Calling it now: the opening of American Gods episode 2 will go down in monologue history.
If Orlando Jones isn’t heaped with a barrel of awards for his performance in that opening scene introducing Mr. Nancy (the spider storyteller trickster god Anansi), then there’s no justice in this world and I don’t care what black hole our galaxy gets sucked into anymore. Jones’ performance in the opening of American Gods episode 2 left me shellshocked and jaw-dropped: I could barely concentrate on the rest of the episode, my mind reeling with the power and pathos of Jones’ Mr. Nancy.
It’s not just Jones, who acts the hell and back out of Mr. Nancy, from jaunty liveliness to increasingly feral grin. It’s also Mr. Nancy’s haunting, furious words, light-hearted on the surface and heavy with hundreds of years of degradation and misery.
“You all don’t know you black yet. You think you’re just people.”
Describing the violation and indignity of slavery: ”For cotton… for indigo… for a fucking purple shirt.”
As the worshipper who called him grows more and more horrified, frozen and stricken with it: “This guy gets it. I like him. He’s getting angry. Angry is good. Angry gets shit done.”
Mr. Nancy, laughing and rolling his eyes with liveliness completely incongruent to his dire surroundings: “You already dead, asshole. At least die a sacrifice for something worthwhile.”
Finally, the spider’s head atop the gorgeous suit, the chilling music, and the blazing sacrifice to Anansi. As the slave ship burns up, you can’t help but release a long, long breath. What an incredible scene. There was more to the episode, but Orlando Jones got me all fucked up …
And then there came Media, and I was not ready . Lord! God! Lady Lucille Ball reincarnated! Bow down to the mighty Gillian Anderson, because if I were Shadow, poor ol’ Mr. Wednesday would have to find a new errand boy. With clipped tones and a cocked, knowing eyebrow, Media’s famous appearance in the televisions is brought fully and magnificently to life better than I could possibly have imagined. Is it normal to be more hyped after a second episode than you were before the show even aired?
Further highlights from episode 2:
Shadow, increasingly more annoyed at the mysterious vagaries of this weird world he’s been thrust into: “I want one! Give me a clue!”
Mr. Wednesday, rather chillingly: “Don’t think because I didn’t lose my temper I’m not angry or am lacking a plan.”
Mr. Wednesday, speaking truth: “There’s a lot to be said for bottling up emotions.”
Mr. Wednesday, and honestly I can’t give enough standing ovations to Ian McShane’s reading of all these great lines: “You can’t look out for yourself, how the hell you gonna look out for me?”
“Time and attention. Better than lambsblood.” Media, please.
“I hate that they were beating you all up. I would never do that to you, Shadow.” MEDIA PLEASE, you don’t have to sweet talk me, I’m already yours
“He was underestimating you, sweetheart. They all are. Not a mistake I’ll make.” I KNOW MEDIA I LOVE YOU MEDIA
Mr. Wednesday to an increasingly more baffled and tortured Shadow: “The world is either crazy or you are. Take your pick, and then tell me. But take your time. Difficult decision.”
Mr. Wednesday, really chillingly: “There are bigger sacrifices one might be asked to make than going a little mad.”
Bilquis confirmed for equal-opportunity pansexual goddess, because gender’s just a dream when you’re sucking people into your divine vagina. What the hell is she doing looking fine as hell in that museum by herself aside from distracting me from whatever this scene is supposed to be about? You want jewelry, Bilquis? Girl, I got your jewelry.
The middle sister looking at a romance cover novel, then at Shadow. Wow, didn’t know they wrote a role for me in this show. Thanks, based Fuller.
Cloris Fucking Leachman, I cannot believe you are 91 years old, oh my God : “You’re worse man I have ever seen.”
Cloris Fucking Leachman: “Here I have no servants. There is only us and learning is beneath me.” You right.
Cloris Fucking Leachman: “Your mother die of cancer. You no die of cancer.” Um… thanks, Cloris.
Greasy Ol’ Czernobog: “I know the killing.” (It’s not just the bone-curdling delivery of this line, it’s the music cue too. Peter Stomare’s playful smile and slow, deliberate old-country accent make one very, very wary of the old man.)
Greasy Ol’ Czernobog: “No more sunrise blood.” (The small laugh that came after this made me piss my drawers a little, honestly.)
Greasy Ol’ Czernobog’s Jaunty Old Slavic Tune: This merited an honorable mention for further pants-wetting. Coupled with Stomare’s sideways smirk and cheerful, hungry eyes, this song put me off black coffee for at least another week.
“Is good?” It’s not good, man.
“A shame. You’re my only black friend.” BYE LOL
I’d like to close this impressions piece by pointing out that I don’t know how to play checkers, and I’ll probably die of hype before American Gods episode 3 comes out, which is quite a feat considering I’ve received screener copies. Episode 2 not only matches Episode 1, it may well exceed it. Is this what good TV is like? I didn’t know I missed it til I had it back again.
Are you watching American Gods? Did you know that STARZ will air the third episode of American Gods on Sunday, May 14th at 9 p.m. EST/PST and have you cleared your calendar in advance? Talk all things episode 2 in our comments section below.
