S01.E01: The Bone Orchard

[formerlyfreedom]

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When Shadow Moon is released from prison a few days early, following the death of his wife, he meets the enigmatic Mr. Wednesday and is conscripted into his employ as bodyguard. Attacked his first day on the job, Shadow quickly discovers that this role may be more than he bargained for.

This series premieres April 30, 2017 on Starz.

[Notwisconsin]

It was shown at South By Southwest (SxSW) last month. Did anyone besides me see it there? I was impressed.

Edited April 2, 2017 by Notwisconsin

[Ffiferoo]

I went to a screening and Q&A event at Bard College last weekend.  I really enjoyed the episode, and I'm really happy with the casting.  I wasn't sure about Pablo Schreiber, but I thought he was actually perfect once I saw it. 

[ganesh]

I haven't read the book, but I think I know the gist of this. I'm glad this is on starz, which I can only assume means they're bringing the crazy. 

[tennisgurl]

I've loved this book for years, and I could not be more excited for this! Everything I've seen so far looks very promising, I cant wait to finally get to actually watch the first episode! It really does look like the book come to life.

[vavera4ka]

Super excited for this! I loved the book, like almost anything by Gaiman (there was only one book I wasn't particularly fond of - Neverwhere, the rest are masterpieces!)

[Primetimer]

Bryan Fuller has turned a Neil Gaiman novel into a Starz TV show. For some people, this may sound like religion itself.

View the full article

[Lorimac]

Chore for weekend: figuring out how to get on Starz. Seriously, I loved this book. Just when a reader thinks that there can be no new plots in the world, Gaiman shows up with American Gods that has a concept and plot that is simply amazing. Knowing he is on board this production makes me relax a little.

[PugLoaf]

Chore for weekend: figuring out how to get on Starz. Seriously, I loved this book. Just when a reader thinks that there can be no new plots in the world, Gaiman shows up with American Gods that has a concept and plot that is simply amazing. Knowing he is on board this production makes me relax a little.

If you're looking to stream it, Amazon does Starz as an add on subscription. We added it recently to watch this.

[DittyDotDot]

So does Hulu.

[BusyOctober]

I read the preview article and it sounds very interesting.  I love Ian McShane, so I'm in.  I'm concerned if I didn't read the book that it will be confusing to follow.  I hope I'm wrong, because I don't have time to find the book and binge read it before the first episode.

[SillyOldClothCat]

So THIS is how they finally get me to pay for STARZ...

[starri]

If you have the Starz app, it's available to stream as of this morning.

I won't go into the spoilers until it actually aired, but I really, really liked it.  It both did and did not remind me of Hannibal, and that's a good thing.

[jhlipton]

From the "Fact Sheet:
 

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So in other words, the only female character who isn't there to serve a man (or his storyline) is there to show some boobs while enacticng misogynistic nightmare about a powerful black woman.

Not just any character -- she's the Queen of Sheba, the person that Solomon sent for because she was smarter than him, so the smartest person in the whole world -- and she's a damn joke.  I've never cared for Gaiman and this solidifies my hate.

[WatchrTina]

I watched the first episode on STARZ.com.  If you haven’t seen it yet STOP READING NOW.

 

THE GOOD

Loved the credits.  It gives new meaning to the words “Totem Pole.”

Yowza – that opening sequence certainty set the stage for what is to come.  That hail of arrows turning a man into a porcupine?  Damn.  That was visceral and yet morbidly funny at the same time.

And did you see the clever sight-gag during the Viking fight?  Notice how the opening sequence has black bars at the top and bottom of the screen – like you see when a movie filmed in an older, widescreen format like Cinemascope is shown on TV.  Then watch when the dismembered arm that is still clutching a blade flies thought the air.  The blade passes outside the scene and into the black bar.  Clever that.  I take it as a hint that this show will be pushing at boundaries and the characters will travel in places outside the norm.

So . . . I think we just saw the first ever “shirts vs. skins” match ever played in America (when the Vikings faced off to offer a blood sacrifice to their god).

I liked the way the warden stood up when Shadow came in and then said “Thank you for coming” like he (Shadow) had a choice.  That alone was a dead give-away to Shadow that something was definitely “wrong” about that meeting.

I loved the touch about Shadow’s shirt being a bit too tight across the chest – a situation that was echoed by Audrey when she hugged him.  He’s been working out, improving both mind and body over the last 3 years.

I liked that both Bilquis’ and Mad Sweeney’s accents became more pronounced during the heat of passion / fighting.

I loved the light in Bliquis’ eyes while she is being “worshipped”.  I know that’s a cinematic trick and I’ve seen it deployed before but that was a really good place to use it.

I loved the make-up design for Bilquis before-and-after being worshipped.  Very subtle but effective.

As someone who grew up in Louisiana I enjoyed hearing “Iko Iko” in the gater-themed bar.  That song is about competing African-American-but-Indian-inspired Mardi Gras “tribes” in New Orleans who “battle” via their costumes (with a hint of violence such as when they sing “My flag-boy told your flag-boy ‘I’m gonna set your flag on fire.’”)  But that does beg the question of what an alligator-themed bar is doing in the middle of America near Oklahoma.

My favorite line of the episode was Wednesday telling Shadow “I’ll tell you this once and this one time only – take all the time you need.”  That line moves the relationship a giant step forward, while still setting some clear expectations for the future.

I winced when Audrey called Shadow a “kicked puppy” since we know that “puppy” is Laura’s term of endearment for him (and I presume Audrey did not know that.)  Nice bit of writing, that.

 

THE BAD

How exactly did the Vikings make it back home if they could not go in-land from the beach to hunt and take on fresh supplies?  I guess we can fan-wank that they found a fresh water stream that flowed out to the sea across the beach and that’s where they got their water and that they caught fish and dried them to re-stock the boat for the return trip.  But we sure didn’t see any of that.

There is a hint that Shadow is a con man (a.k.a. a  “traveling man” or “grifter”) – or at least that he is well-acquainted with the life-style.  He knows the names of various classic cons.  But he’s never flown before?  Does that ring true?  Don’t grifters have to stay on the move constantly?  I presume that bit was thrown in so that Wednesday would give his little speech about the plane being held up by “faith” but I still thought it was an odd note to introduce.

When Wednesday orders a Jack & Coke from the flight attendant for Shadow and “another” for himself she brings them both two drinks that look like straight bourbon.  Mad Sweeny’s Jack & Coke is served in a proper highball glass.  I know that’s a nit but the truth is that as soon as Wednesday ordered it for Shadow, it gave me a strong craving for a Jack & Coke – haven’t had one in years.  So I was disappointed with the sorry little drink the flight attendant brought Shadow.

 

THE UGLY

A black dude being beaten and then hanged by a bunch of “white” guys – damn that’s some troubling imagery there.  That bothered me more than the wanton blood-shed that followed.

That being said, damn this episode was book-ended by copious amounts of blood.

 

THE UNASNWERED QUESTIONS

Why was Mad Sweeny in the alligator bar?  Wednesday was clearly expecting him (He brought him back a Jack & Coke from the bar unasked.)

Why was there ice in the urinal?  

Why didn’t Shadow shave for his own wife’s funeral?  There would have been a razor in a first-class dop kit.

And last but not least – where DID Audrey put Robbie’s severed penis?

Edited May 1, 2017 by WatchrTina

[AimingforYoko]

Oh Gaiman, did you rip off John Irving?

Well, this certainly was a Fuller show, really nice to look at, but a little hard to follow.

[wanderingstar]

I liked it. 

I read the book a couple years ago for a book club and thought it was ok. I was hoping the show would improve on the book, and so far it has.

I just love this cast, and will continue to rave about them. Great seeing Demore Barnes (who I love on 12 Monkeys) at the start of the episode and hearing him narrate the viking story.

The Bilquis scene: it's one of my favorites from the book, and when I heard they were going to do this scene in the adaptation, I was skeptical that they could pull it off. But I loved how they did it. Also, Yetide Badaki is stunning. She looked amazing in that scene and played it beautifully.

I'm also liking the dynamic between Wednesday and Shadow. Ian McShane and Ricky Whittle have a nice chemistry.

Looking forward to seeing Mr. Nancy and Media next episode.

Edited May 2, 2017 by Gillian Rosh

[GenieinTX]

The book was hard to follow in the beginning also.  But it all comes together and makes sense.  Stick with it.

I thought it was great.  Visuals were stunning, casting is really good.  Loved Audrey.  I'm a huge Gaiman fan and I was not disappointed.  squee!

[wanderingstar]

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Loved Audrey. 

Betty Gilpin was great as Audrey! She definitely made the most of her few minutes on screen.

[starri]

6 minutes ago, Gillian Rosh said:

Also, Yetide Batakis is stunning

No kidding.  

I really appreciated two big changes:  Audrey is a whole lot more sympathetic here, and it delighted me that they'd had Bilquis be something other than a sex worker.

[Lantern7]

Neil Gaiman: You guys think Garth Ennis is a weirdo about religion? I can be the same, I've won more awards, and I've been on The Simpsons!

Vikings: Dark humor! Lots and lots of blood and dark humor!!

Shadow: This is the most fucked-up three days of my life!

Only Major Lady In The First Episode: Wanna see me vacuum a dude in a way you can only get away with on pay cable?

Mr. Wednesday: Oh, my me, I would love to, but I have to be mysterious and shit. And damn, that's fucked up. Even worse than the woman vaporizing dudes after sex on Torchwood.

And that's what I got tonight. I will tune in, and imagine my surprise when I learned that I had Starz, and not Netflix like I had assumed this would come out on. Not like I had a void after Westworld, but I liked The Sandman (I know, I'm basic), and I'm interested to see what happens in Neil's head.

[formerlyfreedom]

Just a reminder - discussion of the book should not happen in this topic, and if you reference it, please spoiler tag. Book discussion needs to happen in the Book Talk tagged topics, like this one.

Thanks!

[ajsnaves]

5 hours ago, WatchrTina said:

THE UNASNWERED QUESTIONS

Why was Mad Sweeny in the alligator bar?  Wednesday was clearly expecting him (He brought him back a Jack & Coke from the bar unasked.)

Why was there ice in the urinal?  

Why didn’t Shadow shave for his own wife’s funeral?  There would have been a razor in a first-class dop kit.

And last but not least – where DID Audry put Robbie’s severed penis?

I can't any answer any of your other questions, but bars frequently use ice in urinals as a cheap replacement for a urinal cake, especially if there is no auto flush.  And Wednesday brought Mad Sweeney a Southern Comfort and Coke, which I can't imagine tasting good, but I now kinda want to try. 

Speaking of Mad Sweeney, I am totally in love with him, especially after he was covered in blood.  (I think I just learned something about myself)

I read, well listened, to the book a few years ago on some long car rides to family events, and loved it.  This was after I tried reading it, and had to stop to take a break about half way through.  I meant to go back, but never did.  I was looking forward to this from the moment I saw news of its pilot.  It did not disappoint.  Ian McShane is everything I want from Mr Wednesday.  I can see be simultaneously being repelled and drawn to him.  I loved the opening scene on the beach.  I like that we started there.  I was worried about Technical Boy, but so far I'm impressed by that.  I don't think he can be portrayed the same way he would have been in 2001. 

 

I can't wait to see what they have for me the next 7 weeks.

[bmoore4026]

Oh, Bryan Fuller, I loves your freaky deaky imagery.  Emmy nominations guaranteed for direction.  The scene where Technology's men hang Shadow was disturbing, sad, and a little beautiful all at the same time.

That prayer to Bilquis was beautiful, though her consuming that guy with her vagina was a bit silly looking, which is too bad because it's such an awesome scene in the book.

The music selection in this show is exquisite, though I do wish it was toned down a bit when the characters were talking; I hate mumbling line delivery with the passion of a thousand suns.

The comment about mead was fantastic.  Has anyone here had mead before?  What does it really taste like?

Yes, Ian McShane is an excellent actor and his Mr. Wednesday is a slimy man, but his comments about Game of Thrones sours my view of his performance.

I hope they deviate from the book and give Audrey a lot more to do; her actress is that good.  Also a good actor - Bruce Langley as Technology.

Lastly, Shadow Moon is a hot, hot, hooooooooooooooooooooooooooot man.

[MrWhyt]

2 hours ago, Lantern7 said:

Neil Gaiman: You guys think Garth Ennis is a weirdo about religion? I can be the same, I've won more awards, and I've been on The Simpsons!

And Alan Moore says: hold my beer....

[rozen]

I'm really uncomfortable by how attracted I am to Pornstache in this role. 

I like how the show really emphasizes that Wednesday keeps Shadow so off-balance that he can even realize how hard he's being hustled.

I hope the show let's Bilquis show that the Queen of Sheba was smart, not just sexy-pants. You'd think the guy would have thought a little harder when there was a perfectly let red light district for the stars-type setup right off the bat.

Edited May 1, 2017 by rozen

[WaltersHair]

This is a deeply, deeply weird series. Yet, somehow, it has more logic and clarity than three seasons of the Leftovers.

I'm in.

[wayne67]

If I was being attacked by pixel monsters I think I'd be a bit more curious about the whole pixel monsters being a thing... Oh well stoic protagonists ignoring odd things isn't unusual. 

There are a lot of spoilers in this episode thread. 

[Haleth]

If I hadn't read the book I don't think I'd be back for the rest of the series.  I love Fuller surrealism, I don't mind lots of bloodshed if it's meaningful to the story (Vikings and Black Sails are my fav shows), I adore Ian McShane (and the guy playing Shadow is incredibly handsome), but I didn't find this enjoyable.  The Bilquist scene was very disturbing.  Shadow's beating (the second time) and hanging were awful to watch.  This was a pretty brutal introduction to the old world and new world gods.  However, since I did read the book I know it's worth sticking around for more.

Does the ticket agent work for United? :)

[jenrising]

I really loved this. I don't think I would've watched the first episode before hearing from people I know, but in Fuller I trust. And he delivered. I watched with my boyfriend who hasn't read the book and it was interesting. He basically thought it was insane and confusing and exciting to see where all this madness leads which is pretty much exactly right. 

One thing we discussed was the hanging scene and I thought it was perfect. Not because the show is ignoring the implication, but because I think that was the point. New technology can be just as ugly as history. 

[luna1122]

I haven't read the source material, but I'll watch anything Bryan Fuller. I loved it. It made me extremely nostalgic for Hannibal, my fave show ever, with all its dreamy, crazy creativity and disturbing but beautiful imagery and  twisty trees and swaths of blood, and man, I wish Mads Mikkelsen was on this show.

I'm in for the long haul. I just hope it last longer than most of Fuller's crazy brilliant shows, which are always critical darlings that never pull the viewers they deserve. I think it being on cable, where all his shows should live, will help with that.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Well, there was no doubt that this was a Bryan Fuller show from the moment the opening credits began. This episode was beautiful and elegant and disturbing and creepy. Honestly, there were a few moments when I felt like it was a little too similar to Hannibal (like certain points with the music) so I hope that won't be going on all season. I loved Hannibal, but I don't want to think, "Oh, hey, that's totally Hannibal" when I'm watching a different show, if that makes sense.

I haven't read the book yet, but I was able to follow the plot without any problems and I was interested in what was going on without being confused. Since I knew nothing going into this episode, I decided to just roll with whatever happened, from Pornstache leprechauns to pixelated thugs.

[snowwhyte]

I watched this and thought Starz and Bryan Fuller were a perfect match. I don't particularly like overly stylized gore but I'm interested in the story and like the cast so I'll be watching it.  

[nodorothyparker]

This is so gloriously and unapologetically weird with parts reading almost like a fever dream, but then it would have to be to really sell this premise.  The stylistic touches and attention to detail are terrific, like the teeth lights at the Crocodile Bar.  I seriously didn't even recognize Pornstache as Mad Sweeney until after the fact, and Technical Boy really is like a shitty internet comments section with the ability to do more than make idle poorly spelled threats.  I do wonder how much of this I would have been able to follow if I hadn't read the book and know where some of this is going.  My non book reader husband who admittedly doesn't always pay the closest attention was mesmerized by the attack of what he called pixel monsters but needed me to fill in the particulars of what he was seeing.

I'm not familiar with Ricky Whittle as an actor but his general world weariness and sense of what the hell ever my life has seriously taken a weird turn worked for me.  Shadow Moon really is having one hell of a 48-hour period.  The hanging with its definite lynching connotations was certainly uncomfortable to see but the repeated noose imagery throughout laid the groundwork for it so I'm willing to go with it at this point.  I can buy the argument offered above that it shows that underneath all of our dazzling new technology the old ugliness still remains.

[Potanical Pardon]

It's Bryan Fuller, so I'm in but I'm not sold in the same way Hannibal didn't sell me. I like pre-Hannibal Fuller style, not hiding behind budget constraints in the shadows.

I haven't read the novel, but am familiar with the New Gods concept from Jack Kirby and the Fourth World stuff, as well as Moore and Morrison's contributions, so I still feel like I know where this is going. 

P.S. For some reason I mixed this show up with The Wicked and Divine before watching it...that should be a show too.

Edited May 1, 2017 by Potanical Pardon

[jcin617]

5 hours ago, wayne67 said:

If I was being attacked by pixel monsters I think I'd be a bit more curious about the whole pixel monsters being a thing... Oh well stoic protagonists ignoring odd things isn't unusual. 

There are a lot of spoilers in this episode thread. 

Yeah, he was strangely nonplussed by all that.  Maybe it goes along with whatever gizmo plugged him into the VR world.   

And yes I agree, way too many spoilers and book references in here.  

Edited May 1, 2017 by jcin617

[phane00]

Interesting opener.  I absolutely enjoy the scenery chewing from God Al, who is once again serving drinks.  Audrey was fantastic.  Her take on the entire situation with her husband and Laura was hilarious.  I'm guessing that the Leprechaun works with God Al, or at least is allied with him. 

[formerlyfreedom]

Please take book discussion to Book Talk topics, as requested above (this will include other books of the same type). Also, if you feel that you're seeing spoilers in the episode topic, use the report button - posting about it in topic will get your post removed going forward.

[tennisgurl]

Oh my God, I've been looking forward to this since they first announced that they were doing it, and this was even better than what I imagined! This episode was very faithful to the start of the book, but with a few changes to update the story from 2001 to 2017, and to explain and the world and its characters a bit more, and it all totally worked. I knew they would commit to the books weirdness with Bryan Fuller involved, but it was great how much they have kept the surreal vibes of the book, where the fantastic lives just underneath the surface, and modern life and the larger than life mythology exist side by side, while also fighting for dominance. Its just so awesome, I cant believe I'm actually watching this story and its characters come to life right before my eyes.

Its super hard to not talk spoilers, but I will try. The casting is A+ so far, especially Ian McShane as Mr. Wednesday, who just nails his combination of charm and sleaze, and, surprisingly, Pornstache as Mad Sweeny, a casting choice I was really confused by, but he totally nailed it here. I think I pictured Mad Sweeny as a bit older, but he is totally nailing the attitude and personality. Also...Pornstache is kind of hot here. What is wrong with me?

I also like Ricky Whittle so far as Shadow, I'm interested to see what he does with some of the other stuff Shadow has to deal with later on. He is a bit more emotional than Book Shadow, but he still has that unphased everyman vibe, while also being likable and having an actual personality. I also really liked the woman playing Audrey, and its nice that they gave her some more sympathy here than in the book. Even if she wasn't very sympathetic on the book, I still felt bad for her, so I was glad she got more to do here. Super excited to see the rest of the characters show up!

Fuller really loves his super pretty blood doesn't he? Not surprisingly, the cinematography is amazing, and every scene looks amazing and frequently otherworldly, like the book. The scene with the Technology Boy was really well done, and a great update on the version of him from the book, and it managed to be an interesting contrast to the Bilquis scene. Both were extremely trippy and rather scary, but while the Bilquis scene was otherworldly and mythic, the technology boy scene was a surreal sci fi nightmare. Perfect contrast between the two sides we are going to meet. I also really liked the intro scene, especially the shot of the half buried statue of Odin left by the Vikings. Knowing what I know, it gave me serious chills.

19 hours ago, WatchrTina said:

I liked that both Bilquis’ and Mad Sweeney’s accents became more pronounced during the heat of passion / fighting.

I really liked that too. It was a nice touch, especially for a show about immigrants, and it further connected the mythological characters, despite their differences in origin and personalities. Its one of the things in the book I really like.

So very excited to see more! I believe!

[ElectricBoogaloo]

4 minutes ago, tennisgurl said:

I believe!

Heh, as soon as I saw that, I heard this (which is also about religion and faith!):

[starri]

16 minutes ago, tennisgurl said:

Also...Pornstache is kind of hot here. What is wrong with me?

Nothing.  Absolutely nothing.

[Triskan]

Well, as expected, that was a blast.

Visualy and musicaly stunning, a real feast. The performances were top notch, the rythm was great, the script managing with eas to grasp us in the story... it's one of Gaiman's books I havent read, but I totally trust him to deliver a great story !

I'm totally in for the long run ! 

[magdalene]

I am in.  I am somebody who couldn't watch Hannibal because of the goretastic and violent tone but  here so far I find I can put up with it - maybe because the source material makes it easier for me to look at all the blood and gore through my black humor and artsy lense.

And some of the things that could have been so easily very exploitative - like the love goddess doing her thing - were instead eerily beautiful to me.

The acting was fantastic - I am so pleased for Ian McShane, he must be happy as a clam after his not so good experience on GOT.

[Which Tyler]

14 hours ago, bmoore4026 said:

 

 

14 hours ago, bmoore4026 said:

 

The comment about mead was fantastic.  Has anyone here had mead before?  What does it really taste like?

Loads, it's one of my favourite tipples. I've never seen it colourless though.

Proper mead tastes like mild, alcoholic, slightly spiced honey; but there's a massive range, it's a bit like trying to describe what wine or cider tastes like to someone who's never had it.

Some meads though basically cheat, and just dissolve honey in a stronger alcohol drink, brandy, sherry, absinthe etc.

Typically alcohol EBV is broadly equivalent to wine. 10-15%, and you'd sip it like an appéretif, generally better chilled.

Edited May 1, 2017 by Which Tyler

[Anela]

I haven't read the book, and that was really weird... but I expect that from Neil Gaiman (and Bryan Fuller), so I'll watch again. I want to see movies made for The Ocean at the End of the Lane, and The Graveyard Book. 

I like the main actor here, not just because he's really good-looking. He seems really grounded and normal, versus all of the surreal crap he got to deal with. I was also thinking he'd had a really shitty few days. 

[Arynm]

I had Mead once and thought it was terrible. it was like drinking something overly sweet but then fermented and weird. It was not great and I would be nervous to try it again. Maybe I got a bad one

[peridot]

The opening scene was great.  I loved how the sacrifices escalated from an eye to a full-blown slaughter of Vikings. 

The worship of the love goddess was crazy, but it was well done.  I'll have to watch it again, but did the sacrifice speak another language during the sex?

Ian McShane was hilarious, his senile old man routine cracked me up. 

The ending scene with Shadow was kind of stomach-turning.  Didn't Whittle's character on The 100 die in a similar way?

[WatchrTina]

4 hours ago, Which Tyler said:

[Mead is] one of my favourite tipples. I've never seen it colourless though.

Yeah, that threw me too.  When I've had it I recall it as being golden-colored.  I went out and got a bottle of it once for a Lord of the Rings trilogy-watching party (because I assumed it's what Gimli drinks).  I liked it but the the only way I can describe it is wine flavored with Ricola cough drops (all those mountain herbs).

[Kel Varnsen]

Usually when i watch stuff on my laptop in bed i get bored and take breaks. But this show had my attention for the whole hour, which is a really good sign.

It helps that McShane is awesome. Also he used to do that spit in the hand handshake in Deadwood. I don't remember that being a book thing so I am going to assume it was a Swearengen reference.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

@bmoore4026, @Arynm, and anyone else who's interested in trying mead, a similar option is t'ej, which is Ethiopian honey wine. Like mead, the taste can vary but it will give you an idea of what it tastes like (and if you live in a big city like I do, there are plenty of Ethiopian restaurants so t'ej is easy to find).