Duncan Trussell is the host of “The Duncan Trussell Family Hour,” (DTFH) a wildly popular podcast with over 300 episodes. In the podcast, he invites guests for one hour of open conversation with some talking points. Some episodes circle psychedelic drug use but they speak about many topics. Select episodes of DTFH have been chosen to be adapted into Netflix’s hit show “The Midnight Gospel.” Read as I rank the three “deepest” episodes. Each of these episodes has made some impact on how I view my life and has made me reflect deeply.
1. Episode 3: “Hunters Without a Home”
The overall animation and story of this episode are playful and pleasing, complete with sailor cats, Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 5,” a fish bowl man and the glorious phoenix of eternal light and ceremonial magic. This episode impacted me the most. The podcast guest starts by describing meditation as fastening our attention to something, and thus letting our energy flow in that direction. After watching this episode I started meditating, and I didn’t go with my normal flow of things. I took my mind on its own route and it’s helped me a lot. Learn to zone in on your surroundings.
2. Episode 8: “Mouse of Silver”
The last episode of the season is incredibly important. The main character, Clancy, goes on a journey through his life cycle when his mother is dying of cancer. The episode is full of reflection on facing death. It’s certainly a tear-jerker and makes you want to call or hug the person closest to you. It urges you to cherish the time you have with your family.
3. Episode 4: “Blinded by My End”
This episode is for those of you who would take your grudges to the grave. Clancy takes an unwanted detour to a new planet where he meets Trudy, a knight hoping to avenge her loved one’s death. They speak about forgiveness and the importance of forgiving your enemy to move past a transgression. They mention an inner sonar, which we all contain, that knows when someone is listening to us deeply. This episode is an eye-opener and perhaps a needed conversation for some viewers.
When I first started watching each of these episodes, I always felt lost at first. I’m not much of a deep thinker, but this show forces you to have conversations with yourself on whether you understand what the characters are saying. If you don’t, then who can you talk to or what research can you do to enlighten yourself on each of these subjects? These thought-provoking subjects, coupled with some very bright and playful animations, blend each episode into a strange and unfamiliar trip into the psyche of Trussell and his guests through Clancy and his adventures.
The Midnight Gospel is a must-watch show, whether you want to watch it with friends or alone to spark conversation or self-reflection, or maybe even just to watch the goofy and colorful information and get lost in the deep and complex wording that the show uses. Each episode is interesting and appeals to a different audience each time, which means that there’s something everyone can relate to and ponder on.
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