American Gods

:

Season 1
  • Network: Starz
  • Series Premiere Date: Apr 30, 2017
Season #: 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 355 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 269 out of 355
  2. Mixed: 38 out of 355
  3. Negative: 48 out of 355
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User Reviews

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  1. OnyxShadow
    Jul 29, 2017
    6
    American Gods is such a mixed bag. This may be the only time I can remember a show seeming to have too much material to fill a season. Most shows have too little meaningful story and are spread so very thin. That makes it all the more bizarre that much of the only eight episodes is spent on characters that don't become at all relevant (at least in the first season). For example, you couldAmerican Gods is such a mixed bag. This may be the only time I can remember a show seeming to have too much material to fill a season. Most shows have too little meaningful story and are spread so very thin. That makes it all the more bizarre that much of the only eight episodes is spent on characters that don't become at all relevant (at least in the first season). For example, you could skip the second to the last episode accidentally and not even know you did because what happens is so trivial.

    On the other hand, the show is run by Bryan Fuller so of course the visuals are stunning (even when they don't particularly have a purpose). The show is packed with some incredibly talented actors who all give top-notch performances. The characters are mostly fascinating and full of depth (yes, even the ones the show does nothing with). When the show is actually focused on the key plot elements it is some of the best TV out there.

    It is alternatingly disappointing and brilliant.    … Expand
  2. lbodde
    May 21, 2017
    6
    Don't know whether to love or hate. I read the book and don't remember it playing off as surreal like the TV production does. It's worth a watch and I'll watch the whole thing because that's what I do, watch a lot of TV. But the directorial and editing decisions, meh.
  3. MikeyDiamond
    Jun 20, 2017
    4
    Pretentious. A poor peoples "Stephen King Mini series". Great cast. Very Stylish. But not enough. Dragging out a single novel into 10 episodes? Yes, but not just a third of it. Amazon, it ain't no Bosch, the superb Stranger things or The fab OA. Just check out Fargo, for the same money budget...Say no more
  4. Elf-Healer
    May 20, 2017
    5
    Each of the first 3 episodes that I've seen so far looks like a collection of short films. There's no solid plot, nor intrigue, there's not enough passion between gods and beleivers. You can't feel they are connected.
    There is nothing besides beautiful portrayals of sex and main hero's surreal daydreams. Polished visuals and winning concept won't save you from blank lifeless characters    Each of the first 3 episodes that I've seen so far looks like a collection of short films. There's no solid plot, nor intrigue, there's not enough passion between gods and beleivers. You can't feel they are connected.
    There is nothing besides beautiful portrayals of sex and main hero's surreal daydreams. Polished visuals and winning concept won't save you from blank lifeless characters and their overly intelligent, boring dialogues, which sound like absolute nonsense.    … Expand
  5. giantpegasus123
    May 5, 2017
    4
    The book was possibly the most overrated book of all time. If you don't mind disjointed too abstract for its own good narratives than you may enjoy this series. Granted I've only seen one episode, but if they try and follow the book, this series will not be good. It has potential, but i don't see how, unless they SIGNIFICANTLY change the narrative, this is a good show.
  6. heretikeen
    May 11, 2017
    6
    I'd like it better if it didn't frantically try to cram in every. single. semi-current visual fad, from sepia tones to Misfit's annoying ultrathin camera focus.
    Concentrate on the story, not on wowing fifteen-year-olds with tricks.
  7. pitchforked
    May 28, 2017
    6
    For those of you who have taken the time and dedication it takes to get through the book, you might understand my sentiments about the show a little bit better. I genuinely liked the book -- which brings an innovative genre mix to the literary table. It captures a balance between realism and fantasy, which for the most part is seemingly intangible. Though just like an MMORPG, you've gotFor those of you who have taken the time and dedication it takes to get through the book, you might understand my sentiments about the show a little bit better. I genuinely liked the book -- which brings an innovative genre mix to the literary table. It captures a balance between realism and fantasy, which for the most part is seemingly intangible. Though just like an MMORPG, you've got to be committed to make something of it.

    I've just started the show and one of my biggest concerns is how they took a lot of aesthetic/visual liberties but capitalize on each scene and conversation in the novel. IMO, if they would've added new dialogue and subtleties to the narrative it could've had a fresh artistic/cinemagraphic life. Where as now I feel like everything is utterly predictable.

    i absolutely plan to keep watching, and I'm hoping that I have a different opinion about it by the end of the season!    … Expand
  8. BShaps
    Jun 2, 2017
    6
    This is a hard one for me to rate. I'm definitely drawn in and want to keep watching it after watching all of the episodes so far, but there are times when I'm wondering how long a slow moving scene is going to drag on. I'd say it takes about four episodes to start figuring out what is going on.

    Some of the special effects look like they're from the 90s. In 2017 it shouldn't be    This is a hard one for me to rate. I'm definitely drawn in and want to keep watching it after watching all of the episodes so far, but there are times when I'm wondering how long a slow moving scene is going to drag on. I'd say it takes about four episodes to start figuring out what is going on.

    Some of the special effects look like they're from the 90s. In 2017 it shouldn't be immediately obvious to me that the desert background or night sky is a green screen.    … Expand
  9. shoulderoforion
    Jun 18, 2017
    5
    Interesting enough to watch every episode, but not trying hard enough to be a cohesive story. The Dead Wife it seems is completely unnecessary & hers are the most tiresome parts of the whole endevour, The creepy music meant to add "atmosphere" is just terribly annoying. I'll prob watch season 2, Ian McShane elevates everything he's in to watchable no matter what, and he's the only reasonInteresting enough to watch every episode, but not trying hard enough to be a cohesive story. The Dead Wife it seems is completely unnecessary & hers are the most tiresome parts of the whole endevour, The creepy music meant to add "atmosphere" is just terribly annoying. I'll prob watch season 2, Ian McShane elevates everything he's in to watchable no matter what, and he's the only reason I kept tuning in. Disconcerting production that didn't make me want to read the books, at all. I wanted this to be better than it was.… Expand
  10. msml
    Aug 20, 2017
    6
    Mind bending, but ultimately not as engaging as the first five episodes. Probably because i binged. I thoroughly enjoyed the fresh perspective on religion. SPoiler; beware of odin
  11. rox_roli
    Jun 22, 2018
    4
    The original idea from Gaiman's book was of course great, but the rest is simplistic and puerile. Come on! Vikings are for the slaughtering, Black people for sape, slavery and fertility, Slavs for gipsy fortune-telling... and they still are better than Modern Gods, just empty, silly caricatures of what people is supposed to worship nowadays. And the hero: a shallow bodyguard who pales nextThe original idea from Gaiman's book was of course great, but the rest is simplistic and puerile. Come on! Vikings are for the slaughtering, Black people for sape, slavery and fertility, Slavs for gipsy fortune-telling... and they still are better than Modern Gods, just empty, silly caricatures of what people is supposed to worship nowadays. And the hero: a shallow bodyguard who pales next to Mr Wednesday; Shadow Moon doesn't ask questions, because nobody is interested in explaining anything, given that whole series is nothing but a 8-hours set-up, a first act. But the worst is without any doubt Shadow's wife, Laura Moon... a stupid, annoying zombie nobody cares for. Helas, she is one of the main protagonists… Expand
  12. jaasieljunior
    Dec 3, 2017
    5
    Quando American Gods foi anunciada pelo canal Starz, houve uma grande expectativa e marketing para que a série se desse bem na TV. Mas , de fato , isso não ocorreu . A série demora para prender o espectador e alguns episódios são extremamente cansativos (sim,mais de 52 min por episódio).A história é interessante,mas o enredo e os personagens deixam a desejar.
  13. hgdownunder
    Nov 1, 2017
    5
    I love the book, but the show, er, no. The acting is great but the pace is tooooooo slow. I cannot believe we haven't even got to Wisconsin by the end of season 1. There is too much meaningless style like the slightly slow motion extreme close-ups of candles/matches.

    Contrast this interpretation with the excellent Leftovers, similarly based on a book. First season was essentially    I love the book, but the show, er, no. The acting is great but the pace is tooooooo slow. I cannot believe we haven't even got to Wisconsin by the end of season 1. There is too much meaningless style like the slightly slow motion extreme close-ups of candles/matches.

    Contrast this interpretation with the excellent Leftovers, similarly based on a book. First season was essentially the story from the book. I wondered where we could possibly go with it, but wow, it kept getting better and better.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

54
#54 Best TV Season of 2017
17
#17 Most Discussed TV Season of 2017
18
#18 Most Shared TV Season of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Lorraine Ali
    May 1, 2017
    80
    The result is a wonderfully eclectic mix of gory bloodlust and fairy whimsy, ethereal beauty and tenement apartment realism. Special effects are masterfully used throughout American Gods to thrust viewers into alternate dimensions or let us know something otherworldly is about to happen. And when American Gods does get all supernatural, it’s beautiful.
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  2. Salon
    Reviewed by: Melanie McFarland
    May 1, 2017
    100
    The conscientious visual style that Fuller honed on “Hannibal” achieves riotous new heights of sensuality in this series. Green, a DC Comics veteran whose television credits include serving as an executive producer on “Heroes,” aids in harmonizing the story’s surfeit of histories and personalities into an intelligible and spellbinding structure.
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  3. The Atlantic
    Reviewed by: Sophie Gilbert
    May 1, 2017
    60
    The eight-episode show fantasia of ancient mythology and Americana is gorgeously conceived, vastly imaginative, and ludicrously over the top. It also unfortunately falls sway to the worst, most self-indulgent excesses of prestige television, namely terrible pacing, prodigal violence, and a thuddingly unsubtle score that often feels better suited to a high-budget porn film.
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