It has been a long time since Good Omens first arrived on Prime Video (four years, to be exact). At last, the second season, entitled Good Omens 2, debuts this Friday, and it’s a joy to have these characters back. While the story is not as strong as the first series, Sheen and Tennant remain the perfect duo as Aziraphale and Crowley and are the main reason to watch. We get more time with Jon Hamm as Gabriel, who becomes essential to the plot, and get introduced to some new supporting characters who aren’t quite as compelling this time.
The Plot
With Armageddon averted, a new problem arrives on Earth for our favorite angel (Sheen) and demon (Tennant) to deal with: Gabriel (Hamm), an archangel from Heaven with amnesia. However, hiding Gabriel from Heaven and Hell disrupts their lives quite suddenly. To solve the mystery, Aziraphale and Crowley need more than a miracle; this time, they need each other.
Also Read: Invincible Atom Eve Review: Perfect Standalone Story
The Critique
My main critique of the series is also something I respect: deviation from the source material. The first series covers the plot from the novel by Neil Gaiman and the late Terry Pratchett, but it’s the only source material. Gaiman, who wrote the first series, returns this time with John Finnemore to write Good Omens 2. While the series does take time to focus on the best aspect of the series (Aziraphale and Crowley’s ineffable friendship), it does drag a bit when Sheen and Tennant aren’t on screen.
There isn’t a better casting I can think of than Michael Sheen and David Tennant in these roles. They have such natural chemistry and are having such fun together on screen. They also have great chemistry with Jon Hamm, who gets to play a completely different Gabriel this time around. The amnesia allows Hamm to add more humor to the character, along with the innocence of a child experiencing everything for the first time.
We get some returning faces, but not how you would expect. Miranda Richardson, who played Madame Tracey in the first series, plays a demon named Shax with a close working relationship with Crowley. Nina Sosanya also returns in the new series, playing a coffee shop owner who is the object of a local record store owner’s affection (Maggie Service).
Unfortunately, even with Aziraphale and Crowley trying to help the two fall in love, this subplot doesn’t have enough to make it engaging and keep you invested. We get more backstory to Aziraphale and Crowley’s friendship to make up for it, with one flashback featuring a guest appearance from Tennant’s family (one that fans of Doctor Who will particularly enjoy).
In Conclusion
Overall, I would say that Good Omens 2 is something I’d recommend watching when it comes to Prime Video this Friday. While not as strong as the first series, it retains much of its charm, thanks to Michael Sheen and David Tennant. Still witty as ever, it also embraces the queerness of its characters, which is truly important as LGBTQ+ rights remain under attack. If you loved the first series of Good Omens, you will find something to enjoy the second time around. Neil Gaiman has something special with this angel/demon duo; hopefully, we see our ineffable friends together again.
Rating: 7/10
Follow us for more entertainment coverage on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
