Saw something on Tumblr that said the book (and S1) was about Crowley being tasked to bring about Armageddon, and a second book would have been about Aziraphale being tasked to facilitate the Second Coming, but they needed an explanation for why it would be Aziraphale instead of Gabriel, so this season was that bridge. As far as the plot goes for S3, I do like the fact that we’ll probably be focused on Aziraphale. S2 set up his morality conflict, his innate selfishness and black/white thinking. The onus will be entirely on him next season: thwarting the destruction of humanity while uncovering Heaven’s corruption and repairing things with Crowley. He will be a Supremely Uncomfortable Archangel, but some chafing is needed for development. Particularly his recognition, acceptance and admittance of his own faults and then actually displaying proof of change to Crowley so trust can be rebuilt and they can *fucking communicate* and move forward *together*.
Yes, the second book was supposed to be called _668: The Neighbour of the Beast,_ so I am kind of hoping we may get eight episodes to go with the 6 & 6 of the first two seasons. Good observations.
I think Aziraphale and Crowley will reunite and work together fairly quickly in s3, if only because their on screen interactions are the heart and soul of this story, but IMO we can still have a lot of what you described with Aziraphale's journey alongside that.
@@JoaMaj Yes exactly, Gaiman and the cast already know the plot outline until the end of S3. Gaiman has said it won't be romantic, S2 was his romantic series. So I think they'll pragmatically work together from early on, it won't be about their relationship, which S2 was..
I read someone write that 'season two' of good omens feels more like a beginning of a novel than a season two, and I think I understand now why it bothers many people but not me. I mostly read books, shows are a rare thing for me. So coupled with the fact I went into this season already having read Neil Gaiman's explanation that this is a bridge to season 3, everything felt just normal to me! Cause I mostly read books, and this was a visual part of a book XD Edit: oh my god your reaction to this all is so relatable. "realizing the heartwarming music stopped" HA. haha..
Okay I won't edit that comment again, I'm replying to myself. You made me laugh SO many times you have no idea, the little comments in white text killed me every time
I am sad that from what I understand there were cuts to the story, it was supposed to be.. 8 episodes, I think? And include more Nina and Maggie? That's one bad side of shows decided on from up above instead of books an author writes however they want (I am aware there are editors but it seems like a smaller hurdle?)
Crowley does seem to still have power. He ordered everyone to go to the bookstore and Michael and Uriel just followed him, letting him take command. He had to be pretty high up when he was an Angel for that to happen. As if even subconsciously the Archangels knew he was the boss. Like worker bees following their Queen bee. Lol
I think he must have been an archangel because he was helping create the universe, so yes, still has the power. Also in S1 he stopped time, Aziraphale needed him to help
Listen to the music around Crowley when he first arrives in the coffee shop. It sounds like he's a military leader. He may have led armies onto the plains of heaven the way he led the humans out of the bookshop. He has a following in hell -- demons he taught not to kill humans.
Neil Gaiman would agree with you, to an extent, that this wasn't a season, exactly. Good Omens was a book he wrote with his friend Terry Pratchett. There were plans and plot and notes for a second book, but unfortunately they never got the time to write it. The true second season will be the story of that book that never was. To get there, this season needed to be told --imagine telling all this in a couple of lines of narration. Yeah, no. No way you'd get the gut punch as it's supposed to be. But, with this pre-sequel filler season, the characters are where they are supposed to be and the audience is conditioned to be right there with them, to tell the story Neil and Terry were wanting to tell us, in 6 episodes. Side note: Neil also promised that if it turns out Amazon isn't willing to make season 3, he'll give the fans the book. The story of the ineffable husbands will get its ending one way or another.
Glad, nut not surprised, that you're one of the few reactors I've seen who realises that the Metatron knew exactly what he did, separating them. The only other comment I have is that the acting in the ending of this episode is STELLAR.
I agree. It seems to me that Metatron knew exactly what to say to persuade Aziraphale to take his offer, to say that he could bring Crowley. Before that, Azriaphale said directly that he didn't want to go back to Heaven. So Metatron pulled out all the stops by offering him to bring Crowley, which Metatron knew Crowley would never agree to do. Therefore, it wasn't a big risk for him to put that on the table in order to manipulate Aziraphale. And I also think a big motivator for Heaven to bring Aziraphale back (after previously literally trying to make him walk into hellfire), is not to give him a promotion, but to separate him from Crowley. Which I also think has to do with the large power that was shown when they did the miracle together. And seriously, their acting was nothing less than STELLAR.
During the writers strike, the good omens subreddit was musing around with 'writing season 3' and decided it should/would open with Crowely's fall. Wings burning, eyes melting away, first time experiencing fear and pain... I hate to imagine it but I can see it being how we pick the story back up.
I picture the story picking back up right after the battle ends. Crowley is maybe trying to tell either Gabriel or Metatron what he was fighting for (to preserve the universe, have God listen to the angels). Then Crowley is told Lucifer wants to take God’s place and Crowley feels truly shocked and betrayed as God’s punishment comes down on all of them.
About the ending. What I kinda love about this show and shows the levels of complexity on display. There is NO agreed upon theory on why Azi made the choice he did among fans. People all have their own interpretation, ranging from, Azi being an idiot, to Metatron poisoning the coffee, or threatening to wipe Crowley from the book of life. That ending made people feel a lot, and that made a lot of fans uncomfortable. My thoughts, is that Azi has a good reason. The beauty of this ending is that you can see both sides. Armageddon almost happened, twice and (and he later learns about the second coming.) He wants and he chooses to protect earth and humanity and fixing heaven over his own happiness. I don't think Azi could be happy if he had left with Crowley, and then watched as earth was eventually destroyed, knowing he could have done SOMETHING. In an ideal world he wants to do so with Crowley at his side, but Crowley doesn't want that (rightfully so, and yes I agree the Metatron was banking on that.) And we can logically say that Crowley is going turn out to be right. Michael and Urual are likely going to conspire against him, Metatron will try and manipulate him. He is facing an uphill battle, but Azi still HAVE to try. He has to do this, even if he fails, over just leaving with Crowley. Two observations about the two: Crowley is the religious guy who was raised in the church, left and is now an atheist. Azi is the religious guy who was raised in the church, left, but still belive in god just not the system. They are both dumbasses when it comes to love but... Azi has known he is in love with Crowley since 1941 and probably found him hot for a long time, but has accepted they can't be together and he's not allowed that happiness because of their situation. Crowley has never really understood his feelings until his chat with Nina, and has just found himself constantly drawn to the angel, wanting to be near him, protect him, support him, follow him. And that is why until now they always clashed.
There’s an idea floating around online about Crowley’s Fall from Heaven. The idea is that God wanted Crowley to fall so he’d be in a position to protect Aziraphale. In the book Crowley tells the other demons to let him know wherever they see Aziraphale and to stay away from him because he’s dangerous. This works for thousands of years. I would love this to become canon in the show.
This is one of the most well-thought-out analyses I've ever seen of GO. You are so perceptive and pick up on things so quickly, and you're not afraid to look at the really hard questions the show asks. I made it about five minutes into your very first GO reaction before I HAD to subscribe. Excellent work!!
Pps. That last 15 minutes has been living and is quite fully established rent free in my mind for too long. Overall, I regret nothing and relish in the pain. Thank you for continued commentary, as always it’s amazing
I love your annotations! Great reaction vid. ETA: LOVED what you said about Aziraphale having curiosity and comparing that to Crowley's imagination. Good stuff.
My take on the Heaven we see in the show is that it is just the corporate offices where the angels work, and, like an office sitcom, we only see a handful of them. I imagine, if there is a Heaven where humans go (and there should be, as we've seen there is a Hell for us) that there are some angels who work with processing or something like that as well, but they are outside the purview of the story (at least so far). Corporate Heaven is pretty cold and terrible, but I guess that fits.
I love how your facial expression is so similar to Crowley’s when they propose he could be an Angel again.😂 24:26 You have my favorite reaction/commentary on YT. The spontaneous reactions are so relatable and the takes you give are on point imo and deeper than in a typical reaction video where people are just taking the material in without commentary. And yes, where the fuck is Crowley gonna go?! He knows by now Heaven is gunning for earth again. And He sent his old boss to honeymoon with Gabriel at his getaway spot 😂 he gets in his own way so much
I still think Gabriel and Beelzebub might not have gone where Crowley suggested. Edinburgh could hold some sentimental value to them, for instance, or maybe they are just traveling the galaxy, not settling down in Alpha Centauri. Ther's more than one planet there, though. Not that I think Crowley will go there without Aziraphale, of course.
True it’s anyone’s guess where they went since they didn’t actually say. I can’t imagine they stayed on Earth but who knows? The thought of Crowley writing off the whole system because Gabriel and Beez are there amuses me.
I think Crowley and Aziraphale knew at the start of this season that they felt love but didn’t realize how deep it was until later in the season. They’ve gone from pals to best friends/brothers to soulmates/possible lovers across the two seasons-it’s a matter of degrees. It’s the difference between “He’s my buddy-of course I love him” and “Oh, actually I want to marry him”. Their love burns so intensely now that everyone around them can see it easily.
24:25 THAT! That look on your face juxtaposed this THE SAME look on Crowley's😨 you could not look away from the train wrench about to happen 😱. And yes, I agree all the awards to David Arnold! 👏 🎵
maggie and nina parallel crowley and aziraphale respectively, individually and as a pair. nina is in a toxic relationship that she needs to breaks off, same as aziraphale and his relationship with heaven. but this is obviously something difficult that takes time, you can't push it. as for the structure of this season, it really didn't bothered me? like someone else said in the comments i like how it gives off the same feeling of reading a book that's exploring the characters' inner conflicts and such. azi and crowley were on the same page at the end of s1 but only in some things. they understand they have things in common like their love for earthly things and humans etc and that they want to protect it. they understand they are friends, azi is no longer denying it. but i don't think they were in the place to explore that "something more". azi's relationship with heaven was never properly solved bc armaggedon took precedence, neither did crowley's fall. but i do get why most people (myself included) expected that everything would be fine after s1 finale. thank you for the video, i loved your commentery on both seasons!
This is the first series reaction of yours I’ve seen and I loved it! Your analysis was always so thought out and well-explained, and you’re a very perceptive person when it comes to details! ❤
You're the only person I've seen reacting to that seen that said "a couple.." when he said "a group of the two of us". And all the talking other reactors did and they didn't pick up on that lol. Also yes I am watching you because I am in the coping phase. Glad I found you.
I wrote this on another video but I think I explained my feelings on this season and episode very well so here you go: I think the show is written in a fairly self-indulgent way and I think Gaiman wrote it not necessarily with "fan service" in mind but more like what he (and Pratchett?) always wanted to write into the story but couldn't because of the era it was originally written. I think he got a little too excited to have the free reign to do so and it turned out slightly fanfiction-y lol. I have to say I'm not familiar with Gaiman or Pratchett (I've only ever seen Coraline outside of GO) so I cannot comment on his writing much, but I do understand where people come from when they complain about Nina and Maggie. They very much could have been written better. I think my biggest takeaway from this show (after watching many reactions and reviews) is that people tend to "understand" and *like it* more when viewed in a religious trauma way. Religious trauma (as I'm sure you're aware) involves a LOT of gaslighting, manipulation, deceit, and cognitive dissonance. Both Crowley and Azi have experienced this and dealt with it. Crowley was a higher-order angel and therefore it is easy to assume he saw more of it quicker and was able to "escape" (to hell mind you) from heaven way earlier. Azi, on the other hand, had continued to deal with this for 6,000 more years, and while humans were existing as the playground to both sides no less. I can very easily see why not only the Metatron's offer worked on him, but that he was surprised that Crowley didn't agree. For him, he didn't even think that someone like the Metatron, someone who is so close to God and who is supposed to be the mouthpiece for Her, would lie or manipulate him. Crowley and Azi's miscommunication comes from a DEEP misunderstanding of what "good" is, what heaven's goal is, and how their individual values manifest themselves. I think the whole last 10-15 minutes of this episode were fantastic and showed this dynamic very well. You don't see this discussed in media as clearly as you do in this show like ever so I'm really happy that GO did this justice.
I'm glad I finally got to watch this! Been waitin for it. Definitely agree with many of your points again, as I've mentioned before. And I do believe the central themes are centered around hope, love and choice. As you said, this feels like a relatively intimate sequel. We really did laser-focus on Crowley/Aziraphale, Nina/Maggie, and Beezelbub/Gabriel (though the why of that one was much sneakier). But each relationship are represented in the central themes. Beez and Gabriel already made their choice and that's the inciting incident for the whole season, and the repercussions are how Heaven and Hell respond to their choice. We now know, definitively, that Crowley and Aziraphale CAN'T make the same one when they also care so deeply about the humans on earth. In their dealings with said humans, they do rather over-reach in their lack of understanding the how and why of humans, and this also is part of the issue with their inherent 'miraculous abilities' and how they choose to use them. But, fascinatingly, each 'minisode' also highlighted the humans that they both try to help, and the consequences of them making the 'wrong' choice. And finally, in the present, Nina and Maggie tell Crowley why their highhandedness both helped, and hindered (if only Aziraphale had heard too). It was most striking to me that Aziraphale asked Beez and Gabriel what they wanted, while Crowley was told by Nina and Maggie what they wanted, because they already knew (and were hopeful at the future choice). Tellingly, both couples we're on the same page about their futures. The dichotomy of both sequences does seem to suggest that in our s3, Crowley and Aziraphale both will only be fulfilled in their character development if they are able to do the same. I view Maggie and Nina a bit differently than some other fans I've seen talking about this, bc I think the pair of them, and Muriel, are going to be pretty vital in s3, in the terms of the risk of the 'choices'. Because, obviously, Crowley and Aziraphale would risk a great deal to keep humans safe (as we've already seen). Gaiman has said that this season was the building block to s3 and within it, is the 'reason why we would care' about the story to come. Should Nina, Maggie, and Muriel NOT be in s3, I would be surprised and also disappointed. I do appreciate season 2 more than 1, if only because it's so character driven. Choices determined the outcome of s1 obviously, but so much felt predestined bc of the 'great plan' and Agnes Nutter's prophecies, that the the theme was a tad overshadowed. And so much of everything felt so reactionary (which is why I don't like apocalypse narratives most of the time). In addition, so much backstory for each group of characters (which had to be altered from the book (but also excluded some awesome horsemen stuff, a motorcycle gang, the rival children to The Them, and etc)) got left behind that the story didn't feel as satisfying as when I first read the book (but also reading it AND watching the show somehow informs both stories too, weirdly). I did prefer the less-backstory-focus of almost all characters of s2, if only bc we got enough pertinent information that we totally understood each choice made by said characters in each episode (including the minisodes). So I def rate this higher than s1. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Loved the deep dives every time. :)
Your perception of Aziraphale as cold is very interesting-I haven’t thought of him that way. Maybe he needs to embrace his bad side next season to stop Heaven’s plans.
There was the coffee theory but I honestly don’t think the way aziraphale’s acted is out of character because azi really believes he can fix heaven and make everything better, and i know for sure azi is capable of doing anything, he is not soft whatsoever, he believes in good but not naive or soft or all that
Really enjoyed this reaction all the way through!! Thank you for sharing it with us. Unrelated question: Have you seen the Interview With The Vampire show that came out last year? It's really, really good, incredible writing and performances. I think you would have a great time analyzing it. There's just so much to it.
I think a lot of people keep forgetting that a part of what is happening with the show is that as much as they love humans and the earth they do mot view humans as thier equals. They DO view them as pawn or puzzle pieces and becauae that is the lens the narrative is interacting with the humans through THAT is the version of the human characters we get. We notice it and it feels wrong because we are humans and don't view our own lives that way.
Best analysis I have seen on RUclips. You really get it! I hadn't noticed the clock ticking in the last scene and when you pointed it out it broke me!😢
I love watching your reaction to things. You always make good points and I do like to hear your opinions :3 My personal theory, which is not how I reacted to the finale (the reaction was pretty much a lot of screaming and sobbing, I was overwrought) but it's one I developed over rewatching the finale (over and over and over) is that Aziraphale lied to Crowley, about his and Metatron conversation. That's why we don't hear it. There are things that were said that they did not want us to hear and when it finished, Aziraphale did not look giddy or happy, he looked messed up and like he knew this was going to go bad and steeling himself for it. His body language, when he was speaking about the offer for Crowley, was very hand-fluttery which is something we've seen him do in the past when he was lying, working himself up about it whereas later when pleading with Crowley and talking about the things Aziraphale believed in Heaven being a representative of, his body language was much more still and self-contained. I do think that something was put on the table for Crowley (maybe coming up in an advisory kind of role, which was still an offer under false pretenses because Metatron knew Crowley would have rejected it?) and that Aziraphale was desperate for Crowley to come along, because Aziraphale needed Crowley on board with whatever it was that Aziraphale was going to have to do next, but I do not think it was what Aziraphale told Crowley it was. I think Aziraphale told Crowley something that he knew Crowley was going to utterly, completely reject and that it hurt him to do it, but that he did it knowing Crowley was going to refuse it, because he needed Crowley to refuse it. The way he holds onto Crowley during the kiss and then lets him go... the way the conversation went ... I don't know, this is just my theory and I could be completely wrong, no one else has to subscribe to it, but that's what I come to believe. Now as to what beef Metatron has with Crowley and as to why I don't think he would have EVER offered full restoration to angelhood for Crowley but rather, at most, a consultancy role, if that, and why he knew that Crowley was going to turn down any sort of colluding with Heaven ... I think that's because Crowley used to be Lucifer. Him happily calling "Let there be light" to turn on the Star Forge in Episode 1 having the potential to be a reference to him being The Angel of the Morning aka the Morningstar (Morning Star), but also the way that, when they were talking about Gabriel needing to be demoted, not sent to hell, in Heaven it was mentioned that the first time they exiled someone it made for a good story and there was a moment when they were talking that they mentioned the highest ranking angel (which could have been Lucifer before the fall) that the camera focused on Crowley's profile and Crowley alone with no apparent reason for it. The way you needed to be a Dominion or above to access Gabriel's files and Crowley got access to them without even needing to jump any hoops to get through it. Metatron's hateful look towards Crowley. Given that the series has already separated Beelzebub from Satan (depending on the mythos you are reading, they are sometimes one and the same) and that we've never seen or read anyone's being addressed explicitly as Lucifer that I could remember, I think it could make sense for Crowley to have been Lucifer. Now I don't think *Aziraphale* knows THAT, but the Metatron sure would and he would make extra sure to separate Aziraphale and Crowley, not only because they are so powerful together (see the joint miracle) and have already stopped one Apocalypse (see season 1) but because he cannot afford Aziraphale to ally with Lucifer or Lucifer to have the kind of support and stability he might have been about to find with Aziraphale, both for vengeful reasons and for practical reasons of not getting in the way. Edit: I definitely agree that they are both looking like they are going to burn everything down in the last scene. Aziraphale doesn't look happy about what he's doing and what he's going to have to do, he looks like he's Plotting Things but also having to put on a happy façade for the boss, least Metatron realizes Aziraphale is not as happy as he's portraying himself to be. Again, just my personal theory, no one has to agree with it, just wanted to share it.
Neil Gaiman has specifically said that Satan is the angel-previously-known-as-Lucifer, but Crowley was obviously a Very Important Angel before his vaguely downward saunter.
i do not think Crowley is Lucifer. Samael maybe but not Lucifer. However were Samael/lucifer/Satan a prince of heaven or an Archangel in the Bible? I seem to recall he was not but it has been many years since i read the Bible. Anyway pretty sure Crowley used to be the Prince of Heaven the Metatron is talking about. Not Satan. Of cause i could be wrong. Time will tell i hope 🤣
The theory that Crowley was Lucifer makes sense until you remember the scene in the pub after the bookshop burned down. Crowley says "Lookey here, Lucifer and the guys" so he couldn't be Lucifer
The production team or whoever may have agreed that this is a sequel and not a second season. I admit to being somewhat bemused by their calling it _Good Omens2_ instead of just being _Good Omens_ but Season 2, but I think you have given me the explanation.
I think it's almost inevitable that Aziraphale doesn't truly understand--or empathize with--many aspects of human life and human nature simply because there are so many forms of VULNERABILITY and suffering he never has and never will have to contend with. His powers mean that poverty, bodily death, sickness, physical pain, and illness will never impact him.
I hate the popular take that Aziraphale is making a mistake or is being stupid/ naive here. Because here's the thing: without Gabriel in the picture, the Archangels were UNANIMOUS in restarting Armageddon. And Crowley KNOWS THAT thanks to his trip upstairs. Aziraphale is the ONLY angel in any position to do ANYTHING about the Second Coming, because he's the only one who would want to. The best manipulations are based on truths. Here's the truth: Aziraphale is the only one who can stop this. That's all Metatron has to point out. There was never any scenario in which they can run from this. Not if they want to prevent a war that's destined to wipe out the universe. Crowley's plan is not any more realistic than Azi's. The real stab in the chest is that Metatron presents it not as a threat, but in terms of hope. "If YOU'RE there, you can change things. You want heaven to choose a different path? Convince them. Show them what you see in Earth and in humanity that's worth saving. You can even bring Crowley, he can help you." The manipulation is that the angels aren't going to listen to Azi, and they never were. And neither was Crowley. It's all a trap to get Aziraphale isolated.
I’m 24 minutes into your reaction and I had to take a break. I’ve been waiting (oh so patiently) for this video from you and now it’s here…I’m having feelings.
I haven't read the other comments yet, so please forgive me if it's been said. The only reason I can see to Nina and Maggie is that initially, Aziraphale used them as a cover for his and Crowley's 50/50 miracle to hide Gabriel. Aizraphale used their non-existent relationship to lie to the other angels about the miracle they did on Gabriel that set off alarms in Heaven. So, then Muriel was sent to check on that miracle, and Aziraphale lied and used them to cover up the miracle saying he did it to get Nina and Maggie together. Then Crowley spends way too much time trying to get them together with his failed rainstorm thingy, etc, so that Aziraphale won't get in trouble for the Gabriel miracle he was involved with. Nina and Maggie were totally used as a means to an end... which never came. No vavoom. And of course, it was a way huger miracle than it should have been, for yet unknown reasons that there is a lot of conjecture about all over the internet lol, in which I am guilty of partaking lol.
OH, it also feels to me very much like season 2 is Act 2. It had to end this way, but you seem to know way more than I do about this sort of thing. I had to rewatch it twice before I thought of that.
oh the 'change' idea is so right, even from the beginning angel!Crowley wanted to watch the nebula produce stars over millions of years, wanted a complaints box to fix/change things. I'm still convinced that they are on a set, that Adam's new reality is that of a child. The perspectives are slightly off, which would absolutely tie the world to Pratchett's writing like The Tooth Fairy's world being a child's drawing and completely flat.
Even when crowley and aziraphale are being the most honest they've ever been with each other that still can't communicate properly! They're so used to living in subtext and plausible deniability that. Crowley doesn't even say what he actually wants, he says "be an us"! Crowley honey that doesn't clarify a single thing. Their whole history and issues are so profoundly queer and it's so relatable lol. Of course you won't be able to communicate love properly when you've been pushing it down you whole life
This isn't too important, but Nina's SO was Lindsey. It's slightly interesting because it's a genderless name, and we never get anything but "Lindsey" and "my partner." (I don't think we are ever supposed to find out, though.)
oh I did not know that. Where I live it would always be female. You would not even be allowed to baptize your male child Lindsey unless Maybe if you were of foreign descent
@@Temptation666 Here are some famous Lindsays and Lindseys who were men (from Wikipedia): Lindsay Anderson (1923-1994), British film director Lindsay Barrett (born 1941), Jamaican-born writer Lindsay Brown (baseball) (1911-1987), American baseball player Lindsey Buckingham (born 1949), American guitarist, singer, composer, and producer, member of Fleetwood Mac Lindsey Durlacher (1974-2011), US Greco-Roman wrestler Lindsey Hughes, historian Lindsey Nelson (1919-1995), American sportscaster I didn't put all of them in here, but a lot of them seem to go into sports or politics. :)
I'm glad you pointed out the "forcedness" of both the kiss and Aziraphale's forced decision. It bothers me that people want to see this kiss as strictly romantic; it is not consensual and that should be acknowledged. It must have been a big shock to Aziraphale. Also, if Crowley didn't insist on walking out RIGHT THAT SECOND, and could have stayed and listened and talked to Aziraphale--and vice versa--if they could have tried really empathizing with each other's values and pain--they could have stayed together.
I think that what this season is missing, is Sir Terry Pratchett. The reason I loved the book so much was because it was this weird combination of the writing styles and ideas of both him and Neil Gaiman. this season was mostly Neil Gaiman, helped by other writers... and you can feel it, the absense of Terry. I sincerely hope we get to feel more of Terry in S03, seeing as he came up with the story together with Neil. This reaction was substantially less critical as some of your previous ones and I am glad. glad that you ended up liking the season as much as the last one. glad that you weren't as disappointed by the quick Ineffable Bureaucracy reveal as I feared you might be. just glad that you finished it and I got to see it through your eyes ^^
09:30--I guess it depends on how you're defining "success." I mean, it's the most popular show Prime had in 2023, it has a gigantically devoted fandom, it's been picked up for a third season. That sounds like success. If by "success" you mean "pleasing every single reviewer in every aspect, including me", then no, I guess it wasn't??
I'm with you on the narration, I don't usually like it either (I didn't like it in season 1 too). The only time I like narration is when a story takes place in the first person, for example: a show being presented like a book/journal (this would work best in Fairy tale settings or time travel and suspense type things, but it's usually not done in those settings so I end up not liking it😅)
I agree season one is pure fluff. The fan in me can't hate on 6 hours of spending time with Azi and Crow even if it did indeed feel like a spinoff. I don't disagree with you. I am hoping season 3 will be a mix of the two, now that the covid restrictions is lifted. All we know as a fact is that Terry and Neil had plans for a second book called "668 the neighbor of the beast" (lol) which was suppose to be about the second coming. So hopefully season 3 will feel close to season 1.
My thoughts are pretty similar to yours. Season two seems like a different show. I liked it well enough, but I did feel that it liked something compared to the first season. I feel like the lack of Terry Pratchett and the humor and character behavior specific to him.
24:56 Wait, if you don't mind, could you explain how truth isn't inherently good? Are you talking about how for example giving a child the sex talk too young (true but wrong)
Being brutally honest with the intent to hurt someone's feelings. Telling the truth in such a way to manipulate someone to take actions that are bad or will hurt others. Using only partial truths to hide the full story and keep people in the dark about a situation.
I have a theory about maggie and nina, i think they’re not just human, like first of all maggie, i think maggie is a demon or something bc they already established that demons can’t spell and the first scene azi was reading Maggie’s letter and she spelled wrong, and like the whole miracles not working on both of them!!!, and shax talked to maggie like she knew her??, idk i feel like all these little details MEANS something i just dk how to explain it
I think that Maggie and Nina have to be human because it is important for humans to be involved in their own survival/salvation in S2 & S3. It was already established that demons and angels have mind-affecting powers: I think Shax read Maggie's mind to manipulate her into inviting the demons in. Maybe Aziraphale's hypnosis didn't work on them because he sees Maggie, and by extension Nina, as family. After Aziraphale helps Maggie, he tells Crowley that it was purely selfish: I think due to knowing her so long, he has grown to love Maggie as a person and that helping her makes him happy. This feels different from his historic benevolence, which included trying to help people while talking about them as if they weren't even there.
And that Maggie "never wanted to" drink or party, makes me think that she had a rough childhood that may have involved a drunk guardian, or some kind of background that she wants to get away from, which could either go along with the spelling errors or else maybe Maggie is just dyslexic.
@TLC62 Yes, you're right. I am not actually a big fan of the taste of alcohol either, I just got caught up in dramatic speculation, rather than the most logical reason
You know, you started me thinking, and now, despite my first post, I am starting to lean more to your way of thinking, at least for Maggie. I have thought of a couple of interesting stories that could come up if Maggie is not human. Also, I am starting to wonder about Maggie's interactions with Aziraphale. When he came over to see her about the record, she burst into tears at the first opportunity and explained her situation with Nina: what if she is trying to maneuver Aziraphale into helping her relationship with Nina? Maggie could know that he can do miracles/magic, either from not being human or due to her family being here a long time and having figured some things out. If that is what she is doing, it makes a future Nina/Maggie relationship a lot more problematic for me: Nina may be in danger of trading one manipulative relationship for another.
This may be something you know already, just a bit of trivia, but, at one point, they were trying to get a _Good Omens_ movie made, and Robin Williams (as Aziraphale *AND* Mme. Tracy) and Johnny Depp (as Crowley) were attached.
I love your Reactions / Analysis. Even when I do not agree I respect your opinion because you argue so well for them. You have even made me reevaluate some of my own more than ones. Not always ending up on your side but still 😉 Side note: I do not like Maggie. She is just wrong on so many lvl's. It feels like she is not real. Either she is badly written. Something important ended up on the cutting floor, or we find out in season 3 what is up with her.
I think you're so hard on Stede because you can't separate the character from his prototype. And while the real Stede Bonnet wasn't historically that good of a person, the fictional Stede Bonnet is just... I personally view them as separate beings. I think you kinda ruined the ofmd experience for yourself bcs you kept reminding yourself to think of them as one person when it's not really fair
Saw something on Tumblr that said the book (and S1) was about Crowley being tasked to bring about Armageddon, and a second book would have been about Aziraphale being tasked to facilitate the Second Coming, but they needed an explanation for why it would be Aziraphale instead of Gabriel, so this season was that bridge.
As far as the plot goes for S3, I do like the fact that we’ll probably be focused on Aziraphale. S2 set up his morality conflict, his innate selfishness and black/white thinking. The onus will be entirely on him next season: thwarting the destruction of humanity while uncovering Heaven’s corruption and repairing things with Crowley. He will be a Supremely Uncomfortable Archangel, but some chafing is needed for development. Particularly his recognition, acceptance and admittance of his own faults and then actually displaying proof of change to Crowley so trust can be rebuilt and they can *fucking communicate* and move forward *together*.
Yes, the second book was supposed to be called _668: The Neighbour of the Beast,_ so I am kind of hoping we may get eight episodes to go with the 6 & 6 of the first two seasons. Good observations.
I think Aziraphale and Crowley will reunite and work together fairly quickly in s3, if only because their on screen interactions are the heart and soul of this story, but IMO we can still have a lot of what you described with Aziraphale's journey alongside that.
@@JoaMaj I hope so!
@@JoaMaj Yes exactly, Gaiman and the cast already know the plot outline until the end of S3. Gaiman has said it won't be romantic, S2 was his romantic series. So I think they'll pragmatically work together from early on, it won't be about their relationship, which S2 was..
@@HuntingVioletsoh that’s an excellent point!
"Why does Heaven look like an Apple Store?" 😂😂
Same reason Hell looks like a dank DMV - neither place can hold a candle to Earth
My therapist is tired of me talking about this finale. I’m pretty sure I’m stuck in the angry portion of the 5 stages of grief.
Therapists can get tired of what you're talking about? I mean, and express that. This rocks me.
@@HuntingVioletsIf it blocks a patient from addressing something (of a deemed important nature) or is seen as a form of avoidance then yes.
I’m in the devastated stage lmao
“This is a whole 10 minutes longer. You can put a lot in 10 minutes” never a truer word.
I read someone write that 'season two' of good omens feels more like a beginning of a novel than a season two, and I think I understand now why it bothers many people but not me. I mostly read books, shows are a rare thing for me. So coupled with the fact I went into this season already having read Neil Gaiman's explanation that this is a bridge to season 3, everything felt just normal to me! Cause I mostly read books, and this was a visual part of a book XD
Edit: oh my god your reaction to this all is so relatable. "realizing the heartwarming music stopped" HA. haha..
Okay I won't edit that comment again, I'm replying to myself. You made me laugh SO many times you have no idea, the little comments in white text killed me every time
If you go back t o the end credits, watch Aziraphale's expression till the end- something changes right before they fade out.
I am sad that from what I understand there were cuts to the story, it was supposed to be.. 8 episodes, I think? And include more Nina and Maggie? That's one bad side of shows decided on from up above instead of books an author writes however they want (I am aware there are editors but it seems like a smaller hurdle?)
I've loved this season.
@@bluefox5331 Thanks for this info, I had no idea! Explains some things, though.
Crowley does seem to still have power. He ordered everyone to go to the bookstore and Michael and Uriel just followed him, letting him take command. He had to be pretty high up when he was an Angel for that to happen. As if even subconsciously the Archangels knew he was the boss. Like worker bees following their Queen bee. Lol
I think he must have been an archangel because he was helping create the universe, so yes, still has the power. Also in S1 he stopped time, Aziraphale needed him to help
Listen to the music around Crowley when he first arrives in the coffee shop. It sounds like he's a military leader. He may have led armies onto the plains of heaven the way he led the humans out of the bookshop. He has a following in hell -- demons he taught not to kill humans.
Neil Gaiman would agree with you, to an extent, that this wasn't a season, exactly. Good Omens was a book he wrote with his friend Terry Pratchett. There were plans and plot and notes for a second book, but unfortunately they never got the time to write it. The true second season will be the story of that book that never was. To get there, this season needed to be told --imagine telling all this in a couple of lines of narration. Yeah, no. No way you'd get the gut punch as it's supposed to be. But, with this pre-sequel filler season, the characters are where they are supposed to be and the audience is conditioned to be right there with them, to tell the story Neil and Terry were wanting to tell us, in 6 episodes. Side note: Neil also promised that if it turns out Amazon isn't willing to make season 3, he'll give the fans the book. The story of the ineffable husbands will get its ending one way or another.
He said he has started working on it again after the writers strike ended, but now he is down with COVID. I hope he is well very soon.
Glad, nut not surprised, that you're one of the few reactors I've seen who realises that the Metatron knew exactly what he did, separating them. The only other comment I have is that the acting in the ending of this episode is STELLAR.
I agree. It seems to me that Metatron knew exactly what to say to persuade Aziraphale to take his offer, to say that he could bring Crowley. Before that, Azriaphale said directly that he didn't want to go back to Heaven. So Metatron pulled out all the stops by offering him to bring Crowley, which Metatron knew Crowley would never agree to do. Therefore, it wasn't a big risk for him to put that on the table in order to manipulate Aziraphale. And I also think a big motivator for Heaven to bring Aziraphale back (after previously literally trying to make him walk into hellfire), is not to give him a promotion, but to separate him from Crowley. Which I also think has to do with the large power that was shown when they did the miracle together. And seriously, their acting was nothing less than STELLAR.
During the writers strike, the good omens subreddit was musing around with 'writing season 3' and decided it should/would open with Crowely's fall. Wings burning, eyes melting away, first time experiencing fear and pain... I hate to imagine it but I can see it being how we pick the story back up.
I picture the story picking back up right after the battle ends. Crowley is maybe trying to tell either Gabriel or Metatron what he was fighting for (to preserve the universe, have God listen to the angels). Then Crowley is told Lucifer wants to take God’s place and Crowley feels truly shocked and betrayed as God’s punishment comes down on all of them.
About the ending. What I kinda love about this show and shows the levels of complexity on display. There is NO agreed upon theory on why Azi made the choice he did among fans. People all have their own interpretation, ranging from, Azi being an idiot, to Metatron poisoning the coffee, or threatening to wipe Crowley from the book of life. That ending made people feel a lot, and that made a lot of fans uncomfortable.
My thoughts, is that Azi has a good reason. The beauty of this ending is that you can see both sides. Armageddon almost happened, twice and (and he later learns about the second coming.) He wants and he chooses to protect earth and humanity and fixing heaven over his own happiness. I don't think Azi could be happy if he had left with Crowley, and then watched as earth was eventually destroyed, knowing he could have done SOMETHING. In an ideal world he wants to do so with Crowley at his side, but Crowley doesn't want that (rightfully so, and yes I agree the Metatron was banking on that.) And we can logically say that Crowley is going turn out to be right. Michael and Urual are likely going to conspire against him, Metatron will try and manipulate him. He is facing an uphill battle, but Azi still HAVE to try. He has to do this, even if he fails, over just leaving with Crowley.
Two observations about the two:
Crowley is the religious guy who was raised in the church, left and is now an atheist.
Azi is the religious guy who was raised in the church, left, but still belive in god just not the system.
They are both dumbasses when it comes to love but...
Azi has known he is in love with Crowley since 1941 and probably found him hot for a long time, but has accepted they can't be together and he's not allowed that happiness because of their situation.
Crowley has never really understood his feelings until his chat with Nina, and has just found himself constantly drawn to the angel, wanting to be near him, protect him, support him, follow him.
And that is why until now they always clashed.
Emotional support watcher here. I'll hold any hand that need holding. It will be okay.
It’s been a month since I watched that fucking finale and I still need a hug. Lol
I’m counting on it!
Hope season 3 feels like a mix of season 1 (plot heavy, stopping armageddon) and season 2 (focus on their relationship).
There’s an idea floating around online about Crowley’s Fall from Heaven. The idea is that God wanted Crowley to fall so he’d be in a position to protect Aziraphale. In the book Crowley tells the other demons to let him know wherever they see Aziraphale and to stay away from him because he’s dangerous. This works for thousands of years. I would love this to become canon in the show.
This is one of the most well-thought-out analyses I've ever seen of GO. You are so perceptive and pick up on things so quickly, and you're not afraid to look at the really hard questions the show asks. I made it about five minutes into your very first GO reaction before I HAD to subscribe. Excellent work!!
Pps. That last 15 minutes has been living and is quite fully established rent free in my mind for too long. Overall, I regret nothing and relish in the pain. Thank you for continued commentary, as always it’s amazing
I love your annotations! Great reaction vid. ETA: LOVED what you said about Aziraphale having curiosity and comparing that to Crowley's imagination. Good stuff.
My take on the Heaven we see in the show is that it is just the corporate offices where the angels work, and, like an office sitcom, we only see a handful of them. I imagine, if there is a Heaven where humans go (and there should be, as we've seen there is a Hell for us) that there are some angels who work with processing or something like that as well, but they are outside the purview of the story (at least so far). Corporate Heaven is pretty cold and terrible, but I guess that fits.
I love how your facial expression is so similar to Crowley’s when they propose he could be an Angel again.😂 24:26
You have my favorite reaction/commentary on YT. The spontaneous reactions are so relatable and the takes you give are on point imo and deeper than in a typical reaction video where people are just taking the material in without commentary.
And yes, where the fuck is Crowley gonna go?! He knows by now Heaven is gunning for earth again. And He sent his old boss to honeymoon with Gabriel at his getaway spot 😂 he gets in his own way so much
I still think Gabriel and Beelzebub might not have gone where Crowley suggested. Edinburgh could hold some sentimental value to them, for instance, or maybe they are just traveling the galaxy, not settling down in Alpha Centauri. Ther's more than one planet there, though. Not that I think Crowley will go there without Aziraphale, of course.
True it’s anyone’s guess where they went since they didn’t actually say. I can’t imagine they stayed on Earth but who knows? The thought of Crowley writing off the whole system because Gabriel and Beez are there amuses me.
This is the best reaction to the finale I’ve seen! I love your analysis ❤
I think Crowley and Aziraphale knew at the start of this season that they felt love but didn’t realize how deep it was until later in the season. They’ve gone from pals to best friends/brothers to soulmates/possible lovers across the two seasons-it’s a matter of degrees. It’s the difference between “He’s my buddy-of course I love him” and “Oh, actually I want to marry him”. Their love burns so intensely now that everyone around them can see it easily.
Gaiman has promised fans a happy ending. He and Pratchett used to joke that the characters retired to a cottage in the English countryside.
“It starts, as it will end, with a garden.” -God, “Good Omens” S1E1
🙏
Oh, I've been waiting for this baby to get here.
Saaaaaaaaaame.
24:25 THAT! That look on your face juxtaposed this THE SAME look on Crowley's😨 you could not look away from the train wrench about to happen 😱. And yes, I agree all the awards to David Arnold! 👏 🎵
maggie and nina parallel crowley and aziraphale respectively, individually and as a pair. nina is in a toxic relationship that she needs to breaks off, same as aziraphale and his relationship with heaven. but this is obviously something difficult that takes time, you can't push it.
as for the structure of this season, it really didn't bothered me? like someone else said in the comments i like how it gives off the same feeling of reading a book that's exploring the characters' inner conflicts and such. azi and crowley were on the same page at the end of s1 but only in some things. they understand they have things in common like their love for earthly things and humans etc and that they want to protect it. they understand they are friends, azi is no longer denying it. but i don't think they were in the place to explore that "something more". azi's relationship with heaven was never properly solved bc armaggedon took precedence, neither did crowley's fall. but i do get why most people (myself included) expected that everything would be fine after s1 finale.
thank you for the video, i loved your commentery on both seasons!
"I took your advice, Nina! It sucked!" 😅
This is the first series reaction of yours I’ve seen and I loved it! Your analysis was always so thought out and well-explained, and you’re a very perceptive person when it comes to details! ❤
I cried so much !!!
You're the only person I've seen reacting to that seen that said "a couple.." when he said "a group of the two of us". And all the talking other reactors did and they didn't pick up on that lol. Also yes I am watching you because I am in the coping phase. Glad I found you.
I wrote this on another video but I think I explained my feelings on this season and episode very well so here you go:
I think the show is written in a fairly self-indulgent way and I think Gaiman wrote it not necessarily with "fan service" in mind but more like what he (and Pratchett?) always wanted to write into the story but couldn't because of the era it was originally written. I think he got a little too excited to have the free reign to do so and it turned out slightly fanfiction-y lol. I have to say I'm not familiar with Gaiman or Pratchett (I've only ever seen Coraline outside of GO) so I cannot comment on his writing much, but I do understand where people come from when they complain about Nina and Maggie. They very much could have been written better.
I think my biggest takeaway from this show (after watching many reactions and reviews) is that people tend to "understand" and *like it* more when viewed in a religious trauma way. Religious trauma (as I'm sure you're aware) involves a LOT of gaslighting, manipulation, deceit, and cognitive dissonance. Both Crowley and Azi have experienced this and dealt with it. Crowley was a higher-order angel and therefore it is easy to assume he saw more of it quicker and was able to "escape" (to hell mind you) from heaven way earlier. Azi, on the other hand, had continued to deal with this for 6,000 more years, and while humans were existing as the playground to both sides no less. I can very easily see why not only the Metatron's offer worked on him, but that he was surprised that Crowley didn't agree. For him, he didn't even think that someone like the Metatron, someone who is so close to God and who is supposed to be the mouthpiece for Her, would lie or manipulate him. Crowley and Azi's miscommunication comes from a DEEP misunderstanding of what "good" is, what heaven's goal is, and how their individual values manifest themselves. I think the whole last 10-15 minutes of this episode were fantastic and showed this dynamic very well. You don't see this discussed in media as clearly as you do in this show like ever so I'm really happy that GO did this justice.
I'm glad I finally got to watch this! Been waitin for it. Definitely agree with many of your points again, as I've mentioned before. And I do believe the central themes are centered around hope, love and choice.
As you said, this feels like a relatively intimate sequel. We really did laser-focus on Crowley/Aziraphale, Nina/Maggie, and Beezelbub/Gabriel (though the why of that one was much sneakier).
But each relationship are represented in the central themes. Beez and Gabriel already made their choice and that's the inciting incident for the whole season, and the repercussions are how Heaven and Hell respond to their choice.
We now know, definitively, that Crowley and Aziraphale CAN'T make the same one when they also care so deeply about the humans on earth.
In their dealings with said humans, they do rather over-reach in their lack of understanding the how and why of humans, and this also is part of the issue with their inherent 'miraculous abilities' and how they choose to use them. But, fascinatingly, each 'minisode' also highlighted the humans that they both try to help, and the consequences of them making the 'wrong' choice. And finally, in the present, Nina and Maggie tell Crowley why their highhandedness both helped, and hindered (if only Aziraphale had heard too). It was most striking to me that Aziraphale asked Beez and Gabriel what they wanted, while Crowley was told by Nina and Maggie what they wanted, because they already knew (and were hopeful at the future choice). Tellingly, both couples we're on the same page about their futures. The dichotomy of both sequences does seem to suggest that in our s3, Crowley and Aziraphale both will only be fulfilled in their character development if they are able to do the same.
I view Maggie and Nina a bit differently than some other fans I've seen talking about this, bc I think the pair of them, and Muriel, are going to be pretty vital in s3, in the terms of the risk of the 'choices'. Because, obviously, Crowley and Aziraphale would risk a great deal to keep humans safe (as we've already seen).
Gaiman has said that this season was the building block to s3 and within it, is the 'reason why we would care' about the story to come. Should Nina, Maggie, and Muriel NOT be in s3, I would be surprised and also disappointed.
I do appreciate season 2 more than 1, if only because it's so character driven. Choices determined the outcome of s1 obviously, but so much felt predestined bc of the 'great plan' and Agnes Nutter's prophecies, that the the theme was a tad overshadowed. And so much of everything felt so reactionary (which is why I don't like apocalypse narratives most of the time). In addition, so much backstory for each group of characters (which had to be altered from the book (but also excluded some awesome horsemen stuff, a motorcycle gang, the rival children to The Them, and etc)) got left behind that the story didn't feel as satisfying as when I first read the book (but also reading it AND watching the show somehow informs both stories too, weirdly).
I did prefer the less-backstory-focus of almost all characters of s2, if only bc we got enough pertinent information that we totally understood each choice made by said characters in each episode (including the minisodes). So I def rate this higher than s1.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Loved the deep dives every time. :)
Your perception of Aziraphale as cold is very interesting-I haven’t thought of him that way. Maybe he needs to embrace his bad side next season to stop Heaven’s plans.
There was the coffee theory but I honestly don’t think the way aziraphale’s acted is out of character because azi really believes he can fix heaven and make everything better, and i know for sure azi is capable of doing anything, he is not soft whatsoever, he believes in good but not naive or soft or all that
Watching, rewatching. It all just so beautiful in its tragedy. Not all Love stories can have happy endings.
True. This is only the second act curtain, though, not the end.
Not all love stories have happy endings-but this one will! Gaiman has promised a happy ending for them.
Really enjoyed this reaction all the way through!! Thank you for sharing it with us.
Unrelated question: Have you seen the Interview With The Vampire show that came out last year?
It's really, really good, incredible writing and performances. I think you would have a great time analyzing it. There's just so much to it.
I second this. Even if you've seen it, a rewatch reaction/analysis would be rewarding for the viewers.
I think a lot of people keep forgetting that a part of what is happening with the show is that as much as they love humans and the earth they do mot view humans as thier equals. They DO view them as pawn or puzzle pieces and becauae that is the lens the narrative is interacting with the humans through THAT is the version of the human characters we get. We notice it and it feels wrong because we are humans and don't view our own lives that way.
Best analysis I have seen on RUclips. You really get it! I hadn't noticed the clock ticking in the last scene and when you pointed it out it broke me!😢
Love your subtitle analysis
I love watching your reaction to things. You always make good points and I do like to hear your opinions :3
My personal theory, which is not how I reacted to the finale (the reaction was pretty much a lot of screaming and sobbing, I was overwrought) but it's one I developed over rewatching the finale (over and over and over) is that Aziraphale lied to Crowley, about his and Metatron conversation. That's why we don't hear it. There are things that were said that they did not want us to hear and when it finished, Aziraphale did not look giddy or happy, he looked messed up and like he knew this was going to go bad and steeling himself for it.
His body language, when he was speaking about the offer for Crowley, was very hand-fluttery which is something we've seen him do in the past when he was lying, working himself up about it whereas later when pleading with Crowley and talking about the things Aziraphale believed in Heaven being a representative of, his body language was much more still and self-contained.
I do think that something was put on the table for Crowley (maybe coming up in an advisory kind of role, which was still an offer under false pretenses because Metatron knew Crowley would have rejected it?) and that Aziraphale was desperate for Crowley to come along, because Aziraphale needed Crowley on board with whatever it was that Aziraphale was going to have to do next, but I do not think it was what Aziraphale told Crowley it was.
I think Aziraphale told Crowley something that he knew Crowley was going to utterly, completely reject and that it hurt him to do it, but that he did it knowing Crowley was going to refuse it, because he needed Crowley to refuse it. The way he holds onto Crowley during the kiss and then lets him go... the way the conversation went ... I don't know, this is just my theory and I could be completely wrong, no one else has to subscribe to it, but that's what I come to believe.
Now as to what beef Metatron has with Crowley and as to why I don't think he would have EVER offered full restoration to angelhood for Crowley but rather, at most, a consultancy role, if that, and why he knew that Crowley was going to turn down any sort of colluding with Heaven ... I think that's because Crowley used to be Lucifer.
Him happily calling "Let there be light" to turn on the Star Forge in Episode 1 having the potential to be a reference to him being The Angel of the Morning aka the Morningstar (Morning Star), but also the way that, when they were talking about Gabriel needing to be demoted, not sent to hell, in Heaven it was mentioned that the first time they exiled someone it made for a good story and there was a moment when they were talking that they mentioned the highest ranking angel (which could have been Lucifer before the fall) that the camera focused on Crowley's profile and Crowley alone with no apparent reason for it.
The way you needed to be a Dominion or above to access Gabriel's files and Crowley got access to them without even needing to jump any hoops to get through it.
Metatron's hateful look towards Crowley.
Given that the series has already separated Beelzebub from Satan (depending on the mythos you are reading, they are sometimes one and the same) and that we've never seen or read anyone's being addressed explicitly as Lucifer that I could remember, I think it could make sense for Crowley to have been Lucifer.
Now I don't think *Aziraphale* knows THAT, but the Metatron sure would and he would make extra sure to separate Aziraphale and Crowley, not only because they are so powerful together (see the joint miracle) and have already stopped one Apocalypse (see season 1) but because he cannot afford Aziraphale to ally with Lucifer or Lucifer to have the kind of support and stability he might have been about to find with Aziraphale, both for vengeful reasons and for practical reasons of not getting in the way.
Edit: I definitely agree that they are both looking like they are going to burn everything down in the last scene. Aziraphale doesn't look happy about what he's doing and what he's going to have to do, he looks like he's Plotting Things but also having to put on a happy façade for the boss, least Metatron realizes Aziraphale is not as happy as he's portraying himself to be.
Again, just my personal theory, no one has to agree with it, just wanted to share it.
Neil Gaiman has specifically said that Satan is the angel-previously-known-as-Lucifer, but Crowley was obviously a Very Important Angel before his vaguely downward saunter.
i do not think Crowley is Lucifer. Samael maybe but not Lucifer.
However were Samael/lucifer/Satan a prince of heaven or an Archangel in the Bible? I seem to recall he was not but it has been many years since i read the Bible. Anyway pretty sure Crowley used to be the Prince of Heaven the Metatron is talking about. Not Satan. Of cause i could be wrong. Time will tell i hope 🤣
The theory that Crowley was Lucifer makes sense until you remember the scene in the pub after the bookshop burned down. Crowley says "Lookey here, Lucifer and the guys" so he couldn't be Lucifer
The production team or whoever may have agreed that this is a sequel and not a second season. I admit to being somewhat bemused by their calling it _Good Omens2_ instead of just being _Good Omens_ but Season 2, but I think you have given me the explanation.
I think it's almost inevitable that Aziraphale doesn't truly understand--or empathize with--many aspects of human life and human nature simply because there are so many forms of VULNERABILITY and suffering he never has and never will have to contend with. His powers mean that poverty, bodily death, sickness, physical pain, and illness will never impact him.
I hate the popular take that Aziraphale is making a mistake or is being stupid/ naive here. Because here's the thing: without Gabriel in the picture, the Archangels were UNANIMOUS in restarting Armageddon. And Crowley KNOWS THAT thanks to his trip upstairs. Aziraphale is the ONLY angel in any position to do ANYTHING about the Second Coming, because he's the only one who would want to.
The best manipulations are based on truths. Here's the truth: Aziraphale is the only one who can stop this. That's all Metatron has to point out. There was never any scenario in which they can run from this. Not if they want to prevent a war that's destined to wipe out the universe. Crowley's plan is not any more realistic than Azi's. The real stab in the chest is that Metatron presents it not as a threat, but in terms of hope. "If YOU'RE there, you can change things. You want heaven to choose a different path? Convince them. Show them what you see in Earth and in humanity that's worth saving. You can even bring Crowley, he can help you."
The manipulation is that the angels aren't going to listen to Azi, and they never were. And neither was Crowley. It's all a trap to get Aziraphale isolated.
I’m 24 minutes into your reaction and I had to take a break. I’ve been waiting (oh so patiently) for this video from you and now it’s here…I’m having feelings.
I haven't read the other comments yet, so please forgive me if it's been said. The only reason I can see to Nina and Maggie is that initially, Aziraphale used them as a cover for his and Crowley's 50/50 miracle to hide Gabriel. Aizraphale used their non-existent relationship to lie to the other angels about the miracle they did on Gabriel that set off alarms in Heaven. So, then Muriel was sent to check on that miracle, and Aziraphale lied and used them to cover up the miracle saying he did it to get Nina and Maggie together. Then Crowley spends way too much time trying to get them together with his failed rainstorm thingy, etc, so that Aziraphale won't get in trouble for the Gabriel miracle he was involved with. Nina and Maggie were totally used as a means to an end... which never came. No vavoom. And of course, it was a way huger miracle than it should have been, for yet unknown reasons that there is a lot of conjecture about all over the internet lol, in which I am guilty of partaking lol.
OH, it also feels to me very much like season 2 is Act 2. It had to end this way, but you seem to know way more than I do about this sort of thing. I had to rewatch it twice before I thought of that.
oh the 'change' idea is so right, even from the beginning angel!Crowley wanted to watch the nebula produce stars over millions of years, wanted a complaints box to fix/change things.
I'm still convinced that they are on a set, that Adam's new reality is that of a child. The perspectives are slightly off, which would absolutely tie the world to Pratchett's writing like The Tooth Fairy's world being a child's drawing and completely flat.
Even when crowley and aziraphale are being the most honest they've ever been with each other that still can't communicate properly! They're so used to living in subtext and plausible deniability that. Crowley doesn't even say what he actually wants, he says "be an us"! Crowley honey that doesn't clarify a single thing. Their whole history and issues are so profoundly queer and it's so relatable lol. Of course you won't be able to communicate love properly when you've been pushing it down you whole life
Hope season 3 has longer episodes and maybe more episodes as well.
Interesting idea about Gabriel and Beelzebub posing as humans.
A great reaction, as always.
Terrific commentary, I subscribed and look forward to hearing your other takes. Thanks!!
This isn't too important, but Nina's SO was Lindsey. It's slightly interesting because it's a genderless name, and we never get anything but "Lindsey" and "my partner." (I don't think we are ever supposed to find out, though.)
oh I did not know that. Where I live it would always be female. You would not even be allowed to baptize your male child Lindsey unless Maybe if you were of foreign descent
@@Temptation666it's more common among females, but one example would be Lindsey Graham, a male US senator from South Carolina
@@livb6945 oh I'm not into American politic i thought he was a she. Sorry
@@Temptation666 Here are some famous Lindsays and Lindseys who were men (from Wikipedia):
Lindsay Anderson (1923-1994), British film director
Lindsay Barrett (born 1941), Jamaican-born writer
Lindsay Brown (baseball) (1911-1987), American baseball player
Lindsey Buckingham (born 1949), American guitarist, singer, composer, and producer, member of Fleetwood Mac
Lindsey Durlacher (1974-2011), US Greco-Roman wrestler
Lindsey Hughes, historian
Lindsey Nelson (1919-1995), American sportscaster
I didn't put all of them in here, but a lot of them seem to go into sports or politics. :)
@@HuntingViolets i wonder if there's a reason behind that. Overcompensation maybe🤣
Wow! I loveeed your reaction and also great analysis on the show! ❤
I'm glad you pointed out the "forcedness" of both the kiss and Aziraphale's forced decision. It bothers me that people want to see this kiss as strictly romantic; it is not consensual and that should be acknowledged. It must have been a big shock to Aziraphale. Also, if Crowley didn't insist on walking out RIGHT THAT SECOND, and could have stayed and listened and talked to Aziraphale--and vice versa--if they could have tried really empathizing with each other's values and pain--they could have stayed together.
I think that what this season is missing, is Sir Terry Pratchett. The reason I loved the book so much was because it was this weird combination of the writing styles and ideas of both him and Neil Gaiman. this season was mostly Neil Gaiman, helped by other writers... and you can feel it, the absense of Terry. I sincerely hope we get to feel more of Terry in S03, seeing as he came up with the story together with Neil.
This reaction was substantially less critical as some of your previous ones and I am glad. glad that you ended up liking the season as much as the last one. glad that you weren't as disappointed by the quick Ineffable Bureaucracy reveal as I feared you might be. just glad that you finished it and I got to see it through your eyes ^^
Demon Eric must be vaporized again in season 3.
Nina's ex was called Lindsay
Truly I have no idea why I said Rachel.
09:30--I guess it depends on how you're defining "success." I mean, it's the most popular show Prime had in 2023, it has a gigantically devoted fandom, it's been picked up for a third season. That sounds like success. If by "success" you mean "pleasing every single reviewer in every aspect, including me", then no, I guess it wasn't??
I love Maggie and Nina.. Who is Rachel? Nina's partner is Lindsey?
Love your comments written over the scenes, brilliant.
I'm with you on the narration, I don't usually like it either (I didn't like it in season 1 too). The only time I like narration is when a story takes place in the first person, for example: a show being presented like a book/journal (this would work best in Fairy tale settings or time travel and suspense type things, but it's usually not done in those settings so I end up not liking it😅)
Actually, having dated a few Eric’s, it’s a pretty apt demon name…
I agree season one is pure fluff. The fan in me can't hate on 6 hours of spending time with Azi and Crow even if it did indeed feel like a spinoff. I don't disagree with you. I am hoping season 3 will be a mix of the two, now that the covid restrictions is lifted. All we know as a fact is that Terry and Neil had plans for a second book called "668 the neighbor of the beast" (lol) which was suppose to be about the second coming. So hopefully season 3 will feel close to season 1.
Is it weird that my cat will only be nice to me if I turn on this show?
My thoughts are pretty similar to yours. Season two seems like a different show. I liked it well enough, but I did feel that it liked something compared to the first season. I feel like the lack of Terry Pratchett and the humor and character behavior specific to him.
Rachel? You mean Lindsey. Which in the UK can be either male or female...
24:56 Wait, if you don't mind, could you explain how truth isn't inherently good? Are you talking about how for example giving a child the sex talk too young (true but wrong)
Being brutally honest with the intent to hurt someone's feelings. Telling the truth in such a way to manipulate someone to take actions that are bad or will hurt others. Using only partial truths to hide the full story and keep people in the dark about a situation.
Was there another body switch???
If there was it would be a HUGE cop out.
I have a theory about maggie and nina, i think they’re not just human, like first of all maggie, i think maggie is a demon or something bc they already established that demons can’t spell and the first scene azi was reading Maggie’s letter and she spelled wrong, and like the whole miracles not working on both of them!!!, and shax talked to maggie like she knew her??, idk i feel like all these little details MEANS something i just dk how to explain it
I think that Maggie and Nina have to be human because it is important for humans to be involved in their own survival/salvation in S2 & S3. It was already established that demons and angels have mind-affecting powers: I think Shax read Maggie's mind to manipulate her into inviting the demons in. Maybe Aziraphale's hypnosis didn't work on them because he sees Maggie, and by extension Nina, as family. After Aziraphale helps Maggie, he tells Crowley that it was purely selfish: I think due to knowing her so long, he has grown to love Maggie as a person and that helping her makes him happy. This feels different from his historic benevolence, which included trying to help people while talking about them as if they weren't even there.
And that Maggie "never wanted to" drink or party, makes me think that she had a rough childhood that may have involved a drunk guardian, or some kind of background that she wants to get away from, which could either go along with the spelling errors or else maybe Maggie is just dyslexic.
@@danawhicker2512 or maybe Maggie is just an introvert, who doesn't like the taste of alcohol. There are real people who are like that. I'm one.
@TLC62 Yes, you're right. I am not actually a big fan of the taste of alcohol either, I just got caught up in dramatic speculation, rather than the most logical reason
You know, you started me thinking, and now, despite my first post, I am starting to lean more to your way of thinking, at least for Maggie. I have thought of a couple of interesting stories that could come up if Maggie is not human.
Also, I am starting to wonder about Maggie's interactions with Aziraphale. When he came over to see her about the record, she burst into tears at the first opportunity and explained her situation with Nina: what if she is trying to maneuver Aziraphale into helping her relationship with Nina? Maggie could know that he can do miracles/magic, either from not being human or due to her family being here a long time and having figured some things out. If that is what she is doing, it makes a future Nina/Maggie relationship a lot more problematic for me: Nina may be in danger of trading one manipulative relationship for another.
This may be something you know already, just a bit of trivia, but, at one point, they were trying to get a _Good Omens_ movie made, and Robin Williams (as Aziraphale *AND* Mme. Tracy) and Johnny Depp (as Crowley) were attached.
Not a fan of narration either, but ending season 3 with God narrating might be nice symmetry with God narrating the beginning of season 1.
I agree with you about the narration. It was annoying and a crutch.
I love your Reactions / Analysis. Even when I do not agree I respect your opinion because you argue so well for them. You have even made me reevaluate some of my own more than ones. Not always ending up on your side but still 😉
Side note: I do not like Maggie. She is just wrong on so many lvl's. It feels like she is not real. Either she is badly written. Something important ended up on the cutting floor, or we find out in season 3 what is up with her.
I think you're so hard on Stede because you can't separate the character from his prototype. And while the real Stede Bonnet wasn't historically that good of a person, the fictional Stede Bonnet is just... I personally view them as separate beings. I think you kinda ruined the ofmd experience for yourself bcs you kept reminding yourself to think of them as one person when it's not really fair