American Gods - Head Full of Snow - Review + POLL

'Head Full of Snow' further explores the evolving relationship between Mr. Wednesday and Shadow. As they should, being the driving force of this show, the old God and former convict continue to play fabulously well off each other as they planned out Wednesday's scam to make money. It was great to see the old God showcasing some of his powers as he manipulated the weather to create snow.

Equally charismatic and scene stealing as Ian McShane is Peter Stromare, who has been nailing the role as the manic and menacing Czernobog. Shadow proves this episode that he is as cunning as he is strong, using the old Slavic God's pride against him to convince him to play another double or nothing game of checkers.

The episode also introduced us to three new Gods this week. In the opening coming to America introduction we meet Mr. Jacquel, also known as Anubis, the Egyptian god of the afterlife. Chris Obi in the role portrays him with a cold malevolence and the sequence that sees him bring a poor Muslim woman into the afterlife was nothing short of mesmerizing.

We also get to meet Salim, a gay Muslim who spends a passionate night with his cab driver, the flame-eyed Ifrit. The sequence is quite the erotic setup, dragging out much longer than it should and culminating in what seems to be a body switch? Salim has now seemingly assumed the role of Ifrit and how he will fit into the big picture remains to be seen.

If that's not enough, the show introduces us to yet another old god in the third and final sister, Zorya Polunochnaya (Erica Karr). We see her read Shadow, cryptically telling him that he is nothing and lending a hand to help him get out of his deal with Czernobog. She eventually takes the moon right out of the sky and gives it to him in a scene that is as hauntingly beautiful as the God is.

New characters aside, 'Head Full of Snow' also brings Mad Sweeney back into the fold. The leprechaun wants his lucky coin back after accidentally giving it to Wednesday. The love-hate relationship between him and Wednesday never ceases to entertain, and oh boy, how will Sweeney react now after finding out his coin resurrected Laura?

Overall, the show still moves at a very languid pace introducing us to more and more characters who so far have no purpose in the main storyline, though it is assumed they will eventually. Despite the slow pacing, this episode is as captivating as the first two episodes in its beautiful cinematography and cryptic, but rich dialogue between the slew of strong characters thrown into the mix.

8/10