American Gods

^{Review by Sunday Simmons}

Based on the Neil Gaiman’s best-selling novel of the same name, American Gods cleverly incorporates classic and modern pop culture with a mythical fantasy storyline. This unique and engaging show premiered on Starz and Amazon Prime in April 2017, with a run of 8 episodes that left fans avidly waiting for Season 2 to hit their screens.

American Gods is an ambitious series, following the exploits of Shadow Moon, a man with a past he’d rather forget. Recently released from prison, Shadow is all set to lead a quiet life when he learns his wife has died. A bizarre chance meeting with the mysterious Mr Wednesday on the flight back from his wife’s funeral is just the start of what soon becomes a fantastic, violent and often poignant journey.

There’s a lot to take in with this first season and the series itself is visually stunning, offering a sensory overload of psychedelic proportions – with an incredible soundtrack to top it all off. Mr Wednesday is portrayed as suitably enigmatic by the excellent Ian McShane, whilst Ricky Whittle as Shadow aptly handles playing an accidental anti-hero. Gillian Anderson’s Media is a prominently outstanding character as she portrays David Bowie and Marilyn Monroe in some of the more surreal scenes!

Everything about this series is a feast for the senses as the old gods and the new gods walk amongst us and begin to clash over who should reign supreme. American Gods isn’t the first novel dramatization from Neil Gaiman, but it’s certainly one that has captured lovers of this kind of series. A clever mix of horror, drama, humour, and a strong cast with a great narrative earned American Gods positive reviews from critics and viewers alike.

After the explosive showdown finale of Season One left Gaiman fans begging for more, Season Two finally aired in April 2018. The showrunners had left the building, taking some cast members with them, but even that couldn’t stop this visually stunning fantasy series from hitting the small screen.

Set during the aftermath of the irrepressible Mr Wednesday’s declaration of war, Season Two dishes out flashy set pieces, emotional rollercoasters, and its own brand of thrills as the gods of ancient mythology and media and technology continue to butt heads. Shadow Moon, unsure of how he feels about a world where the new gods may rule supreme, struggles throughout the season to contemplate the changes ahead. Will he begin to believe in a new future? All will be revealed – and boy, are there some whopping revelations in this season.

It has to be said, that the lack of Gillian Anderson’s character, ‘Media’, takes some of the sparkle away from an otherwise solid sophomore outing for American Gods, but Tech Boy (played by the brilliant Bruce Langley) is hot on the trail in search of the elusive character. A firm fan favourite, Tech Boy steals this season, but honourable mentions must go to Orlando Jones as Mr Nancy, and the inimitable Crispin Glover reprising his role as Mr World.

American Gods 2 cleverly weaves stories as old as the stars with modern day legends as gods of old and new clash, and a road trip of epic proportions across America leads them to an inevitable climax.

Three whole years would pass before American Gods resurfaced. Beset with behind-the-scenes issues, the loss of another showrunner, and somewhat controversial reasons for axing popular cast members, Season Three finally hit the screens in early 2021, much to the delight of fans of Gaiman’s fantastic fantasy story weaving.

But what was in store for us during this season? A better question would be what wasn’t in store! The revelations come thick and fast, tales unravelled, new gods emerge, oh and Wednesday -short on worshippers - joins forces with a Viking death rocker named Johan.

Shadow, upon finding Wednesday has been harbouring a (massive) secret from him, leaves his job as bodyguard and, in an attempt to lead a normal life, changes his name and settles down in Middle America. If only hiding from the Gods was that easy!

Wednesday, realising his hold over the world is slipping, now has a new way of gathering followers; Berserker death metal band Blood Death, and its infamous lead singer Johan, played to diabolical perfection by Marilyn Manson. Cumulating in one of the best scenes of the series, the Blood Death gig is a standout moment in this season – and is that Taylor Hawkins on drums? No one seems to know. But the scene is a jaw dropper.

American Gods Season Three brings together gods from all continents and walks of life, spanning eons of belief and wrapping it all up into 10 episodes of compelling viewing. The notable mentions come thick and fast this season – Peter Stormare (Constantine), Denis O’Hare (American Horror Story), Danny Trejo (Machete), Iwan Rheon (Game of Thrones), just to name a few of the stellar actors adding their name to the franchise.

Will there be another season? Probably not, but if you’re a Gaiman fan, there’s still plenty out there to watch – Dead Boy Detectives, Good Omens, Sandman… you’ll never be short of viewing.