When the book Good Omens was published in 1990, fans rejoiced at the collaboration between two of their favorite authors, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. While many wanted to see it on the screen, it took almost 30 years before this happened. Unfortunately, Sir Terry Pratchett died before he could see the wonderful representation of the protagonists Crowley, played by David Tennant, and Aziraphale, played by Michael Sheen. It was such a hit that Neil Gaiman was asked to write a second season. The result was a collaboration between John Finnemore and Gaiman, offering eager fans more storyline and comedy. It’s difficult to pick my favorite moments from Good Omens 2, but I’ll try.
1. The Archangel Gabriel, aka Jim
One of the opening scenes of Good Omens 2 features John Hamm walking naked down a city street holding nothing but a cardboard box. He’s lost all memory of being Gabriel, and Aziraphale agrees to hide him. Watching this character going from the imposing and serious archangel to the naive “Jim” gives many laugh-out-loud moments to the show. Notably, when Crawley doesn’t believe him and asks what he’s doing in the bookshop, he replies, “I am dusting!” while wielding a feather duster.
2. The Apology Dance
In episode one, Crowley returns to the bookshop and tells Aziraphale he is right. An upset Aziraphale asks him to give a “proper apology with a little dance.” After some deliberation, the demon reluctantly agrees. The dance to sung words, “You were right, you were right, I was wrong,” followed by a curtsey, is so out of character for Crowley that it made me rewind and play it several times.
3. The Yellow Bentley
Crowley’s pride and joy is his black 1926 Bentley. So when Aziraphale says he’s borrowing it, the demon is understandably apprehensive, especially when the angel says he got his driver’s license before they even had tests, but he insists on having one. While driving to Edinburgh, Aziraphale turned the car a bright yellow and played classical music. Crowley’s voice comes over the radio, saying he can see what the angel is doing and telling him to “change it back!”
4. Jane Austen’s Real Job
“You remember Jane Austen?” Aziraphale asks. “Never forget her in a hurry,” replies Crowley. “Brains behind the 1810 Clerkenwell Diamond robbery, brandy smuggler, and master spy. What a piece of work.” When Aziraphale replies that she wrote books, Crowley says he’s surprised she also does this. “You think you know someone!”
5. Angel Muriel
“I always say the best part of a cup-a-tea is looking at it,” Muriel says. She’s been sent to spy on Aziraphale and decided to dress in a white police uniform. Knocking at the bookshop door, she says, “I am a human police officer.” Her naivety as an angel attempting to imitate a human has many laugh-out-loud moments. Quenlin Sepulveda plays this character brilliantly.
6. Aziraphale’s Magician Antics
Fancying himself as a bit of a magician, Aziraphale offers to step in to cover for the magician who was meant to perform in a local adult establishment. “I am no stranger to the art of prestidigitation,” he proclaims while pulling a hanky from his pocket. The scene that follows with him trying to find a stand-out act in the local magic shop is hilarious. He picks up the magic rings and says he has a “natural dexterity” while knocking over various things in the shop. Afterward, he decides that the trick involving catching a bullet in his teeth is a good idea.
7. The Thing Jim Learned in Bed
During the shopkeepers’ meeting, aka Jane Austen ball, Jim (Gabriel) is serving guests hors d’oeuvres. He tells them that he’s learning new things about his body and that he learned one in bed the night before. The guests jump to conclusions and are intrigued when he offers to show them what he learned. He then proceeds to pull his cheeks in and out, making a flapping sound. It’s definitely not what they expected.
8. Spelling Demons
Shax may not be the best demon leader, but she did manage to raise enough interest for many of them to follow her in her quest to kidnap the Archangel Gabriel. However, they didn’t follow her for her spelling skills. A tablet reading, “Send out the angle,” is thrown through the bookshop window, and a short while later, Shax tells them if they don’t send him out, they will be toast — that’s “T-O-S -T…E.”
9. Jane Austen Ball
Aziraphale uses the shopkeepers’ meeting to stage a romantic setting for Nina and Maggie to hit it off. He decides that Jane Austen knows a thing or two about romance, and so performs a small miracle where everyone in attendance knows all the dance moves to intricate 18th-century dances. Everyone’s speech is turned into 18th-century style as well, and words deemed improper are changed to more suitable ones.
10. Putting the Books in Order
Trying to be useful, Jim sorts the books in the bookshop alphabetically. However, he uses the first letter of the first paragraph to do it. While this makes no sense, Aziraphale tells him to go ahead. Jim discovers that many of the first paragraphs start with the letter ‘I,’ so that section becomes quite full. There’s also a little Easter egg here — one of the books he looks at happens to be Good Omens.
11. No One Recognizes Gabriel
To protect Gabriel, Aziraphale and Crowley perform a miracle to hide him. Despite being right in front of them, the angels and demons have no idea who he is. This becomes hilarious, especially when he decides to give himself up, tells Shax he’s Gabriel, and tells him to shut up.
12. The Permit
In a flashback scene, Aziraphale and Crowley meet during Job’s time in the Bible. Crowley appears to be herding goats. Aziraphale gets on a rock and, in his best booming voice, proclaims, “Avaunt, foul demon, in the name of the Almighty, begone!” “No,” Crowley replies and tells the angel that he has a permit to wreak havoc on Job’s belongings.
Ree Winter, an Australian journalist now based in New Orleans, combines her love for solo travel with a sharp eye for great flight and accommodation deals. She eagerly shares her travel insights with her audience, drawing from her rich experiences. Ree holds a Master's degree in Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and History. Her fascination with history is evident in her stint as a tour guide at historic house museums, showcasing her knowledge of architectural history. Beyond journalism and history, Ree has a unique flair for coffee culture. As a barista, she's operated a coffee van at various events and markets, showcasing her skill in coffee preparation.