Support NeoGAF

[molnizzle]

Seriously? Maybe that is an American thing? I'd bet most people in Europe know Wotan

Spoiler

/Wodan/Odin

. I also thought it was common knowledge that most of the days of the week are named after Gods.

Norse mythology is definitely not common knowledge in the U.S. I'd recognize names like Odin, Thor, etc. but not the old English names.

If this show featured a guy named Mr Thursday, and he was a god, would you not know he was supposed to be Thor?

Nope. I didn't know that our days of the week were named after Norse gods until reading this thread.

Spoiler

They may recognize Odin, Thor, Loki, and Asgard, but Tyr's day, Woden's day, Thor's day, and Freya's day? That's not common knowledge

Yeah, this was me.

 

[Turin Turambar]

When I read the book years ago I didn't know about the origin of the English days, so for me it was a twist when it was finally revealed. A cool twist, because then I thought about past comments and details and I know how it all was connected.

 

[Chuckie]

Norse mythology is definitely not common knowledge in the U.S. I'd recognize names like Odin, Thor, etc. but not the old English names.

My bad then

Nope. I didn't know that our days of the week were named after Norse gods until reading this thread.

Well then at least you learned some funny facts today haha.

 

[molnizzle]

My bad then

Well then at least you learned some funny facts today haha.

If I had to guess, the reason why Gaiman (and now Fuller) went with the "old" names is precisely because most Americans won't know what they are. I think it might be intended to be a surprise.

 

[NotTheGuyYouKill]

I wanna see Mads and Hugh Dancy cast as gods on this show.

 

[Lee]

Really enjoyed that episode. Can't decide if Laura met Anubis because of (a) her family believing in the power of cats and her close relationship with dummy, (b) her working at an Egyptian themed casino and "worshiping" that pantheon with her time there, (c) Anubis being the god/patron of lost souls and Laura being very much a lost soul, (d) her connection to Shadow and, through him, the developing story (and that somehow elevating her to a position/"circumstance" that required his attention), or (e) convenient writing.

Casting Dane Cook as Robbie was fucking perfect. Instant hate for the character. Finally, the bathroom scene was incredible television.

 

[molnizzle]

I wanna see Mads and Hugh Dancy cast as gods on this show.

Hugh would make a damn good "white Anglo Jesus" if that character is ever a part of the story.

 

[pokeystaples]

I really loved this episode. Filling out Laura's story feels just as good as the fleshing out of Audrey at the funeral. Having them together was good television.

 

[Haly]

Was episode 4 the first without a glimpse of a new god? Other than TB's henchmen I guess.

Book Spoiler identifying a character's divinity:

Spoiler

Ibis, Anubis' partner, is Thoth. There is another that will come as a surprise eventually.

 

[NoblesseOblige]

Book Spoiler identifying a character's divinity:

Spoiler

Ibis, Anubis' partner, is Thoth. There is another that will come as a surprise eventually.

I meant 'new gods' as in Technical Boy, Media, etc.

Episode 1 had TB
Episode 2 had Media
Episode 3 had a glimpse implying one (though wasn't named).
I don't remember seeing any in 4.

 

[Chiaroscuro]

Book Spoiler identifying a character's divinity:

Spoiler

Ibis, Anubis' partner, is Thoth. There is another that will come as a surprise eventually.

Spoiler

but Thoth can be seen at the start of episodes 1 and 2, he is the one telling the stories of the old gods coming to America.

Besides, I think he was refering to "new" gods, the gods created recentely.

 

[moozoom]

This was a great episode.
The scene in the bathroom made my day, really funny and not what you expect from the situation. This is shaping up to be a great series.

 

[Haly]

Ah you're right there. There wasn't a modern god here afaik.

 

[RatskyWatsky]

L+SD ratings

Episode 1 - 975K
Episode 2 - 710K
Episode 3 - 716K
Episode 4 - 631K

Probably impacted by the premiere of Twin Peaks (I imagine there's a large intersection between the audiences of the two shows)

 

[hydruxo]

I meant 'new gods' as in Technical Boy, Media, etc.

Episode 1 had TB
Episode 2 had Media
Episode 3 had a glimpse implying one (though wasn't named).
I don't remember seeing any in 4.

Yeah no new gods in Ep 4. Based on the promo for Ep 5 it looks like

Spoiler

it'll be heavily focused on them though.

L+SD ratings

Episode 1 - 975K
Episode 2 - 710K
Episode 3 - 716K
Episode 4 - 631K

Probably impacted by the premiere of Twin Peaks (I imagine there's a large intersection between the audiences of the two shows)

Yeah that makes sense. Hopefully it goes back up a good amount since Twin Peaks pt 3 & 4 went up on streaming already ahead of their premiere this weekend.

 

[Kal]

When do we get more Bilquis?

 

[Kazuhira]

I wanna see Mads and Hugh Dancy cast as gods on this show.

Well,there seems be a good number of recurring actors from Hannibal in this show so why not?
I wonder which god Mads would be?

 

[Einchy]

If there's a devil character then Mads needs to play it.

 

[Parallax]

What is the significance of the flies?

im assuming it depicts how rotten she was since weve seen her. being dead means shes even more rotten

 

[DukeLongfellow]

I really liked this episode, if for nothing else then to give some needed context in character relationships and to feel more grounded for the sake breathing space. It has been a crazy ride before it so I felt it needed to slow down. It did so very nicely.

Spoiler

I laughed at the bathroom scene. A lot.

 

[NoblesseOblige]

I can't think of a good role for Mads in this show.

 

[Frank the Great]

I can't think of a good role for Mads in this show.

Book character and spoiler:

Spoiler

Hinzelman? I don't remember​ much about his personality though tbf

 

[Stinkles]

im assuming it depicts how rotten she was since weve seen her. being dead means shes even more rotten

Also the reminder of her method of suicide, and maybe a "lord of the flies" beelzebub reference?

 

[NotTheGuyYouKill]

I can't think of a good role for Mads in this show.

 

[Turin]

I needed a couple days to recover from Twin Peaks before watching this. I'm saving that show for last from now on. O_O

Fine episode though. Great work by Emily Browning.

I wanna see Mads and Hugh Dancy cast as gods on this show.

Your a good person.

 

[Lord Frieza]

I wanna see Mads and Hugh Dancy cast as gods on this show.

That would awesome, but I think Mads has said he is done with TV outside a possible Hannibal reunion. But Fuller might be able to talk him into an one-off, though, if he really wanted to.

 

[zeemumu]

We haven't seen any Native American deities, right? There's a lot of Native American stuff, though.


Unless...

 

[RatskyWatsky]

We haven't seen any Native American deities, right? There's a lot of Native American stuff, though.


Unless...

Unless what?

 

[zeemumu]

Unless what?

Unless

Spoiler

Shadow somehow fills that role. We don't know much about his parents, right? Just that his mom was probably a hippie?

I haven't read the book so it's all speculation.

 

[Gentleman Jack]

Spoiler

They may recognize Odin, Thor, Loki, and Asgard, but Tyr's day, Woden's day, Thor's day, and Freya's day? That's not common knowledge

I only know these things thanks to Neil Gaiman sprinkling it into Sandman.

 

[RatskyWatsky]

Unless

Spoiler

Shadow somehow fills that role. We don't know much about his parents, right? Just that his mom was probably a hippie?

I haven't read the book so it's all speculation.

I see.

 

[Dynomutt]

We haven't seen any Native American deities, right? There's a lot of Native American stuff, though.


Unless...

Spoiler

Eventually in the book the character Whiskey Jack.

Now how well Native American culture and religion was adapted is another thing.

Spoiler

Shadow is implied Native American as well or bi-racial with Native American heritage.

When they do introduce

Spoiler

Whiskey, I can't wait to see what they do with "Backstage"!

L+SD ratings

Episode 1 - 975K
Episode 2 - 710K
Episode 3 - 716K
Episode 4 - 631K

Probably impacted by the premiere of Twin Peaks (I imagine there's a large intersection between the audiences of the two shows)

I will admit I'm surprised by the viewership going down. This past episode took quite a few liberal twists and I want to know if that alienated any viewers. Furthermore I am curious what percentage of those viewers read the book and if any changes have bothered them.

One thing the show has managed to capture is Wednesday's personality. The actor for Shadow has not completely won me over yet like something is missing. He feels like the same character from The 100. Even though Shadow is a pretty plain straight laced character. His lines in the book are very reflective it could be just that the book has a verse like prose with some of the lines that adds mystique. The show is making him too boring. The book manages to create this aura or mysteriousness around Shadow and his interactions. The show has not captured that for me yet.

 

[Infinite_Daremo]

I went into this show with only the description to go by...

Am I supposed to not have a fucking clue whats going on? What i can gather:

• War brewing between old gods and new gods (people worship/depend technology now and its spawned new gods around this?)
• We've been shown a few gods in random cutaways without any bearing to the main plot, goddess whos vagina eats people, Irish bloke who likes coins that can resurrect the dead?, a guy who really likes his hammer and checkers, Anansi was pretty badass at least it was an obvious flashback to a god of old not some god lingering in the present and weird guy with fire from his eyes and a massive schlong. Im guessing they will eventually be embroiled into Mr Wednesdays plan and the initial front loading of characters is to avoid bringing them in later down the line?
• Mr Wednesday im guessing is a god but of what I have no idea, he clearly has some plan for the main character
• Theres too much symbolism bullshit
• Pointess sex scenes that rival GoT's mehness

Am I supposed to be aware of anything else going on at this point or are we meant to be intentionally in the dark here? The only episode I felt like I understood was 4 and it was a pretty basic Sally from Nightmare Christmas plot.

 

[More_Badass]

I went into this show with only the description to go by...

Am I supposed to not have a fucking clue whats going on? What i can gather:

• War brewing between old gods and new gods (people worship/depend technology now and its spawned new gods around this?)
• Mr Wednesday im guessing is a god but of what I have no idea, he clearly has some plan for the main character

Am I supposed to be aware of anything else going on at this point or are we meant to be intentionally in the dark here? The only episode I felt like I understood was 4 and it was a pretty basic Sally from Nightmare Christmas plot.

You know exactly what is going on, you just described the plot so far

 

[Turin Turambar]

I went into this show with only the description to go by...

Am I supposed to not have a fucking clue whats going on? What i can gather:

• War brewing between old gods and new gods (people worship/depend technology now and its spawned new gods around this?)
• We've been shown a few gods in random cutaways without any bearing to the main plot, goddess whos vagina eats people, Irish bloke who likes coins that can resurrect the dead?, a guy who really likes his hammer and checkers, Anansi was pretty badass at least it was an obvious flashback to a god of old not some god lingering in the present and weird guy with fire from his eyes and a massive schlong. Im guessing they will eventually be embroiled into Mr Wednesdays plan and the initial front loading of characters is to avoid bringing them in later down the line?
• Mr Wednesday im guessing is a god but of what I have no idea, he clearly has some plan for the main character
• Theres too much symbolism bullshit
• Pointess sex scenes that rival GoT's mehness

Am I supposed to be aware of anything else going on at this point or are we meant to be intentionally in the dark here? The only episode I felt like I understood was 4 and it was a pretty basic Sally from Nightmare Christmas plot.

You only understood everything.

Well, except for the fact this isn't a plot drive story and you shouldn't be surprised that nothing else has happened.

 

[Ignatz Mouse]

I'd say the show is not for you.

Irish bloke referred to himself as a leprechaun, by the way.

 

[Infinite_Daremo]

You only understood everything.

Well, except for the fact this isn't a plot drive story and you shouldn't be surprised that nothing else has happened.

Ah good. As long as i'm following whats there so far I guess thats ok. I haven't watched anything that unfolds like this before.

 

[Jag]

I went into this show with only the description to go by...

Am I supposed to not have a fucking clue whats going on? What i can gather:

• War brewing between old gods and new gods (people worship/depend technology now and its spawned new gods around this?)
• We've been shown a few gods in random cutaways without any bearing to the main plot, goddess whos vagina eats people, Irish bloke who likes coins that can resurrect the dead?, a guy who really likes his hammer and checkers, Anansi was pretty badass at least it was an obvious flashback to a god of old not some god lingering in the present and weird guy with fire from his eyes and a massive schlong. Im guessing they will eventually be embroiled into Mr Wednesdays plan and the initial front loading of characters is to avoid bringing them in later down the line?
• Mr Wednesday im guessing is a god but of what I have no idea, he clearly has some plan for the main character
• Theres too much symbolism bullshit
• Pointess sex scenes that rival GoT's mehness

Am I supposed to be aware of anything else going on at this point or are we meant to be intentionally in the dark here? The only episode I felt like I understood was 4 and it was a pretty basic Sally from Nightmare Christmas plot.

And Jesus is the Beyonce of the God world. Probably Allah too. They are just so much more than these old and young gods.

 

[Grewitch]

And Jesus is the Beyonce of the God world. Probably Allah too. They are just so much more than these old and young gods.

Nope.

 

[Jag]

Nope.

I figured since Jesus was such a rock star. I guess it makes sense that Allah wouldn't have the same following in the US.

 

[zeemumu]

I went into this show with only the description to go by...

Am I supposed to not have a fucking clue whats going on? What i can gather:

• War brewing between old gods and new gods (people worship/depend technology now and its spawned new gods around this?)
• We've been shown a few gods in random cutaways without any bearing to the main plot, goddess whos vagina eats people, Irish bloke who likes coins that can resurrect the dead?, a guy who really likes his hammer and checkers, Anansi was pretty badass at least it was an obvious flashback to a god of old not some god lingering in the present and weird guy with fire from his eyes and a massive schlong. Im guessing they will eventually be embroiled into Mr Wednesdays plan and the initial front loading of characters is to avoid bringing them in later down the line?
• Mr Wednesday im guessing is a god but of what I have no idea, he clearly has some plan for the main character
• Theres too much symbolism bullshit
• Pointess sex scenes that rival GoT's mehness

Am I supposed to be aware of anything else going on at this point or are we meant to be intentionally in the dark here? The only episode I felt like I understood was 4 and it was a pretty basic Sally from Nightmare Christmas plot.

The Djinn and the Leprechaun are kinda already involved in the main plot in some way. As was Anubis. Odds are the others will be too.

I don't think it's that hard to understand. Wednesday's putting together some kind of plan to likely bring down the new gods while involving Shadow in his con schemes that he's been using to get by, and presumably because Shadow has some greater purpose that he isn't aware of. His zombie wife is an outlier and will likely put Shadow at odds with the Leprechaun since she's got his coin. The new gods sense that something is up and want to recruit Shadow to get info about Wednesday. That's what I've gathered so far

 

[Lord Frieza]

None of the sex scenes have been pointless. They've all served a purpose.

 

[Meier]

I wanna see Mads and Hugh Dancy cast as gods on this show.

My wife and I just listened to Fuller on a podcast and he answered a fan question which asked about whether Wendigo could show up on it. He said he could show up in the "Hall of the gods" or something along those lines.

 

[shinra-bansho]

[*]Mr Wednesday im guessing is a god but of what I have no idea, he clearly has some plan for the main character

He calls himself Mr Wednesday. The days of the week are named after gods. He creates storms. There is a sequence about vikings. Chernobog explicitly calls him Wotan.

.....

 

[Haly]

What could it be????

 

[RatskyWatsky]

I'm decently knowledgeable about various mythologies and gods and I had no idea who Wotan was. I know who Mr. Wednesday is though thanks to all the other clues scattered about the show.

 

[Grewitch]

I figured since Jesus was such a rock star. I guess it makes sense that Allah wouldn't have the same following in the US.

It's not quite that, you'd have really angry muslims if any such depiction was made. The human mind cannot comprehend the form of Allah, any attempt, even abstract, would be disqualified simply because of that conception. That's the reason idolatory is not allowed, since it's led to the derailing of reigion in that past. The Bible, Qu'ran, the Vedas, for example, all mention that idolatory is forbidden.

 

[stenbumling]

First episode I really liked to be honest. We're half into the season and it feels we're not even finished with the prologue.

 

[hydruxo]

First episode I really liked to be honest. We're half into the season and it feels we're not even finished with the prologue.

The first third of the book is basically a long prologue tbh. It's an extended road trip with some detours until

Spoiler

Shadow gets to Lakeside

in the second act.

 

[Apt101]

I really dislike show Laura as much as I disliked book Laura. Maybe more. She's like every bad relationship you've ever had come to life (so to speak).