The Midnight Gospel recently released on Netflix, with creator of Adventure Time, Pendleton Ward helming the animation in collaboration with podcaster and comedian, Duncan Trussel. What came as a result was a trippy, introspective deep dive into various aspects of life and the universe, The Midnight Gospel. It is quite literally an amalgamation of the wondrous animation style of Ward, mixed with the very real conversations Trussel has on his podcasts.
And to be honest, it really wasn’t what I was expecting when I first got into Netflix’s latest animated series. How could I even expect such a thing, when nothing of the kind had been done before?
The show follows Clancy, some sort of being that travels to various worlds and dimensions to see new experiences, and record them for his “spacecasts”. The unique aspect of the show is the correlation of the vibrant visuals and animation to the introspective, inquisitive conversations being had by Clancy and his guest.
In a way, it’s relatable to watch considering the very real conversations, juxtaposed in Clancy’s escapism from his own reality via his forbidden multiverse simulator. Something we all probably do in every day life, more than we expect.
The Midnight Gospel takes the form of many topics, from drugs, to forgiveness, life, death, philosophy and other mind-opening conversations you probably wouldn’t have heard if it weren’t for this new combination of visuals and audio.
In the first episode, Clancy (Duncan Trussel) and the Little President (Dr. Drew Pinksy) talk about the realities of drugs and substance abuse while embroiled in a passive journey through a zombie apocalypse. Which ended with a drug being the saving grace in an otherwise confusing introduction to the series. It wasn’t what I had expected coming into the show, but it pulls you in the more you watch. Trust me.
Most scenes depicted in the show were gratuitously violent, but with often times a symbolic meaning to it. So it’s not unnecessary, but it did bring something to the show that made it all the more appealing, if you weren’t into the conversation being had by Clancy and his guest. My main gripe with podcasts in the real world is the fact that I have to listen to them, for often times over the 40 minute mark. Too much time, for what I feel isn’t enough value. I’m just not a podcast kinda guy.
But The Midnight Gospel made it an interesting, accessible foray into the otherwise unsettling podcast world. For me, anyway.
The topics that various episodes range from can teach you a lesson if you’re willing to listen to it. I, at first, was skeptical on the show but continued on the 8-episode series and gradually found myself wanting more. The final episode, which featured Deneen Fending, Duncan’s real life mother and the show’s Clancy’s mother. It was a ride from start to finish, which had me questioning my very own existence and those around me, but I don’t want to spoil it too much at this point. Let’s just say it was an eye-opening experience to something we probably shy away from in everyday life; Death.
The Midnight Gospel, in my books, has been one of the most influential pieces of animation I’ve seen thus far. It was a surreal experience, taking me away to a universe where you could travel to other universes. Something, I’ve always longed for. If you haven’t checked it out yet, maybe it’s time.
I know I don’t regret it, even if it gave me an existentialist crisis.
