Apple TV+'s Mythic Quest, a comedy series about the world's biggest MMO, is back for a second season. The show was created by Rob McElhenney, Megan Ganz, and Charlie Day – some of the same creative forces behind Fox's It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Like its predecessor, Mythic Quest generates much of its comedy by showing the game company's employees being awful to each other. Unlike, Sunny, Mythic Quest has a wide emotional range and isn't afraid to spend an episode or two playing it straight.

The first season of Mythic Quest ended on a high note last February. Since then, fans have been able to revisit the wildness of the show's game studio for two bonus episodes. Apple put out a "quarantine" episode, shot remotely with iPhones and laptops. The episode displayed Mythic Quest's ability to go for more than just laughs (without sacrificing its comedic chops). Last month, Apple released "Everlight," a special episode featuring the voice of Sir Anthony Hopkins.

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The anticipation for Mythic Quest season 2 is as high as it's ever been. A trailer for the second season hints at plenty of great moments to come. The first two episodes of season 2 premiered on Friday, May 7, but were they able to recapture the magic of Mythic Quest's first season?

The new season wastes no time getting into the swing of things. The first episode, "Titan's Rift" picks up with Ian and Poppy planning a new expansion for the Mythic Quest game. Ian quickly decides that instead of working, it's time for him to take a yearly sabbatical to a martial arts camp in Tempe, Arizona. Poppy and David Brittlesbee are left behind to sort out their power differences. Meanwhile, the testers drill into their relationship with the reluctant help of Carol from HR.

Robert McElhenney's Ian Grimm is mostly a specter in the first episode. He shows up repeatedly in the uncomfortable sex dreams of his workers. Using Grimm's inflated self-image as a source of distress for the characters makes for some perfectly laugh-out-loud moments.

By contrast, David Hornsby shows up as David Brittlesbee in almost every scene. The character continues to be more or less a punching bag for everyone around him, but his awareness of that fact pairs every laugh with a groan. It's hard not to feel bad for the guy who is, in theory, running the show at Mythic Quest. It seems Brittlesbee's struggle for respect will be a through-line of tension for the entire season.

The minor characters are the real winners of "Titan's Rift". Rachel's and Dana's relationship functions as the emotional core of the episode. Through their interactions, Mythic Quest continues to demonstrate that it can shift masterfully from slapstick to genuine emotion. Naomi Ekperigin's Carol is the highlight of the episode. It feels like the writers finally know how to use the character, and Ekperigin's comedic timing is second-to-none. One can only hope she'll be featured more in future episodes.

The season's second episode, "Grouchy Goat" continues to center power struggles between different workers at the studio. Danny Pudi's Brad lords his status over the others as he orders Jessie Enis's Jo and the testers to develop a mobile game. Poppy struggles to find her way to boss status with Ian's overbearing "inspirational" tactics overshadowing her more clumsy attempts at leadership.

The decision to pair Brad and Jo was an inspired one. His amoral, selfish pursuits are the perfect foil to Jo's psychopathic tendencies. As he concludes a lecture on workplace dominance which Jo has been raptly absorbing, she replies with all sincerity, "I'm already thinking of how to devour you." Seeing this dynamic at play throughout the season is sure to be a joy.

The struggle between Poppy's and Ian's leadership styles is the main focus of the episode. Oddly, that tension is all but relieved by the time credits roll. The resolution to their conflict comes a little too easily, but the growing tension seems to be between David Brittlesbee and everyone else.

The second episode loses some of the power summoned by "Titan's Rift." The "first fight" between Rachel and Dana falls flat, and overall the saga of Grouchy Goat feels like the b-plot that it is. Still, the show has enough heart, fun character dynamics, and chuckles to inspire a return to Apple TV+ next week.

Mythic Quest is taking full advantage of its established character dynamics. The comedy leans more on the audience's expectations of the characters than it did in the previous season. The result is a combination of hilarious moments that continue to drive character development and viewer's investment in the relationships onscreen.

Like many sitcoms before it, Mythic Quest is struggling to find a balance between its story and its jokes. The episodes are noticeably shorter than they were in season one, a possible effect of filming during a pandemic, and that adds to the challenge of balancing comedy and story. The uneasy tension is palpable in these episodes, but Mythic Quest handles both well enough to make watching the struggle enjoyable.

Mythic Quest will be airing on Apple TV+ on Fridays from now through June 25th.

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