Preacher Review: Angelville (Season 3 Episode 1)

Preacher has returned! What a compelling return it is.

After a somewhat lackluster Season 2, I was hesitant to continue watching this show. However, within the first few minutes of Preacher Season 3 Episode 1, “Angelville,” I find myself glad that I didn’t give up on Jesse Custer and the gang.

The addition of the elusive and mysterious Miss Marie (aka Jesse’s grandma) will hopefully prove a great foil for our leads. After a season of Cassidy and Tulip taking the lead, I am ready to see a bit more of this festering conflict between Jesse and the matriarch.

From the flashback scenes, we can see that this animosity between the two started with Jesse’s mother and then continued into Jesse betraying the family as a teen. We may finally get an answer to the age-old question of why Jesse’s father died.

We now know that Jody is the one who killed him, which connects Angelville to Jesse’s father. The mystery of it all could be great storytelling if handled properly.

It’s my hope for this season that our heroes delve into Jesse’s past in their search for a way out in the present. I want to know more about him.

Before “Angelville,” I questioned why Genesis is able to sit inside Jesse with no repercussions, i.e. Jesse blowing up. Now, I feel like the answer to that is becoming clearer.

Jesse is no ordinary human. He comes from a mystical/magical background. Is that what allows him to be the perfect vessel for Genesis?

Coming to Angelville may do more for audiences than just provide us with answers. It may also prove to be the beginning of Jesse’s redemption.

All of Season 2, we got to sit and watch as Jesse and Cassidy barely existed on the same plane together. They are best friends, and yet they were too wrapped up in their own personal lives to own that last season.

Cassidy: You’re a scumbag. You killed her.

Right off the bat, Season 3 is proving different. Cassidy is so focused on Jesse and what he is doing that he’s beyond pissed at him. They are fighting instead of ignoring one another, and frankly, I’d take this friendship over the former.

Their contempt for each other is going to really fuel Jesse to work on becoming a better person. To free himself of the chains that bind him: Miss Marie, Genesis, and his past.

I am personally here for this 100%.

Speaking of Cassidy, how about that conversation he has with Miss Marie? Talk about shady. This woman clearly can’t be trusted.

Miss Marie: So glad you brought Jesse back to us, Irish. If ever you need anything, all you have to do is ask.

Let’s just hope that Cassidy doesn’t fall into a trap of trusting her. I just have this gut feeling that him doing that would go sideways really fast and make things worse for all of them.

Cassidy tends to lead with his heart (err, his dick), so I’m sure he will take Miss Marie up on her offer. Especially since he’s not looking too kindly on Jesse right now and wants Tulip.

This leads me to discuss the obvious parallels between Miss Marie and Jesse. Yes, the two are related, but there is more to it than that. They both possess a power to control a room.

Since the beginning Preacher has used Jesse’s embodiment of Genesis to further the plot and create conflict. Now, the show is giving us a similar situation with Miss Marie.

The major difference is Miss Marie commands a room with her presence and stoic voice. There is no supernatural entity behind it. She is simply a terrifying woman who gets what she wants.

This really convinces the audience that Jesse is from the same stock as this woman. Maybe he doesn’t need Genesis to get things done.

But what if this is just an illusion as well? What if she is using her “grandma” connection to compel Jesse to help her out?

Either way, it will make for a fantastic story if this ability to command an audience will create a grand showdown between the two characters. After all, Jesse clearly wants out for good, and she doesn’t seem easy to get rid of.

Jesse’s redemption is definitely going to be heavily tied in with how he will handle his past, present, and future. So far, we have seen him start down the correct path only to veer off because of Tulip or someone else close to him.

Letting go of his past, which just might include Tulip, will go a long way for him. However, bringing her back to life may make that difficult. Especially considering all actions come with a cost.

What will Jesse’s cost be? Will it hinder his path or just change its course?

I, for one, can’t wait to see how this will all play out.

Further Preachings:

• I really hoped to see a bit of Eugene “Arseface” and Hitler. Hopefully, the next episode will show their fate.
• The sound editing and lighting really added to the air of mystery and intrigue this episode.
• I love the parallels between Jody and Tulip in regards to how they handle situations: hit first, ask later.
• Finally, how is Tulip’s time in Purgatory going to transcend into her woken spirit?

What did you think of this episode of Preacher? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Preacher airs Sundays at 10/9c on AMC.

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