The opening shot of Mulligan is a chaotic, pixelated mess: Earth in ruins, aliens blasting away cities, and Matty Mulligan (Nat Faxon), an everyman turned reluctant savior, stumbling into the presidency like a man who just won the lottery but lost the ticket. This is satire, or at least it tries to be.

Created by Robert Carlock and Sam Means for Netflix, Mulligan is an animated apocalyptic sitcom that follows Mulligan as he attempts to rebuild humanity after an alien invasion. The premise is ripe for commentary on politics, class, and the absurdity of power—think Inside Job meets Rick and Morty—but the execution stumbles more often than it soars.

The strongest element of Mulligan is its voice cast. Nat Faxon brings a gruff, everyman charm to Mulligan, making him an unlikely but relatable leader. Tina Fey as Dr. Farrah Braun steals every scene she’s in, her rapid-fire wit and sarcasm providing the show’s sharpest moments. Sam Richardson as Simon Prioleau is another standout, his historian-turned-right-hand-man dynamic with Mulligan offering some genuine humor and heart.

The animation, however, is a glaring weak point. Criticized for being a rung below Family Guy, it feels dated and uninspired, lacking the visual flair that could elevate the show’s satirical edge. The jokes often fall flat, attempting an American Dad level of absurdity but missing the mark with lazy writing and forced humor.

Structurally, Mulligan struggles to find its footing. The first half of Season 1 meanders through setup, introducing a wide array of characters—from Senator Cartwright LaMarr (Dana Carvey) to alien general Axatrax (Phil LaMarr)—but failing to give them enough depth or purpose. The show’s attempt to tackle themes of rebuilding society and avoiding past mistakes is commendable, but the execution feels rushed and superficial.

The second half of the season improves slightly, with episodes like “Prophet Dave” (featuring Andy Samberg) and “Questlove” (yes, the real Questlove) offering some standout moments. However, these bright spots are too few and far between to save the show from its overall mediocrity.

Mulligan had the potential to be a sharp, thought-provoking satire, but it ultimately falls short due to weak animation, lazy writing, and a lack of structural cohesion.