Ep 5. Final Transmission

In the second season of Documentary Now!, the acclaimed mockumentary series from executive producers Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, and Seth Meyers, viewers are treated to a new array of absurdly authentic parodies of iconic documentaries. One standout episode from the season is the fifth installment, called "Final Transmission."

In this episode, the team behind Documentary Now! takes on an iconic '90s documentary about a group of young filmmakers who disappear while making a gonzo-style movie in the wilderness. The original documentary, which also served as the inspiration for the found-footage horror film "The Blair Witch Project," was a sensation upon its release and created a whole subgenre of horror films. For the mockumentary "Final Transmission," the Documentary Now! team borrows heavily from this source material but adds a layer of humor and self-awareness that turns the whole thing into a delightful farce.

The plot revolves around a group of inexperienced filmmakers who head deep into the woods to make a movie about a cult. The filmmakers, played by Armisen, Hader, and Helen Mirren, among others, quickly realize that they are in over their heads, both in terms of filmmaking and basic survival skills. As they struggle to make their movie and try to find their way back to civilization, tensions mount as they begin to suspect that something sinister is following them.

The brilliance of "Final Transmission" lies in the way it pokes fun at the conventions of the found-footage horror genre while also delivering genuinely creepy moments. The shaky camera work, dim lighting, and eerie sound effects are all expertly replicated, but the characters' earnest attempts at filmmaking and their bickering and backstabbing make it impossible to take anything too seriously.

One of the highlights of the episode is the performance of Michael C. Hall, who plays a park ranger whose attempts to rescue the filmmakers are repeatedly thwarted by a string of bizarre circumstances. Hall's deadpan delivery and ability to remain stoic in the face of utter absurdity is pitch-perfect and provides some of the biggest laughs of the episode.

As with all the best Documentary Now! parodies, "Final Transmission" manages to both pay homage to the source material while also subverting it. The show's creators clearly have a deep respect for the documentaries they parody but also enjoy taking them to comical extremes. The result is a show that is both hilarious and oddly touching, as the hapless filmmakers struggle to complete their movie and stick together in the face of danger.

Overall, "Final Transmission" is a standout episode of an already excellent season. It showcases the strengths of Documentary Now!, namely its ability to expertly mimic the style and tone of iconic documentaries while also adding its own unique touch. Fans of the original "Blair Witch Project" will likely appreciate the way the show both honors and sends up the classic horror film, while those unfamiliar with the source material will still find plenty to enjoy in the quirky characters and offbeat humor.