Ep 1. House on the Rock

In American Gods season 2 episode 1, titled "House on the Rock", we see the return of Shadow Moon, who has been on the run for several weeks after the explosive events of the season one finale. The episode opens as Shadow treks through the harsh winter landscape of America's heartland, haunted by memories of his time with his mysterious employer and the strange gods he encountered along the way.

As Shadow walks, he begins to experience strange visions and encounters, including a brief run-in with an alligator man and a strange, otherworldly presence that seems to be tracking his every move. Throughout these experiences, Shadow remains haunted by memories of his late wife Laura and the shocking revelations he learned about her during their journey together.

Meanwhile, we also catch up with Mr. Wednesday, who has been busy setting his plans in motion for a war between the old gods and the new. As he gathers a group of allies, including the fire god Vulcan, he leads them towards one of America's strangest and most mysterious locations: the House on the Rock.

The House on the Rock is a real-life tourist attraction in Wisconsin, famous for its bizarre architecture and eclectic collection of oddities. In the world of American Gods, however, it takes on an even more potent significance as a place of power and mystery, where the lines between reality and myth blur and ancient gods can sense their own fading power.

As Wednesday, Shadow, and their entourage arrive at the House on the Rock, they are greeted by an enigmatic figure known only as Mr. Nancy. Nancy is a spider god and a master of storytelling, and his presence adds to the overall sense of otherworldly intrigue that permeates the entire episode.

As the group explores the House on the Rock, they encounter a wide variety of strange and surreal sights, from a room filled with giant whale sculptures to a massive, musical instrument called the Great Carousel. It quickly becomes clear that this is a place of profound and dangerous magic, and that the old gods may be in for a more difficult fight than they ever could have imagined.

Throughout the episode, we also catch up with some of the other major players in the world of American Gods. Laura Moon, the deceased wife of Shadow, is given an expanded role and we see her try to make her way back to the land of the living. We also check in with Mad Sweeney, the Irish leprechaun whose complicated relationship with Laura has complicated their lives in significant ways.

In all, "House on the Rock" is a thrilling and unpredictable start to American Gods season 2. The episode manages to deepen our understanding of the show's intricate mythology, while also introducing new mysteries and characters that leave us eager to see where the story goes next. With stellar performances from the show's ensemble cast and jaw-dropping visuals that perfectly capture the surrealism of the House on the Rock, this is an episode that is sure to satisfy existing fans and lure in new ones alike.