Ep 7. A Prayer for Mad Sweeney

In episode 7 of American Gods, titled "A Prayer for Mad Sweeney," we delve into the backstory of the unlucky leprechaun, Mad Sweeney. The episode begins with a flashback to 1721 in Ireland, where we see a young and cocky Sweeney on the run from his fellow leprechauns. He comes across a woman named Essie, who is kind to him and offers him her last piece of bread. Sweeney makes a promise to Essie, which sets off a chain of events that will impact both of their lives for centuries to come.

Back in the present day, Sweeney is still reeling from the loss of his lucky coin and the revelation that his past actions have consequences. He's on a mission to find a way to retrieve his coin, which leads him to meet a woman named Laura Moon. Sweeney is initially hostile towards Laura, blaming her for his current predicament, but their interactions eventually reveal a deeper connection between them.

As the episode progresses, we see the lengths that Sweeney is willing to go to retrieve his coin. He forms an uneasy alliance with Laura, who has her own motives for helping him. Together, they embark on a road trip to Kentucky to find an ancient god who may be able to help them.

Meanwhile, we also see glimpses of Shadow's journey as he finally confronts Wednesday about his true identity. The two have a tense conversation, which sets the stage for the upcoming showdown between the old and new gods.

Overall, "A Prayer for Mad Sweeney" is a standout episode that provides much-needed context for one of the show's most intriguing characters. The flashbacks to Sweeney's past are beautifully shot and give a sense of the history and mythology that underpins the show. The dynamic between Sweeney and Laura is also a highlight, as their banter and begrudging camaraderie provide some much-needed levity in an otherwise heavy episode.

As always, American Gods continues to be a visually stunning and thematically rich show that is not afraid to take risks and push boundaries. "A Prayer for Mad Sweeney" is a prime example of the show at its best, and sets up the remaining episodes for an epic conclusion.