After the bonkers new trailer from San Diego Comic-Con 2017, Preacher returned with a bang as the Saint of Killers squared off with the Unholy Trinity in episode 6, “Sokosha.”
We begin with an intriguing, modernized spin on selling your soul (or a percentage of it, that is) that opens up a floodgate of possibilities on Preacher. With the Saint of Killers in possession of part of Jesse’s soul, what will that mean for the Preacher? What consequences will follow Jesse losing part of his soul? Can we expect other characters to begin chipping away at their souls as well?
The process alone is astonishing. We see a struggling couple sell a percentage of their extracted soul to the middle man, who profits by reselling it to a wealthy older couple in need, which adds an extra layer to the unsettling idea. Though the company claims there are no side effects, we see the lie instantly as the patient becomes lethargic and defeated. The expressionless nature of Jesse at the end of “Sokosha” also signifies this change after losing a part of himself.
Jesse’s pious nature shines though in the breakfast scene as he “forgives” Cassidy, upping the tension as the Saint of Killers creeps up the stairs. Tulip’s incessant questioning of Laura (Featherstone), Cassidy and Tulips ridiculous laughter at finding God, and Jesse’s bitter comment about marriage creates even more strain, considering the increasing amount of enemies approaching — Herr Starr incoming and more literally, The Saint of Killers. The trinity needs to band together now more than ever. This pressure serves as brilliant set up for The Grail storyline sure to follow next episode, as we learned at Comic-Con.
At the library, we get more pious Jesse as he scoffs at Tulip’s books on tape. We also get a refresher course in the lore of The Saint of Killers (as the trio catches up to speed), while discovering that God himself banished The Saint to Hell, setting up a sure-to-be epic grudge match should they ever meet. I also had to snort-laugh at the next episode of “American Psychopaths” featuring Dick Cheney, which was a much needed bit of comic relief in this heavy episode.
I had an inkling that Cassidy and Dennis were related and should’ve known he was his son based on his immortal age. It was a pleasant surprise, nonetheless, that allowed Jesse to help his best mate and rectify his behavior from these past two episodes. Speaking of surprises, it’s interesting to note that someone as old as The Saint of Killers didn’t know God was missing, which makes me wonder just how long he’s been gone.
The soul-selling subplot circles back as leverage to stop the Saint’s fury so Jesse can use Genesis to send him to Heaven. In light of the missing Lord, it’s become staggering to see Jesse so willing to fill the vacant position as omnipotent. He even brags about sending Eugene to Hell which, when facing off with such a terrifying adversary as The Saint of Killers, makes sense, but for the audience is a dark, gasp-worthy moment.
What does it say about Jesse that his soul is even compatible with a volatile force like The Saint of Killers? It’s frightening yet, to be honest, badass that he would be his equal match. Given the Saint’s history and Jesse’s extreme yet conflicted nature, it’s fitting the two would have harmonious souls.
Tulip singlehandedly taking on the Saint for Dennis (and Cassidy) speaks loud and true of her devoted and fierce nature. However, the horror that follows after he attacks her makes her reconsider battling with supernatural forces. We’ve seen a bit of their rematch from the trailer, so maybe with part of Jesse’s soul merged they’re more equally matched.
Cassidy’s drastic intervention of Tulip’s execution is a harrowing and beautiful sacrifice that parallels Tulip’s earlier attack on The Saint. Both are willing to risk their lives for each other and I’m not sure the same can be said for the devout Preacher, who’s still unable to be completely honest with them. There’s no way this will go unnoticed by the other two and I think they’ll find their way back to each other again (which we actually see in the preview for episode 7 — embedded below), especially if they remain in the dark of his sacrifice and Tulip continues to harbor her near-death experience.
When Jesse returns, he shares an exchange with Tulip where both are changed forever by The Saint of Killers, yet pretend everything is fine for the sake of each other. This unhealthy repression will surely drive them apart (again, like back in “Dallas“) and further the above point, even if it’s only temporary. Before we end, we’re treated to three big reveals that seamlessly sets up the second half of the season in only 10 minutes.
First, Jesse’s gloating over the Saint ensures him one more powerful adversary, even before he damns him to rot at the bottom of the swamp (though the trailer shows he escaped with bloodied fists and a vengeance). He mocks him for thinking a damaged, soulless force like himself could enter the pearly gates (while also mocking his own dirtied soul) and almost sends him to Hell with Eugene. However, the Saint points out that damnation would condemn a part of his soul as well which stops him dead in his tracks.
This makes me wonder, if the Saint ever returns to Hell with Jesse’s soul, will the Preacher have to go too? Will he reunite with Eugene in the very place he condemned him to? He also nabbed some serious fire power from the Saint, anointed with the ability to kill angels, which makes me also wonder if they could damage or even kill God? If there’s anyone who would be willing to find out, it’s the now (partially) soulless Preacher.
Ending with a jaw-dropping confrontation between Preacher and the enraged Saint of Killers (major props to the incomparable Graham McTavish who absolutely killed it [pun intended] this episode!), accompanied with a stirring score by Dave Porter, solidifies “Sokosha” as one of my favorite episodes yet. Preacher continues next Monday with the Herr Starr-centric episode 7 “Pig” at 9 p.m. on AMC!
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