American Gods Review: Muninn (Season 2 Episode 3)
Muninn the crow delivers some news on American Gods Season 2 Episode 3, “Muninn.”
There’s a spring in the step on this episode, a lighter, more comical nature to its telling than previously. It’s still an incredibly dark and moody episode, but there’s a more playful nature in both the writing and the direction which helps on a more uneven episode as a whole.
It’s another travel episode, and a lot of the best bits come from Sweeney’s continuing bad luck. They are short asides, but still a fun example of how royally done in he is without his lucky coin.
Shadow’s day with Sam Black Crow has the advantage of Devery Jacobs, whose Sam is a delight to watch and adds a spirited presence to the episode. The excursion is sidelining the story, but done in a way to help reveal character. Her chemistry with Whittle helps a lot, and brings some extra personality to the episode and to Shadow.
This season has been putting in the extra work to make Shadow more of a solidified character, and it’s been working. It’s still a little hit and miss, where he is at his best in con mode but too much of a mystery when he, too, is mystified. But Whittle and the writers have been solidifying his character more, to the show’s benefit.
Placing Wednesday and Laura together is something of a surprise, as the animosity between the two feels like a breaking point waiting to happen throughout. And yet, their dismissive bickering really drives their difference in viewpoint, and how guarded both are in revealing things about themselves.
Now that Laura has staved off her affliction, it hopefully means there is a larger story for her at play. The way it’s left has the air of finality in it, at least for now, so hopefully she catches up with Sweeney on his way to New Orleans. Emily Browning has been fantastic on this season, and more Laura is always welcome.
The episode spends a lot of its time in lofty ideas which do not always make a ton of sense now, but likely will later. There’s the meeting Salim and the Jinn have, endlessly cryptic in nature but producing the guitar case and the plant, items I’m sure we will see again.
The scene with Argus goes some places. It’s to be expected for American Gods to go weird, but tentacle porn is an avenue I never expected. It’s certainly a choice, and one which has story purposes in showing New Media not quite ready to swear allegiance to Mr. World as originally thought.
“Muninn” has a lot more surreal imagery similar to the first season, which has been somewhat lacking so far. The rebirth of Wednesday’s Black Betty is a crazy visual, and even if the Argus scene is strange, it’s interesting to look at.
Though some progress is made, a lot of American Gods Season 2 Episode 3, “Muninn,” is left in set-up that is frustrating now, but will probably pay off later. It finds its best parts in humor, with clever writing from Heather Bellson, engaging direction from Deborah Chow, and its abundantly charismatic performers.
And despite its story frustrations, American Gods always remains entertaining.
Some stray thoughts on the episode:
- As Salim and the Jinn depart the strip club, the overhead shot shows the first season tag for the wonderful short stories, Somewhere In America. It’s nice to see it return, even if it’s not accompanied by the incredible segments.
- I hope it wasn’t Muninn the crow who takes out the drone watching Shadow. That crow has character.
What did you think of this episode of American Gods? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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American Gods airs Sundays at 8/7c on STARZ.
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Kevin Lever
Kevin Lever has been following television closely for most of his life, but in starting to cover it, he has grown a further appreciation. He strives to give the blockbusters their due, and give the lesser known shows a spotlight to find more fans.