[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n the new episode of American Gods we witness the birth of Tech Boy through the origin story of a young man’s worship that began with the video game, Pong. His journey is one that starts the episode off quite strong as we see how his father’s love of classical music is the way that he prays and he would like his son to have the same passion and devotion to music. However, it’s the growing interest in games, coding, and computers that has drawn the young man’s interest. And just when the son does something so magnificent that he wants his father to be proud of, the fact it also came from a computer just breaks him. Chil Kong, who plays the Father, does so much with his few scenes but this one was just the punch in the gut as you can feel how palpable his silent disappointment is.
The side quest of Laura Moon and Mad Sweeney is put on hold this episode so the focus can shift to others. Most noticeably Demore Barnes’ Mr. Ibis (Toth) who we’ve wanted more of since his introductions in the first season. Though he’s been doing more than setting up season two episodes, it’s refreshing to see his character in a more active role. Even if that role is to be on the sidelines hoping for a semblance of peace between the old and the new gods. This is a point of contention brought up by Mr. Nancy that gives us yet another powerful moment in the episode. He’s also questioning Bilquis’ allegiance since she had thrown in with the new gods for a time. It’s here where Orlando Jones brings yet another rousing monologue as his Mr. Nancy once again drops truth bombs about being Black in America. Those issues that are widely known and the ones only spoken in a hush such as trauma and lack of therapy. It can’t and shouldn’t be compared with his introduction last season but I’m sure many will. To me this scene is just as impactful. So if it made you think or question the status quo or even made you feel uncomfortable then it worked.
It’s a poignant moment where we see the synergy between Yetide Badaki, Orlando Jones, and Demore Barnes deliver the goods in this scene. It also shows what happens when the only Black people in an organization are free to speak amongst themselves when not in mixed company. Though the point was brought home when Mr. Nancy asks if Czernobog’s hammer would swing to avenge Bilquis with the same energy he’s bringing in light of Zorya’s death. What do you think?
Unfortunately every moment doesn’t end up being as phenomenal. After that opening, expectations were pretty high when it came to Tech Boy so I was looking forward to Bruce Langley doing more with his character. However, his scenes with New Media fell flat and lacked the build up to that big moment near the end. If it wasn’t for Mr. World stepping in, those scenes would have been less entertaining than they were. Crispin Glover continues to be one scary new god and his Mr. World wouldn’t have it any other way. He steals every scene he’s in and when sharing the screen with Ian McShane you know you’re dealing with heavyweights. There’s also a mini Deadwood reunion when William Sanderson appears as The Bookkeeper aka “Money” in this episode to share some time with McShane.
Money is the god that both sides are attempting to recruit and the question of value comes up often. How value is placed as what is and who is valuable. This prompts some long overdue questions from Shadow to Mr. Wednesday and it’s about time he started pressing the old god for some information. He’s unaware of anything that’s going on and just seems to be tossed about since this war began. Why he even continues to trust Wednesday is beyond me as he’s constantly been warned by Mad Sweeney and now Mama Ji (Kali) that this con man/grifter will be the death of him. His wife died (although temporarily) he was kidnapped, tortured, and beaten, but what has it all been for? Ricky Whittle’s portrayal of Shadow Moon is still what makes the character worth investing in but how much longer will he and the audience be left clueless as to his role?
As far as the production of the show, we’re still given solid special effects throughout. Mr. World burrowing into Tech Boy’s eye sockets is one such scene that is heightened not only by the visual effects but the harsh digitized noise as well. It’s become Mr. World’s trademark sound whenever he’s angry and has to get his hands dirty and his voice changes to match this. Tech Boy’s actual emergence/creation wasn’t as grandiose looking as one might expect. However, it did coincide with the moment so with that it gets a pass. Though we’re on episode four, the special effects still haven’t matched the level we saw in season one but the gods of budget cuts demand sacrifice I guess. The show does still excel with it’s practical effects as Mr. Ibis is once again separating skin from muscle with the grace and finesse that only years of experience can give. Regardless of your preference for such scenes it still looks fantastic.
This episode has much more going for it but for the sake of not spoiling it for those who didn’t get to see it yet I won’t get into too much more detail. But when things go right here they really do but the shift is quite noticeable when they don’t. However, I will say that the good here outweighs the not so great unless you were planning on spending another episode with Laura and Sweeney. Guess you’ll just have to settle for a naked Ricky Whittle and some of the best moments in a funeral home ever to grace television or whatever digital device you watch American Gods on!
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