American Gods Review: The Greatest Story Ever Told (Season 2 Episode 4)
On American Gods Season 2 Episode 4, “The Greatest Story Ever Told,” it’s in stories and realizations where the most riveting and engaging moments come.
The birth of Technical Boy comes from a heartfelt, human place, and is one of the show’s best representations of Somewhere in America to date. Where a father finds beauty in art, his son finds that same beauty in technology, and with the sacrifice (death) of one, draws forth a new god.
While it only lasts for a fraction of the episode, it’s hard to pull away from this short story. It has so much to say, with the disapproval and the generational gap, to tying the old and the new together in a way one might find appalling and shattering the human element.
Yet it’s in the story of a father and son where it’s most important. There is a disconnect between them, simply through different interests, but when they finally can share something together, it’s artificial and causes the father heartbreak, knowing such beautiful music is tainted by machines.
The other scene that draws significant attention is the conversation between Mr. Nancy, Bilquis, and Mr. Ibis; specifically, Orlando Jones in this scene. Jones is astounding here, delivering on decades upon decades of injustice and cruelty done down upon a race and instilling it into immense frustration and exhaustion of it still, to this day, occurring.
Jones is able to make the deconstruction raw and emotional, and the scene becomes a powerful statement, much like the opening to American Gods Season 1 Episode 2, “The Secret of Spoon.” To keep the scene between three black performers, too, is a potent reminder that it’s a rarity for such a scene to exist.
In terms of story progression, that comes in the god of money turning down both Mr. World and Wednesday in choosing a side. It’s a lot of movement for a quick “no,” but when everything around it is crafted so wonderfully, it’s easy to ignore, especially when it’s a Deadwood reunion between McShane and William Sanderson.
American Gods Season 2 Episode 4, “The Greatest Story Ever Told,” brings fascinating discourse forward through two effective sequences: one of the relationship between a father and a son, and through the powerful words of Mr. Nancy.
It’s not often a show finds its best work in detours, but on American Gods, it does so with expert precision, and delivers one of its strongest episodes yet.
Some stray thoughts on the episode:
- With a focus on music on this episode, it would be wrong to go without mentioning how great the score for the show can be. The mixture of styles and sudden shifts into more techno/electronic beats is such a great sound.
- Crispin Glover continues to deliver as Mr. World, and while I would love to see more of him on the show, each visit is even more fascinating than the last, and leaves you wanting more. Glover is perfect in this role.
What did you think of this episode of American Gods? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Critic Rating:
User Rating:
American Gods airs Sundays at 8/7c on STARZ.
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
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.
One thought on “American Gods Review: The Greatest Story Ever Told (Season 2 Episode 4)”
I have absolutely no clue as to what this series is about or what these people are doing. Am I the only one?
Comments are closed.