American Gods, an updated retelling of the Neil Gaiman novel of the same name, has been creating quite a stir since it’s STARZ premiere on April 30th. The primary story focuses on recently released convict Shadow Moon as he copes with the untimely death of his wife. On his way to her funeral, he meets the charismatic Mr. Wednesday who offers Shadow a job as his bodyguard before they set off across the heart of America on their way to a meeting of gods at the House on the Rock. Another hefty portion of screen time has also been dedicated to Laura Moon, Shadow’s now undead (ex?)-wife who is determined to track Shadow down while accompanied by Mad Sweeney, a 6.5’ foot tall leprechaun who works for Wednesday.
At it’s core, the series is a reminder of why “roadtrip” stories are so well-loved; after all, life is a journey, not a destination. And the characters we meet along the way are often the most charming aspects of the show. Throughout the series, viewers are often treated to a taste of “Coming to America” cutaways, short asides depicting how different gods and myths from all walks and cultures made their way to the New World.
This week, however, the show put a hold on Shadow and Mr. Wednesday’s travels in order to focus on a single “Coming to America” tale, one many fans have eagerly awaited – that of the leprechaun Mad Sweeney. Within the rules of the shows universe, the gods are a type of thoughtform, only existing due to the belief and remembrance of their worshipers. And where their worshipers take their beliefs, they also take their gods. As is the case with a girl from Bantry Bay, Essie MacGowan believes unwaveringly in the power of the old gods her grandmother often told her of and even as she grows up, she leaves offerings to the fair folk to ask for their blessing. She, along with the help of few others, brought Mad Sweeney to the shores of America. What surprised some viewers, however, was the decision to cast Emily Browning as Essie, especially given the fact that Browning also plays Laura Moon opposite of Mad Sweeney.
However, for some viewers, this created questions. Was Essie meant to be a relative of Laura’s or is Laura a reincarnation of Essie? Are Essie and Laura the same entity repeating throughout history (like Clara Oswald in the Doctor Who universe)? More importantly, did the choice in casting contain deeper secrets as to why the show has split so much of its scarce time between the two Moons. For a season only eight episodes long, at least two of those (the fourth and the seventh) have been devoid of the shows primary antagonist, Shadow.
Well according to previous interviews with the shows creators, they simply saw no one more fit to play the role of Essie than Emily. Ian McShane, who plays Mr. Wednesday, stated that he “never thought there was any question that she [Browning] was going to [play Essie], when I read it early on.” And Browning admitted to desiring the role as well but was hesitant, wanting mostly to “go take a nap, for like, three week. But at the same time, the way the character’s written, it’s so perfect and amazing…”
While there seem to be no great mysteries to unpack behind the why’s of casting Browning, there are plenty of parallels to draw between the two characters she portrays. In the show, Laura receives an enormous amount of fleshing out in comparison to her novel counterpart. Though viewers may dislike her or disapprove of her choices, she’s also easy to sympathize with. This success can be attributed in part to Browning’s brilliant performance, along with the journey of Laura’s character putting her actions into perspective. In the season’s fourth episode, audience’s are shown the chain of events that lead Laura into the grave and out of the coffin. Her depression and isolation don’t justify her actions but viewers are able to empathize with her.
Much the same can be said for Essie, though our first impression of her is far kinder, we quickly see how her lot in life forces Essie to make less than desirable decisions, namely becoming a thief before seducing a man in order to get pregnant and mitigate her death sentence. Her survival relies on her belief in the leprechauns and we see how her luck turns when she neglects to pay them thanks.
Meanwhile, wrapped up in either woman’s tangled life is Mad Sweeney. Essie and the strength of her conviction brought Sweeney across the ocean and she raised her children on the stories of her native land while Laura, in possession of his lucky coin, has brought him along on her trek across the country. Laura likely isn’t Essie’s great-great-granddaughter or her reincarnation but they do seem to share a glimmer of the same soul and Mad Sweeney surely sees it, even if he doesn’t want to admit it.
Can’t wait for the finale this Sunday!
The Popcorn Culture Press 