American Gods...How is this good?

[Cowabungaa]

I love it. Yes, it's very much about the style. That's Bryan Fuller for you. But I feel that he sets the tone very well and I love all the vignettes about how all the different old gods managed with becoming obsolete. The whole mythology of the thing feels so vividly portrayed on screen, I love that.

That's what the first season seems to put on the forefront, setting the mythology. You might see that as 'nothing happening' and too-slow pacing but I find it fascinating. I don't need everything doing things the same way thank you very much.

but from what I've seen in the series he's just some fist-pumping cookie cutter BLM'er.

The dude sees his worshippers get pounded into the dust over the centuries. That can get a god kind of riled up. I don't see the problem. And if anything he feels a lot more like some Southern preacher than a 'cookie cutter BLM'er'.

 

[Here Comes Tomorrow]

I wanted to like it but it's just so aimless.

The Shadow and Wednesday bit are great but for some reason the writers decided to put in 3 episodes about Dead Wife. It's like they stretched the first two episodes out into 8.

 

[Nielas]

but from what I've seen in the series he's just some fist-pumping cookie cutter BLM'er.

The dude sees his worshippers get pounded into the dust over the centuries. That can get a god kind of riled up. I don't see the problem. And if anything he feels a lot more like some Southern preacher than a 'cookie cutter BLM'er'.

The Old Gods shown are the American versions of the Old World gods. The American Anansi would be shaped by the experiences of the black slaves and their descendants and would be much angrier.

 

[happyninja42]

The dude sees his worshippers get pounded into the dust over the centuries. That can get a god kind of riled up. I don't see the problem. And if anything he feels a lot more like some Southern preacher than a 'cookie cutter BLM'er'.

This statement kind of implies that the gods actually care about their worshipers, and for the most part, they really don't, other than as a source of power. Some of the gods, depending on their nature, are caring and the like, others are the kind of god who would say "Well, if you died, then you weren't strong enough." Anansi always came across like Coyote to me, from Native American mythology. Sure he might help you, but he might also get you caught up in a prank that got you killed. Trickster gods are fickle that way. I mean, this is the same god that told all of the slaves to kill themselves fighting the slavers, so he could feed off their sacrifice. So their well being isn't up there on his list of concerns. He knew full well they would all die, even told them as much to their faces. But he said "Make your death worth something." As in, let it feed me. And they did. So yeah, he's not really the "I care for my worshipers" kind of diety.

 

[Zen Bard]

American Gods has a built in fan base because of the cult status of the book. It's a pretty original concept with some interesting characters and ideas. Plus it's just a fun read.

Hell, I reread that sucker every few years.

But I can understand how it may not be appealing to everyone. To be honest, if I had no knowledge of the book, I'm not sure if I'd like the show. The pacing is uneven (even downright sluggish sometimes) and they've taken several liberties with the characters that make some of them unlikable.

And I'm concerned about how they'll pad out a pretty close-ended book into a series.

 

[Breakdown]

I've started to read American Gods again and roughly speaking the first series only covered the first 125 pages, of 628 pages in total. The first episode took up about 60 of those pages.

 

[Zydrate]

I'm honestly having trouble following it. I'm mostly there for Odin because I'm a Norse nerd (As much as I can be anyway).

However the show is structured incredibly strangely and half the scenes feel pointless, unnecessary, and never have a payoff. We were introduced to some sex goddess and had a scene with her eating people with her vagina and hasn't shown up since. (I'm also two episodes behind so there's that).

It's like, none of this nonsense means anything. The "Coming to America" segments are interesting but one episode wasted ten minutes with a CGI explanation of a dead god. Who cares? Is it supposed to establish that gods can indeed die, and thus give us some stakes? If so, I didn't need ten minutes of nonsense.

It's just so strange.

 

[Baffle]

Liked the book, which I read because I'd watched the first episode. Then my Amazon subscription expired so I haven't seen the rest. Shadow in the book is a bit useless though? He should've picked up the D&D Demi-gods and Deities manual. The edition with the guy holding a serpent by the neck.

 

[Loop Stricken]

To be honest, if I had no knowledge of the book, I'm not sure if I'd like the show.

I knew the book existed but never got around to reading it.

I really like the series.

 

[Loop Stricken]

It's like, none of this nonsense means anything. The "Coming to America" segments are interesting but one episode wasted ten minutes with a CGI explanation of a dead god. Who cares? Is it supposed to establish that gods can indeed die, and thus give us some stakes? If so, I didn't need ten minutes of nonsense.

That's exactly the point of those, and maybe some people do need to know it. If you don't know a god can die, and assume they're all immortal, you won't understand why the characters could get so worked up over people not believing in them.

 

[Zydrate]

It's like, none of this nonsense means anything. The "Coming to America" segments are interesting but one episode wasted ten minutes with a CGI explanation of a dead god. Who cares? Is it supposed to establish that gods can indeed die, and thus give us some stakes? If so, I didn't need ten minutes of nonsense.

That's exactly the point of those, and maybe some people do need to know it. If you don't know a god can die, and assume they're all immortal, you won't understand why the characters could get so worked up over people not believing in them.

See, I'm savvy enough to know that that was already implied through certain dialog and mannerisms of Odin's character himself. Other gods worry about their worshipper count so it makes sense, considering other lore.
I guess that segment rubbed me the wrong way because it treated me like an idiot.

 

[Imperioratorex Caprae]

The book really is good, though. I haven't seen the show but the gay sex scene between the Djinn and the taxi driver was in the novel and I kinda respect them for not cutting it out.

I don't have an issue with "the gay." I just feel that its an unnecessary addition.

See, it wasn't an addition though. It was part and parcel of the story. The whole theme is that America is a terrible place for cultural mythological creatures and gods because no one has any respect for it anymore. The scene itself is somewhat gratuitous but it was also part of the book, and quite brave of the showrunners to include it.
I find it fits in with the tone and pace of the book, so if you don't like the way its shown/presented, you probably wouldn't be a fan of the original work. Which is absolutely fine, and your prerogative.

 

[sanquin]

On the topic of unnecessary sex scenes, I hate how that seems to be 'the trendy thing to do' these days. There are, what, at least a dozen series going on right now that involve unnecessary sex scenes? I wish this trend crashes and burns very soon... As, imo, it doesn't add anything but fap material for porn sites 3/4 of the time. It has started to feel like blatant fan service that is worse than what anime does most of the time.

 

[FalloutJack]

On the topic of unnecessary sex scenes, I hate how that seems to be 'the trendy thing to do' these days. There are, what, at least a dozen series going on right now that involve unnecessary sex scenes? I wish this trend crashes and burns very soon... As, imo, it doesn't add anything but fap material for porn sites 3/4 of the time. It has started to feel like blatant fan service that is worse than what anime does most of the time.

Well, that would technically be a better argument against the other shows, given that the mentioned scenes were in the book. I don't care because I can skip ahead if I don't feel inclined to observe. Still, you certainly make a point for those shows that just throw it in because.

 

[MrCalavera_v1legacy]

Well, the "style over(?) substance" comes with the director of the show, being Bryan Fuller.
Anyone who watched "Hannibal"(also his thing) knows what i'm talking about.
On a side note, if you liked Hannibal, chances are you will also like "American Gods". That being said, it think they balance style and substance better in American Gods so far, especially compared to painfully tiresome first part of 3rd season of Hannibal.
But enough with digression, point is the show is heavily stylized and if that kind of approach conflicts fit your taste, you probably won't be able to look past it, unfortunately.

Oh, and the gay sex scene was in the book, as other have said. I give you that length might have been a problem(no pun intended).
Though, i'm curious why did you find a flaccid dick that shocking, given that there's a fully erect visible for a moment in previous episode. That surprised me more, since while we have shows like GoT flaunting wieners when they get a chance, i don't remember any other tv series being allowed to show an erect penis.

 

[Breakdown]

On the topic of unnecessary sex scenes, I hate how that seems to be 'the trendy thing to do' these days. There are, what, at least a dozen series going on right now that involve unnecessary sex scenes? I wish this trend crashes and burns very soon... As, imo, it doesn't add anything but fap material for porn sites 3/4 of the time. It has started to feel like blatant fan service that is worse than what anime does most of the time.

Well, that would technically be a better argument against the other shows, given that the mentioned scenes were in the book. I don't care because I ca skip ahead if I don't feel inclined to observe. Still, you certainly make a point for those shows that just throw it in because.

Bilquis has a single sex scene in the book, which establishes that she uses sex to compel people to sacrifice themselves and provide her with power. In the series they have that sex scene in the first episode. But then they have a 10 minute montage in the next episode showing the same thing. They do it again in the last episode. It's gratuitous, since the scenes don't really provide any additional characterisation or storytelling that you didn't get from the first scene. It's also a bit weird to spend so much screen time on a character who doesn't interact with the main characters and who doesn't really have anything to do with the plot.

 

[FalloutJack]

On the topic of unnecessary sex scenes, I hate how that seems to be 'the trendy thing to do' these days. There are, what, at least a dozen series going on right now that involve unnecessary sex scenes? I wish this trend crashes and burns very soon... As, imo, it doesn't add anything but fap material for porn sites 3/4 of the time. It has started to feel like blatant fan service that is worse than what anime does most of the time.

Well, that would technically be a better argument against the other shows, given that the mentioned scenes were in the book. I don't care because I ca skip ahead if I don't feel inclined to observe. Still, you certainly make a point for those shows that just throw it in because.

Bilquis has a single sex scene in the book, which establishes that she uses sex to compel people to sacrifice themselves and provide her with power. In the series they have that sex scene in the first episode. But then they have a 10 minute montage in the next episode showing the same thing. They do it again in the last episode. It's gratuitous, since the scenes don't really provide any additional characterisation or storytelling that you didn't get from the first scene. It's also a bit weird to spend so much screen time on a character who doesn't interact with the main characters and who doesn't really have anything to do with the plot.

Be that as it may, American Gods has these asides. I'm not critiquing their use, per se, but reporting factually that this is how things went down in book town, at least so far. (Have not gotten back to watching after episode six yet.) The comment was about zex scenes in something just because, as opposed to being from a source. My statement is that American Gods is being American Gods. When Neil Gaiman signs a book he's written to a show or a movie, he tends to keep as much of its content intact as he can. Most changes would be in there for something because it has to or because it does something that works. For instance, in the book of Stardust, you didn't have Captain Shakespeare in drag or the seven ghost brothers talking, but in the movie, these added amusement and flavor. In this case, though, it's largely the show of the book, for better or worse.

 

[Breakdown]

On the topic of unnecessary sex scenes, I hate how that seems to be 'the trendy thing to do' these days. There are, what, at least a dozen series going on right now that involve unnecessary sex scenes? I wish this trend crashes and burns very soon... As, imo, it doesn't add anything but fap material for porn sites 3/4 of the time. It has started to feel like blatant fan service that is worse than what anime does most of the time.

Well, that would technically be a better argument against the other shows, given that the mentioned scenes were in the book. I don't care because I ca skip ahead if I don't feel inclined to observe. Still, you certainly make a point for those shows that just throw it in because.

Bilquis has a single sex scene in the book, which establishes that she uses sex to compel people to sacrifice themselves and provide her with power. In the series they have that sex scene in the first episode. But then they have a 10 minute montage in the next episode showing the same thing. They do it again in the last episode. It's gratuitous, since the scenes don't really provide any additional characterisation or storytelling that you didn't get from the first scene. It's also a bit weird to spend so much screen time on a character who doesn't interact with the main characters and who doesn't really have anything to do with the plot.

Be that as it may, American Gods has these asides. I'm not critiquing their use, per se, but reporting factually that this is how things went down in book town, at least so far. (Have not gotten back to watching after episode six yet.) The comment was about zex scenes in something just because, as opposed to being from a source. My statement is that American Gods is being American Gods. When Neil Gaiman signs a book he's written to a show or a movie, he tends to keep as much of its content intact as he can. Most changes would be in there for something because it has to or because it does something that works. For instance, in the book of Stardust, you didn't have Captain Shakespeare in drag or the seven ghost brothers talking, but in the movie, these added amusement and flavor. In this case, though, it's largely the show of the book, for better or worse.

I don't agree that the series is following the book. I pointed out earlier that after the first episode, the other seven episodes have used about 70 pages of content. The rest is added stuff. And I think the changes are there for political reasons, in making the story politically correct and politically relevant, rather than for entertainment.

For me, the book functions as an affectionate road trip through middle America, the bits that aren't the big cities. That's where all the Trump supporters live though, so the series can't do that. Instead you have a town where everybody wears Nazi arm bands and carries a gun, where there's a hanging tree in the town centre. It's blatant dehumanisation, and I think it kind of betrays the tone of the book.

Another example is Mr Nancy, in the book a charming charismatic trickster god who outwits his opponents and states that his offerings were always just fruit and stuff. TV Mr Nancy is a BLM preacher who thrives on death and destruction and keeps telling people to get angry to get shit done. His character has obviously been changed for political reasons.

 

[FalloutJack]

On the topic of unnecessary sex scenes, I hate how that seems to be 'the trendy thing to do' these days. There are, what, at least a dozen series going on right now that involve unnecessary sex scenes? I wish this trend crashes and burns very soon... As, imo, it doesn't add anything but fap material for porn sites 3/4 of the time. It has started to feel like blatant fan service that is worse than what anime does most of the time.

Well, that would technically be a better argument against the other shows, given that the mentioned scenes were in the book. I don't care because I ca skip ahead if I don't feel inclined to observe. Still, you certainly make a point for those shows that just throw it in because.

Bilquis has a single sex scene in the book, which establishes that she uses sex to compel people to sacrifice themselves and provide her with power. In the series they have that sex scene in the first episode. But then they have a 10 minute montage in the next episode showing the same thing. They do it again in the last episode. It's gratuitous, since the scenes don't really provide any additional characterisation or storytelling that you didn't get from the first scene. It's also a bit weird to spend so much screen time on a character who doesn't interact with the main characters and who doesn't really have anything to do with the plot.

Be that as it may, American Gods has these asides. I'm not critiquing their use, per se, but reporting factually that this is how things went down in book town, at least so far. (Have not gotten back to watching after episode six yet.) The comment was about zex scenes in something just because, as opposed to being from a source. My statement is that American Gods is being American Gods. When Neil Gaiman signs a book he's written to a show or a movie, he tends to keep as much of its content intact as he can. Most changes would be in there for something because it has to or because it does something that works. For instance, in the book of Stardust, you didn't have Captain Shakespeare in drag or the seven ghost brothers talking, but in the movie, these added amusement and flavor. In this case, though, it's largely the show of the book, for better or worse.

I don't agree that the series is following the book. I pointed out earlier that after the first episode, the other seven episodes have used about 70 pages of content. The rest is added stuff. And I think the changes are there for political reasons, in making the story politically correct and politically relevant, rather than for entertainment.

For me, the book functions as an affectionate road trip through middle America, the bits that aren't the big cities. That's where all the Trump supporters live though, so the series can't do that. Instead you have a town where everybody wears Nazi arm bands and carries a gun, where there's a hanging tree in the town centre. It's blatant dehumanisation, and I think it kind of betrays the tone of the book.

Another example is Mr Nancy, in the book a charming charismatic trickster god who outwits his opponents and states that his offerings were always just fruit and stuff. TV Mr Nancy is a BLM preacher who thrives on death and destruction and keeps telling people to get angry to get shit done. His character has obviously been changed for political reasons.

I don't think BLM is what you think it is, but I agree that there were changes to make things a bit more current, which was certainly part of the overarching theme. The rest, I feel, is just how you've taken it in. For me, it looks alot like the book. No worries.

 

[sanquin]

Well, that would technically be a better argument against the other shows, given that the mentioned scenes were in the book. I don't care because I ca skip ahead if I don't feel inclined to observe. Still, you certainly make a point for those shows that just throw it in because.

Even if they were in the book, most of the sex scenes feel unnecessary. Even a lot of the ones that tend to be labelled as 'useful to the plot'. I always ask myself, "Does the sex really add anything to this scene apart from keeping one's attention while something important is being said/is going on?" Usually, the answer to me, is no.