4 things to know before watching Hulu's 'The Path'
LOS ANGELES -- Get ready to be mesmerized by Meyerism.
Hulu's new drama The Path is about a cult-like movement -- based in upstate New York -- called Meyerism.
It follows Eddie (Aaron Paul) and Sarah (Michelle Monaghan), who face obstacles in their marriage as Eddie's character begins to experience doubts about the faith. Hugh Dancy stars as the cult's stand-in leader Cal, while the Meyerist founder Dr. Steven Meyers is away.
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The show, which comes a little over a month after Hulu's successful 11.22.63 mini-series launched, is the streaming service's first hourlong drama.
It landed on the platform with help from Universal Television and Jason Katims’ (Friday Night Lights) True Jack Productions. The show was created by playwright Jessica Goldberg, who wrote and executive-produced the series, along with Katims and Michelle Lee of True Jack Productions.
Here are four things to know before streaming the first two episodes, which debut on the platform Wednesday.
1. The show revolves around the fictional Meyerist Movement.
Meyerists believe that if you "look to the light" and climb the rungs of a metaphorical ladder, you will leave behind pain and suffering and avoid the apocalypse when it comes.
Dancy's character, Cal, is the acting leader of the movement, while their actual leader Dr. Steven Meyer is away, allegedly finishing writing the final rungs of the ladder.
"The future is coming: Poverty, political instability, terrorism," Cal says in the first episode. "Everything we know will collapse. I don't want to live for this moment, I want to live forever -- in the garden that we are creating here, together."
The eye (pictured above) is the symbol of Meyerism. Many in the movement look to the symbol for help, guidance, or a place to direct gratitude. In the series, it's pictured on the characters' shirts, in their homes and all around the compound.
2. Meyerism is not based on Scientology.
Sure, there are similarities. Take the "Meyer Machine" for example, which is used by members of the movement to stimulate neurological growth and physical healing. Scientologists have a similar device for spiritual training: The E-Meter.
Still, Goldberg said that Scientology wasn't her inspiration. Meyerism is a completely made up faith that she created while in a dark place herself (she even wrote about it).
"We looked at how religion calls to so many people right now," Goldberg told reporters at the Television Critics Association presentation in January. "It's taken from lots of different existing faiths and our own story of fantasy of what you're looking for when you are in deep pain."
3. Cast members really had to do their research.
Goldberg gave all cast members a guide to study filled with everything and anything related to the fictional faith. Hulu even gave press a similar glossary, chock-full of terms (below).
"I read Jessica's bible and I read various things about people who had managed to bring small religious movements into a second generation, because by in large they just die out if the leader dies," Dancy told Mashable at the film's premiere.
"And then from there I tried to home in on this particular story."
Monaghan said the cast really immersed themselves while filming, and even began applying some Meyerism mantras, like the idea of "unburdening," behind-the-scenes.
"We actually unburden on set," Monaghan told reporters on the carpet. "We say 'something is bothering me, I just need to get it off my chest.' We actually use it, it's super positive and a great tool."
4. The story is just as much about the people behind the movement as much as the movement.
The show, while centered around Meyrism, is filled with interesting character dynamics and relatable struggles, including marital problems and young love.
"I love that you're not asked as a viewer to look at these people and think 'oh wow they are in a weird cult,'" Dancy said. "You're actually asked to empathize with them and understand what they are looking for in their lives because it makes them whole for whatever reason. I thought it was very interesting and humane."
Paul echoed that the movement itself is interesting, but what is more interesting is the members who follow it.
"It's the people behind the movement that are the shady characters," Paul told Mashable at the show's premiere. "What a lot of religions are preaching is be a good person, treat others like you would like to be treated, live in transparency and be honest. There's nothing wrong with that -- it's the shady things that go on behind closed doors that's what's scary."
After Breaking Bad, Paul said he was unsure as to whether he wanted to jump in to TV again. But The Path script jumped out at him.
"I love complex characters," he added. "It was impossible to say no."
Bottom line: It's worth watching.
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Saba was a Los Angeles-based reporter who covers all things digital entertainment, including YouTube, streaming services and digital influencers. Prior to that, she spent two years at the Los Angeles Times covering entertainment for the Calendar and Company Town sections. Saba grew up in Santa Monica and graduated from Boston University with a B.S. in journalism and B.A. in political science. When not reporting, she is usually binge watching shows online or looking for new coffee shops to frequent.
