Throughout the series, American Gods has proven itself not to shy away from controversial topics by handling them with such finesse. This weeks topics include immigration, Christianity and belief once again, and somehow they manage to treat them respectfully but also in a way that makes a statement for viewers to consider. The series had much to live up to after last weeks episode which included the introduction of Mr World, a David Bowie and Marilyn Monroe-dressed Media, and the return of Laura Moon, but you never know what to expect since the series is so bizarre and inconsistent!
Coming To America: Mexican Jesus
Once more we open with a ‘Coming To America’ segment, and this particular one is more realistic and present today as it sees those trying to cross the border between the U.S and Mexico. Their leader tells the group not to cross the river if they can’t swim, but in a desperate attempt to start a new life, one man chooses to ignore her warning. The episode then reveals its god for this opening which happens to be Mexican Jesus, as we learned in a previous episode that the series will represent different ethnic backgrounds when it comes to Christianity.
In an attempt to save them from rangers armed with weapons bearing Christian crosses and quotations, this Jesus gives his life for them despite the group being killed. Now this is something that makes the series stands out as typically in most adaptions, Jesus is portrayed as white, so to consider and incorporate the representation of different backgrounds just goes to show how different the series is.
A Thief, A Dead Wife and A Leprechaun Hit The Road
After her run in with Shadow, Laura is left to go after, but not before Mad Sweeney can return and stick around in order to get his lucky coin back. The pair attempt to steal a car and select a taxi, a taxi that just happens to be Salim’s, whom we met in Episode 3. Sweeney convinces him to drive them to Kentucky after mentioning he knows Salim’s Jinn. The unlikely trio make for some hilarious dialogue, especially when Sweeney asks Salim some crude questions about his relationship with the Jinn.
When Sweeney falls asleep, Laura convinces Salim to take a detour and they end up at Jack’s Crocodile Bar and the banter continues, along with some deep, but inappropriately put, talk from Sweeney. One thing that still feels odd is the way Laura and Sweeney interact with one another as it comes across as quite sexual, and I hope to whichever god that the two don’t end up as an item, but it’s looking more likely.
Welcome To Vulcan, Virginia!
Shadow and Wednesday make it out of the police station after their run-in with the new gods, but Shadow is freaking out because he “got stabbed by Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree”. This ordeal pushes Shadow a little further in understanding who Wednesday is, as well as his beliefs since his views have changed after seeing Laura. The two stop their travels as Shadow appears to not look the best and is suffering from a nasty wound where Wednesday has to coax a tree remnant out of Shadow’s body with his electrical touch.
This series continues to amaze especially with its inconsistent format that makes it feel very out there. When a cheerful tune plays, you think all would be well but when a man falls into a vat of molten metal and continues to play? You know the show is truly something else.
Vulcan, Virginia is a township that is dedicated to the true America, which means they’re all gun-toting individuals who will protect their America with bullets. It is here we are introduced to yet another god, a god by the name of Vulcan. Vulcan is the ancient Roman god of fire and volcanoes, but in the present time, he’s a manufacturer of bullets so essentially he’s become a franchise so people can worship him through his bullets.
Wednesday and Vulcan are more than happy to see one another and Wednesday wants Vulcan on his side, which he is happy to do as he’s wanted to be part of the team even before the war had been thought of. Wednesday requires a blade to be forged that he can carry into battle and upon inspecting the blade, it’s revealed Vulcan has sold them out to the new gods. So what better way to test a newly made sword than decapitating Vulcan and pushing him into the molten vat to be made into bullets, but not before Wednesday urinates into it and curses them.
What did you think of the episode? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
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