In American Gods Roundtable 1X06 “A Murder of Gods,” the first blow of the godly war is struck by the most unlikely hand
After Shadow and Wednesday have their first joint run-in with the New Gods, they narrowly escape from the massacre at the police station. Once on the road, Shadow realizes that the monster tree left a little part of itself in his torso, which leads to his employer performing his first “miracle” by removing it. They move on to what appears to be a quaint all-American town to meet up with an old friend of Wednesday’s, but it becomes abundantly clear that the gun-toting citizens that inhabit this place have a cult-like passion for guns. Vulcan, the god of vulcanoes and metalworking and one of Wednesday’s oldest allies, “rules” over the town and draws power upon their worship of firepower. He agrees readily to joining the war and even forges a sword worthy of gods, but not before admitting that he’s taken the same offer given to his friend by Mr. World.
RELATED | AMERICAN GODS REVIEW EPISODE 1X06 “A MURDER OF GODS”
After Shadow leaves her behind (believing she was possibly an apparition), Laura discovers her car has been towed. She reluctantly agrees to stay with Mad Sweeney, who wants her to give him the coin back, and they go about selecting a car to jack. Interestingly, the owner of the one they pick turns out to be Salim, who has gone in search of the Jinn after their intense encounter. The leprechaun demands they drive to Kentucky, but Laura takes them on a detour back to Eagle Point. Once there, Salim espouses the joy of a new life, while Mad Sweeney lectures Laura on the dangers of being stuck in her old one. After visiting her childhood home and seeing her family for the last time, she takes their advice and leaves her town behind.
After the darkly humorous events of last week’s episode, “A Murder of Gods” offered up a stark contrast with its look on how faith can take many different forms. To discuss their thoughts on the matter, here’s our roundtable:
Sky (@MzSkyZy) - Book fan, Bureaucrat and Admin on the American Gods Wiki
Nicola (@NicolaChoi) - Book fan and Editor at TVAfterDark
Ether (@babarts) - TV Addict who watches too many TV series, people person, tweeter passionate
Stevi (@smd) - book fan, Fuller fan, blogger at DamnYourDarkEyes.tumblr.com
Mo (@BookDreamer01) - Host of Tv Movie Mistress, a podcast for TV watchers
1. We open with the Mexican immigrant experience of crossing the Rio Grande. How did you feel about Jesus being shot by a rifle with a Bible verse on it?
Sky (@MzSkyZy): It’s representative of two different versions of “Christians.” And is Mexican Jesus really dead? Are any of these gods really dead when they’re “killed”? As Sweeney mentions later on, isn’t Jesus’ whole shtick that he’s able to raise himself from the dead so does that mean Mexican Jesus is going to resurrect himself? Were the immigrants a sacrifice to Jesus or to Vulcan or to the other “Jesus” worshiped by murderous white Christians? I was left with a lot of questions this week.
Nicola (@NicolaChoi): There are so many forms of Jesus and he’s a prominent figure in so many cultures, and non-significant in so many others, that it’s difficult to answer. I liked that the bullets fired ended with him essentially with the stigmata. Aside from that, this was the first ‘Coming to America’ story that didn’t have *my* faith. I couldn’t grasp it.
Ether (@babarts): I don’t have issue with it. It’s just putting the experience in like 20 century format.
Stevi (@smd): In the moment of watching it, it was just devastating. On reflection, it’s even more devastating. It’s not just that the rifle had part of the Lord’s Prayer on it. It’s that the bullets were prayers to Vulcan. Such a stark contrast of the ways that people use faith to comfort themselves. I’m trying to find some empathy for the mindset of the people who are pulling the trigger in this instance, but they’ve allowed themselves to become so terrified of the world outside of their community. Such a powerful way to illustrate the conflict.
Mo (@BookDreamer01): The intro had me spinning through all my emotions in just a few minutes, but I did think it was quite fitting especially with the way religion has become co-opted by white nationalists who don’t actually living the tenets that Jesus preached. So it wouldn’t surprise me Jesus actually being killed by such a group as this if he “came” back.
2. This week, Wednesday performed his first “miracle” by removing the living tree out of Shadow. Why do we think he waited so long?
Sky: It didn’t seem to be that long. I thought he just didn’t realize Shadow had been stabbed by the tree. But how about that tree?? That’s apparently Mr. Wood in non-human form. Is it the same tree from Shadow’s dreams? And what about the tree in front of Vulcan’s house? Is that a component of Mr. Wood or a separate entity?
Nicola: Not too sure of this question. I don’t think I fully understand what it means. I guess ultimately they were being watched. We saw the drone. We saw the smug noose drop off the tree. As for Wednesday’s miracle… I can’t remember if it was so, with him and his charms, but as for waiting so long… Firstly, there is more to Shadow than we know. Than Shadow knows. Secondly, I think Wednesday senses that Shadow begins to believe and that grows and sprouts as they go on this trip together. Possibly, Wednesday thinks Shadow’s finally ready for his role in…all of this. That was the most roundabout answer. I’m so sorry.
Ether: Mr. Wednesday is sly old fox. He has something up his sleeve I can feel it in my body.
Stevi: He’s been easing Shadow in, giving Shadow just enough to want to look at the periphery without panicking and invoking his “I walk” clause. Also, I don’t think an opportunity has really presented itself so far. Wednesday in that moment is acting more out of need than want. I think he’d have preferred to save such obvious demonstrations until Shadow’s more firmly cemented in the world. That said, it makes an excellent parallel to the end of the episode, where Shadow also sees the violence and capriciousness Wednesday is capable of.
Mo: It was a life and death situation at this point that required he performed a miracle, and a detour to a hospital is not on Mr. Wednesday schedule.
3. Salim made a reappearance this week. Do we think he’s going after The Jinn out of love, lust, faith, or something else?
Sky: I’m so glad to see Salim again. His whole talk with Laura while they’re driving makes me think Salim is going after the Jinn for love. He’s a good influence on Laura and is a perfect addition to the Sweeney/Laura dynamic.
Nicola: I don’t think it is just lust. I don’t know if it is just love either. I think it is a combination of really strong feelings that aren’t quite love but also in addition to that I think he really worships the jinn. I think his feelings drive him but I’m not entirely convinced it is crazed faith or mad love.
Ether: The wink says it all…nothing more to be said.
Stevi: I think a combination of love and faith. He thinks he loves the Jinn. He think the Jinn’s appearance in his life is a reward for his faith. He has remained a faithful Muslim, despite being gay, and has been rewarded with this amazing experience, and this opportunity to track it down. I imagine running into a leprechaun and a dead girl actually gives more evidence to him - that the people trying to steal his cab wouldn’t blink at an eye at him asking about a Jinn!
Mo: Salim in going after the Jinn out of love and perhaps thankfulness; for having given him this new life as well the best sex he likely has ever had.
4. Why do we think Laura was so drawn to going back to Eagle Point? After all, her memories aren’t exactly rainbows and unicorns…
Sky: A bit of curiosity and nostalgia, perhaps. Maybe even to see if her feelings toward her family have changed since she died like they changed with Shadow. She didn’t seem to get anything out of that visit except perhaps closure.
Nicola: Laura never ventured beyond Eagle Point. We saw in “Git Gone” how boring and how lacklustre her life was. I guess she wants to confirm she’s really dead. She’s confirmed she’s dead. Let’s confirm she’s really, REALLY dead. Nope, my breath still doesn’t fog up the mirror. It’s the first time she’s visited her family. Nope, they can’t see her. Okay, screw this, let’s go to Shadow. I think after so long, Eagle Point was always home … but now, Shadow is. And it’s hard to leave the home you once had.
Ether: Only thing comes to mind is Shadow…
Stevi: Even the undead need closure, apparently. It lets us know that Laura’s got a bit more feeling going on than she lets on. It also stresses the isolation she felt was real. Her family is already capable of having seemingly normal nights together so soon after her death. As far as she knows, Shadow is all she still has left. And it lets us see she’s not as supremely unconnected as she plays. She seems sure in her first conversation with Salim that they should just fuck those assholes. But she’s not really there yet.
Mo: Most likely to get one last look at her family and to see their reaction after her death.
5. Salim, Laura, and Mad Sweeney certainly make for a strange traveling trio. What nickname would you give them and why?
Sky: How do you make Laura and Sweeney even more fun to watch? By adding Salim! I would watch a road trip show about just the three of them.
Nicola: Mad Slims. Like slims as in Laura’s cigs, and Mad cause Mad Sweeney, and Slim for Salim. You know it’s a bad pun when you have to explain it before anyone gets the answer. Mad Slimz?
Ether: SAMALA. All three of them need some deep guidance!
Stevi: I’ve been trying to come up with a fun name, but failing. The Taxi Trio? The Unlucky Afterlives? The Ubar Drivers? The Eclectic Company? Lack of snappy nickname aside I love this ridiculous road trip. I’m really enjoying the relationship we see between Laura and Salim. I think she envies him his faith, especially after being told she is going to the void because she didn’t have any. And she’s as close to an equal as Salim has in this new crazy world he’s entered. Sure, she’s dead, but like him, she was a run of the mill human before this new life-not-life of hers. Their quiet camaraderie gives us a chance to see that maybe Laura isn’t entirely unredeemable. And I just love Salim. May he find his Jinn and may it be sweet when they reunite.
Mo: The dead wife crew.
6. With Vulcan taking up the New Gods’ offer of power, why do you think he still made the blade for Wednesday?
Sky: A parting gift, maybe. Or perhaps he was planning to kill Wednesday himself with it? I’m not really sure. I’m more curious as to whether Vulcan is really dead. How do gods die? By being forgotten and Vulcan isn’t entirely forgotten since there is still an entire town who believes in him.
Nicola: I honestly don’t know. Vulcan’s a new character to both screen and book. Off mythology, I would say that his powers-so locked in with fire-are used most frequently to destruction and to fertilization. I think he still retains the pride of the old gods. But the bullets; the guns…the theme was important this week. Items like swords of the old are precious and treasured, but you don’t send the army off with shiny blades-you send them with guns. So I think whilst ultimately Vulcan’s tugged in by the new gods (and it’ not surprising considering his power is essentially fully retained-who worships the fire of the volcanoes anymore?!) he can give that blessing to Wednesday and create his sword. How long was it since was last asked to craft such beauty?
Ether: I think Vulcan maybe still had some respect for him in a way.
Stevi: Vanity. Wednesday appealed to his skills as a smith, skills he hasn’t been able to practice and be respected for - Wednesday was telling the tales people had forgotten to tell and it felt good. Vulcan responded to that. At the same time, Wednesday had been dismissive of the franchised faith Vulcan had built, and Vulcan wanted Wednesday’s respect. He wanted that moment of turning the tables - I was just biding my time playing around making this sword for you while the New Gods came. Too bad for him, he forgot that Wednesday is always conning somebody, planning on Vulcan selling him out to have his own martyr.
Mo: Most likely equal parts stalling tactic and cockiness in order to find out more information about Mr. Wednesdays plan for the New Gods.
7. What do you think will happen to the bullets that Wednesday cursed?
Sky: That was my first thought after watching this episode is how soon we might see what happens with those bullets. This show does like to play around with time, however, like how the Jinn met with Wednesday after he swapped lives with Salim. Maybe we already saw it and those bullets were the ones used to kill the immigrants crossing over at the beginning of the episode? Does Wednesday have a vendetta against Mexican Jesus? He was particularly derogatory towards him in the “Head Full of Snow” episode.
Nicola: I’m not sure anything will necessarily happen. I think, as Wednesday says earlier in the episode, it’s a big middle finger flipped at the New Gods. He curses it with his own piss fountain. So I don’t know if it’ll affect future episodes. Maybe it will! I think Wednesday is more a read-between-the-lines kinda bloke, though. He essentially curses it with a “screw you, new gods!”
Ether: Mr. Wednesday might use them for the war that is coming to the Americas!
Stevi: I like to think they’ll be defective in some way that leads to an investigation of Vulcan’s plant, ultimately leading it to being closed completely. Some other name will end up on the bullets, maybe one that breaks the use of bullets as prayers in and of themselves. This could lead to Vulcan being forgotten completely, which unlike death, is something a god cannot survive.
Mo: I’m hoping the cursed bullets make the person who fires the gun feels the pain and weight of the actions from the gun, as opposed to the safety and power they felt from it before.
Final Verdict: “A Murder of Gods” reminds us that when it comes to the pursuit of power, nothing is sacred
After seeing what went down in “A Murder of Gods,” we’re really glad that we were given a chance to take a breather before watching! This episode highlighted the two sides of belief by starting with the “Coming to America” segment highlighting Jesus, followed by an episode introducing us to Vulcan. While the former is known for his compassion and peaceful approach, the latter thrives on chaos and war. We were also given a chance to see just how desperate some of the Old Gods are to maintain a foothold on modern society, as Vulcan betrays his oldest friend for what amounts of only a handful of followers in the world. For this, he dies by Wednesday’s hand, sacrificed to the modern vulcano that births his power. In this way, American Gods gives us a glimpse of the humanized deities and reminds us that even with gods, there is something to worship.
