WARNING: The following contains spoilers for American Gods Season 3, Episode 3, "Ashes and Demons," which aired Sunday on Starz.
The pantheon of deities in American Gods continues to grow in Season 3, with Demeter making her on screen debut in Season 3, Episode 3, "Ashes and Demons." Teased in the previous episode, Demeter sent a message to Tyr in honor of the solstice, and Mr. Wednesday steals the postcard in hopes of finding the goddess. Now they've reunited, and it's clear the two have history.
Who Is Demeter?
In mythology, Demeter is the Greek goddess of the harvest and law. She's the mother of Persephone, and when her daughter was taken to the Underworld by Hades, she halted the seasons, leading to a deadly drought until they were reunited. Based on the mythologies, her abilities seem similar to Easter's, the goddess of springtime and a deity who's already appeared in American Gods back in Season 1, where she took back spring and put America through a massive drought while being encouraged by Wednesday.
With her introduction to the show, audiences and Wednesday learn Demeter is residing in Haven Glen Retreat, a mental health facility. Initially Wednesday believes she is the owner of the establishment or an investor; however, he soon learns she is one of the patients, having been checked in for public indecency.
While Demeter is a resident, she seems to have some influence over the mortal patients, teaching them how to make corn husk dolls. It's also apparent the nurses play along with her "delusions" about being a goddess from Mount Olympus. While she truly is a goddess, most humans wouldn't believe her, but here they do, even if it is under false pretenses. Since most of the Old Gods are struggling to find any form of recognition, Demeter has found her own solution that doesn't involve going to war.
What's Demeter's Connection To Mr. Wednesday?
Since Season 3, Episode 2, "Serious Moonlight," it's been implied that Wednesday and Demeter had some sort of relationship that did not end well, with Tyr asking Wednesday if seeing her is for the best. Brushing aside his concerns, Wednesday goes forward with searching for the goddess, confiding in his assistant, Cordelia, that she is "an extraordinary woman" with "beauty and brains."
It's clear he is not over Demeter, bringing her flowers when he first arrives; however the goddess feels differently, slapping Wednesday and telling him to leave. Wednesday refuses to give up though, faking a marriage certificate with Cordelia's help and getting into Demeter's bedroom, showering her with more gifts, like a suit and chocolate. He tells Demeter he plans to have her conservatorship transferred to him so she can leave with him, but Demeter is happy here because she finally feels worshipped again.
While it's currently unclear when the two met, Wednesday mentions a memory of her standing in field in Pennsylvania, which could reference this episode's opening. In West Pennsylvania 1765, a family struggles with their farm. The mother calls upon Demeter using a corn husk doll and a pig sacrifice, and a young version of the goddess appears, magically making their crops grow. This, along with Wednesday mentioning that he's been out of her life for 250 years, means they were together in the 1700s, but their courtship likely ended around 1770.
What Does Mr. Wednesday Want From Demeter?
While it appears that Wednesday is going after Demeter because he loves her, Demeter does not believe him. She is aware of the war he plans on waging, and she knows that he needs more gods on his side, as well as money. While she is happy at the retreat, she does agree to go with Wednesday on the condition that he is honest with her; however, Wednesday sees this as a trap. If he says he's here because of love, Demeter will say he's a liar, especially since he hasn't been there for her for centuries. If he says it is for money, then she'll call him a "craven." Even Wednesday seems unsure about what he wants by the end of their time together, with Demeter asking the god what he's so desperate for, which Wednesday can't answer.
Based on the Neil Gaiman novel of the same name, American Gods stars Ricky Whittle, Emily Browning, Bruce Langley, Yetide Badaki, Ian McShane, Omid Abtahi and Ashley Reyes. The series airs Sundays at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on Starz.