Good Omens Season 2: Look Who’s Coming to Tea

The co-produced BBC and Amazon’s Good Omens is a series based on the book written by Neil Gaiman and the late Terry Pratchett and the first season followed that book closely where the Angel Aziraphale (Michael Sheen) and the Demon Crowley (David Tennant) try to thwart the coming Armageddon because they like the life they have built on Earth.  Having successfully saved the planet, we now rejoin Aziraphale and Crowley, who are both ostracized from their respective homes (Heaven and Hell) but are living their lives on Earth. But an unexpected visitor to Aziraphale’s bookshop puts them in danger once again, and the pair must work together to find out why Gabriel (Jon Hamm), the leader of Heaven’s forces, has suddenly come to Earth, naked and without any memories, carrying an empty box.  What does this mean for the unlikely pair of heroes? What does this mean for survival of Earth? What does this mean? Watch and find out!

All episodes for season two are now streaming on Amazon Prime but unfortunately, I have only had the time to watch the first episode before writing this review.  The amazing thing about both Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett is the ability to make the extraordinary seem commonplace in a most humorous way and the first episode of season two does not disappoint, keeping the same witty dialogue and amazing storytelling.  Both Aziraphale and Crowley are likeable characters and played once again to perfection by Michael Sheen as the foppish Angel and David Tennant as the mischievous Demon, who not only form a friendship but harbor unresolved feelings of love towards one another.  The first scene of the episode demonstrates the immediate attraction that Aziraphale had towards Crowley, and although nothing is said, the subtext is very strong.  I can’t wait to see how the story plays out.

The technical aspects of the episode were also very good.  The visuals in the beginning showing the creation of the universe (or at least a part of it) were beautifully rendered striking the subtle sense of awe at what was being created juxtaposed with the humorous dialogue about why it was being created.   The cinematography was also expertly done with fanciful camera angles highlighting the farcical nature of the story.  But what immediately struck me at the very beginning of the episode was the wonderful original music composed for the series. David Arnold returns as the composer and does an absolutely amazing job.  With hints of Danny Elfman, David uses unusual instruments to create sounds that emphasizes the intentions of a scene.  Using lutes, lyres, bass brass and drums and some choral elements, Arnold is able to create something that represents the two sides that are at odds with each other, and yet somehow harmonious at the same time.  No easy feat. Overall, the episode was well performed and well executed, and I can’t wait to watch the rest of the season.