Good Omens: A love letter to humanity

Humanity can sometimes seem ineffable. After all, we are complex beings who try to simplify ourselves into two distinct sides: good and evil. However, through a mix of absurdism and humor, “Good Omens” points out the flaws in this line of thinking by following an unorthodox pair of best friends, Aziraphale (Micheal Sheen)—a bubbly book-loving angel—and Crowley (David Tennant)—a fast-talking demon—as they try to avert the apocalypse. Both entities were sent to Earth over 6,000 years ago as Heaven and Hell’s emissaries and through their time on Earth have grown quite fond of humanity and each other.

The novel, “Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch”, was released in 1990 as a collaborative work between English authors Sir Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. Over the years, the novel has become a much-beloved work, garnering itself a radio show and in 2019, a television adaptation. Gaiman was a crucial member of the production team for the show alongside director Douglas Mackinnon and executive producer Rob Wilkins, who was tasked with maintaining the vision of Pratchett since his passing in 2015. The first season of the show, titled simply “Good Omens”, spanned the entire plot of the novel. 

Prior to the release of the Prime Video show and Pratchett’s passing, Gaiman and Pratchett had engaged in talks about what a possible sequel to the original story would look like. This theoretical sequel—or part of it, rather—was finally brought to life earlier this year with the release of the second season of “Good Omens”. The finale of the story, however, is yet to be seen by audiences. But, Gaiman has expressed hopes for a third and final season to close out the story, should Prime Video renew the show. 

At its core, “Good Omens” is a show that makes the case that the flaws of humanity are what make us who we are through the development of Crowley and Aziraphale’ relationship and their shared love for humanity. 

In the beginning, Crowley and Aziraphale connect over their concern about having done the “wrong” thing. Crowley wonders if he did something “good” by giving Eve the apple and Aziraphale wonders if it was “bad” to have given away his flaming sword. Ultimately, they decide that they both made the “right” choice. However, this interaction leaves them to wonder if it would really have been so bad if they had done something for the other side.

Then, as centuries go by, the two develop an unshakable bond, and ultimately a side of their own, as the duo distance themselves further from Heaven and Hell. Aziraphale is drawn to Crowley’s unwillingness to play by the rules, while Crowley appreciates Aziraphale’s compassion. The traits they like most about each other are ironically what should make them enemies. Yet, they realize they appreciate these traits in one another because they are not so different after all. Crowley is a demon who cares for things, and Aziraphale is an angel with a rebellious side. By seeing their “flawed” traits mirrored in the other, they come to understand that neither is as bad as they had been led to believe. It is this, the admiration not in spite of, but because of their flaws, that demonstrates the beauty that comes with being human.

In a way, “Good Omens” is a love letter to humanity in all our flaws. It reminds us that our differences and moral ambiguity are not necessarily a bad thing, and may make the world brighter. Nothing is ever as clear-cut as it initially seems because everyone has their own beliefs and biases that influence the way they perceive the world and because of that no one will ever be exactly right or wrong. Instead, we rest on the precipice between the two. To Aziraphale and Crowley, that fact is enough to make humanity a wonderful thing worth saving. We could do well to remember that, especially the next time a nightingale sings in Berkeley Square.

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