The Dominant Paradigm is a weekly podcast where Geeks of Doom Podcast hosts Dwayne D, Andrew Sorcini, and Tosin Onafowokan discuss STARZ’s TV series American Gods, the works that inspired it, and the larger questions about the lenses in which we see our world, AKA, the paradigms.

In this episode of The Dominant Paradigm podcast, Dwayne, Andrew, and Tosin delve into American Gods, Episode 1.5, “Lemon Scented You.” Beyond the recap, you’ll find discussion below on the power of mass delusions, the many faces of Gillian Anderson’s Media character, and who Wednesday is finally revealed to be.

Finally, you’ll find Ephemera – links to content that is either related to American Gods or that gives insight to the show.

Podcast (play or download podcast here)

https://www.geeksofdoom.com/GoD/media/american-gods/105-DominantParadigm-Lemon-Scented-You.mp3?_=1[Download Link]

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The Recap

In Coming to America, we see a tale of people migrating over the land bridge from Asia to the North America. The road is hard but they bring their God, represented by an animal skull on a plinth, along the way. As they assimilate to the nature of the new world, their god is forgotten, and because it is forgotten, its died.

“The gods are great but people are greater. It is in there hearts that gods are born. And to their hearts are where people return.”

Watch this video summary from STARZ

In the present, Laura (Emily Browning) and Shadow (Ricky Whittle) meet for the first time since her death. Shadow confronts her about her affair with Robbie. Shadow rejects being her “puppy.”

Shadow and Wednesday (Ian McShane) are arrested by law enforcement and are confronted by the New Gods: Technical Boy (Bruce Langley), Media (Gillian Anderson), and their leader, Mr. World (Crispin Glover). The New Gods offer Wednesday a truce on their terms. World gives Shadow and Wednesday a merger offer, and leaves them in the police station, freeing Shadow and Wednesday. Shadow is attacked by a tree and severely wounded as he leaves the police precinct.

Mad Sweeney (Pablo Schreiber) confronts Laura about the coin he gave Shadow. He attacks her and gets arrested. Sweeney manages to escape when the precinct is attacked.

Salient Imagery: mass delusions and the changing face of Media, the dreams and the overall style.

Mass Delusions

• “I was there in 1938 when the Martians invaded.” A reference to War of the Worlds.
• Media was born through mass delusions.

Media never presents as herself. So far we’ve seen her as:

• Lucy Ricardo
• Ziggy Stardust
• Marilyn Monroe

It’s worth noting that all of these incarnations of Media are personas of real people: Lucille Ball, David Bowie, and Norma Jeane Mortenson respectively.

Supernatural characters introduced in “Lemon Scented You”

Odin

• Wednesday is revealed to be Grimnir, another name for Odin.
• Wednesday is literally translated to “Odin’s Day.”
• Odin only has one eye. Wednesday has a glass eye in this American incarnation of Odin.
• Odin is Father of all Gods (literally referred to as the “Allfather”) and comes across as a father figure to his recruits.
• Odin has access to knowledge through ravens.

Mr. World: All we have is questions

• What is he? He knows everything.
• Globalization?
• Commodification?
• Capitalism?
• Everyone is buying salsa?!?

The Magical Tree From The Bone Yard…that attacked Shadow.

• What was that?

The truth is – we still don’t know.

Changes between “American Gods” the book and the STARZ TV show (by no means exhaustive)

1. Laura’s role is greatly expanded in the TV show.
2. Wednesday can talk to Ravens.
3. When Laura is with Shadow, she literally becomes alive. As in her heart beats.
4. We see more of Mad Sweeney.
5. Laura kills the police/Feds in the book, instead of Mr. World’s crew.
6. We see more of Media, as Bowie and as Marilyn Monroe.

Ephemera: Stuff to read or watch related to this episode.

• War of the Worlds (Wells)
• War of the Worlds (Wells) – Paperback
• Orson Welles Talks to H.G. Wells, 1940
• NPR: Was War of the Worlds really a mass delusion?

That’s a wrap! Join us each week for an intelligent, entertaining discussion of STARZ’s latest hit series. Leave comments below, or on our very likable Facebook page, tweet us @GodsPodcast and send us email or voice memos at STARZAmericanGodsPod@gmail.com.

Subscribe: iTunes (OS X, Windows) | Android | RSS & iOS redirect to Podcasts
Reach Out: @GodsPodcast | Facebook | Email