RE:VIEW ~ ”Krapopolis” (2023– )
There’s a dearth of content on any streaming platform which mocks Ancient Greek Gods, humans, and monsters.
UNTIL NOW!!
Thankfully, we have Dan Harmon’s streaming series Krapopolis which puts the town of Krapopolis to excellent use. In usual satirical structure, we see ourselves mocked in our so-called ‘Western,’ so-called ‘Civilization’ in the stories which play out.
The town all of this takes place in is ruled by Tyrannis (Richard Ayoade); who is the paternal half-brother to a fish-like Atlantean named Hippocampus (Duncan Trussell), the maternal half-brother to a half-cyclops demigoddess named Stupendous (Pam Murphy); and parents the Goddess of Self-Destruction and Questionable Choices, Deliria (Hannah Waddingham), and a thousand-year-old Mantitaur named Shlub (Matt Berry).
So far, fairly predictable situational comedy, right?
Oh! and it’s animated. I should have mentioned that.
As strange as it may seem, an understanding of ancient legends and tales of mighty courage and travel are not required enjoy this programme. If all you know is that Ancient Greek Characters of Legend seem to be particularly attracted to their immediately family members, a lot of them seem to have magical powers, and more than a few of them end-up being turned into trees or birds on a regular basis; you’re ready to go.
There are a few things they do involve which are historically accurate. There is no real structure to ’time’ as a measurable object beyond ’today’ and ‘a few days ago,’ there is no measurable wealth because they do not have a concept of money so they barter everything, and there is no system of measure because they haven’t set-up cubits or groats or hogsheads as yet. Many a story is based on an examination of the entirely stupidly arbitrary nature of these things; S01.E12 ‘Buy Low, Sell Ty’ dealing with money and basic economics is particularly delightful.
Hilarity ensures.
It’s saucy without being rude and intellectual without being too high-brow.
Absolutely wonderful and well worth your time.
★★★★☆
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