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American Gods: an appearance by Kalimaa?

Jainarayan

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Staff member
Premium Member
There's an American tv show on Starz channel called American Gods. It's in it's second season. The premise of the show is a coming war between the "old gods" and "new gods". The old gods are those of the old world who were worshiped in the past, but who are no longer worshiped in favor of the new gods. The new gods represent technology, finance, media, and other aspects of the modern world. The old gods want to bring worshipers back to them.

The leader of the old gods is Odin, called Mr. Wednesday. A few of the others:
Czernobog and Zorya Vechernyaya from Slavic religion;
Vulcan from Roman religion;
The Greek pantheon;
Ostara;
African religion, represented by Anansi, a trickster god (called Mr. Nancy);
An ill-tempered 6'5" leprechaun (named Mad Sweeney);
A jinn.

And the most surprising one to me is possibly an appearance by Goddess Kali of Hinduism. What leads me to this conclusion is that in one scene Mad Sweeney, Mr. Wednesday and Anansi are in the parking lot of a diner discussing the death and funeral of Zorya Vechernyaya.

An Indian woman in a waitress's uniform is with them. Mr. Wednesday says to her "Mama-ji, I may need your blades". She responds with "So, back to lopping off heads, drinking blood and liberating souls; if I can switch weekend shifts with [I didn't catch the name]".

Hmm... !
 

WalterTrull

Godfella
Ehh... The entertainment folk are always reaching, trying get our attention. Occasionally, there is over stepping. Kathy Griffin? We'll see.
 

Jainarayan

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Staff member
Premium Member
I love it. I really need to watch that show and read that book.

The show is pretty good. Check it out. I might get the book. Usually I take exception to how deities are portrayed or spoken of on tv. Case in point is Ancient Aliens when they’re discussing the Hindu gods. :facepalm:
 

Jainarayan

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Staff member
Premium Member
Spoiler not spoiler because ep. 1 (which I now realize I missed) shows Mama-ji in her true form as Kali. Blue skin and all. :)
 

SomeRandom

Still learning to be wise
Staff member
Premium Member
Cool. American Gods has been on my TBR forever. Really wanted to watch the show, just never got around to it. Might do so now.
 

Stevicus

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
There's an American tv show on Starz channel called American Gods. It's in it's second season. The premise of the show is a coming war between the "old gods" and "new gods". The old gods are those of the old world who were worshiped in the past, but who are no longer worshiped in favor of the new gods. The new gods represent technology, finance, media, and other aspects of the modern world. The old gods want to bring worshipers back to them.

The leader of the old gods is Odin, called Mr. Wednesday. A few of the others:
Czernobog and Zorya Vechernyaya from Slavic religion;
Vulcan from Roman religion;
The Greek pantheon;
Ostara;
African religion, represented by Anansi, a trickster god (called Mr. Nancy);
An ill-tempered 6'5" leprechaun (named Mad Sweeney);
A jinn.

And the most surprising one to me is possibly an appearance by Goddess Kali of Hinduism. What leads me to this conclusion is that in one scene Mad Sweeney, Mr. Wednesday and Anansi are in the parking lot of a diner discussing the death and funeral of Zorya Vechernyaya.

An Indian woman in a waitress's uniform is with them. Mr. Wednesday says to her "Mama-ji, I may need your blades". She responds with "So, back to lopping off heads, drinking blood and liberating souls; if I can switch weekend shifts with [I didn't catch the name]".

Hmm... !

So, these are ancient gods and goddesses living as Americans, just like Ozzie and Harriet? Or maybe more like The Munsters?

Is Jesus expected to make a cameo appearance?
 

Revoltingest

Pragmatic Libertarian
Premium Member
So, these are ancient gods and goddesses living as Americans, just like Ozzie and Harriet? Or maybe more like The Munsters?

Is Jesus expected to make a cameo appearance?
They're living more like characters on HBO's Deadwood.
 

Jainarayan

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Staff member
Premium Member
So, these are ancient gods and goddesses living as Americans, just like Ozzie and Harriet? Or maybe more like The Munsters?

Sort of.

Is Jesus expected to make a cameo appearance?

He did, in the last episode of the previous season. It was centered on Goddess Ostara as Easter being her day.
 

Stevicus

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
One of my favorite shows of all time.
Ian McShane is a central character in both.
But there are other similarities.

I subscribed to HBO for a few months, mainly because a few people I know kept raving about Game of Thrones - and then I also enjoyed Westworld, even if it wasn't what I expected. I'll probably resubscribe later this summer when I have more time to watch, and if Deadwood is still on, I'll check it out.
 

Jainarayan

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Staff member
Premium Member
The more times I see this the more it cracks me up. :D

 

Revoltingest

Pragmatic Libertarian
Premium Member
I subscribed to HBO for a few months, mainly because a few people I know kept raving about Game of Thrones - and then I also enjoyed Westworld, even if it wasn't what I expected. I'll probably resubscribe later this summer when I have more time to watch, and if Deadwood is still on, I'll check it out.
Deadwood would have to be in reruns.
It ran from 2004 to 2006.

A similarity to American Gods....
There must be sacrifices to effect change.
 
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Cassandra

Active Member
The show is pretty good. Check it out. I might get the book. Usually I take exception to how deities are portrayed or spoken of on tv. Case in point is Ancient Aliens when they’re discussing the Hindu gods. :facepalm:
Are you American? Indians find this kind of abuse really offensive. And I mean really really offensive.

I watched an episode but it strikes me as the usual American worship of violence. Kali Ma is of course the most abused and often purposely misunderstood Hindu deity who is habitually portrayed as a demon, maybe because she is confused with the Demon Kali. I am sure they are going to reinforce the usual misconceptions again.
 

Jainarayan

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Staff member
Premium Member
Are you American? Indians find this kind of abuse really offensive. And I mean really really offensive.

You’re Indian? I didn’t know that. Indians are some of the most laidback people I’ve ever met, secure in their faith. But I’ll keep checking for reactions.

Of course someone’s always going to get their jimmies rustled over something or another. When the episode of Xena Warrior Princess took her to India and transformed her into Kali some Hindu groups got their jimmies rustled, others praised it.

I watched an episode but it strikes me as the usual American worship of violence.

Of course there’s violence... it’s a battle.

I am sure they are going to reinforce the usual misconceptions again.

Btw, I am American and I am Hindu. As an American adoptee of Hinduism I’m probably even more defensive of Hinduism and how our gods are portrayed. I’m actually pleased with the way she is being portrayed. Especially in the first episode of this season, which I just finished watching, in which she first appears in her true form.
 

Cassandra

Active Member
You’re Indian? I didn’t know that. Indians are some of the most laidback people I’ve ever met, secure in their faith. But I’ll keep checking for reactions.

Of course someone’s always going to get their jimmies rustled over something or another. When the episode of Xena Warrior Princess took her to India and transformed her into Kali some Hindu groups got their jimmies rustled, others praised it.

Of course there’s violence... it’s a battle.

Btw, I am American and I am Hindu. As an American adoptee of Hinduism I’m probably even more defensive of Hinduism and how our gods are portrayed. I’m actually pleased with the way she is being portrayed. Especially in the first episode of this season, which I just finished watching, in which she first appears in her true form.
Did they put Jesus and Jahweh in? After all, they are the true "American" gods. They could make Jesus deforest places and burn people with hot lava or drive their demon mind out. Jahweh could turn people into salt pillars or drown them in floods.

If they are not in, what do you think is the reason as they are the obvious "American" gods?
And what makes Kali an "American" god?
 
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