After the massacre at the restaurant, the Old Gods regroup and plan their retribution, but first they need to find Shadow.

For the second time in as many weeks there’s no ‘Coming to America’ intro or framing device, as used to great creative effect throughout Season 1. I can only assume it’s a cost decision rather than a storytelling one, as it robs the show of some of the uniqueness and quirkiness that defined its launch season.

This episode pretty much follows Chapter Six of the novel, covering the key plot points, but with changes that may or may not enhance the narrative. For example, in the novel, Shadow is holed up in an abandoned railroad car with his torturers Mr Stone and Mr Wood, before being rescued by Laura, but on TV it’s a moving train, and the rescue is a joint venture by Laura and Sweeney. It’s a great action scene but reduces the show to being yet another hour of people with super powers doing comic book stuff.

The road trip pairings of Laura/Mad Sweeney and Wednesday/Nancy allow some levity, the former couple enjoying a great line in bickering and insult throwing. Again, the gore is dialled up (there’s a particularly nasty head stamping) but I’m not convinced it’s essential, rather a way to justify a ‘mature’ rating. On the plus side, some flashbacks to Shadow’s youth and his relationship with his mother help fill out our lead’s backstory, but let’s hope it doesn’t become too much of a distraction from the main thrust of the show.

Verdict: Solid but unmemorable TV fare which doesn’t distinguish itself from any of the fantasy shows on rival networks or stations. American Gods the novel has some wonderful moments and I really hope that they get the opportunity to emerge at some point. 6/10

Nick Joy