Review – Preacher Episode 6

Posted on July 9, 2016 in Reviews, TV

[WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS]

Until now, it’s been somewhat difficult to talk about “Preacher.” Most of the conversations have turned to an actor or an actress’ performance or the technical aspects of the show (e.g. cinematography, mise en scene or how it mimicked other directorial styles and genres), but that’s what happens when you keep the main narrative hidden for the five+ weeks. To the show’s credit though, each episode has built off the last in order to reveal more about the characters and their motivations. But this week, “Preacher” delivers some serious action and thematic content. Last week’s episode “South Will Rise Again” dealt with unintended consequences. This week, Jesse learns the hard way that there are ramifications for meddling with divine powers.

Jesse (Dominic Cooper) learns that the entity inside of him isn’t God, but Genesis. The “baby” of an angel and a demon. Despite repeated warnings from Fiore (Tom Brooke), DeBlanc (Anatol Yusef) and even Cassidy (Joseph Gilgun) not to use it, Jesse remains steadfast in his resolve to save the people of Annville even if it’s by force.

Even side characters like Mayor Miles Person (Ricky Mabe) and Eugene aka Arseface (Ian Colletti) parallel the decision Jesse should be wrestling to make. Person confesses that he’s is about to do something he knows is wrong but still asks whether or not he should follow through with it. Jesse hypocritically says he shouldn’t. But it’s the mayor’s question on how to discern God’s voice from your own that seems to get under Jesse’s skin.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Eugene sees the benefits of being forgiven. Like having friends at school, but he feels like he doesn’t deserve it. He’s so uncomfortable with the whole situation; he asks Jesse to undo everything in hopes that life will go back to the way it was. The conversation turns into a confrontation after Eugene calls Jesse out for forcing God’s salvation on the people of Annville. Eugene isn’t wrong, but he picked a fight with the wrong guy and sadly it doesn’t end well for Eugene. After the hellish mistake, we can only hope that Jesse sees the error of his ways before things get any more out of control. Despite being the “bad guy,” I must say this is Cooper’s best performance of the season to date.

The episode isn’t all dour. In fact, it has a lot of fun moving the plot further down the field. The opening scene continues after the opening credits with Fiore, DeBlanc and Jesse encountering a terminator-like seraphim. It ends with a comedic albeit violet brawl at the motel that plays around with the gimmick of reinvigoration.

As I’ve mentioned before, I love scenes involving Cassidy and Jesse, which is something we get in this episode; however, this episode proves that the ladies have great chemistry too. Tulip (Ruth Negga) and Emily (Lucy Griffiths) make small talk after an intense reintroduction to one another. The scene humanizes both characters and allows Negga to flex her acting muscles.

If “Preacher” continues its current trajectory, then the sky’s the limit. I was originally worried when both Seth Rogan and Evan Goldberg’s names were attached to this project, but I honestly don’t know if this show would be as enjoyable if it weren’t for their witty sense of humor. I can’t draw parallels to the source material since I haven’t read them (yet). But as a fan of good television, this show has proven week after week that it’s one of a kind. And now that “Game of Thrones” has finished its sixth season, I’m hoping more people will check out “Preacher.”