American Gods

I would still recommend season one, but they did a horrible job in season 2. It is not the same show anymore.

First season was dark, gore and intriguing. Season 2 has a different director, and derailed with a dull story line and lousy attempts of mimicking the aesthetics of season 1. For example, they tried to add lots of "gags" for the leprechaun character dealing with his lack of luck, as if they were targeted to an audience of 12 years old watching "home alone". This is an adult show. When you compare it to the first scene of first season with pirates puncturing their own eyes, you clearly see season 2 completely lost their target audience.

I stopped watching season 2 on episode 5, and canceled my starz subscription. I may try continue watching it in the future, if and only if there is a different set of directors and story adapters (ideally the same team of season 1, but would give it a try regardless). Otherwise it will be a dead show for me.

A lot of people raved about the first season of American Gods, but my response was more measured. I watched at first just because it's ponderous, mysterious style was unusual for TV. But I wasn't really engaged until a few episodes in when Emily Browning's Laura Moon burst in like a storm. She kept me going through the less entrancing parts of the show, which could be unpleasant and some tedious, *endless* sex scenes.

Since I wasn't a huge fan of season 1, it took me a while to realize I wasn't enjoying season 2. It seemed like pretty much the same thing, only I found myself less interested and more restless. Even Laura Moon seemed less fun. I found it harder to follow the story, and there were none of those really striking moments that peppered season 1.

I gave up at episode 4, which is basically groups of people having long, philosophical conversations interspersed with short scenes that carried the plot and that I couldn't make head or tail out of.

When I came here to write a review, I discovered my disenchantment with season 2 was not an isolated reaction. In fact, a lot of the people who adored season 1 hated season 2. My reaction to both seasons is more muted, but generally 1 is interesting and 2 isn't.

This is almost certainly because for some reason Bryan Fuller was replaced as showrunner. I like some Fuller shows better than others (my favorite is Pushing Daisies), but he is someone with a distinct vision, and I'm not convinced his replacement has one of those.

Check out season 1. Just be prepared to not have a worthwhile season 2 you can progress to.

I just binged both seasons and if they don't make another season I'd be absolutely fine with that.

The cinematography is excellent and the performances are consistently brilliant.

The plot is weaker than a dead wife's fragile torso.

It tries to be sociopolitical instead of just telling a story.

It breaks off into so many unnecessary tangents that I found myself not caring what happened to most of the characters.

Just give me a Mad Sweeney and Dead Wife road story and bin everything else unless you plan to use Crispin Glover properly.

It seems that each episode is trying to out awe the last leaving the viewer just wondering where it is all going at such a pace. No surprise then that it all lost its steam later on. Yes, we get it with the mystery and suspense but that needs kindling and careful character development. Instead it looks like production team were split on how best to achieve this - did they all read the book?

Season 1 is a perfect example of how fantastic cinema can be, given appropriate creative freedom and time to manifest. It culminated in a way that I absolutely loved, there was no aspect that I couldn't praise. The acting, writing, cinematography.. all as close to perfect as you can objectively get.

Fast forward to season 3... The main character is teamed up with the sheriff of a small town, trying to track down someone who's breaking into houses and stealing underwear.

The secondary main character is teamed up with a gay cab driver who's questioning his Islamic values.

The antagonist is trying to win back his ex wife.

If I were to start watching this show at season 3, I wouldn't have made it past the second episode. I wouldn't have left this review.

It was originally Meta, as good as something can get. Now it's a lower rung drama with little for plot and miserably failing pretentious subtext.