American Gods

Score is inflated because of McShane's presence, still a solid enough adaptation. Praise for the visuals are probably coming from people who never watched Bryan Fuller's prior project Hannibal, although here he unpacked all of that homoerotic tension into a sex scene with a genie, so swings and roundabouts. S1 is 85ish, then the show spun its wheels after Fuller left for two seasons (both still around 55/60ish on the strength of the cast and somewhat forced aesthetics) and then it got cancelled.

aside perhaps from MVPs browning and schreiber, s1 is just so much setup and showmanship (mcshane at the start of the finale: "we haven't got time for a story, just do the fucking work", no shit), but that's appropriate to a show about the gradual rekindling of faith. it's too narratively/tonally unconventional and visually batshit not to like, in any case; fuller's hyper-artificial, lucid, arachnid flourishes are abundant, and if you trade gods for carriages it kinda brings SNOWPIERCER to mind.

Beautiful and stylish, must see. Season 1 and 2.

I am very happy after seeing the pilot. It's a tough translation coming from the novel, but the pilot is extremely faithful for the most part. Decent imagery and effects for a TV show mean this should be one hell of a ride.

Knew from the opening titles the makers 'got it'. Changes to the book work really well and -while I wasn't sure at first- McShane has really grown on me. Looking forward to the rest.