Good Omens brought a massive ensemble cast together for an intricately woven story that took viewers all over the universe. Every episode has multiple plotlines, but one narrative thread stuck out; the unusual partnership between the angel Aziraphale and the demon Crowley. Fans of the first season will be thrilled to discover the second season paring down the b-plots and c-plots to focus on everyone's favorite odd couple.
As adaptations go, Good Omens is more connected to the source material than most. Neil Gaiman added co-writer John Finnemore to the mix for the second season, but he's still the chief voice of the work. Though this entry goes beyond the original book series remains a touching tribute to the life and works of the great Terry Pratchett. Fans of the book and series will be thrilled to see these characters return.
For the uninitiated, Good Omens primarily follows an angel named Aziraphale and a demon named Crowley. The first season revolved around the birth of the antichrist and the resulting end of days. The unlikely heroes succeed through a mix of luck, guile, and kindness. The world is saved, but Aziraphale and Crowley aren't out of the woods. They escape their executions but remain persona non grata with their respective species. Aziraphale returns to the bookstore while Crowley avoids the demon higher-ups. Like the first season, the second spends a lot of time exploring the thousands of years of backstory between the duo. The main plotline begins when the archangel Gabriel turns up nude in the middle of London with no memories and no explanation.
Gabriel arrives at Aziraphale's doorstep with an empty box, convinced that something terrible will happen if the rogue angel doesn't find what was inside it. Aziraphale drags Crowley into the mix as Heaven and Hell race to recover Gabriel. The holy folks need their leader back, and the demons want him destroyed, but Aziraphale takes pity on his amnesia. Crowley is conflicted. If Gabriel gets his memory back, Aziraphale's life is at stake. If Heaven discovers they've been hiding him, they'll destroy them both. The only way to survive the conflict is to find out why Gabriel's stuck on Earth, what claimed his memories, and what he was carrying in that empty box. The action takes detours to help a pair of reformed Satanic nuns find love and watch a new angel discover Earth's unique joys.
The highest praise that can be leveled at Good Omens season 2 is that it's a perfect continuation of season one. This is the moment the show takes off of the proverbial runway of its source material. The writing is as sharp as ever, and the storytelling keeps Neil Gaiman's high standards intact. Michael Sheen and David Tennant have become one of the internet's favorite duos since the release of the first season. Their chemistry remains naturally flawless whether they're bickering, cracking jokes, or awkwardly half-flirting. Fans will see them in their earliest interactions across the millennia and watch their relationship take on new dimensions in the modern day. John Hamm's new expanded role suits him well. He's a solid comedic actor who rarely gets the chance to flex his talent. Many of the first season's characters are missing, but the new cast members fit well into the narrative. Nina Sonanya returns to the series in a new role, a put-upon barista in a strained "will they won't they" with a record store owner.
There's not much out there like Good Omens. The Sandman is the closest comparison, but its grim elements make it a tonal mirror in the style of "Barbenheimer." Part of the brilliance of Good Omens is its melding of Gaiman and Pratchett's unique fantasy storytelling. Pratchett's voice is still so brilliant and prescient. His absence from the modern world remains one of the great literary tragedies of the era. In some way, Good Omens keeps his spirit alive in the public eye. There could be no better take on the kind of material that is sorely lacking elsewhere. Even the production of the series leaves a bittersweet sense of immortality. One can easily imagine Pratchett smiling down upon the ongoing story.
Good Omens season 2 is exactly what fans were expecting from the show's continuation. Neil Gaiman has no trouble returning to the material, new writer John Finnemore adds a lot to the story, and the series still occupies a valuable place in the world of entertainment. Newcomers who binge both seasons will have a great time, but this new batch of episodes will hit hardest for fans who fell in love with Aziraphale and Crowley before three years of eager waiting. Fans don't need the encouragement, but anyone unsure should allay their fears. The demon and the angel are back in style. A third season can't come fast enough.