Why Bilquis dancing on American Gods was so important

Bilquis had a huge moment on American Gods Season 3, Episode 4. Dancing in the midst of being tortured was extremely important for her story.

As Shadow and Technical Boy teamed up to find Bilquis on American Gods, we got to see what was happening to her. Mr. World had captured her because she’s endangering his operations, and he certainly doesn’t mind using torture to figure out how to fix things.

Bilquis was on the verge of breaking, but one single tear helped her. She got a protective bubble around her giving her a chance to speak to her ancestors. It led to a moment of dance, and this is more than just a look at Bilquis not breaking.

Bilquis reconnects with who she is on American Gods

This episode was all about discovery for Bilquis. Up to this point, we’ve seen Bilquis go through her normal motions. She’s gained her energy from the men she absorbs but has started to feel guilty. It all came up during the previous episode when she looked at the phone with the messages from a granddaughter worried about her grandfather.

Bilquis has suffered an identity crisis during American Gods Season 3, and it all comes to a head in the moment of dancing.

Her ancestors appear. They help her focus on who she is, looking deep into her DNA and making it clear that she is who she says she is. It doesn’t matter what others say.

She is her ancestors, and she gets to dance with her ancestors at the same time. From the outside, it looked like she had broken. From the inside, she has finally figured out what her identity is. She is going to be whoever she says she is, and it’s time for her to become more integral to the story (and not just Mr. World’s).

These are also the same ancestors who have visited Shadow Moon. It’s almost time for the two characters to team up with whatever their journey is next.

What did you think of Bilquis’s moment dancing? What do you hope to see with her and Shadow Moon during the season? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

American Gods Season 3 airs Sundays at 8/7c on STARZ. It airs Mondays on Amazon Prime Video internationally.