American Gods

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?

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've watched till S02E04

I loved season 1. In fact, I bought the book because of season 1. Then there were rumors that the show would be canceled and then the showrunners left. After a year in hiatus, the show returned and... Well... NO! Everything seems off.

Feels like a completely different show and not in a good way. Even the actors look like they are bored while the plot is a bit messy and not built properly. Something is missing and it does not have the magic of season 1. They try too hard to make it look "cool" and edgy and it doesn't feel natural at all the way they do it.

I don't feel entertained anymore. Hell, I don't even enjoy watching this. There are many good shows to spend your time. Maybe it's not for me. Either way I'm out.

5 stars for the first season, 0 stars for season 2.

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.

I am not sure what has gone wrong with season 2, but it is like someone has taken all the deleted scenes from season 1 and created a new season from them. That is the quality of season 2, the majority of scenes are dull, lifeless, and certainly don't contain any of that god like "magic" that season 1 certainly had.

There are still a few good parts, but the majority of season 2 was a chore to watch and I could not wait for it to be over. It is a real shame because season 1 was like nothing I had ever seen before. Season 2 seems to have the money, locations, actors, some elements of a story, but it just doesn't work.

I do hope we get a season 3, and that the makers of the show manage to capture some of that "magic" which made season 1 so great. Otherwise the god of disappointment is sure to have many more believers........