Two years following the show’s first season, American Gods is finally making its return to Starz this weekend for season 2. The adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s epic novel debuted back in 2017, but behind-the-scenes issues have kept it off screens until now.
The first season won plenty of acclaim for its visual flair, handling of the source material, inherent weirdness, and strong performances from the cast, led by Ricky Whittle and Ian McShane. After a change of showrunner and some cast departures, season 2 needs to build upon the dramatic conclusion to season 1. That saw Mr. Wednesday reveal that he is indeed Odin, Ostara cast a drought over America, and the war between the Old Gods and the New Gods edge just a little bit nearer.
Season 1 of American Gods gave us some pretty big reveals - not least Mr. Wednesday’s true identity - but it was also just the first part of a much bigger whole, leaving a number of things unanswered and ripe for further exploration. With so much time having passed since it aired, and season 2 around the corner, it’s a good time to take a look back on the first season, and all the pressing questions it left behind.
Is Salim Going To Find The Jinn?
Salim’s sex scene with the Jinn made for one of season 1’s most memorable moments, but it wasn’t long before the pair were parted. Since then, we haven’t seen too much of Salim, but he is making his way to the House on the Rock to find the Jinn. Are the lovers set to be reunited, and will the Jinn be accepting of Salim, or was it a one-time thing? Jinn gave Salim a fresh start, but will things go worse for him when he turns up again?
Which Side Will Bilquis Choose?
Bilquis was among the most powerful and interesting Gods we met in season 1, and one who featured heavily in the marketing. She was swayed to the side of the New Gods because they promised to make people love her again, specifically through the use of a dating app, which allowed her to access countless new suitors.
By the end of the season, however, her allegiances are very much in doubt as she does things the old fashioned way: seducing a person on a coach and inviting them to the bathroom, so she can consume them via her vagina. She’d be a great asset to either side, so is she going to stick with the New Gods, or can Mr. Wednesday win her over?
What Is Going To Happen At The House On The Rock?
The season ended with a number of Old Gods making their way to the House on the Rock, a roadside tourist attraction that contains the largest carousel in the world. Mr. Wednesday is effectively making this a place for his war council, where he’s going to pitch his plans to all of the Gods and try to convince them to join his side.
The carousel has featured prominently in the marketing for season 2, suggesting that what happens there is going to have a major impact on the rest of the story. With so many powerful beings in one place, there’s a lot that could go awry if Wednesday can’t keep things in check, alongside the general air of mystery and magic surrounding the location.
How Will The Drought Affect America?
Season 1 ended with a bang: Mr. Wednesday revealed himself to be the All-Father, Odin, and what’s more, he won Ostara to his cause. As he declared, the Old Gods have reclaimed the Spring. That was quickly followed by Ostara showing off her powers, causing a drought to spread all across America.
It’s a move that angered the New Gods, more because they’d lost Ostara than the drought itself. But that should actually have some huge implications across America. Not only will it cause suffering, but might it aid the Old Gods’ cause? A drought is a Biblical-level event, and the kind that might make a lot of people turn to faith and start praying to one God or another, boosting their power ahead of the coming war.
Will Laura Be Resurrected?
Laura Moon was one of the biggest successes of American Gods’ first season. Only appearing sporadically in the book, she becomes a crucial player in the show’s narrative as she goes on a journey with Mad Sweeney. A journey that, towards the end, gives her a ray of hope by suggesting she might actually be able to be resurrected.
Given so much of what happens is predicated around her death, that would be a big game-changer and is likely to form the crux of her arc over the series. Will she be resurrected in season 2? It’s perhaps too early for it to happen, but we can expect the series to delve further into the mysteries of her existence and explain just how she might one day be able to live again.
Page 2 of 2: Laura and Shadow Moon and the War
Will Laura Reveal Mr. Wednesday’s Sacrifice To Shadow?
Another huge moment with Laura was the reveal that she didn’t simply die in a car accident. The crash happened because of meddling by Mad Sweeney, but carried out at the behest of Mr. Wednesday. As the season ends, Laura is on her way to Shadow to tell him this, since it’s clear to her that Wednesday can’t be trusted.
That’s the kind of information Mr. Wednesday can’t really allow to get out, since he obviously needs Shadow on his side. Will he be able to talk his way out of it? Or is he going to use more nefarious means in order to avoid his bodyguard learning the truth?
What Is Shadow’s True Purpose?
Shadow Moon is the central protagonist of American Gods. It’s through him that we’re introduced to this weird and wonderful world of Gods, but what do we really know about him? For all he’s the main character, his true purpose has been confined to the shadows.
There’s definitely more than meets the eye with him. Mr. Wednesday is Odin, so there must be something very special about him for the all-father to go to such lengths to recruit him to his side. The dreams Shadow has of the flame-eyed bison further suggest something deeper, as does his ability to think snow into existence in the third episode. These aren’t the actions of a plain ol’ human being. Is Shadow actually a God without realizing it? Is he maybe a demigod, or the offspring of a God and a human? Or is he something else entirely?
When Will The War Really Begin?
For as much as the first season of American Gods finds Mr. Wednesday talking of war, there isn’t one in those first eight episodes. The New Gods don’t consider themselves to be at war, and nor do they want one, because as far as they’re concerned they’ve already won. All that changes in the final episode though, when Mr. Wednesday calls down lightning and reveals himself as Odin. There will be war, because he is literally a God of it.
With Odin’s reveal and Ostara’s defection, the New Gods are none too pleased, with Mr. World and co. now ready to give the Old Gods the fight they desire. Is that going to happen in season 2? The battle lines are still being drawn, with a lot to be decided yet, so the series may instead choose to let things build some more. It’s also unclear what form such a war would take. Someone like Odin has more conventional powers for battle, but how would a fight with the likes of Technology and Media play out?
How Will Season 2 Be Different?
It’s been a long time since season 1 aired, and American Gods has been marred by reports of production troubles over the last couple of years. Bryan Fuller and Michael Green, the creators responsible for bringing it to the screen and giving it that indelible style, have gone. There were a number of reported creative differences between them and the two production companies, Starz and FreeMantle, over everything from escalating budget to scripts.
Not too long after that, Gillian Anderson announced she wouldn’t reprise her role as Media, with Kahyun Kim stepping in to replace her. Jesse Alexander came in as showrunner, but then further reports suggested he’d been moved to one side, with Gaiman taking greater control and actors writing their own lines. Some have said the troubles have been exaggerated, but whatever the full truth it’s apparent it hasn’t been smooth sailing. Losing Fuller and Green is a particular blow, and how the show is different - or not - because of those changes is going to be the key to season 2’s success.
