts to cheer them up come to naught. And when Poppy and Ian try to salvage things at their old company, they go too far.

Meanwhile, Poppy and Rachel must learn what Jo’s definition of friendship is, and Rachel has her first brush with success. All in all, “The 12 Hours of Christmas” stands tall as a stellar episode of Apple TV+’s funniest show.

Poppy tries to figure out the meaning of fun this week on Mythic Quest [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★

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Mythic Quest recap Apple TV+: Poppy (played by Charlotte Nicdao, right) and Ian (Rob McElhenney) make a strange discovery at Grim Pop.★★★★
Poppy (played by Charlotte Nicdao, right) and Ian (Rob McElhenney) make a strange discovery at Grim Pop.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewEveryone’s confidence is shaken on this week’s episode of Mythic Quest, the Apple TV+ office comedy about a popular computer game.

Poppy realizes she has no idea what fun is, and that revelation is unraveling her world. Ian feels left out of the development of the Mythic Quest movie, and David is his only way in. To top it off, Carol thinks she’s getting fired for mismanagement of company funds, energy, and time.

It’s a strong episode of the funniest show Apple TV+ has to offer.

Two Joes walk into a bar this week on Mythic Quest [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★☆

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Mythic Quest recap Apple TV+: Well, this is awkward.★★★★☆
Well, this is awkward.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewMythic Quest goes Hollywood this week as Jo sits down with actor Joe Manganiello to discuss a role in the upcoming Mythic Quest movie.

Also, Dana and Ian go on an accidentally soul-searching trip, while Poppy looks for support around the office. And when Carol takes a personal day, that leaves Brad free to do as he pleases (and once more potentially ruin the game).

It’s a decent episode of Apple TV+’s gamer comedy — with one showstopper of a scene.

Mythic Quest crushes it at the brunch [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★★

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Mythic Quest recap Apple TV+: Are you ready to laugh so hard your neighbors complain?★★★★★
Are you ready to laugh so hard your neighbors complain?
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewIt’s girlboss brunch time on this week’s Mythic Quest, the Apple TV+ show about the overworked, undervalued and confused team of executives and developers who keep a gaming company afloat. Jo, Poppy and Rachel go to brunch together and make some discoveries about themselves and each other.

Meanwhile, Ian and Dana search for inspiration in the desert. David gets excited because a Mythic Quest movie might be in the works, even though everyone and everything is screaming at him that it’s a bad idea. Also, Brad might not be the changed man he appears to be.