The latest episode of American Gods focused on the formerly dead wife of Shadow Moon, Laura, who caught a second wind thanks to Mad Sweeney’s very special coin. To fully appreciate Laura Moon’s journey, we looked back at her past. It’s not pretty, it’s not particularly ugly–it’s just kind of there. That’s one of the problems with Laura, really. She just sort of exists in a constant state of meh and inaction.
Over on Twitter, as usual, showrunners Bryan Fuller and Michael Green shared some tidbits and concept art that went into crafting the episode. Plus, actress Emily Browning joined in via Green’s Twitter account with some commentary; her tweets are signed with EB. The highlights include pre-VFX shots of Laura having Shadow’s back, prosthetics details, little touches in the casino, and more.The Egyptian-themed casino where Laura worked, 26th Dynasty, featured some little hints at a connection with Anubis:
Details count #AmericanGods @BryanFuller @neilhimself #gawds pic.twitter.com/NDesXT0Gs6
— Michael Green (@andmichaelgreen) May 22, 2017
Browning did all her own shuffling.
Also true: #EmilyBrowning did all her own goddamn shufling. @BryanFuller @neilhimself @craigzobel @AmericanGodsSTZ pic.twitter.com/DLoVVENj4E
— Michael Green (@andmichaelgreen) May 22, 2017
Costume designer Suttirat Larlarb continues to nail it on the design front. Fuller shared a glimpse at the casino waitress ensemble:
COSTUME DESIGNER SUTTIRAT LALARB’S WARDROBE ILLUSTRATIONS FOR THE CASINO WAITRESSES #AMERICANGODS @andmichaelgreen @neilhimself #GAWDS pic.twitter.com/YYikXRi6ZW
— Bryan Fuller (@BryanFuller) May 22, 2017
Hey, let’s touch on Anubis. Some stylings from Larlarb for Mr. Jacquel and Mr. Ibis:
More brilliance from the pen and needle of costume designer SUTTIRAT LARLARB. #AmericanGods @BryanFuller @DemoreBarnes @obidon1 pic.twitter.com/y8B7QAVCSJ
— Michael Green (@andmichaelgreen) May 22, 2017
Laura and Anubis pre-VFX:
Before the brilliant #AmericanGods VFX team got to work @BryanFuller @neilhimself @DAVID_A_SLADE pic.twitter.com/FzdV7xgVP7
— Michael Green (@andmichaelgreen) May 22, 2017
How about dead Laura Moon kicking some ass? Green shared a glimpse at her rage from the other side of the camera:
Oh fuck it. Here’s a bunch of photos of #EmilyBrowning ripping people apart. (PRE-VFX) #AmericanGods @BryanFuller @neilhimself @craigzobel pic.twitter.com/ZJbp96Enjo
— Michael Green (@andmichaelgreen) May 22, 2017
And more… #AmericanGods #EmilyBrowning @BryanFuller @neilhimself @craigzobel pic.twitter.com/BA75I87pjx
— Michael Green (@andmichaelgreen) May 22, 2017
#EmilyBrowning kills it with one hand tied behind her back. #AmericanGods @BryanFuller @craigzobel @neilhimself pic.twitter.com/qrNGMtUmNg
— Michael Green (@andmichaelgreen) May 22, 2017
And the stunt team that made it all work:
THE AMAZING #AMERICANGODS STUNT TEAM THAT KICKED THAT SCENE IN THE NUTS #EmilyBrowning @andmichaelgreen @neilhimself #GAWDS @AmericanGodsSTZ pic.twitter.com/sA8VV5srGp
— Bryan Fuller (@BryanFuller) May 22, 2017
Laura started learning the ins and outs of her new abilities in the fight, and Fuller said they drew inspiration from Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man and did an homage to Peter Parker figuring out his powers.
We homaged the moments in Sam Raimi's first SPIDERMAN film where Peter Parker was first discovering his abilities when Laura is doing same.
— Bryan Fuller (@BryanFuller) May 22, 2017
Some thoughts about Laura from Browning. Her favorite thing about the character is how she doesn’t have a filter. She mentioned the hardest aspect about portraying Laura was the chest prosthetic.
Agree with Bryan. Doesn't care what anyone thinks. No filter. No self awareness. So much fun! – EB
— Michael Green (@andmichaelgreen) May 22, 2017
The giant chest prosthetic that took 4 hours to put on. We see it in the next ep. No fun for someone who can't sit still ? – EB
— Michael Green (@andmichaelgreen) May 22, 2017
Finally, for all the Pushing Daisies fans out there:
ALL THE THINGS @ABC WOULDN’T LET US DO WITH DEAD GIRLS ON #PUSHINGDAISIES… @andmichaelgreen @neilhimself #AMERICANGODS #GAWDS pic.twitter.com/3yyxOp2sjL
— Bryan Fuller (@BryanFuller) May 22, 2017
What did you think of the latest American Gods? I need to know how you feel about Laura Moon. Tell me in the comments.
Images: Starz