What is inside of Jesse?
I spent a good portion of this holiday weekend asking friends and family their thoughts on AMC’s “Preacher,” the most daring new show on television. I voiced my concerns last week, only to have AMC respond by announcing a second season a day later. This doesn’t mean the show isn’t in a heap of trouble, but it does mean that AMC has confidence in the lasting power of the series. I would agree that, if viewers stick with it, and maybe even binge the first season leading into the next, the fan base will continue to grow. But right now, yikes.
In-between drinking in the pool and eating pounds and pounds of food, I wanted to talk about “Preacher,” but nobody else did. Why? I have yet to meet a single person who has made it past episode three. The consensus from my own unprofessional survey is that it’s “boring” and “confusing”. I was elated when I finally came across a single person who adored it, only to find out he’s also already read all of the comics.
What’s becoming more and more obvious is that Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg and AMC need to become more clear, and avoid the mystery box for the time being.
The problem with an inaugural season of any television series is that it’s typically filmed before ever airing across the Nation/world, which means they can’t learn from their mistakes until they get the mass feedback. (Obviously, they could do small test groups with the first few episodes, and probably have, but you need mass awareness when it comes to television.) This is why I gave “The Walking Dead” a few seasons to find its footing, which is never did. This is concerning as it’s also an AMC production and I fear they won’t learn from their mistakes here, either. But I do have faith in Rogen and Goldberg, who, in my own mind, killed it with “Preacher”. I just think the problems came when sharing the story with people outside of the small box of those who have enjoyed all of the comics.
With that said, last night’s fifth episode moved the needle a bit. Jesse (Dominic Cooper) finally gets some answers as he uses his new gift on DeBlanc (Anatol Yusef) and Fiore (Thomas Brooke) by forcing the two Adephi angels to explain that they’ve been sent to Earth to retrieve Genesis, which is the powerful spawn of a demon and angel that possesses Jesse.
Again, though, the show continues to remain within the town, and hasn’t even caught up to the first issue. There’s 60 comics to adapt, so it’s unclear why this is becoming an isolation series as opposed to hitting the road. With that said, Jesse eludes to this forthcoming task, but can only do so once he learns that God has abandoned mankind. It’s a convoluted story that gets even more complex as things progress. This is probably why we’ve yet to see the Saint of All Killers (fully) in action, although DeBlanc and Fiore have just tipped their hat that he’s a coming.
“Preacher” is a fantastic show, but it looks more and more like it’s only enjoyable to those who know what’s going on/coming next. The biggest task AMC is going to have is convincing those who abandoned it to try it again – and if I were them I would focus heavily on having people binge view it leading into season two (I don’t think they achieved anything by having a viewing part for the first four episodes this past week).
But those hanging on by a thread, don’t give up. And those who love it like I do, don’t give up on pushing your friends, family and co-workers to stick with it. I believe we’re all going to be rewarded for our patience…eventually.
Until then, here’s a sneak at next week’s “Preacher,” ‘He Gone’:
CLIP: Tensions rise as Sheriff Root questions Jesse about Eugene’s disappearance.