PREACHER Recap: (S03E02) Sonsabitches

Melody McCune

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DISCLAIMER: This Preacher recap contains more spoilers than the number of times Marie L’Angelle has exercised her authority over Jesse. She sure does love to put him in his place. You’ve been warned. Say your prayers, and enter at your own peril. 

Welcome back, Sunday Sinners! Preacher aired its second episode of the season this week. Jesse reunited with Herr Starr, while Tulip almost had her revenge on Lara Featherstone. Tensions continued to rise between our preacher and Cassidy. Our trio formulated a game plan – once Jesse obtained his soul, he’d use Genesis to bend all of their enemies to his will. Then, our heroes would promptly dispose of said enemies the only way they know how – by blowing out some brains. However, escaping Marie L’Angelle’s intangible influence is proving to be more difficult than Jesse initially thought. As she mentioned in the episode, Jesse owes her souls. Yes, “souls” plural. As per usual, the inimitable Betty Buckley is a scene stealer, and I hope we get some juicy flashback shots of Marie L’Angelle during her humble beginnings. 

Alright, ready to delve into “Sonsabitches?” Just be sure to give Tulip some space post-resurrection. She’s crafting her grand revenge plan as I type this. 

We open with a flashback – a young Jesse (Will Kindrachuk) is approached at Angelville High School by Hal (Mike Harkins), a science teacher. Hal is in dire need of Marie L’Angelle’s spiritual services. A high school junior, who gave him a blow job, is now falling in love with him. Hal decides to approach Jesse to strike a deal between him and Marie. Jesse bestows Hal with a warning – never miss a payment. You won’t want to know what happens when you short Marie on money. 

RELATED: PREACHER Season Premiere Recap: (S03E01) Angelville

A week later, Hal meets Jesse and hands him the cash. Jesse declares that Hal is short a few dollars. The science teacher vows to make up for what he owes the following week. However, the damage is already done. In the next shot, we see Jody (Jeremy Childs) and TC (Colin Cunningham) driving a truck and chasing Hal down a dirt road. Jesse is perched in the truck bed, observing the scene unfolding below him. When Hal is laying in said truck bed and receiving a beating from Jesse, our preacher reminds the man of his previous warning. That, and not to receive blow jobs from minors. That’s just gross misconduct, dude. Anyway, our trio delivers Hal to Marie L’Angelle (Betty Buckley), who orders Jesse to stay behind and watch what she enacts on the science teacher. Jody reveals that Marie will devour a man’s very soul for missing a payment. She doesn’t mess around. We hear Hal let out a blood curdling scream. 

Flash forward time! We see Herr Starr (Pip Torrens) is currently in India, visiting the Krishna Headquarters. Meanwhile, present Jesse (Dominic Cooper) is staring wide eyed at the gadgetry and torture devices, vials and tubes cluttering Marie’s work space. He appears to be taking an unpleasant stroll down memory lane, recalling the first time he really observed how Marie punished those who shorted her on money. We see Tulip (Ruth Negga) slowly slurping on soup with Cassidy (Joseph Gilgun) by her side. He asks her if she remembers what she saw while she was dead. Tulip regretfully informs the vampire that she doesn’t recall anything save being surrounded by family. That, and something very strange occurring right before she was pulled back into the Land of the Living. Jesse pops in for a visit, and you can cut the strained tensions between him and Cassidy with a rusty butter knife. 

Joseph Gilgun as Cassidy, Ruth Negga as Tulip O’Hare – Preacher _ Season 3, Episode 2 – Photo Credit: Alfonso Bresciani/AMC/Sony Pictures Television

Of course, Tulip is ready and raring to enact her revenge on Lara Featherstone. Jesse is also eager to hop aboard the revenge train, but first he has some unfinished business to attend to. Tulip notices the animosity between her boys and points it out, in true Tulip fashion. 

Later, we see Jesse attempt to utilize the long gone Genesis on a moving vehicle. Naturally, it doesn’t work. He pulls out Herr Starr’s business card for The Grail headquarters and rings him up. Jesse leaves a message with Starr’s secretary. Reuniting with a former adversary whose subordinate killed your girlfriend? Check and check. 

Next, Herr Starr and his Grail colleagues enter the Krishna Headquarters. They are welcomed with open arms, but that’s only because they’re shrouded in orange cloths. Suddenly, Herr Starr pulls his veil back to reveal his true identity, and chaos is unleashed inside the house of worship. Members of The Grail begin firing on the worshippers within, with the latter returning their share of bullets in kind. Once the monks are wiped out, Starr approaches the leader, Dave “Gruber” Allen (Dave Allen). He receives the message from his secretary regarding Jesse’s desire to meet. Then, Starr promptly shoots Dave “Gruber” Allen in the head, after the latter refused to announce Humperdoo as the one true Messiah. Hey, that title now belongs to Jesse. Side note: I’ve missed Torrens and Herr Starr tremendously. 

Pip Torrens as Herr Starr – Preacher _ Season 3, Episode 2 – Photo Credit: Alfonso Bresciani/AMC/Sony Pictures Television

Then, Jesse expresses his gratitude toward Cassidy for all the vampire has done for our preacher and Tulip. However, it’s time for Cassidy to hitch a ride out of town. Cassidy retorts that he won’t budge until Tulip leaves Angelville with him. An overabundance of testosterone envelopes the space. Jesse is summoned by Gran’ma, and Cassidy finds companionship with TC as the two bond over drugs. Now you’re speaking Cassidy’s language. 

Meanwhile, Tulip emerges from a shower and finds a tattered stuffed dog laying nearby. We see glimmers of her interaction with God, the Man-Dog. Of course, said glimmers are unaccompanied by dialogue, as Tulip doesn’t remember meeting the Almighty. Jesse and Marie are chatting as grandmothers and grandsons are wont to do. Well, except it’s not about exchanging pleasantries and asking after each other’s lives, and more like Gran’ma demanding Jesse deliver on the souls he owes her. You know, normal family stuff. Jesse tries and fails to wriggle out of her grasp but Marie has him hook, line and sinker. 

RELATED: Read All PREACHER Recaps Here

Later, Tulip ventures outdoors and decides to shoot beer cans to pass the time. Our girl has always been a great shot. Unfortunately, Jody ruins all the fun by taking down her beer cans with his massive firearm. The two exchange introductions and Tulip marvels over Jody’s gun. Suddenly, Tulip spots something unusual rustling in the grass and bodily launches herself into the brush. We see her laying punch after punch on Lara Featherstone (Julie Ann Emery). Yes, girl! Get your revenge! 

Then, our trio and Jody are leading a bound Lara and FJ Hoover (Malcolm Barrett) out into the uncharted territory of the Louisiana swamps. Tulip plans to finally execute vengeance by putting a few bullets in The Grail member’s heads. However, the tides turn when Jesse reminds Jody of his infamous meat grinder. Tulip would certainly feel more at ease if she were to grind Lara into itty bitty pieces. Nothing screams “torture” like grinding people. Tulip wholeheartedly agrees, and the gang arrives at Jody’s place.

However, Jesse notices that FJ is missing, so our crew parts ways in an effort to track him down. Jesse takes Lara with him. We see the two flee to a deserted area of the woods. Jesse admits to releasing FJ himself, and proceeds to break the restraints on Lara’s wrists. He wants her to deliver a message to Herr Starr. Lara escapes the scene, but not without Tulip angrily taking note of what Jesse did. Uh oh. Someone is in the dog house. Get it? Because God is clad in a dog costume? I’ll see myself out. 

Julie Ann Emery as Jennie, Dominic Cooper as Jesse Custer – Preacher _ Season 3, Episode 2 – Photo Credit: Alfonso Bresciani/AMC/Sony Pictures Television

Later, Jesse explains his actions to Tulip. He needs Herr Starr so he can retrieve the bit of soul he’s still missing. That part of his soul can also access Genesis, that which he’s sorely lacking at the moment. Once he has his soul and Genesis, he can force anyone and everyone to cater to his whim. This also includes wiping out Lara Featherstone for Tulip, Starr himself and Gran’ma. Unfortunately, Jody divulges to Marie that he believes Jesse has a scheme up his sleeve. Thus, Marie prepares to do what she must to ensure that Jesse won’t escape. Nobody escapes Marie L’Angelle unscathed. 

Next, Tulip and Cassidy unleash a toy car bomb on the Boyd headquarters, that gang Jody fought regarding the transpoil from the previous episode. Tulip is tickled pink, revealing to Cassidy that she hasn’t constructed a toy car bomb in quite some time. We led very different childhoods, Tulip O’Hare. 

Meanwhile, Marie and Jesse pay their respects at his mother’s grave. Marie reveals that, despite being responsible for her daughter’s murder, she truly did love her. Jesse points out that Marie had a “funny way of showing it.” Funny, indeed. Jody approaches them with news of the Boyd gang retaliating against them, and Marie orders her boys to use any means necessary to take them out. 

Then, we see Cassidy and Tulip joining TC and Jody on the front lines, ready to defend themselves against the Boyds. The attacking gang launches a goat bomb. Yes, a goat bomb. Shots are fired between the two groups. Just as it would appear the Boyds are fleeing, Cassidy fires a shot toward the path ahead of the rival gang’s truck, and the blast impedes said path. Good thinking, Cass. 

Joseph Gilgun as Cassidy, Ruth Negga as Tulip O’Hare, Colin Cunningham as TC – Preacher _ Season 3, Episode 2 – Photo Credit: Alfonso Bresciani/AMC/Sony Pictures Television

Next, we see Jesse discreetly sneaking into the house to meet with Herr Starr, who strolls in nonchalantly after him. Jesse expresses his desire to take up his destined Messiah mantle, much to Starr’s delight. Herr Starr hands over the vial containing the remnant of Jesse’s soul. Jesse eagerly consumes it. He begins ordering Starr around, forcing the latter to kneel before him and “kiss the ring.” Then, prior to leaving, he demands Starr “suck” his own genitalia. However, Starr reveals that what Jesse received was an enhanced placebo, which gives the appearance of true Genesis. What a sneaky trickster! 

Later, the two rival groups are continuing to rain hellfire on each other. Cassidy takes a bullet to the chest. Thankfully, the vampire will inevitably heal after consuming a nourishing blood bag. Our duo trades barbs, with Cassidy joking that Tulip “smelled” when she died. I love these two so much. Tulip ventures indoors to retrieve said blood bag. 

Meanwhile, Starr and Jesse commence their talks. Starr asks Jesse to take the reins as the Messiah. God is still missing, and Humperdoo is still scheduled to don the crown. Starr reveals that Jesse’s soul is merely waiting in the car. Time to take back Genesis and restore Jesse’s power. Time to save the world. Jesse wordlessly agrees to this, and follows Starr outside. Anything to get out of Angelville, right, Jesse? 

Next, Starr and Jesse are outside, mulling about next to the former’s vehicle. A window rolls down and Lara’s hand protrudes from inside, with Jesse’s vial of soul nestled in her palm. Jesse snatches it up, ready to consume the real deal. Tulip observes the interaction from inside, Cassidy’s blood bag in hand. She promptly drops said bag and barges outdoors, gun brandished. She begins firing on the group of Grail workers, and a bullet nicks Starr on the top of his hairless head. Jesse urges Tulip to stop, but it’s too late. Herr Starr is in his vehicle, clutching Jesse’s soul vial. The car speeds away.

Dominic Cooper as Jesse Custer – Preacher _ Season 3, Episode 2 – Photo Credit: Alfonso Bresciani/AMC/Sony Pictures Television

Suddenly, we see Jesse drop to his knees. Our preacher clutches his throat, and we see he’s gasping for air. Marie L’Angelle is sitting in the cemetery, twisting a knot in her hands. Voodoo magic at its best, folks. Jesse croaks that Marie is behind this. Then, Gran’ma ceases her magic, and Jesse can breath freely again. Tulip feels remorseful regarding her shooting spree once Jesse reveals what Starr was actually doing. Now he’s no closer to retrieving his soul than he was previously. 

Later, Jesse declares to Marie that he will leave her plantation. Marie confidently chuckles, knowing full well that he’ll try, but she’ll succeed in keeping him close. She orders him to “get to work.” We see Jesse venture downstairs into the basement and start mopping the floor. A tethered Hal wanders over to him. One eye appears to be swollen shut, and he’s definitely worse for the wear. However, he also appears to be inexplicably untouched by time. He pleads with Jesse to release him. Jesse replies that he’s unable to do that. Which begs the question – how many more unfortunate souls are trapped in Marie L’Angelle’s mansion? 

Preacher is off to a solid start with Season 3. We’re finally getting to delve into Jesse’s roots, and the dive into the Louisiana voodoo scene is proving to be an exciting one. Marie L’Angelle, Jesse’s own Gran’ma, is clearly his biggest obstacle yet, not to mention perhaps the most powerful one. Preacher is still darkly comedic and graphically whimsical as ever, always pushing boundaries with a bloody toothy grin. The characters are flawed, yet lovable. I’m so intrigued to see where this season takes us. 

Do you think Jesse will find a way to escape Marie? Will we ever really explore Cassidy’s past? Where is Arseface in all this? Will we get a glimpse of Herr Starr’s superior, the Allfather? Join me next week as I continue to recap Preacher, here at Geek Girl Authority. 

Preacher airs Sundays at 10pm on your AMC affiliate. 

 

 

 

Melody McCune
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