Hey Dorks! I know there’ve only been three episodes of “Preacher” so far, but I’m hooked. You hooked? I’m hooked. Specifically I’m dangling by one of Cassidy’s fangs (hanging on his every word, get it?), but as this story grows in complexity, I can feel myself falling deeper and deeper into this strange, violent, incredibly touching rabbit hole. The action ebbs a bit this week, and the episode is the slower and more contemplative for it, but even quiet moments on this show are fraught and weighty. “Preacher” has as much to offer in dialogue and character exploration as it does in story–always a pleasure.
#newringtone
“The Possibilities” opens on a close-up of a gravelly-voiced lady enjoying the HELL out of a cigarette. We pan out to reveal a middle-aged woman who wouldn’t look out of place handing out coffee at a Synagogue. (I’m Greek Orthodox, but I think Jews like coffee after services, too, right?) She’s sitting next to Tulip and in the middle of placing a take-out order for her husband’s murder. I like her a whole lot. Tulip emphatically refuses. Turns out, this is the “Danni” Tulip mentioned last week, and the map from the pilot is for her. In return, Danni gives Tulip an address for Carlos, the man who appears to be responsible for Jesse’s recent extreme personality shift and thus, Tulip’s current despair.
Carlos? You in danger, girl.
Ruth Negga continues to kill it, bringing across both the comic book absurdity of this situation while simultaneously layering it with the relatable pain of lost love. Bullseye. Also of note: Tulip notices the company name on the map is “Grail Industries,” and Danni is clearly Jewish (see: van). Danni hands the map to a grumpy gentleman in a white hat who’s attending a SNUFF FILM FESTIVAL. I know it’s a SNUFF FILM FESTIVAL because SOMEONE MADE A POSTER.
This is “darkly funny.”
(You can skip ahead of this paragraph if you’ve read the comics.) Aside from the seedy underbelly in …Houston, obviously what little we get of Danni’s backstory implies is that there are formidable religious organizations operating within the Preacher-verse, and I’m guessing they’re going to get mighty excited if word of Jesse’s newfound abilities gets out. This is broad speculation, but I’d imagine “Grail Industries” has to do with the Judeo-Christian faction and Snuff film man is probably associated with some darker iterations of human spirituality. Shot in the dark. I’m also a huge fan of the “ancient religious order masquerading as a modern corporation” trope, so I’m very much looking forward to visiting Grail Industries HQ. If it’s anything like Wolfram and Hart, I will be tickled pink.
Speaking of Jesse, Tracy Loach did indeed open her eyes at the end of “See,” so now he has incontrovertible proof that when he talks, EVERYONE listens. He’s still working out the kinks–Tracy literally opened her eyes, but nothing else. Now, instead of being comatose, she’s catatonic. Luckily, if you’re in a coma, people tend to manage their expectations of you, so everyone’s in town is in a “baby steps!” kinda mood. Friendzone checks on the Loach’s, ostensibly to get her casserole dish back and Mrs. Loach gives her the details of Jesse’s visit. The prevailing mood at House Loach seems to be bewildered, but thankful, and it seems like Mrs. Loach’s faith may be on its way to restoration.
It’s a cautious optimism, though.
For his part, Jesse’s having a rough morning. Cassidy discovers him in the rectory, sitting in the shadows staring into space contemplating the awesome powers he currently possesses. Thankfully this show has enough story to last them for an entire season, so there’s no episode-long beating about the bush watching Jesse try and figure out how to communicate to Cassidy that he might be a god. Jesse flat-out tells him and then it’s demonstration time!! Jesse and Cassidy take out GodVoice for a spin and the following scene is CHOCK FULL OF GOODNESS.
Hop Cassidy!
Box, Cassidy!
Reveal an important truth, Cassidy!
This was exactly like watching my brother and his friends try to skateboard on homemade ramps–so fun. So idiotic. But despite the HEAPS of enjoyment we take away from this scene (and confirmation that Cassidy and Jesse are top-notch best buds), there’s also some pretty actionable information at hand. Most important: Jesse can’t endow someone with the abilities necessary to complete a command if those abilities aren’t already present in said person. When he tells Cassidy to fly, Cassidy gleefully jumps into a wall. When he asks Cassidy who the governor of Texas is, Cassidy doesn’t know, and the command doesn’t endow said knowledge just so the order can be carried out. Take away? There are limits. What Jesse has at his disposal is a very powerful, but very blunt instrument.