*Warning: Spoilers Ahead*
An omen is a prophetic sign, real or imaginary, that something will happen. A good omen is a sign for good fortune or good luck, much like how finding a penny head-side-up gives you good luck. How, then, is the unlikely friendship between an angel and a demon, a good omen? Well, when they’re the only thing separating humankind from ultimate doom, they’re nothing short of a good omen.
Based on the book of the same title written by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, “Good Omens” is a fantasy comedy series following Aziraphale and Crowley, an angel and a demon, as they try to stop Armageddon from destroying their home. Aziraphale, played by Michael Sheen, is an angel sent from Heaven to guide humankind into good, and Crowley, played by David Tennant, is a demon sent from Hell to lead humankind into temptation and evil. However, they realize that all their hard work is being canceled out by the other, and they decide to leave the good and wrongdoing to the humans. As long as they report back to their “head offices,” they’re good to live as they please. So, Crowley indulges his every whim, while Aziraphale has his little bookstore, while humankind’s humanity does their work for them.
Their way of life is soon threatened by the arrival of the Antichrist, the catalyst of Armageddon, and the start of the Great War between Heaven and Hell. As soon as Crowley is given the Antichrist, he goes to Aziraphale with a master plan — one that will ensure Armageddon doesn’t happen while still doing their job — to raise the Antichrist to be good (as good as the embodiment of evil can be, that is). But, their plan goes awry when the Antichrist is switched with the wrong baby. See, the Antichrist was supposed to be switched with an American diplomat’s baby but instead was switched with a regular family from Tadfield — a small village in the country.
Although the series tackles the complex and heavy theme of Christianity and the end of the world, it keeps a light-hearted tone throughout. It centers around the dynamic between Aziraphale and Crowley and their love for Earth. The reason they work to save humankind isn’t because of their unwavering love for humans, but because of their love for their lifestyle, for their freedom, and (though not admitted) for each other.
Aziraphale and Crowley’s chemistry is the best kind of irony in the show. They are complete and absolute foils of each other: a literal angel and a literal demon. Crowley isn’t on for labels, while Aziraphale denies their friendship by stressing who they are. But not even he can deny how much they need each other.
One of my favorite aspects of the show is that it is narrated by God, voiced by Frances McDermot — a woman. Now, God is the ultimate omniscient narrator, she knows everything. And yet, she does nothing. God does not intervene nor interact with any of the characters. Her word, her plan, is communicated by higher-up angels, led by Gabriel. This is such an amazing detail, because, like Christianity, people don’t interact directly with God; only through “representatives,” either priests or saints or angels.
“Good Omens” is without a doubt one of my favorite series. I binged all of season one in a sitting, and I’m rewatching it with my boyfriend now that season two is in the making. I can’t wait to see what awaits Aziraphale and Crowley now that they’ve saved humankind.
