New Religion: “The Godshead Incidental” Review

If there’s anything that hasn’t overstayed its welcome for me in a narrative sense, it’s definitely polytheistic mythology. A tired retread for some but a lot of interesting interpretations of the existence of multiple gods has reaped quite a surplus of results in pop culture, normally thanks to the biggest and baddest of the heavens, Greek mythology. 

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Between the grisly God of War games to the more kid friendly Percy Jackson books or the insightful and mature takes found in The Wicked + The Divine and American Gods, which are easily some of my personal favorites, there’s no shortage of different takes told by different people with a different spin each time. 

So that’s probably eighty percent of the reason why I’ve instantly fallen in love with the 2020 fiction podcast, Godshead Incidental that not only takes the urban fantasy route but what I like to call the underutilized “customized mythology” where gods are more akin to toothpaste advertisers and bosses at work rather than grandeur figures of power. 

The other twenty percent is that Godshead Incidental genuinely is a hell of a show to listen to.

I think it was around the time the first episode rolled out to a cold open of our protagonist receiving an egg from an exuberantly speaking God of Memory followed by a series of her having short-term memory issues that I realized what I was strapping in for. Paired with some catchy, rhythmic clapping for scene transitions and an incredibly tasteful orange on blue title card and I was pretty much sold within the first five minutes. 

Our lead, Imogen “Em” Chandra-Phankam, lives in the fantastical yet modern city of Godshead and works at the local newspaper as an advice columnist that the show gets its name from. But after said predicament with the God of Memory, Em is compelled to find her missing sister and requests the assistance of a master thief who goes by the pseudonym Lorem Ipsum. Along the way we learn more about the city, its people, and just who the real and fake gods of the world really are. 

And though I’ve merely gotten a peak of what it has in store, I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t already hooked. It’s really the setting of Godshead that gives it such a magical meets mundane atmosphere that becomes broader and broader the longer we stay in its city streets.

This is especially helped by the fact Godshead delivers one of my favorite narrative devices where the listener takes a backseat to the world building and we piece together the most relevant information merely from interactions. Em being well aware of how things work but still capable of learning new things about it actually strengthens the narrative rather than cripples it, not only characterizing her but lending to the central tone to the show over all. 

I have no problem with wide-eyed, naive protagonists but it’s nice to have the roles changed every once in a while, where we are truly the ones seeing how things really work as we go along without being talked down to. Peaking in on the lives of these everyday people in an extraordinary world that’s so incredibly normal to them delivers that blend of mysticism needed to keep us invested but not alienated. 

It’s pretty masterfully done “show, don’t tell,” letting even its weirder details feel like an authentic part of the narrative that doesn’t have to be extensively exposited. 

Godshead is only five episodes in as of this writing and yet nothing has quite grabbed me the way it has in some time. And that’s saying a lot, seeing as how the last show that got my attention this quickly was 2017’s The Penumbra Podcast. 

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It may not be to the length of marathon listening, but its rather seamless storytelling keeps all its parts interwoven nicely until you make your inevitable return. Which for me means I grabbed a diamond in the haystack a little ahead of time but also leaves me with much more to speculate and predict for the show’s long term run.

But for what little I’ve listened to, I positively adore the energy between Em and Lorem Ipsum. Em’s grounded, slightly cynical behavior clashing against Lorem’s unpredictable wit and theatrics makes for a solid leading audio drama duo and if the “queer idenity” tag found in the press kit is anything to go by, possibly a budding romance. 

Don’t blame me for jumping to conclusions here. Ishani Kanetkar as Em and Cole Burkhardt as Lorem have some solid chemistry, and I’ve just always personally been a fan of the “straight man and quirky but competent charmer” dynamic–Juno Steel and Peter Nureyev of The Penumbra Podcast being a standout case, with Renee Minkowski and Doug Eiffel of Wolf 359 being a non-romantic example. 

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Be it partners in crime, unlikely acquaintances, or potential lovers, them being together in the same scene makes for some electrifying moments which for me is always a stamp of approval.

Point is, no matter what direction the two’s relationship goes, it’s bound to be fascinating and is easily one of the best parts of the Godshead listening experience. But Em and Lorem certainly aren’t the only string to the show’s bow. The deeper lore, budding mystery, and solid dialogue is what really gives Godshead that special spice to its ambrosia and Em and Lorem being center stage for the time being is just an extra bonus.

You’re very quickly endeared to the supporting characters Em interacts with in her daily life be it Therese whose the walking embodiment of a Pinterest board or the adorkable Tervis. And with acting credibilities like The Strange Case of Starship Iris and Our Fair City under the belts of some of the actors, you know the voice work is going to be as satisfyingly delivered as it is satisfyingly written.

I like the snappy dialogue, I like the subtle but meaningful world building, I like the mystery plot that’s motivating the protagonist, I like the blending of everyday living and fantastical phenomenon, I like how the episodes always include a Maddie Monday segment that remind me of the advice columns I always read in my favorite tween girl magazines. Godshead just feels like the kind of show that will deliver a weird, whimsical vibe with a grounded twist. 

Godshead paints with a very broad yet very precise brush and definitely seems to know what direction and general vibe its trying to deliver. It’s composed of a lot of single, punchy moments and strong dialogue and even minor interactions have stuck with me in the long term. Every little thing from pigeons to minor thefts serves the purpose to not just inform but develop its cast and city in a way that feels so authentic. 
Godshead Incidental seems complex on paper but is actually a rather simple, easy-listen that will keep listeners hooked and engaged in its weird world and even weirder gods.

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