This was a great episode until the Gods became racist. I was even looking up the Director to see what else she had done before the bottom dropped out. Hollywood has become so dishonest in their rage.
15 Reviews
And it started so well.
cevo-395622 April 2019
Convoluted & at times incoherent
Ar_Pharazon_the_golden5 May 2019
The problem with American Gods, and especially season 2 as of this episode, is quite simple. The book does not warrant three seasons, even with Neil Gaiman himself adding material. So we end up with episodes that do not advance the plot in the slightest, like this one.
Worse still, I honestly do not see the episodes as following one another. Rather than the continuation, however slow, of a few plotlines, we seem to get random events, unconnected to anything else. Wednesday and Shadow just wonder aroung meeting people with no specific order or plan, forgetting the end of the previous episode. The storylines of the New Gods are even worse and seem completely incoherent, despite a few good scenes, such as the introduction in this episode.
The pity is that the show does not lack intelligence, it has fine acting and some great dialogue - which is however without much context or purpose. I mean, there are a lot of reviewers here complaining because of a dialogue scene where the black gods list what is wrong (well, some of what is wrong) with modern america. The scene is not exactly profound, but it is spot on, well acted, and you can imagine just what kind of people have a problem with it. But even so, it doesn't follow previous events - Bilquis just goes into the funeral home and starts talking with Anansi and Thoth about this and that, ending up discussing racism and how this means (according to Anansi) they must take part in the war? Huh? I felt they just tried to include it without actually fitting it in.
All in all, American Gods tries to be intellectual, but often ends up a bit full of itself.
Worse still, I honestly do not see the episodes as following one another. Rather than the continuation, however slow, of a few plotlines, we seem to get random events, unconnected to anything else. Wednesday and Shadow just wonder aroung meeting people with no specific order or plan, forgetting the end of the previous episode. The storylines of the New Gods are even worse and seem completely incoherent, despite a few good scenes, such as the introduction in this episode.
The pity is that the show does not lack intelligence, it has fine acting and some great dialogue - which is however without much context or purpose. I mean, there are a lot of reviewers here complaining because of a dialogue scene where the black gods list what is wrong (well, some of what is wrong) with modern america. The scene is not exactly profound, but it is spot on, well acted, and you can imagine just what kind of people have a problem with it. But even so, it doesn't follow previous events - Bilquis just goes into the funeral home and starts talking with Anansi and Thoth about this and that, ending up discussing racism and how this means (according to Anansi) they must take part in the war? Huh? I felt they just tried to include it without actually fitting it in.
All in all, American Gods tries to be intellectual, but often ends up a bit full of itself.
Not "action-packed" but poignant!
krrush18 April 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This episode wasn't "thrilling", and didn't really move the story forward much but it was nonetheless entertaining! This episode was more about reflection. In a sense, the characters trying to figure out what is truly important to them, what side they want to be on...In doing so you get a broad overview of issues similar to those of today; war, money, power, classism, racism, etc...The meeting of the 3 black gods was very poignant and shouldn't be dismissed as "white-shaming" But, rather a perspective that differs from the White experience...if you're taking it personally, then you aren't really listening. I was so excited to see the 3 of them come together and form a sort of alliance amongst each other. Also In this episode you see the gods themselves questioning their roles; are they worthy of worship? Do they do enough or too much? Are they going to earn worship or take it? I must say Orlando Jones is brilliant in this role! I cannot imagine anyone doing it better than he has! Same for crispin Glover! This role was made for him! And it was also satisfying to see "tech" finally get his comeuppance!! Lol new media is a great parody of today's online climate, though I do miss the old media! Gillian Anderson was phenomenal, I hope she returns!
As this show goes full on snowflake, this season is getting 1/3 the viewership of Season One and this episode exemplifies why ratings are CRASHING
random-707784 April 2019
Season one was pretty good. Viewership was 0.28 in the 18-49 which is the demographic that counts. This episode viewership was 0.10. a\
Audience ratings are also crashing.
over at Rotten Tomatoes Season One got a 8.17 from critics, and Season Two has a dramatic crash at a 5.2 rating.
We know what it is, the show has gone from intelligent to full on PC and over half the audience has bolted.
it is one thing to challenge myths about America - it is another thing to just make them up and lecture the audience with the false ones.
over at Rotten Tomatoes Season One got a 8.17 from critics, and Season Two has a dramatic crash at a 5.2 rating.
We know what it is, the show has gone from intelligent to full on PC and over half the audience has bolted.
it is one thing to challenge myths about America - it is another thing to just make them up and lecture the audience with the false ones.
Provocative Episode
mrblack-123 April 2019
Bilquis, Ibis, and Nancy get centre-stage for much of this episode - certainly more representation than we are used to seeing - and their already compelling characters gain immense depth. This episode is not for snowflakes.
Minor flaws, but overall still a great show.
greenhavenall1 April 2019
Love the show, but the new Media isn't impressing me so far. Also, found it amusing that they showed the car going South from Cairo Illinois to St. Louis Missouri. I grew up in Illinois and traveled to both frequently. St. Louis is North of Cairo. Guess you can't expect geographical accuracy in shows anymore.
Orlando Jones is superb in this episode!!!!!!!!!!!!
arielgrv30 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The monologue that Ananse (Orlando Jones) soys at 31" is one of the most compelling speeches I ve ever heard about the story of the coloured people in many years. His acting is awesome, aligning him with the best actors of all time. Chapeau to you Orlando Jones!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice work
AdrianSince19xx1 April 2019
There's filler episodes and waste of time episodes.
younger-579911 April 2019
This is the latter. It's a waste of an hour. Truly boring. Story isn't advanced in anyway really and there was a length sedgement featuring the black gods all discussing how the world is so bad and it's all the white mans fault. If the show continues in this vein I'll stop watching it.
Good episode until
anonymousjaygee2 April 2019
The excessive self flagellation by white people that wrote and directed this episode. If I had to guess it was written by someone that grew up in a suburb, moved to Brooklyn, and thinks they understand poverty and racism. Embarrassing.
If this is the greatest story ever told...
levinsonianj3 April 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Then I'd hate to see the worst. Okay it isn't that bad, but it is a bunch of filler that doesn't go anywhere. The few things that do progress the story are things I didn't care about and that came out of nowhere like Technical Boy somehow being obsolete. Also I still have no idea who I should be rooting for. Shadow is boring, the new gods are clearly set up as the villains but the old gods especially Wednesday seem just as bad. The only likable characters are Laura and Mad Sweeney and they weren't even in this episode. The show still has good acting and an interesting style but I'm slowly getting tired of it. Also I think it's funny how Ian Mcshane and Ricky Whittle trashed Game of Thrones. Even the worst Game of Thrones episode is still better paced and more emotional than every american gods episode combined.
Just like that, the show loses its way
flowirin2 April 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Season 1 was slow. Really slow. meandering and wordy, but somehow captivating.
Season 2 picked it up, moving along at a far more comfortable pace. It really felt like we'd had the groundwork laid and could get some story given to us.
And then this mess of an episode landed. For the first time, it was painfully obvious that we were watching the TV translation of a book. The start was just fine, Tech's first believer was a beautiful act. Then we ground into the dirt, with pointless racism and tired SJW grievances being drummed into our faces by sockpuppet 'gods'. Tech went astray, his mouth opening to deliver paragraph after paragraph of tone-deaf written word, totally failing to convince, entertain or captivate. By the end, he'd just become 'blah', for me. Then cut to Odin, for more of the same, tired text stuffed awkwardly and unconvincingly into animated faces. I felt that you could see the ennui in the actor's faces. I hope to god that we don't get too much more like this or the series is going to join the many that started well and then turned into muck.
Season 2 picked it up, moving along at a far more comfortable pace. It really felt like we'd had the groundwork laid and could get some story given to us.
And then this mess of an episode landed. For the first time, it was painfully obvious that we were watching the TV translation of a book. The start was just fine, Tech's first believer was a beautiful act. Then we ground into the dirt, with pointless racism and tired SJW grievances being drummed into our faces by sockpuppet 'gods'. Tech went astray, his mouth opening to deliver paragraph after paragraph of tone-deaf written word, totally failing to convince, entertain or captivate. By the end, he'd just become 'blah', for me. Then cut to Odin, for more of the same, tired text stuffed awkwardly and unconvincingly into animated faces. I felt that you could see the ennui in the actor's faces. I hope to god that we don't get too much more like this or the series is going to join the many that started well and then turned into muck.
We're talking about money
paultapner20 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The opening of this is beautiful. Some glorious music. But there's no point to it.
Then what has become the norm follows. Shadow follows Mr. Wednesday round like a lost puppy.
Gods and people talk about things. From Money - who is rather well realised - to racism. And talk about not doing things. Which is appropriate.
One character seemingly meets their end. For no really clear reason.
One says 'I'm getting bored watching this bull*hit.' Any programme that doesn't get it's own irony is a lost cause.
Then what has become the norm follows. Shadow follows Mr. Wednesday round like a lost puppy.
Gods and people talk about things. From Money - who is rather well realised - to racism. And talk about not doing things. Which is appropriate.
One character seemingly meets their end. For no really clear reason.
One says 'I'm getting bored watching this bull*hit.' Any programme that doesn't get it's own irony is a lost cause.
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