Ep 1. The Bunker

The Bunker is the first episode of the second season of Documentary Now!, a mockumentary series that parodies documentaries with a remarkably astute eye for detail. The episode tells the story of a cult-like religious leader and his followers who believe that the end of the world is near and that they must prepare for the apocalypse by building a bunker.

The episode starts with a disclaimer noting that the story is based on a documentary called "Gray Gardens," which follows a mother and daughter living in squalor in a decrepit mansion. In a nod to the original documentary, The Bunker starts with footage of a dilapidated bunker located in the woods, which is now abandoned.

After the intro, we meet the main characters: Father Ra-Shawbard (played by Fred Armisen), who heads the Church of Terrariumology, and his loyal followers. Father Ra-Shawbard is a charismatic and eccentric religious figure who preaches about the impending apocalypse and the importance of preparing for it. He is convinced that the only way to survive is to build a bunker, which he believes will protect them from the impending disasters.

As the documentary progresses, we see the followers working tirelessly to build the bunker. They have to dig through rocky terrain and must construct walls and ceilings with limited resources. Father Ra-Shawbard oversees the construction, and he relentlessly promotes the idea that the apocalypse is imminent.

The documentary interviews some of the followers to get their perspective on why they joined the Church of Terrariumology. We learn that many of them were lost and looking for direction, and Father Ra-Shawbard offered them a sense of purpose and belonging. They are all fully committed to the cause and believe that the bunker will save their lives.

As the construction continues, tensions rise among the followers. They are working long hours with little sleep, and they start to question Father Ra-Shawbard's leadership. Some of them think that he is losing focus and is becoming increasingly erratic.

During a key scene in the episode, Father Ra-Shawbard takes the documentary crew to the top of a hill overlooking the construction site. He delivers a rousing speech about their mission and how they are preparing for the end of the world. At the end of the speech, he reveals a surprise that shocks the followers and the documentary crew alike.

The Bunker is a masterful send-up of documentary filmmaking that skewers the obsessions and eccentricities of fringe religious groups. Fred Armisen's performance as Father Ra-Shawbard is a tour de force, and he captures the character's strange, magnetic energy perfectly. The episode also contains some sharp cultural commentary about the dangers of charismatic leaders and blind faith.

Overall, The Bunker is a hilarious and thought-provoking episode that highlights the brilliance of Documentary Now!. It's a must-watch for fans of the show and anyone who appreciates clever satire.