Miracle Workers has undergone an intriguing evolution over its four seasons. The show initially drew inspiration from Simon Rich’s book, “What in God’s Name,” for its first season. Season two, titled “Dark Ages,” adapted Rich’s short story “Revolution.” However, Rich stepped away from his role as showrunner for the third season, “Oregon Trail,” leaving Dan Mirk and Robert Padnick at the helm. While “Oregon Trail” found its rhythm eventually, there was a noticeable absence of Rich’s source material in the season.
Now, nearly two years after “Oregon Trail,” Miracle Workers returns with its fourth season, “End Times,” and the series is funnier and more innovative than ever. Right from the start, the high-concept nature of the new season shines through, breathing new life into post-apocalyptic storytelling. Mirk and Padnick not only match the quality of the Rich seasons but may even surpass them.
“End Times” takes viewers into a world devastated by “The Boom,” where two road warriors, Sid and Freya, have found love amidst the chaos. As they settle into their new home in Boomtown, Sid works for “The Junkman” Rubinstein, while Freya struggles to abandon her warlord ways. They also have a pet war dog, Scraps, and a party android friend named TI-90. Sid and Freya must navigate their new reality, finding a balance between a calmer existence and survival.
The first episode, “Welcome to Boomtown,” written by Mirk and Padnick and directed by David Wain, fully embraces the high-concept premise and injects a healthy dose of fun into the series. The depiction of Boomtown as a post-apocalyptic Thunderdome, combined with the Mad Max-inspired appearances of Sid and Freya, is particularly brilliant. Jon Bass steals the show as Scraps the War Dog, adding a touch of absurdity to the episode.
“End Times” effortlessly blends sitcom tropes with sci-fi and apocalypse narratives, making use of familiar themes while keeping them fresh and ridiculous. For example, in the third episode, “The Matrixxx,” Sid and Freya enlist the help of their android friend, TI-90, to spice up their sex life, resulting in a hilariously chaotic “sex Matrix” scenario.
The brilliance of “End Times” lies in its ability to seamlessly merge dark humor with the absurdity of its post-apocalyptic setting. The show fearlessly explores dark themes while maintaining a comedic tone. Whether it’s Freya’s pursuit of HOA presidency or the introduction of a monstrous character reminiscent of “Dune’s” Baron Harkonnen, the writing and love for existing sci-fi tales shine through.
The stellar cast of comedic actors plays a significant role in making these scenarios work. Daniel Radcliffe brings depth to his role as Sid, a road warrior seeking more than violence and terror. Geraldine Viswanathan portrays Freya, a warlord trying to adjust to her new life, with equal brilliance. Steve Buscemi’s portrayal of “The Junkman” Rubinstein embraces his wonderfully slimy and peculiar nature. Karan Soni, who plays TI-90, gets more screen time in this season, perfectly embodying the show’s Terminator-inspired android.
Jon Bass truly stands out as Scraps the War Dog, taking his oddball character to new heights. His every choice is priceless, adding to the absurdity and making him the MVP of a series filled with fantastic performances.
While Rich’s unique voice created crazy yet relatable worlds, Mirk and Padnick have successfully maintained and enhanced that spirit in “End Times.” The season captures the heart and charm that made the first season so memorable and even echoes Rich’s other series, “Man Seeking Woman.” This consistency and hilarity in the fourth season signal a new beginning rather than the end.
Miracle Workers: End Times premieres on July 10 on TBS, promising fresh and entertaining episodes every Monday.
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Khushi Patel is a science fiction author who lives in Austin, Texas. She has published three novels, and her work has been praised for its originality and imagination. Khushi is a graduate of Rice University, and she has worked as a software engineer. She is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America, and her books have been nominated for several awards.
