American Gods —Review

This Review contains spoilers! 🤞🏾Read at your own accord, though I’ve warned.

Season One and Season Two

Rarely nowadays, has a show had me so intrigued with the storyline, that I’m glued to the TV every week. I realize that that’s how we had to watch shows before the Netflix/Hulu era, but come on, we all can agree that binge watching is much more convenient and fun! It’s also cheaper. I stopped paying for cable years ago, though thanks to my grandmother being in the golden ages, I’m able to enjoy her cable, with her cooking. Love you grandma! Based on the extraordinary Neil Gaimam’s book with the same name, STARZ really has a gem with this show. Developed by Michael Green and Bryan Fuller, American Gods tells the story of Shadow Moon. Shadow Moon is released from prison, and he soon meets the con-man, Mr Wednesday. Shadow’s life starts spiraling out of control. His wife, Laura Moon, dies in a car accident, while having an affair with his best friend, who also dies in the accident. She’s soon brought back to life, to the shock and confusion of Shadow. Throughout Mr. Wednesday’s escapades, Shadow is introduced to different Old Gods like Chernobog(Slavic religion) and Mad Sweeney(Irish). He encounters the New Gods like Media(Goddess of Media), Technical Boy(Tech God), and even Mr. World himself(leader of the new Gods). He becomes intertwined in a battle between the Old Gods and New Gods. This show is ideal for everyone, though if you are keen on mythologies and religions, you’d especially LOVE this. This show incorporates Gods from all different types of mythologies and religions.

You have every deity from Thoth (Egyptian mythology) to Jesus Christ himself. This show also incorporates Odin(Norse God), Bilquis(Hebrew Queen of Sheba/Goddess of Love), Anubis(Egyptian God), to Mama Ji/Kali(Hindu Goddess).The cinematography and graphics are breathtaking. The storylines in season one and two are exhilarating. And can I just say, Gillian Anderson’s character Media is spectacular. Though the character is played by a different actress in season two, who’s also amazing, Gillian’s Media definitely stole every scene she was in. Such a marvelous actress. Between the season one scene with Bilquis, played by the gorgeous Yetide Badaki, who’s vagina literally sucked a man into her……paradise, to the Mr. Wednesday reveal as Odin scene, season one was spectacular and will definitely have you on the edge of your seats. How could I forget the awesome Mr. Nancy(Anansi, the spider trickster God), who starts almost every one of his scenes with thought-provoking, hardening, and revelatory stories. Season two is just as extraordinary and introduces even MORE Gods!!

What I love about this show is that it’s all based on beliefs. With many myths and religions, this show explains how if you believe in it, you’re essentially bringing it to life. That’s what American Gods does wonderfully. It explains how human beliefs are very powerful, and we can take them wherever we go.

If you haven’t watched this show, I definitely recommend you do! If mythologies and religion isn’t your thing, that’s okay, you’ll definitely enjoy the comedy, drama, and action this show offers. The scenery is beautiful, the acting is superb, and the characters are so complex and enjoyable, you won’t know who to root for. Thank you Neil Gaiman for this work of art, and to the show creators for bringing it to life! Definitely worth a watch.

Although the show is currently on hiatus, it usually airs Sundays at 9:00 PM/ET. Perfect time to catch up before the new season starts!