DVD Review: American Gods (Lights, Camera, Action!)

American Gods (UK Rating: 18)

Pre-warning, this show has many moments that are completely baffling, insanely bewildering, and completely surreal. Whether it is a Djinn and his homosexual lover, a woman absorbing people into her nether regions, or the stark realities of being stuck in a rotting body, the show completely commits to numerous bizarre concepts. While this may be a story of gods, at its heart is just one man, a man called Shadow Moon. At the outset of the series, Shadow is just on his way out of prison, looking forward to reuniting with his wife, Laura, who has been waiting three long years for him to get out. He's also got a job all lined up to step into to get him back on his feet thanks to his best friend Robbie. However, sadly for Shadow, a happy reunion is not on the cards.

This enigmatic individual refers to himself as Mr. Wednesday and hopes to enlist Shadow as something of a bodyguard / chauffeur / assistant / general dogs-body. The job seems to basically entail a cross-country road trip where Mr. Wednesday attempts to convince some truly odd individuals into taking up arms with him against a mysterious group. Much of the surrealism, strangeness, and confusion is very much a core part of the show and so it's something not worth spoiling here. Admittedly, it can be rather off-putting for the casual viewer, and it takes real commitment to the show to fully understand what's going on. While this may result in the loss of some of the audience, ultimately, it feels like the right choice.

There was a major collaboration between the show-runners, Bryan Fuller (of Hannibal) and Michael Green (of Kings), and Neil Gaiman, and it really shows. The series is a completely loyal adaptation of the heart of the books and the final product is all the better for it. It even has let Gaiman go back and flesh out some of his characters - Laura, in particular. This does result in a rather inordinate amount of time in this season being spent on bit part characters, though, instead of focusing on Wednesday and Shadow, but that's a good thing! There is a fantastic wide cast of gods and their transition into the modern world becomes subplots and side-stories that are utterly captivating. Admittedly, the end of the season starts to feel haphazardly arranged, but there are reasons even for this as the 10-episode first season was suddenly compacted to eight and both show runners and Neil had to quickly juggle storylines for everything to fit.

The acting in American Gods is absolutely top tier, with some absolutely amazing performances from numerous members of the cast. Special mention, though, has to go to Emily Browning for her portrayal of Laura Moon; she manages to convey a truly broken individual and one that feels like it has so many more layers and so much depth to it that even though she is very much a horrible character, it's hard not to pity her and even begin to root for her. Gillian Anderson is a pure joy here, too, as she chews the scenery all around her and dishes out some outrages performances in the personas of icons like Ziggy Stardust and Marilyn Monroe. Best of all, however, is the always great Ian McShane, delivering monologues and soliloquies in his trademark dulcet tones. Like Peter Dinklage's Tyrion gtom Game of Thrones, this is an absolutely perfect fit for the character and, honestly, one of the best aspects of the series thus far.

8/10

Great - Silver Award

Neil Gaiman fans must be ecstatic. Literary adaptations to the level of Game of Thrones are few and far between. Not to say this is quite on the level of the legendary Song of Ice and Fire show, but it's getting there. The complex themes, rich characters, and Gaiman's signature writing shine through fantastically, so much so that the failings of the show can be forgiven. Best of all, by series' end, it feels like the creators have really gotten their footing and the stage is set for a superb second season.