trivialization of Hindu gods in Supernatural episode

[schmevil]

Hindus are upset over the depiction of their gods in "Hammer of the Gods" episode in the "Supernatural" TV series reportedly aired on April 22 and say that such trivialization of their sacred deities was disturbing

Comments

[sistermagpie]

I hated it, myself. Though not just from the perspective of it being offensive in a real life way. I'm kind of disappointed in the "the Christian God is the real God and other gods are just these sort of lesser characters in stories that feed off people" because it feels like a cop out. I say bring on the competing apocolypses! Let us just wonder about how they're all potentially going to happen and which people will stop all the other ones. It disappointed me on a story level to see Kali and everyone else so weak. It just made it impossible for me to believe that was them, you know?

[neotoma]

I could have gotten behind the idea of the fading gods like Odin and Mercury turning to human sacrifice to fuel themselves (expect that there's the whole punishment of Tantalus *because* he tried to trick the Gods into eating human flesh) but not Kali and Ganesh because they have a billion believers!

[sistermagpie]

Exactly. I could see them trying of that idea but then...don't pick gods that are alive and well, guys! Especially not gods like Kali and Ganesh who are that mainstream!

[neotoma]

Especially not Kali -- she should have been able to curbstomp Lucifer.

Personally, I wanted *her* to rescue Gabriel, instead of the other way round. It would have been hilarious to see *tiny* little Kali smack Lucifer upside the head. Also, Gabriel would have been appreciative, and I think they were kind of adorable together.

[ibroketuesday]

Point me to some fiction where this was done really well.

Ever read American Gods?

Someone on my flist posited the theory that showing Lucifer rampaging through the pagan gods was a criticism of how Christianity has done the exact same thing to other religions. And I actually think it's possible to reconcile the multiple pantheons and that some really cool things can be done when you do, but the whole thing where they ate people was unnecessary. Actual research plzkthnx.

[schmevil]

I actually started and never finished American Gods! I'm the rare comics and SF/F fan who's not a big Gaiman fan. ;)

See, I absolutely understand how this fail came about. They had some interesting ideas buried in the fail, but their usual weaknesses took over:

They rushed things, trying to cram ideas that should have been explored over multiple episodes into one.

They failed to research, leading not only to fail, but to weak story-telling.

They went for the easy laughs and the easy scares (world turtle, cannibalism), instead of developing a subtler, more nuanced story.

Actually telling a story about Christianity's colonial rampage could have been really interesting! What a shame we didn't get that story.

[ibroketuesday]

:O This friendship is over.

Yep, this sounds about right. Honestly, SPN has some pretty cool ideas, and if they expanded them into mini-arcs over the course of several episodes, interwoven with the larger plot, it could be amazing. Why are they so attached to their standalone/EVERY WEEK IS A DIFFERENT STORY! formula?

Distasteful

[anonymous]

It was a bad episode.

I believe they should have taken the Babylon 5 route. That being seeking out the ancient and first God(s) and Goddesses, and together, battle Lucifer and his soldiers. That's what Captain Sheridan did when trying to fight the Shadows.

But instead, they go and so butcher the episode by inaccurately portraying the 'other' God(s) as barbarians and cannibals. Stupid.

The world today is already such a murderous place where religion is killing children in Nigeria in the name of Christianity, and the religion of oil is killing the children in Iraq and Afghanistan.

They really blew the chance, of having an episode showing the unification of difference to overpower the darkness.

Shame.

Re: Distasteful

[schmevil]

Sorry for the late response, anon. I hope you have this comment tracked.

I would have loved to see an alliance of gods, goddesses and various supernatural beings opposed to Lucifer and even heaven. That would have made for an awesome story!

As a practicing Hindu and a Supernatural fan...

[anonymous]

....I'm just very disappointed and hurt...

Just because Hindus don't take pro-action to show their anger, doesnt mean their disappointment isnt valid.

I love Supernatural...its a brilliant show

But I hate pop culture which doesnt thoroughly research and ends up insulting the fundamental beliefs of a billion people.

Truly disappointing.

Re: As a practicing Hindu and a Supernatural fan...

[schmevil]

I'm sorry to hear that, anon. It was a terribly disappointing episode, that absolutely did not have to fail so hard.

just try to keep it real for as long as you can ok?

[anonymous]

Damn! i think my heart is actually broken wtf man? i mean really??
i kind a feel sorry for those writers!, they had to go and mock other religions, kind a weak man.
they lost most of the hindu fans i think!
All hindu fans in Holland are very very disappointed!!
They should have had respect for other religions before starting the damn show!!!
poor performance man!..
these fucking guys!..
can you believe it?
really?
damn...
Shame Shame Shame...