Ep 8. Come to Jesus

The eighth and final episode of American Gods' first season, "Come to Jesus," sees the show's ensemble cast, both divine and mortal, congregating and finally converging in the same place. This meeting of old and new gods is not to be missed.

The episode opens in Kentucky, where a group of elderly women, otherwise unaffiliated with the main story, hold a small, impromptu ceremony in a local park. Despite their age and lack of resources, they succeed in conjuring the goddess Ostara, and she blesses them with a crop of beautiful flowers.

Meanwhile, Shadow and Mr. Wednesday continue their trek across America. Believing that Shadow's recent run-in with Technical Boy has made him a bit of an asset, Wednesday shares his grand plan: to use the power of the other gods to launch an attack against the New Gods.

The destination of their trip is a mansion in Virginia, where a gathering of gods and goddesses is being hosted by none other than Ostara, a.k.a. Easter. As Shadow watches in awe, a parade of deities enters the mansion, each more flamboyant and powerful as the last. Among them are the Slavic god of darkness, Czernobog, the African spider god Anansi, and the personification of death, Mr. Ibis.

After a tense exchange between Wednesday and Easter, the festivities begin. There are elaborate, grotesque rituals and performances, some of which involve human sacrifice (though the gods assure the mortals they've brought along that the men involved are willing and will be resurrected that same night).

Shadow is skeptical of the whole affair, but things come to a head when Mad Sweeney, recently separated from the main group, arrives at the mansion with Laura (Shadow's deceased wife) in tow. Both are resurrected, and the long-awaited reunion between Shadow and Laura takes a devastating twist.

As the season nears its end, "Come to Jesus" sets the stage for the ultimate battle between the old gods and the upstarts that threaten to usurp them. The interactions between the gods are thrilling and lively, and there's a moment or two of genuine awe and wonder as we see their powers on display. It's a perfect climax to an already phenomenal season, leaving fans hungry for more.