The initial season of Sam Caitlin/Evan Goldberg/Seth Rogan's "Preacher", based on the DC/Vertigo's cult comic by Steve Dillon and Garth Ennis, ended on a "Star Trek V"/"If you're God..." dangler. As AMC leads us into Season 2, an alleged, richer exploration regarding the Lord's whereabouts begins.
In truth, the series now becomes more of an official road trip of sorts, but then even when stationary, "Preacher" had that kind of feel. Its characters, after all, always seemed to be in search of something, if not new, bizarre scenarios, than certainly their places in life.
Again leading the ensemble is the "Genesis blessed" Jesse Custer (Dominic Cooper), who's accompanied by his gutsy gal, Tulip O'Hare (Ruth Negga); his tipsy vampire buddy, Cassidy (Joseph Gilgun), and the woeful but sincere Arseface (Ian Colietti).
To propel the headliners along, Graham McTavish's mysterious Cowboy (aka The Saint of Killers) is on their trail, fringed by regulars portrayed by Anatol Yusef; Tom Brooke; W. Earl Brown; Julie Ann Emery; Lucy Griffiths; Noah Taylor; Pip Torrens; Derek Wilson; and the always fascinating Jackie Earle Haley.
The first season's storytelling sometimes felt sadistic, but then such was rather characteristic of the DC/Vertigo comic. Still, it would be nice to see Season 2 plunge more seriously into its mystical concerns and leave the wise-ass humor behind. (On the other hand, I once thought "Army of Darkness" would have played better straight than snarky, but have since revised my opinion...)
All the same, the atmospheric flow of Season 2 could, indeed, make or break the show, but before a decision for renewal comes, we at least have a hardy thirteen episodes to digest. If the series maintains its fan base (and its voice is heard via letter, email and the like), Season 3 seems pretty much guaranteed.
For now, Custer's weird trek recommences Sunday, June 25, following (for better or worse) AMC's lackluster "Fear the Walking Dead"; thereafter, it'll be stationed on Mondays at 9 pm, where it has a better chance of expanding its viewership.
The series works better as an "On the Road" takeoff. I really wish this format had been adapted sooner. It's richer, more interesting.
ReplyDeleteBTW: "The Wizard of Gore" element in "Mumbai Sky Tower" was a nice, grisly touch.
Delete"Sokoasha" and "Pig" were, for the most part, fascinating episodes of this second season, but just as they grew so offbeat as to become brilliant, they got snarky and mean.
ReplyDeleteI don't dig that approach. Sometimes the series tries too hard to be clever and shocking. It doesn't need to try to impress all the time. Whenever it begins to push the envelope to the point of absurdity, it feels awkward and insincere.
It's a damn shame. The lines of good and bad are blurred way too much because of this, but maybe that's the point. If it is the point, I can't say I like or respect it. I can only wait and see what develops and pray for the best. Alas, my optimism is dwindling.
Say, here's a nifty idea for "Preacher'"s politicizing: Why not do an episode connecting to the people of Haiti and the way in which charitable funds never made their way to those who needed them the most. If one wants to talk about an act of cruelty--no, make that an act of evil--this is a grand case in point. Of course, there are other examples along these lines that could be put to good use on the series, as well: that is, if the show's makers are at all in the loop with the real-deal, rotten-to-the-core stunts of this world.
DeleteSeems to be a switch-up in villainy on "Preacher". Don't know why. This sort of thing feels natural on "Gotham". It was even surprisingly refreshing on "Luke Cage". Here...gosh, I'm not sure what to make of it. My interest continues to be held, and yet things feel as awkward as they do cool. Sometimes an unevenness is good; sometimes it's bad. I honestly don't know what to make of the approach here. I've finished the ninth episode, so will wait to see how this pans out, for better or worse.
ReplyDeletePip Torrens' Herr Starr has, indeed, taken over the show. This wasn't projected in advance publicity at all, at least not what I was shared. Guess this is the trend now with such series: We start off in one direction, but end up in another. I don't know if that's good or bad, but for an offbeat show like "Preacher", it only goes to reason.
ReplyDeleteAs the second season comes to a close, it's the negativity surrounding Custer that troubles me most, I believe...or maybe I simply want him to push back more. To find God--a lofty and honorable pursuit! The series could be a powerful essay on faith, even with all the unorthodox trimmings. Why is there never that noble reach?
ReplyDelete"Get on Your Knees" had the right tone. Yes, it was quirky and irreverent in a lot of ways, but for the most part it took its eccentric path seriously.
ReplyDeleteThe background of Saint of Killers, in particular, hit the mark on this occasion: not that it was as deep or rich as the Governor's background story on "Walking Dead". Nevertheless, it was a step in the right direction and yet a little too little, a little too late.
When the show dares to tell a story, it works. When it's trying to be cute (and too often, that's the case), calling God an asshole or making Hitler a little too damn sympathetic for comfort, it then slips.
A third season has been summoned, for better or worse, or so I've read. Depending on the approach (and I'd hope the episodes reflect "Get on Your Knees"), it could rise high or continue to careen: my hunch is the latter, but I'd sure love to be proven wrong.
"End of the Line" may not be the end of this televised saga, but it was an interesting enough cap to Season 2. It was mean, cynical, and I'm not necessarily sure I like all aspects of it. It's "Preacher". That's the way it goes. There's a lot more story to tell. I guess in year or so, more will come; and I'll be curious and repelled all over again.
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