Krapopolis (2023-25) is a Fox animation sitcom set in ancient Greece, where the inept demigod Tyrannus (Richard Ayoade) rules over a crappy city-state. Many gods and heroes have guest shots, including Achilles, Heracles (the Greek form, for once), Hermes, Homer (really?), Pan, Poseidon, Odin (makes as much sense as Homer).
I'm reviewing Episode 2.14: "Love Trap, Baby," because Tyrannus becomes a contestant in a Bachelor-like dating show. I want to see if any of the contestants are women.
Jordan Young, reputedly in the running for Tyrannus before they decided on Richard Ayoade, is on RG Beefcake and Boyfriends
Scene 1: A messenger from the city of Messenia appears before demigod King Tyrannus to see if he wants to barter for some squid. Not interested: The Messenians forgot Poseidon's birthday, so he is making it rain squid, and Krapopolis is downwind.
Next visitor: Angelioforos, with an invitation and a gift (is it the hunkoids carrying the fruit basket?). Their princess Lycosa is seeking True Love, so she is inviting all of the eligible bachelors in the area to come to her palace on the Paradise Peninsula for a contest.
Tyrannus' part-fish Half-Brother is cynical: this sounds like a scam. But the rather naive Tyrannus agrees to go.
Scene 2: Tyrannus packing for the trip, asking fashion advice from his sister Stupendous, the gigantic leader of the city-state's army: slit to the thigh, or farther? "Farther?"
Next he tells his parents, Shlub the manticore/centaur creature (Matt Berry) and Deliria, Goddess of Destruction and Questionable Choice, that he's leaving them in charge, and could they please not destroy or "fundamentally alter the character" of his city while he's away?
Scene 3: On the road, the siblings continue to complain.
Back in Krapopolis, the parents complain: "He thinks we can't handle his city for a few hours?" They plan an party, but the roads are too bad to draw anyone, so Deliria repairs them, and turns some enchanted carts into a train that will go from town to town.
More after the break
Scene 4: The suitors gather at the Princess Lycosa's palace. None are women.
Musculus (Jerry O'Connell, left) can't believe that someone as scrawny as Tyrannus would compete, and asks "Are you rich?" Well, he is the head of a city-state.
Next Cork (Skyler Gisondo, right) introduces himself. His main claim to fame: He makes and sells wheels.
A man named Todd -- explains that he's the suitor you see for a few minutes and then never again.
The Princess arrives. Stupendous is entranced, and decides to compete: "I am Stupendous, warrior, demigod, s*x volcano, bed destroyer." The Half-Brother Hippocampus decides to compete also, just to be ironic.
Scene 5: First contest: sweet talk, Musculus first. Stupendous throws him across the city and takes his place. The Half-Brother advises that they are being mind-controlled by something toxic in the gift basket. Later, Stupendous is identified as gay through relationships with a female mermaid and a nonbinary person.
Back in Krapopolis, the public transport system is working great, drawing a lot of people in for the party. They stick around town afterwards to eat and buy things, so the economy is booming. Plus a lot of doctors have come in for the party, so the city has good health care.
We see only male-female couples kissing. Gay couples only gaze at each other and run off linking arms.
Scene 6: Time for the Wreath Ceremony, the first elimination. Musculus, Cork the Wheel Maker, Tyrannus, and Stupendous remain.
Next Test: Alone time with the Princess. After talking to Cork, she decides against him, and he is led into another room. Half-Brother investigates, and finds a pile of bones! They're killng the contestants!
Meanwhile, Krapopolis is thriving, with antique stores, art classes, jogging, artisanal grapes, and outdoor tavernas, all thanks to public transport. Craig drops by to ask the gods about the new community theater he's opening. That's the last straw! Tyrannus said not to fundamentally alter the character of the city. They've altered! Dad feels guilty. Mom changes things back.
Scene 7: Half-Brother bursts in during the Stupendous interview, but Deliria gives him some of the mind-control drug, so he falls in love with her and stops his warning.
Cut to the siblings caught in a giant spider web. Deliria is using the contestants to feed her giant spider. They're still in love, and figure she must have a good reason. But when she grabs Tyrannus, the siblings note that they love him, too, free themselves, and rush to the rescue.
And it turns out that the Princess is just the spider's tongue in disguise! I didn't see that coming. The end.
Beefcake: Some.
Heterosexism: The Princess and her crew only thought of inviting men, even though they were just trying to feed a giant spider.
Gay Characters: In the background, very easy to miss. Plus Stupendous. Love spells usually affect only male-female couples, so having her fall is progressive. Sort of.
My Grade: I liked the B Plot with the parents gradually transforming the city with the goal of facilitating a party, but the A Plot was not well developed. There should have been more of a contest, with humorous challenges, questions, and so on. But at least it gives me an excuse to post photos of Jerry O'Connell. C+.
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