TV Review: Preacher 2.13 “The End Of The Road” (Finale)
By Dr. Zaius
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Tuesday, September 12th, 2017 at 11:00 am
Preacher Episode 2.13 “The End of the Road”
Written by Sam Catlin
Directed by Wayne Yip
Created by Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen
Starring Dominic Cooper, Joe Gilgun, Ruth Negga, Graham McTavish, Tom Brooke, Ian Colletti, Julie Ann Emery AMC
Air date: Monday, September 11, 2017
As the Grateful Dead said, “What a long strange trip it’s been.” Season 2 of AMC’s Preacher never came close to a sophomore slump; in fact, it somehow improved on the sheer lunacy of Season 1. What started as both a quest to find God and a run from the Saint of Killers has ended with Jesse Custer (Dominic Cooper) being groomed to be the new Messiah by Herr Starr (Pip Torrens), leader of The Grail. This new path did not fly well with Tulip (Ruth Negga) and Cassidy (Joseph Gilgun), each of whom has been dealing with serious issues without Jesse’s help much of the season. Tulip is suffering from PTSD after nearly being killed by The Saint (Graham McTavish) and Cass has been dealing first with his son Denis (Ronald Guttman) dying, and then a much more serious problem of freshly turned vampire Denis and his insatiable appetite. With that happening on this plain of existence, Eugene, aka Arseface (Ian Colletti) is trying to sneak out of Hell along with Adolf F*cking Hitler (Noah Taylor).
Spoilers for the Season 2 Finale of Preacher below:
We open on a young Jesse Custer, maneuvering money off of wayward travelers in the bayou, until his faith is tested by greed, anger, and remorse. Modern-day Jesse is on his way to becoming the new Messiah, and the first stop is a religious class full of eager young girls wanting a miracle and instead getting a dose of Jesse kicking ass for the lord by dispatching a bunch of staged terrorists. The look on Pip Torrens’ face as he looks on approvingly is so delicious.
Cassidy and Tulip are not coping well. Cassidy has created a monster in Denis and has resorted to smoking crack to get him through the malaise. He secretly loves Tulip, but fantasizes about ripping her throat out. Meanwhile, she is looking for any reason to feel needed, and it just isn’t working out. Negga is an Oscar nominee and she’s been quietly amazing throughout the season. But Gilgun continues to impress me more than anyone. For most of Season 1 and the start of this season, Cass was the lovable psychotic vampire sidekick, always drunk and always quick-wittedly kicking arse. But the Denis storyline and losing his stone cold confidant in Jesse has enabled Gilgun to really break out the acting chops. I’ve found myself actually tearing up during some of his scenes this season. I love the feeling of total loss he portrays in Cassidy in this episode. And then in a moment of total self torture, an absolutely jaw-dropping scene!
Hitler helps Eugene escape Hell”¦ and then in a hilarious scene, just runs off. Speaking of running off, you knew there was no way they’d make it easy for Tulip and Cassidy. I won’t spoil it, but a series of events leads to a finale that left me shaken. That was a jaw on the floor final few minutes with some of unbelievable acting and if there was any fairness, this show would be up for a slew of Emmys, Gilgun a shoo-in for Best Supporting Actor. I cannot possibly praise that ending enough, and the show sets up for a third season without giving too much away.
I am floored! What an amazing ending to a more amazing season of TV. With all the TV I’ve watched in 2017, I can count several of this year’s best moments here. The literal opening 10-minute shoot-out with the Saint of Killers; Cassidy and fallen angel Fiore have a drug-fueled free-for-all in a casino penthouse; Herr Starr’s qualification exam for The Grail; those final few minutes here”¦ everyone involved should feel proud of the shows they put on here, and I cannot wait for season 3 of Preacher on AMC.
Video
Preacher: ‘Miracles 101’ Season 2 Finale Sneak Peek
At Herr Starr’s request, Jesse prepares to show some school children a miracle. Don’t miss the season finale of Preacher, Monday, September 11 at 9/8c.
I still haven’t heard if Preacher has been renewed. I agree with your assessment that this was not a sophomore slump season. It packed a punch in every episode.
Comment by Jada Marnew — September 13, 2017 @ 1:05 pm
Oh my god, I could not believe how great it was. I really hope it gets renewed, because my other favorite show Blood Drive already got cancelled
Comment by Daniel Torkel — September 13, 2017 @ 1:33 pm
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I still haven’t heard if Preacher has been renewed. I agree with your assessment that this was not a sophomore slump season. It packed a punch in every episode.
Comment by Jada Marnew — September 13, 2017 @ 1:05 pm
Oh my god, I could not believe how great it was. I really hope it gets renewed, because my other favorite show Blood Drive already got cancelled
Comment by Daniel Torkel — September 13, 2017 @ 1:33 pm