An intriguing mix of Norse mythology, fantasy and science fiction, this show has us hooked right from the beginning
You have to give credit to Neil Richard Gaiman for writing an absurdly beautiful and mind blasting novel – American Gods. You also have to shower some well deserved applause for screenwriters Bryan Fuller (Pushing Daisies, Hannibal) and Michael Green (Green Lantern, Sen and The City) for bringing Gaiman’s fantastical universe to life in Starz’ original television series by the same name.
American Gods is an intense show right from the get go, and we’ve only seen two episodes of the series so far. The show is currently available to watch in India on Amazon Prime Video and it’s worth every minute of your life. You have never seen Norse mythology meet fantasy and science fiction (to some extent) in a television show before, at least not like this.
The premise of the show is established right at the beginning with scenes of a Viking horde arriving in America by ship for the very first time. Overwhelmed with the emotion of discovery, the Vikings eagerly drop anchor only to be greeted by a rain of arrows that blocks them from further exploring The Americas. Frightened for their safety, the Vikings pray to Odin, the Norse god of battle, death, healing, poetry and many other things. To please Odin, the vikings battle each other in bloody and graphic scenes of violence which will make you queasy to say the least. As creepy as this may sound, it is right then when you realise that this show will be a visual delight. And, what a delight it is indeed.
Gaiman’s novel highlights how immigrants brought gods and spirits to America and that they exist in the first place because of people’s faith in them. While the show opens in 813 CE, the scene soon shifts to the protagonist of the series – Shadow Moon played by Richard Whittle (Lincoln from The 100). Shadow is a convict who is looking at freedom in a matter of days, but he soon receives unpleasant news about his wife dying, getting him a pitiful early release from prison. It is after this incident that audiences meet the modern human incarnation of Odin – Mr Wednesday, played by Ian Mcshane.
As Mr Wednesday and Shadow go about their business, (which you will find out about once you watch the show) you get to meet other human incarnations of old gods and creatures that reside in the real world. There’s the leprechaun, the shape-shifting African folktale character Anansi, and of course, the biblical Queen of Sheba – Bilqis.
Bilquis, played by Yetide Badaki (Masters of Sex) is perhaps the most hauntingly erotic character on television right now. There’s a sex scene in the first episode of American Gods that will remain entrenched in your memory (and your wildest dreams) forever. We won’t tell you what happens in it, because it is something you need to experience first hand. If you come across any one of the hundred odd articles written about this particular scene, DO NOT READ THEM, or else the effect of it will be reduced to mere words.
The twist in the tale happens when Shadow is abducted by a futuristic character called ‘The Technical Boy’, a new god who is the personification of technology and the internet revolution. Smoking a toad-skin vape, the Technical Boy’s entry establishes the core plot of the show – a war brewing between the old and the new gods.
With superb cinematography, a solid script and a great ensemble of actors, It’s a shame to miss watching American Gods. Catch the series and let us know your wild interpretations of where the story is headed.
PS: A big thumbs up to Amazon for licensing this show from Starz and making it available in India
Follow Us
Adamya Sharma
Managing editor, Digit.in - News Junkie, Movie Buff, Tech Whizz! View Full Profile
