‘American Gods’ returns with more gore and thrills

The highly anticipated season two of the Starz series American Gods is back and, if you haven’t watched season one yet, we seriously suggest you catch up fast.

Adapted from the Neil Gaiman novel of 2001 and produced by Bryan Fuller of Hannibal, Pushing Daisies and Dead Like Me fame, the series is a melting pot of gritty hard-edged themes, styles and influences, and the occasional blood and gore factor that’s reminiscent of other streaming favourites such as True Blood and Game of Thrones.

Ian McShane and Ricky Whittle in American Gods. Picture: Starz

Season one of this series kicks off with ex-convict Shadow Moon, played by Ricky Whittle of The 100 and Nappily Ever After, who is left adrift by the tragic death of his wife. Little does he know that his life is about to change after meeting the charismatic and crafty Mr Wednesday, played by the hugely talented Ian McShane, who offers him a job as his bodyguard.

As their journey begins, Moon encounters a hidden America where magic is real and fear grows over the ascending power of New Gods like Technology and Media. In a grand plan to combat the threat, Mr Wednesday attempts to unite the Old Gods to defend their existence and rebuild the influence they have lost, leaving Moon struggling to accept this new world and his place in it.

“This is the only country in the world that wonders what it is,” Mr. Wednesday mutters not far into the first episode. And fittingly so because you may also be wondering where this series is heading or how Moon and Mr Wednesday are connected.

Gillian Anderson, Crispin Glover, and Bruce Langley in American Gods. Picture: Starz

But we suggest you keep watching because, even if you have not read the book and can’t tell where it’s going at first, with each new episode you will easily gauge that a battle is looming that will pit Moon, Mr Wednesday and the other old-school gods against a crew of new gods representing the worst aspects of modern American culture.

Season two of the series offers a welcome edge of humour, brilliant acting, edge-of-your-seat action and special effects. There’s also no shortage of severed limbs thrown in for good measure, and it’s safe to say that Fuller has once again outdone himself.

With a 74% Rotten Tomatoes rating, you know that American Gods is well worth a watch.

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