Sometimes, it feels like there aren’t any new ideas under the sun. Although there’s some truth in that assertion, given how theever-churning IP machinetends to dominate film and television, franchise name recognition has always factored into which projects do and don’t see the light of day. The “there’s nothing new under the sun” adage has always been true, and that’s not always a bad thing.Tropes existbecause we can only tell so many variations of a story; innovation often boils down tore-envisioning genres from the ground up.
Damon Lindelof, the Emmy-winning creator ofLost,The Leftovers, andWatchmen, can be considered someone who routinely has a hand in some of thesmall screen’s most inventive projects. Lindelof’s latest outing,Mrs. Davis, is no exception. StarringGlow’sBetty Gilpin, the 2023 limited series heco-created with showrunnerTara Hernandez(a name the industry should pay attention to going forward)blends sci-fi, action, religion, and even Arthurian mythologyinto an entertaining, poignant, piercingly thoughtful, and undeniably original whole.
What Is ‘Mrs. Davis’ About?
By 2023, the world has acclimated to a new way of life. Almost everyonespends their days plugged into an app and itsomniscient AI, known as Mrs. Davis to “her” devoted users and the Algorithm to “its” vehement detractors. The former credits Mrs. Davis as humanity’s inhuman savior; by rewarding individuals in exchange for their good deeds, the AI has supposedly eliminated famine and war. The latter camp has deemed Mrs. Davis an electronic dictator with intentions tocontrol and enslave humanity. Catholic nun Sister Simone (Gilpin) falls into this category for personal reasons — she blames Mrs. Davis for her father’s (David Arquette) death.
Unfortunately, Mrs. Davis insists thatthe headstrong nun accept a quest to destroyKing Arthur’s legendary Holy Grail. Simone agrees on the condition that Mrs. Davis deactivates if she succeeds. With the help of her husband, Jay (Andy McQueen), whose restaurant is a refuge for Simone, and her childhood friend Preston Wiley (Jake McDorman), Simone embarks on a mission pitting her heavenly boss against a cutting-edge piece of technology that hasexpanded past all guardrails— but just like faith or human existence, the facts aren’t as black-and-white as Simone assumes.
‘Mrs. Davis’ Cleverly Mashes Up Tropes and Genres
Mrs. Davistakes pieces from familiar stories and stitches them together into a wholly unique buffet. Imagine a less sinisterBlack Mirrorepisode or a softer version ofThe Terminator’s mass-murderingSkynet program, sprinkled with ludicrousMonty Python and the Holy Grail-esque satire, the philosophical musings ofLost, and some skewering meta moments. Certain twists are too good to spoil, because we guarantee you can’t predict every place this series zigs and zags, norhave you seenMrs. Davis' themes funneled through this particular perspective. Overall, that energy servesMrs. Daviswell, allowing the series to cover wide-ranging ground while ensuring neitherthe twistsnor the off-the-wall comedy prevents the story from being an emotional heavyweight. Simone, for example, knows the universe’s most horrific atrocities will never become obsolete, no matter what Mrs. Davis claims or its altruistic users hope.
The 10 Best Sci-Fi Shows of the 2020s So Far, Ranked
To new horizons.
To that end,Mrs. Davisisn’t afraid to get introspective and bloody as it explores individualism and autonomous thought, spiritual faith versus faith in people, socioeconomic inequality, and, naturally, themeteoric rise of advanced technology. The internet keeps us connected yet more insular than ever before, and Mrs. Davis achieves its programming directive by giving its users whatever they want — feeding their needs until using an app becomes equivalent to an addiction. At best, the AI is a misguided boon; at worst, it asserts unnatural sway over its users and both willingly and accidentally spreads misinformation. And if a self-learning artificial intelligence adapts according to human behavior, thentechnology isn’t the only thing capable of lies and manipulation. Still, as a superb character/actor cameo we won’t reveal, states: “Love can set you both free.” Two truths exist simultaneously.
‘Mrs. Davis’ Proves That New Ideas Always Exist
A series as tonally singular asMrs. Davishinges upon its main actor as much as the writing and directorial teams. Gilpin fearlessly leads the charge, storming down hallways, busting through doors, andrevving around on her motorcyclein a consistently engaging performance.She’s the perfect fit for a role that already aligns with the charm, comedic timing, andmultifaceted vulnerability she has consistently demonstrated. Based on that alone, Simone deserves to become a television heroine for the ages, but no little denying the character’s richness: a compassionate practitioner of her faith as well as a woman too stubborn, defiant, and witty to ever obey orders. Thepeak TV era, as we know it, might be over, but as long as platforms are willing to let shows as audacious and outrageous asMrs. Davisshoot for the stars, we’re in good hands.
Mrs. Davisis available to stream on Peacock.
Watch on Peacock
Mrs. Davis
