Why the Midnight Gospel is Stoner Eye/Ear Candy
If you haven’t seen Netflix’s “The Midnight Gospel” yet – and really really want to – I highly recommend that you stop reading this article. It goes without saying that SPOILERS AHEAD and if you continue reading – you might have some insight on to what to expect.
However – that might not necessarily be a bad thing either. No matter how hard I try or how much of the show I attempt to explain – I’ll always fall short. The Midnight Gospel isn’t your typical show either – it’s a psychedelic-animated-mindfuck with your host Duncan Trussel and a slew of influential guests each episode.
I saw it in one sitting and will have to watch it a few more times to fully absorb all of the wisdom that are dispersed in every episode – but if you like to re-watch old episodes of Adventure Time – you shouldn’t have a problem. Pendleton Ward and Titmouse Studios worked on The Midnight Gospel.
So what is it all about?
This is where it gets tricky. This show is not so easily described as other shows. For example; even though Rick & Morty is one crazy-assed-show, the premise still is relatively easy to explain. It’s about a dimension-hoping-sociopathic-genius and his not-so-brilliant grandson getting into all sorts of hijinks.
The Midnight Gospel is about a guy who lives in the “far outer reaches” of who-the-fuck-knows and owns a “world simulator” which he uses to interview people for his “space cast”.
In a way, it’s a simple podcast that has been animated – however, as both Joe Rogan and Duncan Trussel reluctantly admitted, “It’s alive!” That’s because within this masterpiece – you have not only the magical touch of Pendleton Ward providing depth and color to the already deep and insightful conversations between some very interesting individuals.
Each episode deals with another “guest” and so – the 20+ minutes of psychedelia is followed by a casual conversation about some truly deep “cosmic-shit”.
Some of the guests include Drew Pinski as “The little president”, Jason Louv as “The Voice”, Ram Das as “Ram Das”, Trudy Goodman, and many more.
Why Stoners Would LOVE IT
If you like to listen to Podcasts, smoke weed and watch cartoons – this show is made for you. It gets deep, it gets emotional and it’s done in beautiful animated glory – bypassing your typical reasoning processes and hitting you right in the ‘feels’.
However – this is a show that can be seen whether you’re smoking a bowl or just sitting back. It will definitely make you think about your own life, reflect about the things that matter – and couple this with the fact that you’re literally forced to be in a momentary-state of self-reflection – The Midnight Gospel comes as a breath of fresh air in a musty-cloud of heated-shit-vapor which could be one way of describing 2020.
I prefer to call it the “Great Pause” or something more abstract than the pessimistic route – but hey, to each their own.
The Midnight Gospel breaks away from the typical and smashes through a perceived potential of animated works. We’ve long known that cartoons can work for adults – there are numerous shows that act as evidence – but this show takes it a step further.
Can an animated show create long-lasting positive effects on its viewers? Is it possible to initiate viewers on a journey of self-discovery due to the subject matter of the show?
I believe so – and I hope that as many young-people get hooked on the contents as possible. I’m sure there’s going to be many religious types that are going to boycott the show due to the nature of the subject matter – but to be honest, the world needs more of the Midnight Gospel. We could use a bit more self-reflection and awareness on some seriously important concepts like, Forgiveness, Life, Death, Reality, etc.
Will there be a season 2?
As of writing this article – The Midnight Gospel has not been renewed for a second season, but seeing how people responded to this show – I can imagine that the “second season talk” is bound to come up soon.
I do hope that they renew it for several more seasons – there are so many alternative ways of thinking that deserves to be explored. We’re always being sold a “single-serve narrative” to life and having the ability to change your perspective – even if but for 20+ minutes – allows you to live a more fulfilled and nuanced life.
From the moment I saw The Midnight Gospel I became an instant fan and decided to write this article because not only do I believe that Stoners need to see this – I believe it has mind-altering potential to those who are willing to take this crazy-little-thing called life and take it to a new dimension.
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