American Gods Review: A Murder of Gods (Season 1 Episode 6)

American Gods is ostensibly a show that uses the motif of mythological gods to explore different aspects of America — or, at least, that’s what it most aims to be.

This is what makes the fantasy/science fiction genre essential. The supernatural or other-worldly elements are simply a vehicle to propel the narrative and subtext in ways that explore the human condition — the ways we excel, and the ways in which we still have work to do as a species.

American Gods Season 1 Episode 6 “A Murder of Gods” finally lands upon that — now that it’s done laying all the ground work that it needs to — and brings the plot to a section of America that is an essential (and sometimes toxic) part of the American existence: the shameless worship and adoration of firearms.

If the series is going to pivot and start navigating the many different aspects of America, dealing with the concept of gun enthusiasm (and, by extension, gun control) is as good a place to begin as any.

On the run from the New Gods, Shadow (Ricky Whittle) and Wednesday (Ian McShane) make a stop in Vulcan, Virginia to enlist the help of Vulcan (played by Corbin Bernsen), who owns a bullet factory called Vulcan Munitions (there might be a pattern here).

It becomes rapidly clear, however, that Vulcan is a bit too intense in his love for these bullets and, as Vulcan calls it, the exponential sacrifices made in his name via firearms. Every god requires sacrifice and blood; bullets are Vulcan’s, and it’s safe to say that business is good.

“A Murder of Gods” is attempting to have an essential conversation: How much are you allowed to idolize an object with great destructive capability? What’s the line of reasonable enthusiasm? Is there even a line?

With the death of Vulcan in the final minutes, the show seems to come down pretty solidly on the side that the current American obsession with the Right to Bear Arms is, at the very least, unhealthy. Vulcan is the embodiment of the most toxic aspects of gun zealotry and how dangerous that can be.

At the same time, the stance the episode takes on Vulcan — and gun ownership in general — is pretty unsympathetic. You just have Vulcan on the pro-gun side of things, and Shadow and Wednesday on the “Hey, maybe they’re not so great” side, and ne’er the two shall meet. There’s no bridge or voice representing moderate, responsible gun ownership.

It’s black or white — yes or no. This might match the current tone of the gun control debate that has been sweeping (and continues to sweep) the country but feels overly simplistic in a narrative.

Pushing a conversation like this is a sum positive. The conversation itself could have been a bit more nuanced and interesting, though.

Elsewhere, we begin another road trip story with Laura (Emily Browning) teaming up with Mad Sweeney (Pablo Schreiber) and Salim (Omid Abtahi) to take her to Jesus in Kentucky for a more permanent resurrection. Their dynamic is excellent, with wonderful back-and-forth and opposing world views that clash in the most colorful of ways.

Most of the levity of this episode comes from this unlikely trio, and that levity is sorely needed at times.

“A Murder of Gods” is an admirably ambitious episode that tries to tackle a controversial subject and mostly succeeds. If nothing else, it is likely to start a gun control conversation of some kind, and that’s the real use for an episode like this.

Some Stray Thoughts:

• The Kentuckian in me is very amused that Jesus is in Kentucky.
• Are we going to meet all of the different races’ Jesuses? Because yes please.
• There is no Gillian Anderson in this episode, which is always a bummer.
• The creepy tree monster in Shadow feels very reminiscent of Evil Dead.

What did you think of this episode of American Gods? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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American Gods airs Sundays at 9/8c on STARZ.

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