As someone who thoroughly enjoyed the first season of Good Omens without having any knowledge about the book it is based on by Neil Gaiman-Terry Pratchett or religious history, I thoroughly enjoyed this show about a bickering angel and demon. If you haven’t seen or heard about this show before, I blame Prime for not showing enough interest in marketing this hilarious masterclass in religious satire.
Season one was fantastic from start to finish, and we got introduced to Crowley and Aziraphale, the demon and angel that find that they’re a perfect match on Earth. Without spoilers, there’s a particular problem that these two take upon themselves to solve, and by the end of season 1, they do so. So, the second season begins on a completely new note. This time around, we learn more about the relationship between this not-so-evil demon and this not-so-good angel and how they found this middle ground. I’ve watched three out of the six episodes of the season, and it’s already proving what a great show it is. Now that we have these two opposing poles that have found their middle ground on Earth and who we absolutely love, we need to figure out how they formed this bond and what their journey looked like. Apart from a new mystery to solve, we also dig deep into the past to understand more about Crowley and Aziraphale.
Before we get into any of the details, the roles couldn’t have been better cast. Michael Sheen is delectable as a sweet and charming Aziraphale, whereas David Tennant is incredibly alluring, dark, and ridiculously suave as Crowley. The queer-coded show does not shy away from its implications but also delivers some incredible truths about the human world, religious history, and more. This season, though, John Hamm’s archangel Gabriel is definitely a standout, even amidst the perfect pairing of Crowley and Aziraphale. He never overshadows them, but when he’s on screen, his comic timing commands your attention. The episodes are about 40–45 minutes each, so it’s really a shame that there are only six that we can enjoy in each season. I would like to especially talk about the impeccable costume design that completely brings out the personalities of each of the characters in the most natural way. They’re so outlandish but somehow manage to never look costume-y or ridiculous. Down to every detail, from what the angels wear to how their hair changed over the hundreds of years they’ve been on Earth, everything looks fantastic and warrants attention.
The opening sequence, in particular, is wonderful and grabs your attention immediately. This season may or may not be more existential (a common theme of the summer of 2023, it seems), but it masks all of it under the guise of humor that is well-appreciated. You will not stop questioning the gray area that lies between good and evil—the humanness of it all, if you will. There’s something more obvious about the love between Aziraphale and Crowley this season as well, and I honestly can’t wait to see what it shapes up to in the end. What is fascinating about the show is that whatever the mystery may be, Crowley and Aziraphale’s focus is never diverted. At the same time, we’re aware that an archangel on earth causing heaven and hell to wage a war on earth is a rather large problem. Beelzebub, the angels under Gabriel, and the humans Maggi and Nina are all wonderful characters that never get sidelined under the massive hand that consists of the main three characters of the season. Such a massive story could get clustered with so many little sub-stories, but they all just make it better.
Even without ready source material, Gaiman proves that his characters were made for television and perfectly toes the line between fandom and personal creativity. His work is always intriguing, and this season does not disappoint at all (at least as much as I’ve seen). “Shadow And Bone” Season 2 felt mushier than it should’ve and went down a more love-struck path, and I can see a similar pattern in this show as well, but somehow it works more in its favor. Probably because it’s never outright in your face, but more so because it’s just pushing the idea of an angel and demon in love, and the only place that’s possible is our world.
While Season 1 of Good Omens had a single definitive path for Crowley and Aziraphale, like one big mission, this season is more of a mix of things, probably because (spoiler alert for season 1) they’ve literally stopped Armageddon and the Antichrist. What more can come next? Still, if you’re a fan of the cast or have the slightest interest in British humor and a new take on religion, I’d say “Good Omens,” season 2, does everything to satisfy our needs. The show definitely isn’t for everyone, and the campy sensibility could be considered goofy to some, but every little piece that fits in the puzzle somehow makes it all work seamlessly.
I can’t speak to how good the entire show is after having seen only half of it, but there’s still something comforting about it that I quite enjoy. Maybe I’m just biased toward Tennant and Sheen, who are so captivating in every scene they’re in, especially together, that I can’t help but feel some sort of excitement while watching the episodes. It may not be perfect, and it may not be what people expect from it, but I think it’s a show that needs to be taken very lightly; you’ve just got to roll with it, you know? Ultimately, I’m hoping for the journey to be worthwhile with an explosive season finale. If you’re looking for something similar to Good Omens season 1 in terms of plot, you may not like this one. But if you’re here just for the characters, it will definitely keep you engaged and satisfied. I’d give Good Omens Season 2 a 3.5 out of 5 stars (based on my three-episode viewing).
