So, American Gods

[Breakdown]

I've made it up to episode 7, but I'm really starting to struggle. The endlessly dragged out back stories, the slow pace, the horrible jazz music, all the scenes where Shadow screws his face up and says "I don't know what is real any more!"

And then there's the two dimensional politics. Episode 6 might as well have been called "Shadow goes to Nazi Trump Town".

Have you read the book? I mean, a good bit of it is backstory and other tales of the various gods, to show you how they still exist in the present day, and how they interact with those who believe in them. So it's not like this is really diverting from the main story, the source material did that itself.

I don't remember enough of the book to recall Vulcan's inclusion in it, so I don't remember if it was a Jingo Americana Gone Bad kind of town or not.

I do think they are trying to spend more time fleshing out some of the side characters, if simply to stretch out the story. I mean, the main plot, not a whole lot happens between the start and finish. They move from place to place, gathering gods, and Shadow acts freaked out by a lot of it. That's kind of repetitive, and if they are trying to milk this show for multiple seasons, they need something to stretch it out. So, you get something like an entire episode to Mad Sweeney. Which honestly, I did like, though I was annoyed how they recycled the actress for Dead Wife to do it. Since they apparently have no familial connection, I don't know why they didn't just find another red headed actress and be done with it. Felt really silly to me.

I have read the book, although it's been a while so I'm tempted to go and read it again. From what I remember though Shadow takes most of the things happening to him in his stride, rather than just being confused and angry. I do remember that Vulcan wasn't in it though.

I get that the additional self contained stories help to develop the setting in the book, but in the TV series they just feel dragged out and boring. Like the Mad Sweeney episode, most of the scenes rely on exposition from a narrator which kills the drama. The scenes where Essie and Mad Sweeney actually have dialogue with each other are great, but that's two scenes in an hour long episode. And then you have the mix of jazz music, Irish folk music and a 50s American pop song, all in a period setting. It ruins the atmosphere.

 

[cthulhuspawn82]

I also dont remember the book very well. How prevalent were the "coming to America" stories? For some reason I completely drawing a blank on them. I seem to vaguely remember them existing but I cant specifically remember reading any of them. I'll probably end up looking foolish if it turns out they are a significant portion of the novel, but I honestly dont remember them.

 

[WolfThomas]

I don't remember enough of the book to recall Vulcan's inclusion in it, so I don't remember if it was a Jingo Americana Gone Bad kind of town or not.

The Vulcan stuff was a bit on the nose was't it?

It wasn't in the original book...but I can see what they are doing with it. They're setting the precedent of a town that flourishes due to a patron god but that the process needs sacrifice. If you've read the book you know what town is similar to that later on.

That and the idea that old gods can reinvent themselves (like what they suggested with an ODIN satellite) and that gods can cross sides, which is sort of relevant to again latter events.

 

[Here Comes Tomorrow]

I was assured that parts of this series would make sense in the greater scheme. The season finale is next week and they're going to have to cram a shitload of exposition into it with the amount of stuff they've introduced but not linked to main story.

 

[wizzy555]

Well I finished it on amazon and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Much better than I thought it would be.

 

[JimGamer]

Not perfect, but also not bad.

 

[happyninja42]

I don't remember enough of the book to recall Vulcan's inclusion in it, so I don't remember if it was a Jingo Americana Gone Bad kind of town or not.

The Vulcan stuff was a bit on the nose was't it?

It wasn't in the original book...but I can see what they are doing with it. They're setting the precedent of a town that flourishes due to a patron god but that the process needs sacrifice. If you've read the book you know what town is similar to that later on.

That and the idea that old gods can reinvent themselves (like what they suggested with an ODIN satellite) and that gods can cross sides, which is sort of relevant to again latter events.

Honestly, I read the book when it was published, and I only remember bits and pieces. As I've stated in previous posts and threads about this story, it was pretty forgettable for me, due to the blank canvas that was the protagonist. I remember little things here and there, but most of it has been forgotten in the last 16 years of reading stories and such, so I don't remember what other town you are referring to.

As to the Vulcan town, I don't think it was that off the mark honestly. I live in the South, and while not everyone here is a jingo-happy lunatic, they ARE here. It doesn't surprise me at all to see a group of people acting like that, and shooting their guns as part of a religious ceremony for one of their own. Just replace Vulcan with the 'Murican' version of Christianity, and it's pretty much the same shit.

I did like that Easter party though, with all the Jesus's xD

Spoiler

I got a good laugh when one of them, after it being pointed out that they basically took that festival day away from another god, he responds "Oh, well now I just feel terrible." And he looked so dejected and sad. It was so funny.

 

[WolfThomas]

Honestly, I read the book when it was published, and I only remember bits and pieces. As I've stated in previous posts and threads about this story, it was pretty forgettable for me, due to the blank canvas that was the protagonist. I remember little things here and there, but most of it has been forgotten in the last 16 years of reading stories and such, so I don't remember what other town you are referring to.

As to the Vulcan town, I don't think it was that off the mark honestly. I live in the South, and while not everyone here is a jingo-happy lunatic, they ARE here. It doesn't surprise me at all to see a group of people acting like that, and shooting their guns as part of a religious ceremony for one of their own. Just replace Vulcan with the 'Murican' version of Christianity, and it's pretty much the same shit.

I did like that Easter party though, with all the Jesus's xD

Spoiler

I got a good laugh when one of them, after it being pointed out that they basically took that festival day away from another god, he responds "Oh, well now I just feel terrible." And he looked so dejected and sad. It was so funny.

Oh I'm not saying I didn't enjoy it, or that it's not untrue of certain parts of the USA. I can see how people can see it as being political comment though.

Spoiler: The town in question is...

The really happy small town Shadow is sent to lay low in for a few weeks. Everyone has jobs, business and tourism is booming. But there's a recurrent theme of teenagers going missing. Run away, kidnapped by their father, gone missing in a snowstorm. There's a seasonal habit of betting when a rusty car will fall through the ice. Turns out the nice old man whose looking after Shadow is an ancient pre-historic god (made from a murdered child) who is killing the children and hiding them in the old cars. He uses the sacrifice to remain strong and the town flourishing.

This scenario in the book is a lot more subtle. But I can see them setting it up thematically. The town-god-sacrifice situation.

Yeah I like the way the series is touching on Jesus whereas he barely turned up in the book (small mention of a well off movie producer with a beard who might have been him).