Commentary: ‘Krapopolis’ Finds A Basic Formula That Works And Sticks With 

Television shows can often get into a nice storytelling groove when they discover an episodic format that works. It doesn’t necessarily have to repeat plot lines over and over again, but stories can take a particular concept or premise and apply it to many different things. Although Krapopolis employs different kinds of episodes, several of them certainly fall into this category. Since the show takes place during the dawn of civilization, a lot of aspects of society that modern humans take for granted are being introduced for the first time. The series does this with many different things, and despite the repeated format, it works to great success.

One such episode revolved around something as simple as a map. They are brand new to the world during Krapopolis, and King Tyrannis (Richard Ayoade) would like his city placed on this new map invention so that more people will come. In order to accomplish this, he needs something noteworthy that will entice the map maker to draw Krapopolis alongside other cities. Tyrannis decides that a restaurant is a great choice and tasks his brother, Hippocampus (Duncan Trussell), to establish one. Ever the perfectionist, Hippocampus ends up ruining the plan and ridiculous animated hijinks ensues.

Although the restaurant plotline became a driving force for the episode, it originally started with the concept of a map. Other episodes introduce new ideas for the first time as well, such as knocking on doors, something that is so commonplace it’s hard to remember a time when it didn’t exist. Taking these everyday items and concepts and creating stories around them being introduced for the first time is a staple for Krapopolis. It may seem like an easy way to develop a story, but easy doesn’t necessarily mean lazy. The show has found a simple way to develop plots and then allows them to unfold in hilarious fashion. It’s a great formula that makes for interesting entertainment.

Krapopolis is now streaming on Hulu.