‘American Gods’ Recap: ‘Serious Moonlight’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 302 of ‘American Gods’.

When we last settled in to discuss the wondrous STARZ series, American Gods, we took a little time to discuss how the season three premiere definitely served as a shift in tone for this fascinating show. For its fast-paced nature and desire to move the plot along at a breakneck pace, served as a stark parallel to what we experienced in season two of this sweeping adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s masterpiece novel. But while it was indeed wonderful to see this show suddenly kick into overdrive and offer up a jam-packed and briskly paced episode, it is definitely safe to say that a great deal of fans likely wondered; as to whether or not the show was going to continue this new pace and design as the new season chugs along.
 
After all, it has been quite the challenge for this series to stop itself from exploring the rich universe that surrounds these colorful characters in great detail and understandably so. For the world of the Gods is indeed about as fascinating as it gets and there is so much to learn about them and what makes them tick. But as it turns out, it would seem that the extended break for this particular series allowed for the writers’ room to figure out how to balance exploration and exposition, as evidenced by the next chapter in this grand tale. For ‘Serious Moonlight’ managed to provide the audience with a compelling and engrossing story, one that not only moved the plot along in fine fashion, but also took the time to further examine how the Gods live. 
 
Which is a feat that this particular tale accomplished, by having Shadow Moon do more than just hunker down like Wednesday asked him to do and it is a good thing that he opted to ignore his father's wishes once again. For this allowed for Shadow and the audience to explore the wondrous little oasis that is Lakeside, and come to learn that this is quite the idyllic little community for certain, one where everyone truly knows everyone to a tee. Plus we also came to discover that this is a town that is apparently designed to feed the power of the Gods. For Lakeside is steeped in rich tradition, the kind that clearly pay tribute to a higher power. Which leaves one to wonder if this is a town that was founded by Wednesday, or another deity, for their benefit... and that makes Lakeside not quite what it appears to be. But more on that later.

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​Because there was mention of the fact that this tale explored how the Gods live and that was accomplished by way of a memorial service for the now departed Zorya Vechernyaya. For a fair majority of the Old Gods, including Wednesday, took the time to gather in Chicago to pay tribute to her long and storied life in an epic manner and well, this was just fascinating to say the least. Since it spoke to the fact that mankind and the Gods aren’t all that dissimilar in the end, outside of the whole immortality thing. For this felt like an everyday memorial that we have all taken part in and it was quite incredible to see this kind of parallel on display and know that deities outright grieve just like humanity does, when one of their own departs from this particular plane of existence.
 
Yet what truly made this particular vignette quite the pleasant surprise, is that it is precisely what allowed for the plot to move along. For Shadow also dropped by to pay tribute and spending a little time amongst the Gods again, allowed for him to speak with Zorya Polunochnaya once more and be reminded of the fact that he is meant for a bigger purpose and a bigger cause, and that he will never find comfort and direction until he embraces that particular reality. A fact that was hammered home after his tense return to Lakeside, when he came to discover that the very coin that Zorya-P gave him, and his lineage for that matter, grants him some serious power for certain… since he was able to toy with the moonlight. 
 
Which implies that Lakeside is a town that is amplifying his hidden power, making this tiny little community quite critical to Shadow’s journey and it also might be a potentially dangerous place as well. For upon his return, Shadow was greeted with disdain and suspicion over a now missing teenager, and it will be quite interesting to learn of her fate and the true mystery surrounding this town. But in the here and the now, we can definitely celebrate one fascinating tale. One that really did offer up wonderful balance and subtlety and well, outright satisfaction. Because this is a story that really did give the audience everything they could ask for and more and it is nice to know that this series has finally found its stride in season three, and that will make the wait for next Sunday’s episode a tough one for certain. Since it is definitely safe to say that we are all eager to see what other wonders and revelations await us, as Shadow’s journey toward his destiny continues along. Until next time.

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