American Gods Review: Donar the Great (Season 2 Episode 6)
It’s all left on the stage on American Gods Season 2 Episode 6, “Donar the Great.”
The episode is a standout of the season, not in terms of being the best so far, but through being chock full of character development noticeably lacking from key members of the cast. The focus of Wednesday and the burlesque house sends the show down a much-needed path of fascinating character study.
Donar the Great is someone new to the series, but is immediately captivating as his relationship with Columbia and their ties to Wednesday become clearer.
The way Columbia and Donar speak give off a mid-40’s, fast-talking, enthusiastic dialect like the movies of the time, and both Laura Bell Bundy and Derek Theler come across as stars out of time. It’s remarkable how of their period they feel, both characters exuding the need to do more, to see more than the stage.
Wednesday’s manipulation of those closest to him appears to be a permanent trait, lasting into the present day. There are some hints, with Donar being compared to Shadow, which nearly confirms Shadow is Wednesday’s offspring in some form. There’s a reason Shadow is picked specifically, but the show is not ready to reveal just yet.
The episode is a remarkable showcase piece for Ian McShane, whose Mr. Wednesday has been on the backburner somewhat this season in order to give everyone else a chance to rise to his occasion.
McShane sings and dances on stage with absolute glee, while equally nailing the heartbreak at the loss of Donar. The performance is nuanced, despite the grandiose nature, where Wednesday before (as Al) is a larger than life showman while current day Wednesday is succumbing to memory lane.
My favorite moment of the episode comes from Wednesday singing quietly “Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?” It’s a heartfelt and emotional read of the song, his longing gaze as though a piece of him is now lost to time.
The mall location is another in a series of strange locations American Gods visits. It’s a clever comment on consumerism, but does not factor in much beyond the Lou Reed jacket.
Which brings us to the Lou Reed jacket. For all of the tangents the show has lovingly gone down, the Lou Reed jacket feels like the most random of choices. It’s a fun little sequence, further giving Ian McShane another shot at playing something new, but feels like it belongs on a different show (as fun as it is).
American Gods Season 2 Episode 6, “Donar the Great,” does something other episodes have struggled with this season: it brings emotional growth and meaning to its characters. Wednesday can be hard to read but endlessly entertaining with a genius performer like McShane portraying him.
This episode gives Wednesday his due, and allows a smaller story through Donar and Columbia of a godly love affair fated for doom a big stage to burn brightly before fizzling out. It’s one of the better American Gods episodes this season, a strong reminder of what this show can do.
Some stray thoughts on the episode:
- I can’t tell if Wednesday goes by Al in the past because of his love of the aforementioned “Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?,” or because of a Deadwood reference. Perhaps it’s both!
- The production is incredible on “Donar the Great,” especially so with the burlesque and theatre set. It’s a wonder to take in, bathed in amber lighting and period piece details.
- We get to see some godly powers through Donar breaking the spear. The show knocks it out of the park when it wants to with captivating visuals.
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.