By Kate Norrish
Staff Writer
After a successful first season, released in 2019 on Amazon Prime, and based on the book by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, “Good Omens” returned for a second season July 28.
After averting the apocalypse together, the angel and demon pair Aziraphale (Michael Sheen), and Crowley (David Tennant), find a memory wiped archangel Gabriel wandering near Aziraphale’s bookstore.
The rest of the season features a series of vignettes as the two try to rectify the situation without angering Heaven and Hell, alongside various stories featuring their relationship throughout human history.
Despite Terry Pratchett’s death in 2015, many of the scenes have a feel that is reminiscent of his many comedic fantasy novels, to the point where I found myself wondering how those scenes were written with minimal to no involvement from him.
A prime example of this is a scene where Aziraphale and Crowley meet a woman robbing graves for money, and disagree on the moral implications of this.
His signature dry humor is also fully present throughout the season. My favorite example is when a group of characters enter Aziraphale’s store expecting a shop meeting, but instead find a formal ball tailored so that two characters will fall in love.
Although fan favorites from season one such as Anathema The Witch and Adam do not appear, the side characters this season, consisting of the eccentric shopkeepers who work around Aziraphale’s bookstore, are just as enjoyable.
We also get to see a more in-depth look at some of the other angels and demons’ perspectives on the world, adding to the tension behind Aziriphale and Crowley’s unique lifestyle, and giving an interesting thematic element to the story.
My favorite new character was Muriel - an angel sent to investigate Gabriel’s disappearance, who lives in constant awe as they experience Earth for the first time.
The relationship between the two leads is simply adorable, and is enhanced by the occasional speculation of various human characters. Aziraphale, being a literal angel, acts as the friendly, gentle one, and Crowley is more worldly, often correcting his black and white world view. Their love of the world around them is infectious, and it often seems like you are feeling their every emotion alongside them.
Little moments, such as a special dance performed for apologies, and Aziraphale referring to Crowley’s beloved car as “our car,” really drive home that these characters have known each other since the beginning of the Earth itself.
While I felt their old married couple chemistry was perfect for most of the series, I was proven wrong by a fight scene that is hands down some of the best television I have ever seen. Michael Sheen and David Tennant were acting like their lives depended on it, and everyone present, including me, began to sob.
In fact, the acting combined with masterclass writing made it so that I was still processing that scene, and even tearing up, days later. I would have never seen that fight coming, but rewatching various scenes, it was being built up to in every episode.
My only criticism of the series is the fact that Aziraphale and Crowley have the power to perform “miracles” - little acts of magic that make the world a slightly more pleasant place. While they can only do little things, such as make it rain or fix a broken cellphone, they solve a few too many problems that way for me to feel that it is not cheating.
However, I can see many people disagreeing with me, especially since one could argue that the “miracles” are an important thematic symbol of their power, and sometimes lack of power, as ethereal beings.
Overall, the show is an amazing piece of commentary with unique views on religion, free will, and love, and I am praying for a third season.
Rating: A+
Some of the best TV writing I have ever seen