What do you picture when you think of a god? A warm light? An old bearded man? The amalgamation of various paintings, statues and descriptions in folklore? In its first season, American Gods (Season Finale, 9 p.m. Sunday, Starz) has suggested there is room for every interpretation of gods — and that the designation is not just reserved for the entities we pray to.
At the center of this disorienting drama is Shadow Moon (Ricky Whittle), quite literally a man among gods. He’s just served time in prison, released early but not before his beloved wife is killed in a car crash. After counting the days to freedom for years, he is suddenly without a reason to go on. No ties left in this life. No god. And then he meets Mr. Wednesday (the always delightful Ian McShane).
A charming, charismatic con man, Mr. Wednesday persuades Shadow to work as his bodyguard/right-hand man. The two travel across the U.S. and meet a mix of religious, spiritual and mythological beings along the way, as a battle between the new and old gods grows imminent.
As the story has unfolded, the audience has been introduced to these deities. Each episode begins with a vignette depicting a particular god. Over time, as people from around the world arrive in America, from Viking explorers to slaves and indentured servants, so do the gods they worship.
These “old gods” include a recognizable bearded Jesus (portrayed by multiple actors to depict Christ’s many interpretations), an Arabian Ifrit/Jinn or fiery genie (Mousa Kraish) and the toughest, tallest leprechaun you’ve ever seen (Pablo Schreiber). They’re in a state of crisis, becoming increasingly irrelevant in the 21st-century U.S., where emerging “new gods” represent much more capitalist, contemporary American ideals. Media (Gillian Anderson) is the face of these gods, appearing in the form of celebrities from Lucille Ball to David Bowie, while the internet is personified by the trolling, vaping Technical Boy (Bruce Langley). It’s no surprise there’s a little less time for Jesus when you’re getting lost in your Facebook feed.
Considering all the hardship Shadow Moon — whose name curiously invokes the image of a Native American god of night — has experienced in life, it would make sense for him to abandon any idea of a “higher power.” He’s certainly a skeptic — this all could be a classic Mr. Wednesday long con, as it becomes clear he’s using Shadow much more than helping him. But when Shadow’s dead wife emerges from the grave, it’s clear he has gotten involved in something very serious. Just what Shadow’s role is here has remained a mystery.
American Gods marks co-creator (with Michael Green) Bryan Fuller’s triumphant return to TV, following the premature cancellation of his NBC masterpiece Hannibal. His dark, lush, fantastical symbol-heavy signature is immediately recognizable in this series, based on Neil Gaiman’s titular novel. Much like his original take on the Hannibal Lecter franchise, Fuller proves to be the master adapter of stories. Considering Fuller’s penchant for casting some of the same actors in his various projects, I’m hoping for a future Mads Mikkelsen (Hannibal) cameo. Perhaps as an old Danish god?
In this week’s finale, Mr. Wednesday and Shadow try to recruit Ostara (Kristin Chenoweth), the old god of spring, with help from the storytelling trickster Mr. Nancy (Orlando Jones). We’ll see many of the new and old gods convene for the first time at her Easter celebration, a feast day she begrudgingly shares with Jesus — a perfect example of the show’s dark humor.
The series — renewed for a second season — challenges viewers to consider their own gods. While Americans are increasingly turning away from organized religion, we dedicate our attention elsewhere and still place value on certain ideals. In the words of Vulcan, the gun-wielding, ammo-producing god of fire, “You are what you worship.”
Pick of the Week
The Handmaid’s Tale (Season Finale, Wednesday, Hulu) – Serena Joy confronts her husband and Offred, who has a life-altering revelation. Season 2 has already been confirmed and will explore beyond Margaret Atwood’s titular novel.
CONTACT JAC KERN: @jackern
This article appears in Jun 7-14, 2017.