Damon Lindelof’s Mrs. Davis is a campy and fun show that pits a nun with a mysterious, past against an all-powerful A.I. to find the Holy Grail. Tara Hernandez, Damon Lindelof and Betty Gilpin bring this wild comedy to life and make it an enjoyable ride.
The show is an effective balance between hard-edged cynicism and devotion. It follows Simone, played by Betty Gilpin (GLOW, The Hunt), as she is targeted by the A.I., Mrs. Davis. She discovers a roller coaster of events she needs to navigate as she goes in search of the grail. There are beheadings, a car chase, and a comical group of German henchmen.
Mrs. Davis has all the trappings of a cartoon and forgoes the complex issues one might find in the shows and films of Damon Lindelof. It is clear from the first scene that there was much enjoyment in making the show. It is simply a fun watch and there is no need to go too deep into philosophical exploration.
Betty Gilpin gives an impressive performance of being a believable action hero and a devotee at the same time. The scenes where she is riding through the streets on a motorcycle as a nun convey a memorable image.
There are a few points that can be drawn to our current relationship with technology. We are quick to subject ourselves to the demands of A.I. with wireless earbuds and we may treat this technology with a religious reverence given how well it fulfils our needs. Overall though, Mrs. Davis is not meant to be taken too seriously. It is simply designed to make you laugh, and succeed in its mission to bring joy and light to a world that needs a bit of laughter right now.
Mrs. Davis was originally based on a spec script by Tara Hernandez, who also served as the showrunner. Hernandez teamed up with Lost and The Leftover’s Damon Lindelof to bring the show to life. Together, the showrunners created a wild comedy with a lot of wit and humor.
Betty Gilpin, who stars as Simone in Mrs. Davis, is known for her roles in GLOW and The Hunt. She gives a great performance as the main protagonist and does an excellent job of juggling the complexity of being an action hero while also embodying religious devotion. It is clear that she was the perfect choice to play the role.
Mrs. Davis is sure to be a memorable show, bringing a lot of joy and laughter to viewers. If you’re looking for a complex genre exercise, this isn’t it. But it is sure to bring a smile to your face. Enjoy the ride!
