Preacher

Preacher is such a weird and original show that I had a great time watching when it was on. It was based off a comic book of the same name. It's about a one time outlaw named Jesse Custer (Dominic Cooper) who returns to his home in Texas to become the new Preacher in his dad's old church. Once there he gains a power that will change his life forever. From there things get weird and after his town is destroyed he goes on a mission with his ex-girlfriend Tulip (Ruth Nega) and his Irish vagabond vampire friend Cassidy (Joe Gilgun) to go and find God, who left heaven to come to earth and live among us. I told you...weird. But it was such a fun show.

Many people have criticised the show, some based on religious "blasphemy" and some on the fact that it isn't true to the comic. However, SEE beyond the face value. It's not about revenge, it's not about Justice. It's not about religion or atheism. It's about letting go. Surrendering to what you can't control. Humanity. Duality. Our light side and our dark side. There is a much deeper message embedded in this TV show. These writers have done their homework. They get it (as with many other writers). See past your ego for once and see the Universal Truth hidden within.

Not yet read Preacher, but I was a little aware of the concept before starting this adaptation. It was mostly the stars that encouraged me to watch, as I'm a big fan of all three leads, particularly Joseph Gilgun and I'm overall I'm happy I did, as I liked (but perhaps didn't love) this series.

Jesse Custer (Dominic Cooper) is a former criminal who has returned to his hometown to become their Preacher - as his father once was. Attendances are dwindling and Jesse is unsure of his place in the world, then he receives what he believes is a divine gift. When he speaks, those who hear are forced to act on it, regardless of what it is. With his church on the up, he reconnects with Tulip (Ruth Negga) a childhood friend who has a mission of revenge for them both to begin and meets Cassidy (Joseph Gilgun) an Irish Vampire just looking for a good time.

The first season is a funny, daring adult fantasy with wonderful central performances from its three leads and able support from the likes of Jackie Earle Haley, W Earl Brown, Lucy Griffiths and Derek Wilson. It ends at a point that I was really excited to see where it would go, but from there the show repeatedly splits up its three central characters and the second season is a step or two down in quality from the first. The third is better, but repeats the trick of splitting up the leads and introduces an element of repetition into the story line, as does the fourth. The later seasons rely on this bond between the three but the bonds between them is really something that we're more told about, than seeing exist.

One other slight issue, now it feels like it's another aspect of the very busy "adult fantasy" market. "The Boys", "American Gods", "Legion", "Good Omens" have all come subsequently and all (to some extent) cover similar ground.

I don't want to give the impression that it's bad, at any point, but aside from the first season it's just a bit too peripatetic and repetitive for its own good.

I worked in a comic shop after decades of X-Men Comics. I read a few of the Preacher comics but a friend/co-worker of mine was far more into them. When I realized that this was a Series, I purchased each season on blu ray. As someone who has been a "comic book geek" long before the term was cool, I can tell you that as an adaptation, Preacher was almost perfect! Far beyond any Marvel or DC movie. Try to prove me wrong but there are very few comic based adaptations I have seen that fit more than Preacher. The casting is as near to perfection as you can get. Cooper and Gilgun (especially) are perfect. Ruth Negga as Tulip is physically against the comic but Ruth is definitely a perfect Tulip! The casting is PERFECT!! The plots are pretty awesome! Great job!!

Ignore the bad reviews here. . .go watch this for yourself and come up with your own opinion. Some of the reviewers here obviously got triggered by the content of the show. . . yeah it's not for everyone but if you're a fan of the genre, it's terrific. Kind of feels like it has a Quentin Tarantino feel to it mixed with the bravado of characters from Evil Dead / Army of Darkness . . .Rogan's own feel to it. I love all the characters, even the antagonists - Satan, the All-Father, Killer of Saints, Jody, Hilter, Herr Starr, and the rest of the gang are all really well done. Non stop laughs and has kept on getting better in season 3. Has been a fun romp and looking forward to more episodes.