Howard Hesseman's character seemed to be crucial
He came on near the end and I suspect he was going to be a big part of the show season 2. He might have provided some coherence to the mix.
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I got the impression that the Chemist was tuned into God's plan, perhaps through his drug use.
There's also the used-car salesman guy who seemed to know John or about him. (outrank him maybe?)
Milch said in the audio commentary that he took Acid for 90 days straight or something, hehe.