American Gods 1x5 Reaction Early Access!

I think Mr World represents globalisation; a concept that has only crept up recently because of technology, politics, communication, transport etc all becoming more connected. That's why he seems to be the most powerful of the new gods. Pretty much everything can connect with or affect something else, making it his domain.

Liam4271

I know that the word "mythology" is used harmlessly in this context, and not because your saying it's not "real", but I just wanted to say that muslims do believe in jinn and I would definitely not call it mythology. If anything, it's part of Islamic faith, as they're mentioned in the Quran. (Nice comment by the way!)

Sy

Oh, and the jinn is Islamic mythology. That's also easy to look up without getting spoiled.

JojoInSpace

I don't think you need to worry too much about researching the gods and checking up on that stuff, you won't get spoiled as long as you don't search it in connection with American Gods. With Vikings it's trickier because the series draws a lot from actual historical events and through that you can get spoiled. But by googling "Odin" you won't get that much relating to this story specifically. The discussion for this one was great! I think you have some really interesting ideas, though I can't comment much on them because spoilers, obviously. Odin is a God of war. He does get half of those slayed in battle to join his army, and he is connected to battle a lot (though so is Tyr). But he's also a God of poetry, storytelling, magic, dead people, fortunetelling, search for knowledge, etc. He has like over 200+ different names, so that's why you keep hearing new ones. Some of my favorites are "God of the Hanged" (Hangaguð) and Shifty Eyed. There's an entire wikipedia page of just names for Odin. Odin wasn't a very popular god to worship on a daily basis though. Many thought him too unreliable. Wandering the lands as an old man with a hat and cape (Gandalf). He's in many ways more of a trickster god than the kind of 'Allfather' title would have you believe. Thor was much more popular, as he was the Protector of man and gods and all that, and a god of thunder, rain and fertility.

JojoInSpace

Exactly, he is an embodiment of that totalitarian, all seeing, big brother sort of globalized society.

Drew

I see Mr. World as "The Man", also like the manifestation of Globalization, which would make sense if he is the leader of the New Gods.

BFG-boy

whenever you see the fatherly figure of Odin in pop culture (specifically Marvel), just remember that historically speaking, worship of Thor is older than worship of Odin, and worship of Odin was most prevalent amongst the most warlike of Vikings.

In the question of 'is Odin the God of War?' - He is the god of Battle. He is a far more bloody god than Thor ever was. Odin is very much the prime subject of worship in Nordic raiding culture.

Dont be afraid to look up the stuff about the gods. You wont be spoiled by knowing who these gods are and their back story. There is actually a really impressive amount of detail and Easter eggs put into the show that would really only be noticed by people who know the mythologies of the gods, so doing research would improve your experience if anything.

Drew

This show certainly needs some research. Just checking certain god on wikipedia wouldn't spoil you. I did that and it actually made me understand the show better.

elif

Don't you guys usually blur out the nudity?

B C

Is this actually confirmed? Because I did not get that impression from this season. I havent read the books though so I could be mistaken.

Drew

Gods are treated like Memes. "A meme is an idea, behavior, or style that spreads from person to person within a culture. A meme acts as a unit for carrying cultural ideas, symbols, or practices." Media, Technology, Globalization.... We see it with Mr. Wood (the tree monster), as the ages-long idea of the Dark and Spooky forest.

Nicholas & Heather

The Gods we meet in this story all have counterparts back in their counties of origin. Hence the title American Gods.

Aaron

"Lucille Ball" isn't a god herself, She's the God of Media which is why she's a different celebrity each time... btw she's played by Scully from X-files.

n p

Odyn SATELLITE launched in Korea..not a bomb!

Vasiliu Vlad

Odin is the god of war

King Abydos