'Preacher' Recap: 'Call and Response'

​Written by John Edward Betancourt

THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM...YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK...

It's been a wonderful and strange first season of Preacher, simply because this is a show that hasn't hesitated to take risks with its storytelling, or its design because let's be honest...this is one wild show.  But clearly the folks behind the scenes were saving their best moments for last, since the season one finale of this show turned out to be filled with jaw dropping moments, answers to some of the burning questions that have been plaguing this show all season long on its way to wrapping up as many plot threads as possible with a neat little bow.

One such plot thread just so happened to be Jesse's attempt at redemption. All season long he's been trying to do the right thing and fill the void in his soul by bringing people to the church the wrong way and well...he finally found some form of redemption this week. For one, there was finally peace between he and Donnie, since Preacher showed the man mercy back during that little incident in the gas station bathroom and that peace...eventually led to everything finally being cool between he and Tulip, and that's where we got some answers. Turns out long ago, the double cross from Carlos came from one simple thing, he was jealous of Jesse and Tulip's happiness and because of his actions...the panic and terror of being abandoned and caught, cost the couple their unborn baby. This is why Tulip has been so hell bent on revenge and well, she finally got Jesse to agree to put Carlos down, but she never let him. She merely wanted the same fury from Jesse, the desire to harm the man that cost them their baby, and with that...she settled on the two of them beating the living hell out of Carlos instead. 

But, the key to all of this is that Jesse's best actions and most fulfilling moments came without the power of Genesis since it's clear he's capable of inspiring good without it...and while that would have been a subtle and fulfilling way to end season one...that really wouldn't be this show's style. We still had a meeting with God on the Sunday Service docket and well, initially it really seemed as though Jesse was going to be embarrassed in front of his entire congregation, despite the fact the phone seemed to dial and that's when one magical moment arrived; someone on the other end actually bothered to pick up and the people of Annville were treated to something incredible...proof that there is more that happens after we die and a chat with the Creator of everything that has ever existed in the universe and believe it or not, God was willing to answer questions from the people that had gathered to meet him. Except...something wasn't quite right...

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Because a few odd answers from the Lord caught Jesse's attention. For one, they were all sugar coated and fluffy and designed to please the ears of those in attendance, forcing Jesse to confront God about why he was being so dodgy about his answers and that's when it hit him...the Creator before him, was a fake, leading Jesse to fire off a command from Genesis for this imposter to tell them where the real God was hiding...and that's where everything went downhill. Fake God let everyone know that Our Lord and Savior was missing and that no one knew of his true whereabouts before being forcibly removed from the screen and that's when Jesse made the decision to take his leave of his church and Annville, and what came next...was wholly unexpected. 

The show decided it was time to slide into some incredibly philosophical places this go round and it explored what would happen, if in essence there was no God and the answer to that question...was a terrifying one to say the least. Armed with the knowledge that the Creator is missing and in essence not in charge of anything in the universe, the good people of Annville slipped into dark places. They tore the church to shreds. Suicide ran rampant everywhere and the gentleman we were introduced to recently, the one who fired off the excess methane by Jesse's church came into play on this night, because his need for a little sexual excitement, cost him his life by way of a heart attack and eventually...everyone in Annville. Turns out the need for that venting was simple, the entire town is powered by an underground methane plant courtesy of QM&P, and by not releasing the excess pressure...methane escaped through emergency vents and well...an unfortunate spark somewhere, blew the town and everyone in it, sky high.

That's right. Sheriff Root, Emily, Donnie and his family, Odin...they're all gone now. As is knowledge of the Afterlife and the situation with God and well, that was quite the sobering ending to say the least and a bold one as well. But...despite that dark little turn, Jesse and his love and his best friend were nowhere near the blast. They were getting french fries and making a big decision. They're off to find God now, and help Him as necessary, or teach him a lesson and the journey won't be easy...because there was one last nugget of surprise at the end of the episode, the Saint of Killers, the Cowboy; made it back from Hell after all, and no doubt...he is coming for Preacher and man...when all is said and done, this was an absolutely incredible season finale. It gave us everything we could ask for and more and well...now that our main characters are free of any emotional baggage and obligations, we should be in for an interesting second season as we begin the search for God. Until next year.

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