Sports, Media and Entertainment: American Gods

Has anyone else been watching this show?

I'm actually only halfway thru the first episode. It's pretty dope so far.

Just started episode two.

Wednesday is pretty obvious. The tech god I'm not too sure about just yet. But I understand the premise of the story is that the gods are reliant upon humanities faith in them. Hence is why the old gods are relegated to mythology and the new gods are comprised of the things we put the most faith/attention to currently, like technology.

I also noticed Yggdrasil in the intro and at the end of the first episode, which I assume serves as some sort of gateway/portal for various mythological beings and entities to pass thru and enter the Earth Realm. As for the black goddess/succumbs I'm not sure about either. But, I'm about to press play on E2. So maybe it'll bring some clarity.

You'll know who the black goddess this episode. They make it obvious in one of the scenes. 

Yeah, that was the obvious choice. But I'm pretty familiar with their stories and, other than her being a love goddess nothing else about her is similar to them. Although, on the show they do show an ancient Sumerian like statue that resembles a Venus like figure. However, her name in Jewish and Islamic lore is the equivalent to the Queen of Sheba which I don't get either because I'm also very familiar with her as well. I know the Queen of Sheba in historical context is really just the queen of Ethiopia and or Egypt (most likely Nefertiti), but I never remember her having any evil characteristics. Furthermore, she was never worshipped as a god, but then again, she was revered for her great beauty. Of course her womb resembling the cradle of creation/the universe could also be a nod to the Egyptian/Kemetic goddess Ma'at, but again Ma'at was the opposite of evil.

As for the three old sisters I imagine they represent the Fates. But Russian???
The guy with the Hammer is the Slavic deity Czernobog aka the "black God". So his conversation with Shadow made a perfect sense.

Finally, the Voodoo Ioa that appeared on the slave ship seems to be some sort of hybrid mix between Baron Samedi and Anansi. I say that because the former his known to sometimes wear purple suits and swear a lot, as well as encourage acts that may lead to death. Whereas the latter is known to take the form of a spider and aid in times of slave resistance. Both of which have a strong relationship to West Africa and the Caribbeans. If it's not a combination of the two then I'm lost.

Yep, as far as I know it is. I never read the book tho. But based on Rude's comment I'm thinking it must be.

You'll like it tho. The theme and production seem like a cross between Supernatural, Game of Thrones, and Spartacus, and maybe a little True Blood but with a less cheesy soap opera type of vibes (so far at least).

Ahhh, okay great info, Rude.

I think Bilquis is vaginally consuming her worshippers to retain her beauty. So in a strange sort of way I can see how it plays into the whole concept of Sheba. Kinda. Also, she's not actually killing anyone because it appears that they still exist within a pocket dimension that is inside of her.

I never heard of the Slavic Goddess before. So thanks for that. I'm trying my best to not cheat and Google these characters' true incarnations.

As for Anansi. He appears as a spider, but also as a black man wearing a purple plaided suite with a conk hairdo that what I assume is from the 1920's. Which is strange because he shows up on a Dutch slave ship three years before present day wearing at the time would be considered futuristic clothing. Although, he doesn't have the trademarked top hat or skull painted face he's famous for, however everything else about his fiery and eccentric personality is definitely inspired by the Baron (imo). I think the writers are taking a creative liberty for the purpose tv entertainment and combining the two ioas.

Also, in the opening scenes of the first episode a beached Viking (100 years before Eric the Red) is murdered by a slew of mysterious arrows as he and his shipmates attempt to leave the shore and enter the dense forest. So I'm assuming the arrows were shot by the Native gods given how the arrows seem to come out of nowhere.

As for Hindu gods, the opening credits of each show contains a statue of Ganesha. So I'm guessing like the Native gods the Indus deities will make an appearance at some point in the series.

I'm gonna say not so metaphorical.

we don't allow streaming links here but you can probably find it online. i'm about to watch it right after IC2 voting. i'll be back to discuss!

Yeah, the opening with Anubis and Bastet (the cat) was dope asf. Especially when the lady entered realm/portal with the image of Set craved into it.t

The genie giving his boyfriend an enchanted STD was a bit excessive and over the top. But other than that it was a pretty dope episode.

One thing I was particularly intrigued by was how the show is starting to take a more quantum and metaphysical route. The whole perception is reality bit is definitely my type of discussion.