Missing the Almighty Johnsons

 

by Pa Rock

Television Junkie

I am currently only subscribed to three television streaming services:  Amazon's Prime, Brit Box, and PBS/Masterpiece, and my general practice is to work my way through one show at a time, one episode per evening.  Recently I spent several weeks watching a complete series on Prime entitled "The Almighty Johnsons," 36  episodes (3 seasons), all of which were filmed in Auckland, New Zealand.  The show originally ran from 2011 through 2013.

"The Almighty Johnsons" is a quirky comedy/drama based on the premise that four brothers (the Johnsons), ages approximately 21-40, are reincarnations of major Norse Gods whose ancestors secretly migrated from Norway to New Zealand two centuries earlier who arise with each generation with limited powers.  There are dozens of Norse Gods and Goddesses in the Auckland area, but the four Johnson brothers are some of the main ones and they keep the story going.

The tale begins when the youngest of the four brothers, Axl, turns twenty-one.  He knows nothing about the God business because the arising generation of Norse Gods aren't invested with their godly identification and powers until their 21st birthdays.  The brothers take Axl to a special spot in the woods where they convince him to stand naked while holding an old Viking sword high in the air.    As he does,  a bolt of lightning strikes the seord throwing Axl to the ground.  When he arrises his older brothers explain what has just happened and ask him which God he has become.  Young Axl announces that he is Odin, the supreme All-Father in Norse mythology.  Baby brother has become the big Kahuna!

As the story progresses Odin is on a quest to find "Frigg'," his soulmate throughout history.  She is ultimate the Queen of Asgard through her marriage to Odin, and regarded as the goddess of marriage and motherhood.    Odin (Axl) comes to understand that none of the current batch of Gods will have their full powers until Odin reunites with Frigg, and he also knows that this reunification will likely start Ragnarok, the Norse end-times war, and send him back to rule in Asgard.  

The over-arching plot is Odin's quest to find Frigg, and the episodes are more focused on the lives and interactions of the Johnson brothers as they struggle to help, and sometimes hinder, their youngest brother on his search.  While the show makes strong use of mythology and magical realism, the story itself is compelling and pulls the viewers in - at least it strongly impressed this viewer.

If "The Almighty Johnsons" sounds like something that would capture your interest, check it ou on Prime.  It is based in the same mythos as the Netflix series "Ragnarok," and both are exceptionally good.  And if both of those yank your crank, then explore the book "Norse Gods" by Neil Gaiman, an informative and very entertaining read.

And speaking of that superb writer, Neil Gaiman, my current television binge is "Good Omens'," also on Prime, which is based on the 1990 novel by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett entitled:  "Good Omens:  The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch."   It has a cast of big names including David Tennant (my favorite "Dr. Who") and Michael Sheen as the primary stars and guest appearances from many big names including Frances McDormand as the voice of God and Benedict Cumberbatch as the embodiment of Satan - but all of that is a whole other posting.  

For something highly original and very entertaining, begin with "The Almighty Johnsons" on Prime (or Roku, Tubi, and a few other places).  I finished the series last week and already miss those guys!