‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ Recap – ‘Aftermath’ & ‘Departure’

11/17/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Godzilla Bellows from the San Francisco Harbor on G-Day in Episode 101 of ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ – ‘Aftermath’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Series Premiere of ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’.

When we think of epic monster movies, the kind that feature Kaiju, or perhaps more specifically… Godzilla… we think of epic stories. The kind that features stunning visuals and amazing battles within the heart of a major city. For that is just what happens during these stories, wherein Godzilla will duke it out with another Titan in the heart of Tokyo, or now San Francisco and save the day or be pushed back into the ocean by some kind of ingenious plan and well… that’s really all there is to those stories and that’s okay. Because it’s a formula that’s worked for decades on end, and we thoroughly enjoy how they play out and we are indeed taken on quite the ride.

But as this era of incredible storytelling and peak television continues along, more and more… there are creatives pondering beyond what the basics have supplied us with for so long. Allowing for new corners of old stories to be explored and told and it just so happens that the world of Godzilla, and M.U.T.O.’s is indeed growing in that manner. For earlier today, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters made its debut on Apple TV+, and this fascinating series goes where few Godzilla stories have ever gone before… if it all. For ‘Aftermath’ and ‘Departure’ were a pair of stories that asked, what comes next for humanity when a being like Godzilla and his counterparts are discovered through the devastation of major city, and well… as it turned out… life would be very different for humanity for certain.

For through a character named Cate, who has made her way to Tokyo to handle her now late father’s affairs, we learn that the planet changed a great deal of its disaster practices following G-Day. Such as having Godzilla and Kaiju shelters in the cities of the world, alongside evacuation routes and other various new plans to keep people alive, and there was also vigilance. The kind generated out of fear, but vigilance none the less and well, this was just wonderful because it showed us that life would have to adapt accordingly and be prepared for some worst-case scenarios. But while it was nice to explore those new frontiers, there were more treats to be had in this particular tale.

Kiersey Clemons, Anna Sawai, Ren Watabe, and Kurt Russell as May Olowe-Hewitt, Cate Randa, Kentaro Miura, and Colonel Lee Shaw in Episode 102 of ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ – ‘Departure’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

After all, while the world saw Godzilla’s arrival as a true surprise, the audience has known for a long time that Monarch has known about the M.U.T.O. aka The Titan, for a very long time, and have done their best to keep it a secret from the world to maintain order and control and keep the world from panicking. But alas, that secret is now knowledge and well… humanity would not look kindly upon the fact that someone knew and could have used that knowledge to protect lives and save San Francisco. Which was why Cate was running into a bevy of trouble in this tale. Since her dad was part of that project and left secrets behind, and now for Cate, she is embroiled in a race against time to hold Monarch accountable for their shady actions before they slip away from accountability for all time.

Something she and her newfound half-brother and friend will accomplish with a man known as Colonel Lee Shaw. Who, also spent a fair chunk of his youth, learning about such creatures. A reality that is oft explored in this premiere via some brilliant and unique flashbacks. Simply because, Kurt Russell plays Shaw in 2023, whereas his son, Wyatt plays the younger iteration of Shaw in the 1950s. Giving rise to a cool little trick storytelling wise, one that puts in perspective just how much Monarch knew and how many other monsters are out there… and are ready to defend their territory. The kind that they conquered long before humanity laid claim. All of which… brings forth one epic story.

One that truly fits within this new monster universe and offers a delightfully compelling story. Since we simply must know if Shaw and Cate can do the impossible and bring this ancient organization to bear and make them pay the piper for not telling the world about Godzilla sooner. But while we wait to see if that can happen, we must celebrate this magnificent opening chapter. One that takes us on an adventure through time and the globe, wherein we were treated to new monsters and cameos of course from the King himself and well… this premiere was so good and so much fun, that this writer is outright hooked and not alone. For this is the extended and sweeping story from Godzilla’s universe that we’ve been waiting for, and it will be interesting to see where it takes us in the weeks to come. Until next time.

Wyatt Russell as Lieutenant Lee Shaw in Episode 102 of ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ – ‘Departure’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

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