The first season of AMCsPreachergave us sublime introductions to strong characters played by great actors.
It left with him a holy tongue, the power to command others with his words.
A blessing from God to bolster his flagging belief?
Credit: Lewis Jacobs/AMC
Just the abominable offspring of an illicit angel-demon hook-up, a heavenly host seeking a mortal one.
Holy f, indeed.
Another inspired set piece gave us Cassidy (Joseph Gilgun), a bats bananas Irish vampire.
But high-impact introductions were allPreacherreally had to offer an audience in season 1. but these 10 super-sized, over-stuffed episodes never quite duplicated Cassidys magic trick of cohering into a marvelous whole.
Their experience was ours.
It was surely tougher on those of us whove read the comics by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon.
Perhaps it worked better for those who didnt know.
Preacherwas presented as an act of inspired adaptation by creators Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.
But will this continue in season 2?
In retrospect, season 1 looks like a prologue to an adaptation thats about to begin in earnest.
As a fan of the comic, I found the shows conception of Jesse to be an admirable innovation.
It suggested season 2 might be more interested in the comics interest in deconstructing masculinity.)
Unfortunately, Jesses portrayal of faith and his arc in general wasnt exactly assayed with the utmost integrity.
Tulip in particular came on like gangbusters and the driver of her own story.
He finally got it when Jesse decided to hit the road to chase God.
(Thats one way to break up with a boyfriend.)
Or maybe I missed something?
(Of the many possible casualties, the only one I grieve even a little is Sheriff Root.)
The warring mascots of Annvilles competing high schools finals came together… to hang themselves.
The town ultimately blew up in an accidental methane explosion, a fiery judgment for their abandonment of faith.
(Were we supposed to wonder if perhaps Jesse was to blame for this catastrophe?
Did mindlessly obeying him lead to this destruction?)
It also established the personality and stakes for the series.
For all its frustrations, season 1 was always funny and always fun to watch.
The Saint of Killers looping hell.
The No Rain montage.
The hilarious conception of a fraudulent god, with his fake beard and massive hands.
Robot, and Baz Luhrmanns forthcoming Netflix series,The Get Down.
