American Gods Review: Tears of the Wrath-Bearing Tree (Season 3 Episode 10)

If there is any question about whether American Gods is the story of Shadow Moon, the Season 3 finale answers it with a definitive, “yes.”

American Gods Season 3 Episode 10, “Tears of the Wrath-Bearing Tree,” reveals another important step in Shadow’s destiny with devastating consequences. 

The episode starts on the slow side, going through the repetitive motions of the New Gods and Old Gods facing off. As always, the New Gods attempt some sort of skullduggery (this time trying to set up Laura), and the two sides reach a stalemate. 

With this necessity out of the way early, the show quickly delves into the true consequences of Wednesday’s death. Even in his death, Wednesday holds great power and that’s bad news for Shadow. 

Shadow’s obligation to participate in a dangerous Norse vigil for his father drives most of the conflict of the episode. Despite it coming at Wednesday’s request, no one seems to think it’s a good idea since it is meant for a god not a human, except for Shadow.

Putting Shadow at odds with pretty much everyone allows us to see the character in a new light. He’s driven by obligation, but also by a desire to obtain the power promised to him by his father. 

An argument with Laura over this fact provides an interesting contrast to their scene together on American Gods Season 3 Episode 6, “Conscience of the King,” where both seemed to be taking charge of their own destinies. This episode shows how easy it is for someone to revert to old bad habits. 

Although Shadow’s backslide from all of the progress he made in the season towards becoming independent may be frustrating, it makes sense in the context of the series. Shadow, and the audience, may have been lulled into a false sense of freedom but American Gods uses this episode to remind us of Wednesday’s control. 

The episode also packs in other details about Shadow’s destiny, including Bilquis learning Laura is a key part and seeking her out. Unfortunately, none of these extra pieces fit very well into the main narrative of Shadow’s vigil.

There is a fine line between building suspense and dragging something out, and American Gods doesn’t seem to know the difference when it comes to teasing out the connection between Bilquis and Shadow. Hopefully, next season provides some more answers on this front. 

Unsurprisingly, the vigil turns out to be a bad idea, and Shadow literally ends up tortured to death by a sentient tree. Shadow meets Wednesday in a vision and learns the truth that Wednesday always intended for Shadow to complete the vigil — and become his sacrifice so he can be reborn. 

“Tears of the Wrath-Bearing Tree” quickly erases any sympathy this season built for Wednesday when you learn the depths he’s willing to sink to gain more power. Demeter’s decision to die rather than marry him seems far less dramatic now. 

His extreme betrayal of Shadow is a riveting twist, but the show’s decision to rush to this conclusion in the span of one episode is puzzling. The amount of time spent in Lakeside seems downright leisurely, and out of place, now that we know the season’s end goal.

Instead of tying the season’s miscellaneous plot lines together, this episode just makes some of them seem unnecessary. There’s a distinct lack of payoff for the season as a whole on this finale. 

The cliffhanger of Shadow’s apparent death may be enough to keep viewers wanting to tune in for another season, but overall, the American Gods Season 3 finale provides frustration and intrigue in equal measure. 

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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