Disenchantment lives up to its name
Disenchantment. Not only is it the title of The Simpsons and Futurama creator Matt Groening’s new Netflix series (which debuts on the streaming service on Friday), but it’s also how I felt after watching the first of its 10-episode run.
The fantasy world-set tale feels like a missed opportunity, lacking the verve, style and yes, wit, of America’s longestrunning primetime series.
Yes, I know, looking back now, almost 30 years, the early episodes of The Simpsons seem overly schmaltzy and a little laugh-free, but the Dreamland created here just doesn’t feel like it has the same potential for longevity.
Set in a medieval kingdom, Disenchantment is the story of rebellious and alcoholic princess Bean (Broad City’s Abbi Jacobson). Saddled with royal rules rigorously enforced by her dad, King Zog (John DiMaggio), and amphibian stepmom Queen Oona (Tress MacNeille), Bean is ordered to marry Prince Guysbert of the adjacent kingdom of Bentwood.
As she contemplates how she can escape her fate, Bean’s demons (or rather her personal demon Luci – Eric Andre) come back to haunt her, taunt her and generally cajole her into reckless decision-making.
She’s also inspired by her new elf companion Elfo’s (Nat Faxon) emancipation from the drudgery and oversweetness of his candy assembly line job.
‘‘I want to cry salty tears and learn bitter truths,’’ he’d told his fellow villagers as to the reasons for his departure (not long after they’d made a failed attempt to hang him from a gumdrop tree for failing to obey their ‘‘jolly code’’).
However, Bean’s betrothed prince’s gormlessness may yet win her her freedom. Accidentally impaling himself on a throne of swords (one of the surprisingly and somewhat disappointingly few Game of Thrones references given the setting), Guysbert expires.
Unfortunately for Bean though, Bentwood has a spousal replacement handily waiting in the wings – brother Prince Merkimer (Matt Berry). Cue a daring escape by the princess and her two new companions. But Merkimer isn’t about to give up his bride that easily, leading to a literal cliffhanger.
I guess that’s the major difference between Groening’s new Netflix setup and his traditional Fox masters (who he has so mercilessly savaged over the years on The Simpsons).
Here, he’s given time to create a story arc and tell tales in a different way to the old-school sitcom format.
Problem is, Disenchantment didn’t really hook me in. It felt like an extended Simpsons’ Treehouse of Horror episode (check out season 29’s The Serfsons for a real-deal GoT parody). I missed Groening’s traditional puns, gags and riffs and, crucially, even if it does get better as the season progresses, it definitely did not give off a vibe of bingeworthiness.
Yes, I know, looking back now, almost 30 years, the early episodes of The Simpsons seem overly schmaltzy and a little laugh-free, but the Dreamland created here just doesn’t feel like it has the same potential for longevity.