Season 1, Episodes 1-5 Overview
Premiere Date: Sunday, March 10, 2019 on Starz
Reviewer Rating: 4 Stars
If you need an escape from your ordinary, mundane existence; you need to watch Now Apocalypse. If your life is already extraordinary but lacking that otherworldly vibe; you need to watch Now Apocalypse. No matter your status in life, Now Apocalypse is a must-see cosmic mystery disguised as a hilariously absurd comedy filled with aspiring writers, actresses, rocket scientists, and stoners. And sex…copious amounts of sex. Heterosexual sex, homosexual sex, threesomes… So. Much. Sex.
Official Trailer For Starz New Original Series Now Apocalypse, Premiering March 10
So to recap, Now Apocalypse is a fun, celestial, libidinous stoner mystery that will air weekly for your viewing pleasure. Who wouldn’t want to watch that? Obviously, if you’re unable or ill equipped emotionally to handle the constant talk about coitus – having sex, not having sex – and smoking a bit too much marijuana, then maybe you shouldn’t watch. But watch anyway; get out of your comfort zone.
Now Apocalypse centers around four central characters. Avan Jogia as Ulysses, who struggles with finding a job and partakes in the habitual smoking of recreational drugs. It’s also unclear if he’s having vivid premonitions of an impending alien invasion or if he is in fact toking too much on the old cannabis pipe. Ulysses lives with his college roommate and friend Ford (Beau Mirchoff) (who he may or may not still have a crush on). I mean, that one time in college is a thing and not just for girls. And then there’s Carly (Kelli Berglund), also a friend, who is an aspiring actress. Finally there is Ford’s girlfriend (sort of) Severine (Roxane Mesquida). She is sexy, “sooo French,” and an actual “rocket scientist.” The shenanigans that ensue for these four had me wide-eyed and completely drawn in. Perhaps I’m not in tune with what happens in the world of “millennials” and the younger generation, but damn.
There is definitely an underlying mystery, if you will, happening. Ulysses is desperately trying to meet up with Gabriel (Tyler Posey), a guy he’s been talking to on a dating app. What happens after their first meeting is quite peculiar yet oddly…hot. The way Now Apocalypse blatantly explores all forms of hedonism is kind of a turn on. And the fact that both these guys are good looking (albeit too thin for my liking) doesn’t hurt. Side note: I want to feed Ulysses a sandwich or two. I thought weed gave you the munchies? (or is that just a rumor) I just want to make sure he gets his nutrients from other sources because man cannot live on a weed pen and the occasional random delivery guy hook-up alone.
I adore Carly. She is trying to break into the entertainment industry and takes acting classes but it’s not easy. To make the rent she does some kinky, and often times confusing, things to make ends meet as a “cam girl.” You do what you gotta do, right? No judgement. Carly is innovative, creative, and a really good friend. The way she tries to counsel Ulysses is quite endearing. “Maybe smoke a smidge less pot before bed.” That’s just good advice. Although she struggles to find happiness in her complicated relationship with her boyfriend Jethro (Desmond Chiam) who is also an actor, Carly’s perspective on life is optimistically hopeful.
Ford is painted as the quintessential rich-boy jock. Granted, he’s a genuinely nice guy and takes care of Ulysses (who never seems to be able to pay rent), but Ford may be a can shy of a six-pack. He may have six-pack abs and be easy on the eyes, but he’s not the sharpest tool in the shed. He’s much too naïve to be an aspiring writer in Los Angeles though. When a so-called “producer” comes up to him in a café asking to read his script, Ford is awestruck rather than skeptical. Living in Los Angeles is not for the faint of heart or the gullible – you’ll be eaten alive!
I admire Severine’s style. Yes, she is actually French, something Carly likes to state whenever it comes to Severine’s personality. Severine’s not about putting too much stock into feelings, emotions, or labeling her relationships. While she says she cares for Ford, I’m not completely convinced. She’s unapologetic about what she likes and dislikes (which I actually love) and something cryptic about her job and what it entails. I’m curious how she and Ford met. Sure opposites attract but by all appearances, Ford and Severine seem like polar opposites. Apparently she really enjoys his “beautiful” man-parts.
There is one scene that disturbed me. The scene where the homeless woman urinates is perplexing, which makes me think something preternatural is afoot. What the hell is that…blob? I could not be a security guard for the graveyard shift in a sketchy looking junkyard. Kudos, Ulysses. I guess a job is a job, right?
After screening the first five episodes, I want more. I need more. Ugh…waiting sucks. Thanks, Starz. No really, thank you; this show is fantastic.
Tune into Now Apocalypse to find out if Ulysses’ drug-induced premonitions are real and lizard-like aliens are coming to invade earth and do odd, sexual things to human or if he’s just a stoner, tripping out and letting his imagination run amok.
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Judy Manning
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