# American Gods **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 30, 2017, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-gods/785561 "2017-04-30T08:47:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-gods/785561/42 "2017-05-16T14:13:37Z")
What brief CGI scene? as far as I can tell there is a shit ton of CGI all over every episode so far. ---
**Author:** ![GreedySmurf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a698b9/32.png) [@GreedySmurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreedySmurf)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-gods/785561/43 "2017-05-16T15:20:34Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Don’t read if you don’t want to know who Shadow Moon really is. > > Shadow’s full name is Baldur Moon and he was born to an American woman in Norway. In mythology, Baldur is the son of Odin (Mr Wednesday) and Frigg. His death sets off Ragnarok. > > Oh, and that third episode. Perfect. Loved every minute. Was that ever confirmed? I recall there being conjecture about it, but don’t recall if it was authoritatively confirmed? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2017, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-gods/785561/44 "2017-05-17T08:45:22Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > What brief CGI scene? as far as I can tell there is a shit ton of CGI all over every episode so far. The Gay Sexytime “fire jizz” scene. I understand why they did it but the CGI looked so Old School it bordered on the ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2017, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-gods/785561/45 "2017-05-17T15:13:08Z")
> [@GreedySmurf](#): > > Was that ever confirmed? I recall there being conjecture about it, but don’t recall if it was authoritatively confirmed? Yes, multiple times. It should be pointed out he is an “American” shadow version like all the other characters. Regular Baldr is fair of skin and bright like the sun; Shadow Moon is associated with the moon and night. He makes it snow rather than the sun shine. And so on. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2017, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-gods/785561/46 "2017-05-17T16:57:20Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Some young guy I’m not familiar with as Shadow; Ian McShane as Wednesday, Orlando Jones as Mr. Nancy, Gillian Anderson as Media, Kristin Chenoweth as Eostre, Peter Stormare as Czernobog… I haven’t seen it yet, but it sounds pretty good. Ian McShane as Wednesday is wonderful and perfect casting. I agree " the brief CGI scene" Janni scene did not move the plot forward at all. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2017, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-gods/785561/47 "2017-05-17T18:43:58Z")
All of the intro scenes (except maybe the Viking one) have little bearing on the plot, and I expect that to continue. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2017, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-gods/785561/48 "2017-05-17T20:53:22Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Ian McShane as Wednesday is wonderful and perfect casting. Which makes me very glad it was never some big budget Hollywood movie. I shudder to think of what kind of vanity or stunt casting we’d get for Wotan and the other roles. Tom Cruise as Mr. Wednesday! Alanis Morissette as Bilquis! Chris Tucker as Mr. Nancy! Nah, I’m liking this cast. I notice that Ian McShane just looks grubby and dark in every close up. Wotan is a bit of a trickster god even if not THE trickster god in that pantheon. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Burden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/958977/32.png) [@Jack\_Burden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Burden)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-gods/785561/49 "2017-05-18T03:53:31Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > Yes, multiple times. > > It should be pointed out he is an “American” shadow version like all the other characters. Regular Baldr is fair of skin and bright like the sun; Shadow Moon is associated with the moon and night. He makes it snow rather than the sun shine. And so on. Shadow has a dream in **The Monarch of the Glen** novella that confirms this, and states the name on his birth certificate. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-gods/785561/50 "2017-05-18T09:29:27Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I agree " the brief CGI scene" Janni scene did not move the plot forward at all. I’m not complaining about the whole scene - it’s in the book and it’s all part of the setting. I’m only saying the brief section going from live actors to CGI ones and back was jarring. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Burden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/958977/32.png) [@Jack\_Burden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Burden)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2017, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-gods/785561/51 "2017-05-22T05:22:15Z")
That was interesting, after Episode 3 which adhered the most closely to the book so far, we get an episode that is completely “off book”. Although I’m never complaining about more Emily Browning. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2017, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-gods/785561/52 "2017-05-22T12:27:48Z")
> [@Jack\_Burden](#): > > That was interesting, after Episode 3 which adhered the most closely to the book so far, we get an episode that is completely “off book”. Although I’m never complaining about more Emily Browning. I thought they were trying to make her more sympathetic, but that did not seem to be the goal at all. At least we got more Audrey, she’s one of the best minor characters ever. “Get out of my house you zombie whore!” ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2017, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-gods/785561/53 "2017-05-22T13:41:50Z")
I’m pretty disturbed by the deviation. A few things: A) It fundamentally changes Shadow and Laura. From being set up on a blind date to trying to fleece a casino is big. His reason for being in prison is much more sinister now. B) I had always assumed that Loki and or Wednesday had a large role in Shadows’ imprisonment, Laura’s infidelity and subsequent demise. They needed Shadow and they needed him free of encumbrance for their con to work. She comes off FAR less sympathetically and Shadows’ reluctance to cross legal/ethical lines just seems false now. C) Lakeside. This whole story arc is pretty much useless now. If Audrey knows about Laura there is no reason to have her meet up and come there. This was foreshadowed a bit I see know by the merging of the Laura Chainsaw massacre and perhaps there’s no train car incident but that means no Mr. Town or Mr. World. So I love the aesthetic of the series but the story has been at its core twisted in my mind. I no longer am looking for redemption for either Shadow or Laura. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2017, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-gods/785561/54 "2017-05-22T13:57:52Z")
> [@MikeG](#): > > B) I had always assumed that Loki and or Wednesday had a large role in Shadows’ imprisonment Maybe they did, they explicitly said the plan was perfect and someone had to have fucked them. I never got the feeling they had anything to do with Laura’s infidelity. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Burden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/958977/32.png) [@Jack\_Burden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Burden)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2017, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-gods/785561/55 "2017-05-22T14:41:36Z")
> [@MikeG](#): > > B) I had always assumed that Loki and or Wednesday had a large role in Shadows’ imprisonment, Laura’s infidelity and subsequent demise. They needed Shadow and they needed him free of encumbrance for their con to work. She comes off FAR less sympathetically and Shadows’ reluctance to cross legal/ethical lines just seems false now. The ravens tracking Robbie’s car during the fatal drive indicate at least some involvement. And speaking of Robbie, loved hearing Audrey’s instructions for his burial. ---
**Author:** ![lazybratsche](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ba8739/32.png) [@lazybratsche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lazybratsche)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-gods/785561/56 "2017-05-23T12:29:45Z")
I don’t think I liked that Laura met Anubis after she died. It doesn’t really match with the belief systems and meta-theology that Gaiman set up. AFAICT, the supernatural and material existence of the gods is mostly dependent on the beliefs of humans. Anubis shows up after the death of an old Egyptian woman because she knew the old myths and observed the old customs. Presumably, most observant Christians in America would encounter some version of St. Peter at the gates of Heaven. Why would Laura experience any sort of after-life, if she doesn’t believe in anything? Anubis and Ibis also exist in the real world, but more as a residue of all the beliefs that have come to America (including modern embalming practices). ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-gods/785561/57 "2017-05-23T13:45:24Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > Do I have to have cable to catch it or does anyone know if it’s on Hulu et al? I’m watching it on Amazon Prime Video. ---
**Author:** ![rat\_avatar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rat_avatar/32/255_2.png) [@rat\_avatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rat_avatar)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-gods/785561/58 "2017-05-24T03:53:32Z")
> [@lazybratsche](#): > > I don’t think I liked that Laura met Anubis after she died. > > It doesn’t really match with the belief systems and meta-theology that Gaiman set up. AFAICT, the supernatural and material existence of the gods is mostly dependent on the beliefs of humans. Anubis shows up after the death of an old Egyptian woman because she knew the old myths and observed the old customs. Presumably, most observant Christians in America would encounter some version of St. Peter at the gates of Heaven. > > Why would Laura experience any sort of after-life, if she doesn’t believe in anything? > > Anubis and Ibis also exist in the real world, but more as a residue of all the beliefs that have come to America (including modern embalming practices). Note how Anubis and Ibis stitched her up, they owned the local funeral parlor. It is also important to remember that when Zorya plucked the moon from the sky and gave it to Shadow, and mentioned that he had already given away the “sun”. Remember in the old kingdom Anubis was the son of Ra, the sun god. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-gods/785561/59 "2017-05-24T05:49:26Z")
> [@lazybratsche](#): > > IMO the buffalo with burning eyes should have had embers behind the pupils, instead of a giant propane flame shooting out both sides of its head. Duh! And it wasn’t even WHITE! Wife is a bit First Nations and in the 80s she wouldn’t let me bid on the stuffed bust of a White Buffalo. You totally don’t fuck with White Buffalo. I’m not sure why, since White Deer and her go way back. :rolleyes: Have I mentioned how, in the day, she looked like Diana Muldaur? TOS Diana Muldaur? :o ---
**Author:** ![Paranoid\_Randroid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paranoid_randroid/32/18_2.png) [@Paranoid\_Randroid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paranoid_Randroid)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-gods/785561/60 "2017-05-26T13:47:17Z")
(Sorry for the bump, it just occurred to me to look for a thread here.) > [@lazybratsche](#): > > I don’t think I liked that Laura met Anubis after she died. > > It doesn’t really match with the belief systems and meta-theology that Gaiman set up. […] > Why would Laura experience any sort of after-life, if she doesn’t believe in anything? I wondered the same thing and even googled around for some kind of explanation / fanwank, only to come to the conclusion that it doesn’t seem to have bothered anyone. But it really doesn’t fit with the premise and thus rather confused me. Perhaps her atheism meant that she was unclaimed and free to be picked up by any random psychopomp wandering nearby? But other than that I got nothin’. ---
**Author:** ![Paranoid\_Randroid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paranoid_randroid/32/18_2.png) [@Paranoid\_Randroid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paranoid_Randroid)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-gods/785561/61 "2017-05-26T13:51:41Z")
> [@rat\_avatar](#): > > Note how Anubis and Ibis stitched her up, they owned the local funeral parlor. Did they? It may be faulty memory on my part but I seem to recall that Laura and Audrey were in the middle of a long drive when they came across Ibis and Anubis. > [@](#): > > It is also important to remember that when Zorya plucked the moon from the sky and gave it to Shadow, and mentioned that he had already given away the “sun”. But that was a reference to the lucky coin, I thought, not Anubis. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-gods/785561.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-gods/785561.md?page=4)