All pilot episodes of new shows take one of two approaches to hooking in an audience. Ether they hit the gas and plunge straight into the main story for a lot of action and a showcase of what future episodes will be like. Or they slam the brakes, grind everything to a halt and make us savor everything on screen before ending with a commencement like event, almost making it a prequel episode before truly beginning the following week. Just like picking a favorite in Marvel or DC, there is no right or wrong answer between the two, with the key being to pick the approach the best compliments the new show in question. The hotly-anticipated adaptation of the late '90's Vertigo comic Preacher arrives with 2-feet firmly on the brakes for a slow world-building debut episode... and that was absolutely the right choice as it lets us slip us into the truly wonderful creation that Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogan and Sam Catlin have created.
Pilot – In the quiet town of Anville Texas, Jessie Custer (Dominic Cooper – Dracula Untold, Agent Carter) is the unsuccessful preacher of a small parish with a darker criminal past. When he’s accidentally possessed by a powerful supernatural entity, he gains extraordinary powers, and with the help of his gun-toting ex-girlfriend, Tulip (Ruth Negga – Agents of Shield) and Irish vampire best friend Cassidy (Joe Gilgun – This Is England) sets out with a new purpose.
The story here is minimal. The only place it needs to go is Jessie’s possession in the final act. The main bulk of the episode resolves around setting the tone of smart, occasionally graphic black humor and giving each of the key cast members lengthy and generally awesome introduction sequences. Starting with the setting of a back water Texas town, it immediately comes across as somewhere True Blood fans will feel right at home. A tight-knit population of hicks and red necks to set in their traditional ways that they start a riot over making their mascot politically correct, with a few scattered independent thinkers to latch onto as key characters. There’s plenty of lovable quirkiness in their eccentricities all while making us sympathize with Jessie’s role as their spiritual leader in how the worst show in no interest is being saved. The case of the Schenek’s sums it up best. Their young son approaches Jessie claiming his father is abusive to both him and his mother. Yet when Jessie questions the mother, Betsy, she admits to actually liking the abuse in a 50 Shades of Grey flannel shirts kinda way. It all serves to support Jessie’s distant and unattached approach to his preacher role in which he lacks confidence and interest. This quickly gets deepened well as we learn that Jessie is only preaching due to a combination of guilt based obligation (a promise to his late father, also a preacher) and desires to leave his former violent criminal life behind him. It’s like he’s running away on the spot.
Yet where the episode really makes you scream "Hallelujah!" is over its handling of the other two main characters: Tulip and Cassidy. They don’t get a badass entrance or a cool opening line. They each get their own epic miniature TV movie of an introduction, both of which are bloody incredible! Extended sequences each bringing with them manic action, brilliant laughs and some good surprises as Cassidy’s Wolf of Wall Street-worthy flight turns into a vampire hunter trap or Tulip completes her mercenary mission with some unexpected little helpers. It all perfectly embodies the black humor style of comic book adaptation while making both characters solid gold hits. You can’t fail to love a booze-infused Cassidy making a Mary Poppins exit, or as Tulip finds time to impart important lessons about free love choices while constructing homemade anti-aircraft weapons. It’s bonkers bizarre but above all else insanely entertaining and from there onwards every moment either character is on-screen brings the feeling of an explosion of fun waiting to go off. Other smaller cast members are also introduced well, like the horrifically-deformed but actually rather sweet Eugene “arseface” (he survived shooting himself in the face with a shotgun) and Jessie’s organ player and church right hand woman; the determined single mother of 3, Emily.
Although like many a debut episode, it stays light on the explanations to draw viewers with intrigue over its main idea of spiritual possession. We’re shown enough to get the message across right from the opening case in Africa to the occasional globetrotting drop ins of similar failed hosts. The show gets maximum respect for taking a swipe at Tom Cruise and Scientology but place your bets now: how long before he sues? There are also just enough hints at his newfound abilities to keep us on the same page, allowing future episodes to elaborate. The only real criticism of the episode is that, for some, the episode may not present enough purpose for the series. We see that other parties are aware and interested in Jessie’s possession but other than his pledge to be the best darn tooting Preacher ever, we get little indication over just where his character is heading. If you’re the kind that likes to a see a series end destination from day one, this will disappoint. If you’re more comfortable being led, gradually the show will suit you just fine.
Preacher is a show brimming with style and confidence right down to its wonderfully offbeat soundtrack. It’s The Walking Dead without the moping and annoying “Carl” cries, it’s True Blood without the over boob saturation and cringe-worthy “Sookie” growls, all while still being its own terrifically unique entity. At a time when comic adaptation in TV and film are being criticized for being overly samey, Preacher is the ideal holy water to cleanse those haters. It’s the right show at the right time making all its years of development hell worthwhile and unless you’re easily offended the power of Christ compels you to watch it.