Prepare To Deep-Dive Into The Midnight Gospel

Netflix recently released, as of April 20, a new animated series unlike any other. The show was finally created seven years later by Pendleton Ward (Adventure Time) and Duncan Trussell (Curb Your Enthusiasm). It is rated TV-MA and might seem to be another hilarious adult animation, however unlike those sitcoms you’re really going to have to pay attention. The Midnight Gospel is a one-of-a-kind spiritual rollercoaster and I’ll be your safety bar. 

Let’s Get Settled

Everybody likes to watch television in their own way. Some people like to watch it laying down, others propped up, and most while they are doing something else. By any means, watch this show how you please but I have a recommended way to gain the most of the experience The Midnight Gospel offers. 

First, you’ll need a quiet room or rather a room free of distractions. Yes, turn off any music in the background, any other display screens, and, if it is necessary, tell the rest of the family to keep quiet. Hop into the most comfortable seating arrangement available that isn’t lying down because you don’t want to dose off in the middle of an episode. Dim the lights and only keep accessory lightings such as Christmas lights, color-changing lights, or your nightlight (I won’t tell). If the room is bathed in a relaxing aura, you’ve nearly completed your set-up. The last recommendation I can make is snacks! What’s a show without snacks? I personally enjoy chai tea with each episode as it makes me feel warm and cozy. Now, you’re ready!

The Midnight Gospels Main Man, Clancy

Before I can get into the various topics covered in the show, you must meet Clancy! Clancy is the beloved host of the spacecast, The Midnight Gospel. That’s right, spacecast. While it takes the form of a visual podcast, when a new episode is released it isn’t to the world wide web but across all of space. Clancy isn’t just the host who brings new stories but has a story all his own that unravels as you continue to watch. 

Clancy’s right-hand-machine is his universe simulator which has a mind of its own at times. His simulator aids in the process of picking a new guest residing on a dying planet. Each trippy planet brings on a new experience and topic related to life, death, and almost anything in-between. As you’ll soon notice, Clancy must leave each interview with a small souvenir to add to his collection. After all, you can’t take a trip and come back empty-handed!

A Spacecast Explained

The Midnight Gospel presents a spiritual and reflective experience for viewers, as well as Clancy. Guests range from David Nichtern, a senior Buddhist teacher, to various comedians like Maria Bamford, who advocates for discussions on depression and anxiety. There is even a specially honored guest, Trussell’s late mother, Deneen Fendig. Each person discusses their own topic, but they are mostly centered around mindfulness.

Mindfulness isn’t a new discovery, as many of us may know, but it is gaining more attention in the west every day. Mindfulness is a practice that helps an individual stop the chatter in their mind and reflect on their thoughts and emotions to genuinely experience life. In fact, many people turn to mindfulness to help treat their depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and so on. As Psychology Today tells us, mindfulness is composed of two ingredients: awareness and acceptance. If you’ve never attempted a mindfulness exercise, The Midnight Gospel can present itself as a great gateway.

Dip Your Toes In First

After learning that The Midnight Gospel delves into rather deep topics concerning life and death by people who practice mindfulness it might seem a bit daunting. There is no need to fear though as the first episode doesn’t have you spiraling into a hole of reflection. If anything, it could be considered as a ‘stretching’ exercise for your brain since it doesn’t discuss mindfulness much at all. Drew Pinsky, an addiction medicine specialist, starts off the series as the first guest discussing his expert opinion on the topic of drugs or, more specifically, the legalization of drugs. 

In addition to a slow and steady build up into deeper conversations, there is the soundtrack music by Joe Wong (Russian Doll). Television viewers all know that music plays a big part in our reaction to certain scenes in a show. Wong’s soundtrack brings this element without creating anxiety while we deep-dive into conversations about life. There is also synthesized music made by Clancy himself just as Trussell does in his podcast The Duncan Trussell Family Hour. If the combination of more thoughtful discussion and Wong’s music doesn’t appeal to you, then it is advised that you wait to continue at a later time. Trust me on this, half-heartedly watching an episode doesn’t create as much of an experience. 

Deep Dive Into The Midnight Gospel

If you’ve decided to continue to engage in the journey of The Midnight Gospel, welcome! This article might not seem like much preparation as I haven’t disclosed any information on Clancy’s narrative or the deeper topics. This is no mistake though, as I don’t want to take away from anyone’s individual experience or reflection by adding my own. If you’ve followed the set-up and keep an open mind to the beliefs of others, The Midnight Gospel can become something personal to you.

The Midnight Gospel is as visually and narratively creative as Adventure Time, and violent as Rick and Morty but oppositely, positive. In Trussell’s own words, The Midnight Gospel is an “animated brain where everybody feels connected and important and empowered.”