Preacher: See   Show Only 
June 6, 2016 4:18 PM - Season 1, Episode 2 - Subscribe

A mysterious duo is after Jesse while he tries to be a "good preacher"; the enigmatic Cowboy makes an introduction.
posted by Brandon Blatcher (32 comments total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
 
I have nothing to add except to say that I'm in love with this show. I was randomly switching channels Friday evening and I happened upon it by accident. I stopped for a few minutes to see if it was worth paying attention to and was almost immediately treated to Tulip's slugfest in the back seat of a driverless car careening through a corn field. Between that and the by-play with the little kids into who's yard she ends up ("Our mother's dead and our daddy's at work. I'm 10, and I'm in charge."), I was totally hooked.

I love so many things about it. That ~90 seconds of car chase packs more punch and audacity than anything I've seen in a while. I love the full screen text establishing location, although I can't say precisely why. The next time I saw a little piddly, bottom hugging, super polite. 5% high establlshing text on another show, I immediately though "WTF!?!?, that's so LAME!!! It needs to be HUGE!!!" That really got me. I love Cassady, and I love the hunters, and I think there needs to be a chainsaw corallary to Checkov's gun. Something like, if a chainsaw appears anywhere in a scene, someone must lose a limb before the conclusion of that scene.
posted by hwestiii at 6:04 PM on June 6, 2016 [1 favorite]


I almost don't even want to keep watching this show.
It's clearly too good for this world and will be renewed then cancelled after a second season.
posted by yonega at 6:14 PM on June 6, 2016 [5 favorites]


The open your eyes thing seems like a real monkey's paw type situation.
posted by ODiV at 7:37 PM on June 6, 2016 [3 favorites]


So we're combining into one thread and not having books included sep. from show only?
posted by miss-lapin at 7:50 PM on June 6, 2016


I'm surprised how much I like it given how far it's deviated in at least structure from the comic. I thought Dominick Cooper one fine as Stark, but a bit one note, here he's hitting it out of the park. I already loved Ruth Negga so I'm not surprised she's so good, but I've never seen Joseph Gilgun before, he's revelation.

Oooh, just enough Killer of Saints for a taste, good to know they are not leaving him out.

I did notice that my wife, who has not read the comic, has trouble following what is going on.
posted by beowulf573 at 8:49 PM on June 6, 2016 [1 favorite]


Mod note: Updated to "Show only" per request
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 9:43 PM on June 6, 2016


I feel bad for people who haven't read the book, because the show has clearly been made for people who have. Not to say that it can't be followed by non-readers, it's just that much harder for them - one visual in the show was frustratingly un-explained, to the point where my non-reader friend said, "Wait...WTF was that thing?" and I just had to shrug and say, "Hopefully they'll explain it later."

I wasn't that wild about this episode, although the chainsaw fight was inventive, and let's face it, the Cassidy character can make a dental cleaning fun. But they're clearly dragging some things out at a pace that I find ill-advised. If the show doesn't get moving in another episode, it's going to suffer, wither and die for lack of viewers who are frustrated with their inability to watch it.

Whatever it is that has....uh....infected....Jesse....I did laugh aloud that a coffee can was part of the extraction procedure.
posted by Thistledown at 4:02 AM on June 7, 2016 [1 favorite]


As a non-reader, watching the show is definitely a practice in faith. Faith that a whole lotta stuff will eventually be explained, cause right now it's like being blindfolded on a roller coaster. It's fun, but I have no idea where I'm going next.
posted by Atreides at 7:51 AM on June 7, 2016 [1 favorite]


You know, I was one of the people that was initially dubious about Tulips' casting, and I have to say, she's knocking it out of the fucking park. That grin! I think she's going to overwrite my other Tulip ideas.
posted by corb at 9:50 AM on June 7, 2016 [1 favorite]


As a non-comic reader, I can handle a little mystery. I mean, I watched Lost for 6 seasons. And this isn't "mystery for mysteries sake" but setting up stuff that I feel is going to be explained.

Like the last episode, I'm really liking the parts that are ridiculously stylized, especially the violence, which is odd because that is not usually my jam at all. I'm not sure what Preacher is doing right that so many other things have done wrong, but I'm sticking with it.

And yes, still, Tulip and Ruth Negga forever. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
posted by MCMikeNamara at 10:02 AM on June 7, 2016 [4 favorites]


I am definitely concerned that this will be too WTF to garner a large audience, and I'm already disappointed - I was sort of iffy on the pilot, but they sold me with this one.

Stuff:
* While the 'eat a teabag' scene didn't really work for me, the 'do you want one towel or two' scene got some real laughs. I think maybe having the weird guys interact with a normal, flummoxed person made it work. (Also, there was a real 'who's on first' vibe to the whole thing.)

* The coffee can exorcism followed by a chainsaw fight was fantastic, both as a set piece and as a way of demonstrating that Cassidy and Custer are friends. Cassidy doesn't come across as the kind of person who would clean up a mess like that for just anybody - seems like it would be more his speed to steal a wallet and some car keys and book after one of those encounters. Turning slapstick with a chainsaw into character development impresses me.

* Ruth Negga continues to absolutely kill it. She was the one who grabbed me in the pilot, and I maintain that I would watch a show that was just her being awesome for 45 minutes per episode. I'd be hard pressed to cite a favorite moment with her, more of a 'everything she's done has been gold so far' thing.

* Stylistically, this show is reminding me a lot of what Ang Lee tried in his Hulk movie - making the show feel like reading a comic book - except that the movie fell flat, where this actually seems to be working.
posted by mordax at 11:50 AM on June 7, 2016 [2 favorites]


Stylistically, this show is reminding me a lot of what Ang Lee tried in his Hulk movie - making the show feel like reading a comic book - except that the movie fell flat, where this actually seems to be working

Not trying mimic a comic book page with multiple panels wasn't just a great idea, even for Ang Lee.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:31 PM on June 7, 2016


I feel bad for people who haven't read the book, because the show has clearly been made for people who have. Not to say that it can't be followed by non-readers, it's just that much harder for them - one visual in the show was frustratingly un-explained, to the point where my non-reader friend said, "Wait...WTF was that thing?" and I just had to shrug and say, "Hopefully they'll explain it later."

Yeah, it seems to be chapter based, rather than episodic. That is, each episode of the show doesn't seem to have have its own complete narrative arc.

It's basically built for binge watching.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 4:04 PM on June 7, 2016 [1 favorite]


I'm still on the fence as to how long I'll stick with the show. The violence/ick factor is a bit over my comfort level, but so far at least it's telegraphed enough for me to look away from the screen. But the general level of misery is the thing that's making the show feel more like genre homework than something I would look forward to. Guess I'll have to see what the fallout will be from Jesse's attempt to use his new power for good.

I was confused by the scene towards the end when we see Sheriff Root talking to the two dudes that Cassidy killed & buried. Was it just meant to be a flashback to show that the Sheriff will be wondering where they disappeared to?
posted by oh yeah! at 6:48 PM on June 7, 2016


I didn't think it was flashback at all. That scene was after the events where they were "killed," so we're left wondering how they're still alive.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:50 PM on June 7, 2016 [2 favorites]


I'm guessing clones.
posted by Mogur at 4:31 AM on June 8, 2016


"JESUS - FREE WITH STORE PURCHASE"
posted by arzakh at 5:11 AM on June 8, 2016 [1 favorite]



I was confused by the scene towards the end when we see Sheriff Root talking to the two dudes that Cassidy killed & buried. Was it just meant to be a flashback to show that the Sheriff will be wondering where they disappeared to?
posted by oh yeah! at 9:48 PM on June 7 [+] [!]


Yeah, what Brandon Blatcher said. I believe those are two more....whatevers.
posted by Thistledown at 9:09 AM on June 8, 2016


Or the same two, having crawled out of the box? Seems like they're human, at least physically, otherwise Cassidy probably would have noticed something was up with the blood?
posted by ODiV at 9:16 AM on June 8, 2016 [2 favorites]


Yeah, it seems to be chapter based, rather than episodic. That is, each episode of the show doesn't seem to have have its own complete narrative arc.


Honestly, as somebody who started, as I got older, to prefer collections to individual issues, this is another way it feels like a comic. :)

I believe those are two more....whatevers.

My partner, who has read a little but not a ton of Preacher comics, when they showed back up, whatever they are said "Oh maybe those guys ARE who I think they are."
posted by MCMikeNamara at 10:10 AM on June 8, 2016


I'm loving the ever-loving shit out of this show. Was a fan of the comic, and I was really pessimistic about the show, but boy-howdy all the actors are KILLING IT!

And yes, I think the two dudes that Cassidy killed & buried are possibly harder to kill than he assumed.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 10:58 AM on June 8, 2016


I wasn't taken with the first episode, finding it all over the place and dragging. The second one was more tightly paced and had elements of wonderful strangeness. That coffee can exorcism was haunting and beautiful, with the right amount of edge underneath it. Then the chainsaw fight was just hilarious and the way the show handled that shift in tone was top notch.

I read the comic and was doubtful about a show, especially one on AMC. But they seem to be handling it right, by not aping the comic exactly, but definitely getting its over the top style, laced with humor. I'm looking forward to the next episode.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:05 AM on June 8, 2016 [2 favorites]


What happened to having a Books Included thread? Seems like a number of us here have read them.
posted by Thistledown at 11:10 AM on June 8, 2016


Anyone who wants one a Books thread is free to make one.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:30 AM on June 8, 2016


And yes, I think the two dudes that Cassidy killed & buried are possibly harder to kill than he assumed.

I think Cassidy doesn't realize who they are. Earlier when he's drinking with Jesse he mentions that there's a group of vampire hunters who keep finding him, and when he walks into the church and sees the two of them standing over Jesse he says something to the effect of "you fuckers keep finding me, but you're going to regret it, yes you will" - he doesn't really stop to take in the scene at all. I think he assumes they're part of the group hunting him, who are (I assume) just normal humans.

Whereas they are (I assume) in fact some sort of supernatural entities that are hunting Jesse.
posted by AdamCSnider at 4:31 PM on June 8, 2016 [2 favorites]


Yeah, I'm pretty sure I know who they are, based on the comic. But I suppose they could also be Scientology Office of Special Affairs Agents out to revenge the senseless killing of Tom Cruise.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 5:19 PM on June 8, 2016 [1 favorite]


I feel bad for people who haven't read the book, because the show has clearly been made for people who have.

No need to feel bad for us. I haven't read the comic, and I'm enjoying the hell out of this show so far. I like that I don't know all the back story, and that everything is new and surprising.

I'm more worried that they won't be able to maintain the same energy over the season, or that the season won't add up to a cohesive whole. This is more based on other disappointments more than anything I've noticed in the series so far.
posted by kanewai at 2:10 AM on June 9, 2016


I haven't read the comics but feel I'm going to have to binge-watch the entire season when it's over so I can see and hear everything that matters - right now it's balls-to-the-wall references I'm missing out on, and I can feel it when I'm watching.

It's definitely enjoyable, regardless, but part of that is how much I just love comic adaptations and the casting.
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 7:18 AM on June 10, 2016


I haven't read the comic* and even though i can sense the references I'm just looking forward to the reveal.

*even back then Edgelords pissed me off
posted by fullerine at 12:05 AM on June 11, 2016


I mean, I watched Lost for 6 seasons.

Indeed. What makes Preacher's approach work so far, I think, is that the show lead with some very explicit weirdness: flying space baby comet thing, exploding religious figures. And then followed it up with an Irish vampire. So you know there's something more under the surface of this universe, you know that it's got something to do with faith and religion, but it's also not totally weird and unfamiliar. So I find it easy to trust the show to be going somewhere with all this.
posted by tobascodagama at 6:08 AM on June 11, 2016


Books Included thread here.
posted by jillithd at 11:38 AM on June 20, 2016 [1 favorite]


Is anyone getting a Carnivàle vibe from this show? Having a bulldozed house in the desert, religion and unknown forces brings it all on for me.
posted by unliteral at 4:43 PM on September 13, 2016 [1 favorite]


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