What can I say? This show is true to an amazing book by Neil Gaiman. Stylistically it's intense with blood splatter as a medium for great painting. Unlike many of my reviews I don't want to simply recap the action. I'd rather look beyond it. There is so much going on here. This does mean that I will draw connections between the series and the book, so if you are new to the series or haven't read the book it will contain some spoilers. The conversation quotes are paraphrased from memory, so please forgive any errors.
The characters -
Shadow Moon – a reformed convict whose luck has taken a nose dive. He expected to be released from prison and return to his loving wife and a job at his best friend's gym. Both dreams are shattered as a result of an automobile accident under rather unsavoury circumstances, filled in for Shadow by his best friend's widow, Audrey. With no connections to the world, he is recruited by the enigmatic Mr Wednesday. The action is punctuated by Shadow's dreams, which have a prophetic quality. He wanders through a wood, which wants to tear him to shreds, treading on bones, under a sky full of galaxies.
Audrey probably sums up what most of us are thinking as we watch Ricky Whittle play Shadow Moon. "I want to put this gorgeous man's cock in my mouth."
Mr Wednesday – a conman, a liar, oh and a god. “What should I call you if I am so inclined?” “What day is it?” “Wednesday.” “My day. That'll do. Call me Wednesday.” All the clues are here. The god brought to America by out of luck Vikings trying to get home. Woden's Day. Odin. Mr Wednesday wants Shadow Moon to work for him, drive for him, kick the asses of those whose asses need kicking, and keep vigil if he should die. The bargain is sealed over three glasses of mead.
Mad Sweeney – Shadow meets this leprechaun in a bar that looks like a crocodile's jaws, or is it an alligator? – I always forget which has the pointed jaw and which the square. “You seem a bit tall for a leprechaun.” “That's a stereotype, representing a very narrow world view.” “Are you from Ireland?” “Of course I'm from Ireland. Leprechauns don't come from bloody Moscow, Russia.” Mad Sweeney sees Shadow's coin manipulation and up stages him by plucking gold coins out of the air. He eagerly offers to fight Shadow for the secret and, reluctantly at first, Shadow is drawn into some ultra violence. He is taught the secret but forgets it and leaves his coin on his wife's grave after her funeral.
Bilquis – We are introduced to another god in a different bar. She is not yet connected to the main characters, but no doubt their stories will cross later. Bilquis is a beautiful woman/goddess, who needs to be worshipped. A Tinder date is happy to do so and dies smiling.
Technical Boy – After the funeral, Shadow Moon walks back towards the motel. He discovers a strange box that transports him to a limo where he meets Technical Boy, eager to learn Mr Wednesday's plans. When Shadow is less than respectful, TB tells his avatars to kill him – delete him. This leads to another beautifully shot fight scene that chillingly echoes images of lynching. However Shadow is rescued by an invisible and violent force. Let the blood arcs that started this episode end it too. Who would have thought spilling blood could look so much like ballet? Bravo David Slade, bravo.
An hour and two minutes long with three amazing fight scenes and a hell of a lot of magic. This show transforms its audience and leaves us in awe. If you haven't seen it, you really should. Amazon have it on pay for view if you don't have Starz. I promise it's worth every gold coin you can pluck out of the air.
5/5 stars.