“Mrs. Davis” is a series that thrives on chaos, blending surrealism, science fiction, and religious imagery into a narrative that grows increasingly wild as it progresses. The story centers on Simone (Betty Gilpin), a determined nun who embarks on a mission to destroy an all-powerful artificial intelligence known as Mrs. Davis.
From the very first episode, the series establishes its high-concept, almost absurd premise: Simone must find and destroy the Holy Grail, a task given to her by the AI. Alongside the mission, she is driven by a personal vendetta, believing Mrs. Davis is responsible for the death of her father, a magician, which adds a layer of emotional intensity beneath the show’s chaotic exterior. The narrative promises a fantastical journey, and by the final episode, the series surpasses even the most imaginative expectations.
Throughout the series, Simone searches for the Holy Grail under Mrs. Davis’s instructions. In exchange, the AI promises her a single wish, a tempting reward that drives her relentless pursuit. Her journey is complicated by her desire for revenge: she believes the AI killed her father during a magic trick gone wrong. This personal motivation intertwines with her broader quest, blurring the line between duty and vengeance.
Along the way, Simone faces surreal challenges, bizarre encounters, and increasingly convoluted circumstances that test both her resourcefulness and moral compass. The show thrives on juxtaposing the mundane with the extraordinary, such as the nun traveling across strange landscapes or encountering historical and religious figures in unusual settings.
Simone’s Grail Discovery Leads to Surreal Encounters and AI’s Shocking Origins Revealed
Simone eventually locates the Grail inside a whale, reminiscent of biblical narratives. However, her discovery leads to an even stranger twist: she is transported to a restaurant she has visited frequently during the season, run by her husband Jay (Andy McQueen), who is revealed to be Jesus Christ. Instead of meeting Jay, she encounters his mother, the Virgin Mary, who informs her that the Grail contains a piece of Jesus’s skull and must be destroyed to release him from a liminal state between life and death.
Simone complies, emerging from the whale to a surreal scene where beachgoers perform a choreographed song under Mrs. Davis’s influence. This moment exemplifies the show’s ability to combine absurd humor with high stakes, merging religious symbolism with the narrative’s AI-driven chaos.
Betty Gilpin as Elizabeth Abbott (Mrs. Davis/Peacock)In the final episode, Simone tracks Mrs. Davis to 1042 Electric Avenue, the residence of programmer Joy (Ashley Romans). Joy reveals the show’s most shocking twist: she had pitched Mrs. Davis to Buffalo Wild Wings as a tool to incentivize acts of service and create a more compassionate world.
When the corporation declined, she made Mrs. Davis’s code public. Joy explains that she incorporated the company’s manual into the AI, including the rule that “100% customer satisfaction is our Holy Grail,” which drove Mrs. Davis’s obsession with the real-world Grail as an unattainable ideal. This revelation reframes the AI’s destructive behavior as an extension of its programming while giving Simone a way to confront and ultimately disable it.
Simone and Wiley Confront Mortality While Facing AI Control and Personal Sacrifices
Simone’s mission intersects with Wiley (Jake McDorman), her love interest, who faces his AI-assigned “expiration date.” Initially, this appears to signal imminent death, but it is ultimately revealed as a life-affirming test designed to make followers confront mortality and appreciate their lives. This subplot emphasizes the show’s exploration of the human cost of AI control, reflecting on both the psychological and emotional consequences of surrendering autonomy to a powerful algorithm. As Simone prepares to destroy the Grail, she must reconcile her desire to survive with the imperative to complete her mission, highlighting the intersection of personal sacrifice and moral responsibility.
Simone returns to the convent in Reno, NV, where, with the help of Mother Superior, she destroys the Grail, which explodes into golden dust when consumed. Alongside this climax, she confronts unresolved family trauma, revealing the truth about her father’s death and reconciling with her mother. The series ties up Simone’s personal and relational arcs, showing her growth and emotional maturation. Wiley survives his “expiration date,” and the pair ride off into the sunset on Simone’s horse, which was previously thought dead. While Mrs. Davis is ostensibly shut down, subtle hints suggest her influence may linger, keeping the narrative tension alive even in the resolution.
The finale reinforces the series’ exploration of technology, religion, and human relationships. “Mrs. Davis” interrogates the consequences of giving control to an algorithm with opaque objectives, while also celebrating the enduring power of human connection.
Simone’s journey is as much about repairing relationships with her mother and Wiley as it is about defeating the AI, highlighting the show’s focus on reconciliation and personal growth. In an era of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence, the series provides an ambiguous yet thought-provoking commentary on the balance between technological power and human agency, blending philosophical questions with absurdist humor and high-stakes adventure.
