Apple TV+'s 'Mythic Quest' has always been keen on exploring detours from its main narrative. This tradition continues in the series' first spinoff, 'Side Quest', a novel creation that takes spectators on an unusual journey outside of the familiar confines of the main story. Created by experienced 'Mythic Quest' experts, the spinoff begins in a place that fans of the original would recognize and subsequently deviates into uncharted territory.

'Side Quest' steps away from the main storyline to focus on standalone narratives that reveal other facets of the show's universe. The concept of the series anchors on moving away from the set narrative direction and exploring the hero's, specifically art director Phil's, life beyond his tireless pursuits regarding the game. This deviation subtly alters the dynamic of the original series to paint the job as a hindrance to Phil's personal life, elucidating the idea that there might be more to life than the game.

The structure of 'Side Quest' gives it the freedom to play with its style. The series contains self-contained narratives that are independent of each other and have little to no ties to the main 'Mythic Quest' storyline. The installments capably experiment with form and tone, resulting in a refreshing take with every episode.

Each of the four episodes showcased offers varied perspectives on both the artist's and the consumers' lives, connected via the overarching theme of 'Mythic Quest'. However, the tie of these narratives with the real world projects them as standalone stories rather than bits of a spinoff, creating a unique viewing experience. The series, while exploring the unknown pockets of its universe, seems to question its own purpose as a 'Mythic Quest' spinoff when its reality isn't drastically different from our own.

The true brilliance of 'Mythic Quest's detours lies in their ability to flesh out the main narrative's themes and characters. In attempting to replicate this, 'Side Quest' faces a double-edged sword. Its deliberate detachment from the central storyline sometimes leaves it isolated and struggling to establish a robust forward trajectory of its own. Despite its challenges and ambiguities, 'Side Quest' presents a captivating exploration of unvisited corners of the universe and serves up a compelling counter-narrative.