Preacher Ep 201 – On the Road
After an irreverent end to Season 1, AMC’s Preacher returns for its sophomore season with a fresh slate of 13 episodes to continue the misadventures of Jesse, Tulip and Cassidy. With the book closed on the events of last season’s finale the search for God begins with our terrific trio hitting the road.
Annville’s a distant memory but the ridiculous banter between our protagonists and the series’ frenetic action sequences are as fresh as ever. Cassidy’s ludicrous but funny theory on lotion kicks off an impressive set piece that boasts a car chase, flying body parts, copious amounts of blood, a myriad of explosions and the Preacher’s trademark black humor. When the dust settles it’s soon clear that our heroes’ road trip will be anything but leisurely, particularly when Jesse spots the menacing silhouette of the killer cowboy amongst the mayhem.
God is gone and Jesse seeks out the counsel of a religious scholar for help. The scholar, peculiar in nature, has ties to Jesse’s family and engages in questionable ways to heal those in need. The visit crystalizes Jesse’s true calling and sets him on a path to find God, literally.
On the Road does a great job of bringing viewers up to speed and setting the table for future episodes. The love triangle between Jesse, Tulip and Cassidy; Tulip’s reticence whenever Jesse uses Genesis; our hero’s quest and the difficulties facing the world now that a jazz loving God walks among the common man are all given their due in the premiere. If that weren’t enough, On the Road also features a heavy dose of the Saint of Killers who will be a prominent protagonist this season.
One of the strengths of the show continues to be the strong performances and chemistry of the cast. The interplay between Ruth Negga, Joe Gilgun and Dominic Cooper is fantastic. Their rapid-fire delivery of the dialogue in some scenes is a smart blend of the buddy cop and screwball comedy genres. The supporting cast, which was quite strong in Season 1, will be missed as the action moves from Texas and into New Orleans. All is not lost in that department however, as eagle eyed viewers may have caught a quick glimpse of Fiore during The Amazing Ganesh commercials during the episode.
On the Road is an entertaining return for fans of the Preacher franchise. It upped the ante for blood and gore while maintaining its trademark humor. With God on the loose, the Saint of Killers hot on Jesse’s trail and a new locale to add some spice to the narrative, Season 2 of Preacher appears to be headed in the right direction.
