Praise Petey: Season 1, Episode 1 - Taxi to the South! (2023)

Petey St. Barts, a former New York "it girl," loses her job, her apartment, and her fiancé in rapid succession, leaving her emotionally and financially adrift. Her fiancé is revealed to be a literal wooden plank, and she discovers he has been unfaithful when her best friend appears with a splinter on her lip after kissing him. Devastated and without options, Petey receives a mysterious package containing a key and a note from her recently deceased father, White St. Barts, inviting her to take over his small-town cult in New Utopia.

Petey travels to New Utopia, a remote, isolated community built around her father's eccentric teachings. Upon arrival, she is greeted by the townspeople, who immediately shower her with attention and affection, including a communal shower where three women bathe with her, covering their anatomy with limbs and soap suds. Petey is visibly uncomfortable but tries to maintain composure, noting that the experience is not the weirdest she's ever had.

Petey meets Bandit, a young man who serves as her guide and confidant in New Utopia. He explains the town's structure, including the fact that her father had multiple wives and was known for hosting orgies. Bandit shows Petey a video of her father stuffing an apple into the mouth of a man tied up and wearing a leather mask, further unsettling her. Petey is introduced to Mae Mae, one of her father's former wives, who is eager to help Petey settle in and take over leadership of the cult.

Petey is given a tour of the town, which is filled with bizarre rituals and outdated customs. She learns that the townspeople are deeply devoted to her father's teachings and are unable to function without clear direction. Petey's manservant is introduced, whose sole purpose is to warm her feet on command, a comfort reserved for the cult's leader. Petey struggles to adapt to the town's way of life, particularly when she attempts to brew an oat-milk latte, a task that proves to be an all-day ordeal with unsatisfactory results.

Petey begins to worry about her future and what her life will look like without the cult's devotion. She observes the townspeople's dependence on her father's teachings and realizes that any change she makes will have significant consequences. Petey decides to try to modernize the cult, hoping to improve the lives of the townspeople and find a sense of purpose for herself.

Petey's attempts to modernize the cult are met with resistance from Mae Mae and other elders, who are deeply invested in maintaining the status quo. Petey clashes with Mae Mae, who tries to court her with handsome men and sends the elders to New York to retrieve Petey's frozen eggs, believing that Petey is destined to have a new "blood heir" according to a prophetic tapestry. Petey is increasingly frustrated by the town's obsession with her personal life and her father's legacy.

Petey's UTI becomes a source of gossip in New Utopia, with the townspeople speculating about her sex life and health. Mae Mae tells Petey that her UTI is part of a bigger plan, as shown in the prophetic tapestry, which foretells the arrival of a new "blood heir." Petey is disturbed by the attention and the implications of the prophecy, but she continues to push for change.

Petey's efforts to set boundaries and assert her independence lead to conflicts with Mae Mae, Bandit, and other townspeople who have contrary opinions about her leadership. Petey becomes more narcissistic and self-centered as she struggles to navigate the challenges of running the cult and dealing with her own insecurities. The episode ends with Petey preparing to support disappointed cult members in the aftermath of her changes, setting the stage for further conflict and growth in the series.

At the end of "Praise Petey" Season 1, Episode 1, "Taxi to the South!," Petey St. Barts, after losing her status as a New York "it girl" and her job, receives a mysterious gift from her deceased father: she is left in charge of his small-town cult in New Utopia. This unexpected inheritance offers her a new direction and a fresh start, setting the stage for her to modernize and take control of the cult.

Expanded narrative of the ending scene by scene:

The episode culminates with Petey, who has been struggling with the collapse of her glamorous New York life, including losing her job and social standing. She is emotionally adrift, grappling with the loss of her identity as an "it girl" and the stability she once had. This internal conflict is palpable as she navigates the city, feeling disconnected and uncertain about her future.

Suddenly, Petey receives news of her father's death, which is a pivotal moment. Along with this news comes a surprising bequest: her father has left her in charge of his small-town cult, located in New Utopia. This revelation is delivered with a mix of shock and intrigue, as Petey contemplates the implications of this inheritance.

The scene shifts to Petey traveling south to New Utopia, symbolizing a physical and metaphorical journey away from her past life. The town and cult are depicted as quaint and somewhat eccentric, contrasting sharply with the fast-paced, glamorous world Petey has left behind.

Upon arrival, Petey is introduced to the cult's members and the community, who are a mix of quirky and devoted individuals. This setting provides a new social environment for Petey, one that challenges her previous notions of identity and success.

The episode closes with Petey standing at the threshold of this new chapter, holding the responsibility of leading the cult. Her expression is a blend of uncertainty and determination, hinting at the personal growth and transformation that will unfold as she attempts to modernize the cult and find her place in this unexpected role.

Regarding the fate of the main characters at the episode's end:

• Petey St. Barts is positioned at a crossroads, having lost her former life but gaining a new purpose as the leader of the cult. Her future is open, with the potential for reinvention and leadership.

• Other characters such as Bandit, Eliza, and Mae Mae are introduced or referenced but do not have definitive fates revealed in this episode's conclusion. Their roles and relationships with Petey are set up for development in subsequent episodes.

This ending sets the tone for the series, emphasizing themes of identity, reinvention, and the clash between old and new ways of life. It leaves viewers with a clear sense of Petey's challenge and the narrative path ahead.

There is no post-credit scene in the first episode of Praise Petey, titled "Taxi to the South!" The episode concludes with the main story ending and does not include any additional scenes or moments after the credits roll.

Petey St. Barts, after losing her job, apartment, and fiancé in New York City, is thrown a lifeline when her deceased father leaves her in charge of his small-town cult. This unexpected inheritance motivates her to try to modernize and overhaul the cult, seeking a new purpose and to improve the lives of the cult members in New Utopia.

In 'Taxi to the South!', Petey clashes with the recently elected mayor Bandit as she tries to set boundaries and assert her leadership over the cult and town. Their interactions highlight the tension between Petey's new role and the existing local authority, contributing to the episode's conflict.

Mae Mae is a significant character who informs Petey that her UTI is part of a larger prophetic plan involving her having a new 'blood heir.' Mae Mae attempts to court Petey with handsome men and sends the Elders to New York to retrieve Petey's frozen eggs, indicating her active involvement in both Petey's personal life and the cult's future.

Petey learns that her father had multiple wives and was fond of orgies, which is revealed through a video showing her father in a provocative scene. This discovery adds complexity to Petey's character, influencing her self-image and the way she approaches her inherited leadership role in the cult.

Petey struggles with severe self-image issues, often self-deprecating even when she has good ideas. She is mistreated at her job and eventually fired for calling herself 'dumb.' These insecurities carry over into her new role, affecting how she interacts with others and tries to assert control over the cult and town.

The TV show Praise Petey, Season 1, Episode 1 ("Taxi to the South!"), is rated TV-14 and is not considered family-friendly for children or sensitive viewers due to its mature content and themes.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting aspects include:

• Strong language, including several bleeped-out f-words and misuses of God's name.
• Cult-related themes involving spiritual practices, ritualistic ceremonies, and references to real-life cult tragedies (e.g., a scene referencing a "totally safe Kool-Aid" similar to Jonestown).
• Violence and disturbing imagery, such as a ritualistic human sacrifice, a monster attack in the background, a man's father exploding, an apartment fire caused by candles, and a near alligator attack after a goat kick.
• Dark humor and irreverent treatment of serious topics, including death and cult worship, which may be unsettling for some viewers.
• The show contains adult animation content with a dark comedy tone, aimed at mature audiences rather than children or family viewing.

Overall, Praise Petey is designed for adult viewers comfortable with edgy, dark humor and cult satire, and it is not suitable for children or those sensitive to mature themes and language.