Season 3, Episode 10
Tears of the Wrath-Bearing Tree
Teetering on the edge of war and peace, the gods gather to mourn a loss. Bilquis' divine journey brings her to an unexpected revelation, while Shadow finally embraces destiny.
Tropes That Appear In This Episode:
- Evil All Along: It is revealed that Wednesday's death was all a Thanatos Gambit to get Shadow to sacrifice himself, rejuvenating him for an even bigger con he had been playing against everyone else.
- I Just Want to Be Special: While Laura thinks that Shadow doesn't owe Wednesday anything, Shadow still decides to go through with the vigil for him (which is stated to be nothing short of a death sentence) because he believes that he has a destiny. When he realizes that all he was was a patsy to be martyred set up by his own father, Shadow is understandably devastated.
- I Lied: Despite having promised Laura safe passage and protection from the Old Gods, Mr. World still gives her up to them, Laura's distrust in his word and Shadow's mercy being the only things saving her.
- Ironic Name: The Center of America Motel isn't actually at the Center of America. The actual Center of America was a pig farm whose owner would not sell, so the Motel was built a few miles away. Whether or not this was the reason why the place is a metaphysical dead zone is never confirmed.
- The Neutral Zone: The series has established prospering tourist attractions like the House on the Rock and the Grand Peacock Hotel as Places of Power. The Center of America Motel however is the least holy spot in the entire country and is a place of "godlessness", something that is implied to be the reason why the place is as empty as it is. Fortunately, this makes it the perfect neutral ground for gods, Czernobog unable to hit Mr. World with his hammer when given the opportunity.
- Unbroken Vigil: Shadow offers to hold vigil for Wednesday, but in the case of the Norse Gods this means that he would have to hang himself on the World Tree for nine days and nights straight. It is described as an endurance test for a god and a death sentence for a mortal.
