How ‘Good Omens’ won over fans’ hearts
Who knew a friendship between a devil and an angel could be so addicting? Legendary authors Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman created the iconic fantasy novel Good Omens back in 1991, and nearly 30 years later, it finds its way onto television. Fans old and new are getting a chance to meet Aziraphale and Crowley in a new way thanks to Amazon’s adaptation of the novel.
The Good Omens miniseries, created and written by Gaiman himself, follows angel Aziraphale (Michael Sheen) and demon Crowley (David Tennant) during their time on earth as they try to prevent the apocalypse. Thanks to Gaiman’s involvement, not only is the original book adapted, but his and Pratchett’s ideas for possible sequels were included in the show as well.
Fans of Good Omens can give you a million and one reasons why you should check this show out. Those who came from their love of the book appreciate the accuracy and the additions of sequel concepts. Those who came from the David Tennant fan club can go on about his and Sheen’s chemistry. People who knew nothing going in will praise its intense concept and pure comedy.
It’s still up in the air if Good Omens will be getting a second season. Amazon’s TV executives said at their TCA panel that Amazon is open to more seasons of Good Omens if Gaiman is up for it. Gaiman himself hasn’t commented on if he wants the show to continue or not.
Mary Rose told us how much Good Omens has affected her life for the better. “The relationship between Aziraphale and Crowley is just beautifully done, and brightens my day at a time in my life that things are not great. I’ve also found the fandom to be positive and supportive of each other and of new/amateur artists, which I find so uplifting.”
While fans wait to find out the future of Good Omens, we spoke to them about their opinions on the book, the show, and why it’s important. There’s a lot to love.
Good Omens stayed true to the book.
With Gaiman behind the scenes and in the writers room, fans of the Good Omens novel can breathe a big sigh of relief. Though some liberties had to be taken, the show brings to life the iconic characters and tells the same story told since 1991. Fans can enjoy Good Omens without having to nitpick.
Rei felt Good Omens brought the story into a new light, giving it more depth than it had on the page. “For me it wasn’t until the TV series came out that the story truly came to life, like a diamond that has been put into a new setting.”
Aziraphale and Crowley’s relationship is portrayed as ambiguous
An angel and a demon? Together? Scandalous.
Yet thanks to Gaiman’s writing and Tennant and Sheen’s portrayals, we can’t help but root for Aziraphale and Crowley, as their relationship is electric. But the best part is their relationship is ambiguous and left up for the viewer to truly decide. The pair has worked together for eternity and care so deeply for each other they were willing to change sides.
For Ash, by making Aziraphale and Crowley’s sexualities as vague as possible, it gave Ash a chance to see queer representation. “It’s great to see such different queer representation. You can read them many different ways, but no matter how you look at it, they’re in love.”
Mary Rose described it thus: “The relationship between between Aziraphale and Crowley shows us you can have a deep and meaningful relationship which does not have to be sexual in nature, and can still be loving, and fulfilling – and so important.”
Good Omens reminds you that if you love something, fight for it.
The main reason Aziraphale and Crowley fight to stop the apocalypse is because they’ve fallen in love with life on Earth. Good Omens shows us our world through these celestial beings and why they’re so dead set on saving the universe. Through this, we get the life lesson on endurance: you have to fight for what you love, no matter what.
Almost every fan touched on this during the interviews, but Mia really took home this message personally. “Fight for what you love, the people that are important to you, and just enjoy who you are – even though that means cutting ties with people, or go against what is expected of you.”
Good Omens shows us you don’t have to take religion so seriously.
People raised in a religion are often treated to very serious sermons and passages of the Bible. It can sometimes be hard to find laughter within Christianity (or any religion for that matter). Pratchett and Gaiman chose to write Good Omens even though it makes a joke out of a lot of the characters from the Bible.
It brings these characters to life with actual personalities, while still being respectful of the religion from which they originate. Aziraphale and Crowley are what we imagine angels and demons to be like IRL. Good Omens allows those who have an uncomfortable relationship with religion to laugh about it in the end.
Ree had an uncomfortable relationship with religion growing up, but after discovering Good Omens, she was able to find humor in it. “In some ways, I think the teenage girl who first read Good Omens just needed someone to tell her it was okay to laugh at God. That there was something funny about religion and it was okay to think that.”
