American Gods – “Lemon Scented You” Recap. Time to Rebrand?

<i>American Gods</i> – “Lemon Scented You” Recap. Time to Rebrand? 3

Laura Moon waits for Shadow.

Season 1, Episode 5
Air Date: Sunday May 28, 2017, 9PM ET/PT on STARZ
★★★★★

“We want to help you find your audience. Wouldn’t you like an upgrade? A brand-new, lemon-scented you?” – Media

Old Vs. New

In the middle of nowhere America, Laura (Emily Browning) and Shadow (Ricky Whittle) finally reunite. But the moment is streaked with tension as Shadow confronts Laura about her affair with Robbie (Dane Cook). Almost immediately after seeing her for the first time in three years, Shadow brings up their “unfinished business,” aka Laura’s infidelity. Laura flippantly waves this aside, suggesting they focus instead on the miracle of her rising from the dead; however, Laura goes on to explain how she and Robbie ended up together. The anguish is evident on Shadow’s face while listening to Laura’s somewhat clinical description of the affair. It begs the question, if it meant so little, why do it at all?

<i>American Gods</i> – “Lemon Scented You” Recap. Time to Rebrand? 4

Laura’s dead heart beats when she and Shadow kiss

Housed in this moment, and from “Git Gone,” we see Laura’s multi-faceted personality shine through, giving way to the moods and behaviors that suggest she is a sociopath. Based on the tender treatment writers Bryan Fuller and Michael Green have given Laura, she is not simply evil or a villain; rather, she has her own struggles and regrets, the biggest one being the actions that forced her to lose Shadow. Regaining Shadow’s trust and hopefully his heart is Laura’s main focus and her reanimation invigorates her desire to be with him again. When her dead heart beats unexpectedly as Shadow kissers her, this only reinforces that Laura’s redemption lies with Shadow and their love.

But the fact that Laura did rise from the grave and Shadow is currently on a road trip with a mysterious god is never far from their conversation. “You know, you’ve gotten yourself mixed up in some really weird shit, Shadow. I’m watching out for you.”

This wouldn’t be American Gods without a dash of the surreal and magic. Laura and Shadow’s emotional reunion is cut short when he and Wednesday (Ian McShane) are arrested for their previous bank heist. Held at the police station, the two men realize the arrest is a fabrication brought to fruition by the New Gods, spearheaded by Mr. World (Crispin Glover).

<i>American Gods</i> – “Lemon Scented You” Recap. Time to Rebrand? 5

Mr. World is introduced as the ringleader of the New Gods

The New Gods, including Mr. World, Media (Gillian Anderson), and Technical Boy (Bruce Langley) are there to apologize to Shadow (for the lynching) and to offer Wednesday a deal. Media (appearing as Marilyn Monroe) presents a peace offering to Wednesday. The plan will ultimately bring Wednesday back into prominence with worshippers, and reverence in the form of the Odin Guidance Satellite, which drops performance-guided missiles. This pitch is also significant in the partial reveal of his identity (naming them Odin) and suggesting even a better fit as these weapons of destruction are a perfect fit for the Norse war god.

“Brand-rebranded and just the start. [It’s] a place in tomorrow, current, everlasting,” promises Mr. World.

<i>American Gods</i> – “Lemon Scented You” Recap. Time to Rebrand? 6

The New Gods offer a deal to Wednesday

After the presentation, Shadow and Wednesday are left in the destroyed police station rushing for the exit amongst the corpses of the fallen police officers.

Back at the hotel, while waiting for Shadow’s return, Mad Sweeny (Pablo Schreiber) confronts Laura, demanding the return of his coin, which is lodged in her body and is the supposed reason for her resurrection. Unfortunately for Mad Sweeny, he did not count on her super strength. A simple flick of her fingers throws him across the room, and before he knows it, she has the upper hand, demanding information from him and refusing to return his coin. This turns into a knock-down, drag-out brawl that results in Mad Sweeny’s arrest and Laura being transported to the local morgue (because to all outsiders, she is, in fact, dead). Of course, both of them escape, allowing Laura and Mad Sweeny free to cross paths with Wednesday and Shadow.

As American Gods slowly reveals the background of each character, it is plain that everyone is motivated by their own desired outcome, all of them at odds with another.

<i>American Gods</i> – “Lemon Scented You” Recap. Time to Rebrand? 7

Gillian Anderson as Media

Overall

Although the previous episodes of American Gods have been enjoyable, “Lemon Scented You” is my absolute favorite so far. Glover gives much more depth and context to The New Gods as their ringleader. Their odd family is shown in full, captivating force in “Lemon Scented You” with Media shown both as David Bowie and Marilyn Monroe, and Technical Boy embodying the aptly outrage-filled teenage jerk. Through their machinations with Wednesday, we get a glimpse of how they all have been pacifying other gods by giving them fresh places embedded in the new culture dominated by technology and media. This interplay is fascinating, as is Wednesday’s mission to recruit other gods to his side to wage a war. Browning’s role in “Lemon Scented You” also plays a big part in furthering her position as Shadow’s guardian as she desperately tries to find a way back to him despite what seems to be recurring setbacks. I am eager to see how the story develops further and how each character will affect and influence each other.

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