WiC Watches: American Gods season 2
By Ariba Bhuvad
EPISODE 204: “THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD”
American Gods gives us one of the best scenes to date (at least according to me) in this week’s episode, “The Greatest Story Ever Told.” But before we get to that, let’s check in with the gang. Shadow and Mr. Wednesday go to St. Louis for a meeting while Bilquis shows up at the funeral home (this is the scene I’m talking about). Tech Boy pays a special visit to a certain someone and Mad Sweeney and Laura are back together again.
This episode has a lot going for it, but the scene between Nancy, Bilquis and Ibis really got me. After Bilquis arrives at the funeral home, she gets into a debate with Mr. Nancy and Ibis about the future. The war between the old and new Gods is brewing. What will their roles be?
The argument gets heated, with Mr. Nancy in particular getting passionate. He’s operating from a place of logic, rather than clinging to hope. Nancy talks about the difficulties people of color face on a daily basis. It’s a devastating but empowering speech about how society handles difficult-to-discuss topics like race, discrimination, and the origins of America. Kudos to Orlando Jones for kicking so much ass in this scene.
The episode kicks off with a vignette about a young man intrigued by technology. But his father has something else in mind, and urges him to surround himself with music. The son splits the difference and presents his father with music made with a computer program. Old and new, coming together.
Later, the Technical Boy visits this boy, who is now the CEO of a huge tech company and one his most devoted worshippers. Tech Boy is looking for a replacement for Argus, per Mr. World’s instructions. It all culminates in Technical Boy running away and Mr. World stepping into the meeting that Wednesday is having with the God of Money.
Wednesday and Shadow are also looking for the God of Money, because who doesn’t want that guy on their side in a war? We’re not entirely sure if the God of Money takes anyone’s side, because money itself has evolved over time. What was once simply an exchange of gold has transformed into billions of digital transactions; it’s hard to separate the old from the new there.
There’s a very odd scene with Shadow Moon in this episode; he has a…sex dream about a cat woman? During this dream, the woman scratches his back and when he wakes up he sees a cat lurking in the corner of the room. So…did he do it with a cat or what?
This is a solid Bilquis episode. It ends with her speaking to a woman named Ruby in a chapel. Their conversation is intriguing, all about about Jesus and how he left behind his old rebellious ways to become someone worthy of worship. What does this have to do with this season of American Gods? Tune in to find out.
Laura and Sweeney scenes are far and few between this week, and I have to say I missed them tremendously. They’ve become the heart of the show in my opinion, and quite possibly a ship I’d love to see happen. Here’s to hoping they return next week!