In life, there are certain moments and journeys that forever change your perspective and way of thinking. Currently, we are living in a time in which we are truly forced to slow down, and it is not surprising that TV has become an outlet for many to escape the challenges that living in a socially isolated society present. New and exiting shows on streaming services such as Netflix or HBO GO become ways to connect with others and pass the time that we are being asked to spend inside our homes. In fact, I have personally delved into the depths of Netflix over the past two months and have found shows and series that I otherwise would have never known if it wasn’t for the COVID-19 crisis. Although I have watched many shows lately that I have found great value in, one in particular has changed my life for the better and expanded my mind in profound ways. At 2am on a Saturday night, I embarked on a spiritual and mind bending journey with my boyfriend, James, thorough a podcast- turned- animated series called The Midnight Gospel.
The show follows a space-caster named Clancy who visits various worlds within his universe simulator (that not so coincidentally resembles a vagina), and the interactions he finds himself navigating through while interviewing the eclectic residents of the different planets that he explores. The show’s audio used during Clancy’s interviews come directly from the famous podcast called The Duncan Trussell Family Hour, which is the actual podcast of the show’s creator Duncan Trussell. Pendleton Ward, the man most well known for the animation behind the hit show Adventure Time, creates the trippy universe in which Clancy navigates and the sometimes outrageous and intense visuals that can’t help but to often contrast the dialogue that is occurring simultaneously. In fact, it is not out of the realm of possibility for the show to to dissect topics such as recreational drug usage and the opioid crisis, while concurrently battling alongside the President in an Earth infused zombie apocalypse. The show not only pushes the boundaries of conventional animation, but also challenges the mind to find the beautiful juxtapositions that exist between the audio and visual.
Although many viewers can watch The Midnight Gospel and be overwhelmed by the sometimes frantic sensory overload, the themes that this show touches upon are so dense in content and philosophy and make for a beautiful and mind opening journey. Since Duncan Trussell’s Family Hour interviews people who are experts in topics such as mindfulness and meditation (just to name a few!), it’s no wonder why the content of the show is so rich and the dialogue chosen is so free flowing. The Midnight Gospel isn’t afraid to bring to the surface topics that make us question our own existence such as transcendentalism, forgiveness, addiction, what it means to be present, and even grappling with the impending death of a loved one. As Clancy delves deeper into his psychedelic simulated world, we find that much of his inner struggles and manifestations come to a head and further lead him to a journey of self actualization through the people he comes into contact with. This journey through self and understanding is beautifully played out in the last episode of Season 1, where Duncan has his most emotional and raw interview of the series that can’t help but to move audiences to tears.
While I am not one to suggest binge watching a TV series at 2am, The Midnight Gospel was a journey that I highly recommend to all who are introspective and open to expanding their conscious mind. In fact, I can honestly say that this show deepened my relationship with James and created a platform for talking about topics in a way that is inquisitive and thought provoking. The lessons learned from this 4 hour journey have bonded us in insurmountable ways that I would have never guessed that a cartoon show could facilitate in such a short amount of time. If you are a fan of Rick and Morty, or just want to watch a show that takes you on a wild trip, I highly recommend this series and hope that you find the same benefits that I have. Here’s to expanding our minds and making the most of this time we have to explore different worlds, even if it’s just through a simulation.
Single In the New City 