Good Omens Season 2 Review

Based on the beloved novel by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, the first season of Prime Video’s Good Omens quickly became a quickly beloved success for fans and the new audience members who tuned in. The season’s investing narrative, compelling characters, gut-busting humor and dynamite cast, all culminated in a fantastic, although looking back, underrated TV show. Due to Gaiman and Pratchett only ever writing one novel, which the first season was solely based upon, we never expected there to be a season two, despite how much we wanted one. Cut to four years later, with season two swiftly on the horizon.

Before Terry Pratchett’s heartbreaking death, he and Neil Gaiman had been brewing ideas on how to continue their book series, expanding on the immersive and detailed world they lovingly created. However, since Pratchett’s passing, no efforts have been made to continue the book series. Instead, Gaiman took on the opportunity and the sole responsibility of continuing the success of the Good Omens TV series, and instead of writing another novel, Gaiman introduced fans and audiences across the globe to his new ideas for the series in TV format.

With that, Gaiman’s original story and continuation of Good Omens’ universe is another brilliant season in the beloved TV show. David Tennant and Michael Sheen are once again a flawless and incredibly entertaining duo. The show’s humor never fails to make us laugh, and season two’s narrative and mystery is gripping. On top of that, perhaps the standout of season two is Jon Hamm, reprising his role as the Angel Gabriel.

Good Omens’ Devilishly Compelling Mystery

After saving the world from Armageddon, Aziraphale (Michael Sheen), Heaven’s representative on Earth, and Victor Crowley (David Tennant), Hell’s representative, have both been cut off from their respective sides. Aziraphale now owns a bookshop, which is never open, and Victor Crowley is just enjoying his retirement. When purchasing and listening to one of his favorite records, Aziraphale soon hears a commotion outside his store, followed by a loud knock. Aziraphale opens the door, only to find a fully nude archangel Gabriel, who attempted to kill Aziraphale in the last season, standing on his doorstep.

It isn’t long before the audience and Aziraphale realize that Gabriel’s memory has been fully wiped. He can’t remember his name, where he came from, his life as the archangel Gabriel, or why he is at Aziraphale’s bookshop. Not being able to handle the situation on his own, Aziraphale quickly calls for Crowley’s help. The two must solve the mystery together all while hiding Gabriel from both Heaven and Hell, a mission that is far from easy.

Audiences will be fully immersed into the show’s mystery, constantly asking why the archangel Gabriel is on Earth? Why has he lost his memory? And why did he come to Aziraphale for help?. These are all questions that will rattle through your mind as the series goes on. Just as we think we are getting close to finding the answer, another curveball will be thrown our way, leaving Aziraphale and Crowley back to square one, with virtually no idea how to progress. The two therefore must recall their past and their encounters with Gabriel in order to solve this possibly world-ending mystery.

Related: These Are the Best Adaptations of Neil Gaiman Books, Ranked

A Joyous Journey Through Time

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As with season one, season two’s mystery takes audiences through time. Audiences venture back to before The Beginning (the creation of the universe), the Biblical times, the Victorian era, and 1940s England. These B-plots are in some cases far more investing than the overall mystery. Sure, as previously mentioned, the mystery is incredibly gripping, but Sheen and Tennant’s performances, Good Omens’ immersive production design, and the show’s great writing are at their best when we travel back in time.

While these subplots do expand on the mystery ever so slightly, they are instead meant to show how Crowley and Aziraphale’s infectious friendship has grown and developed over time.

The most compelling subplot is without a doubt Crowley and Aziraphale’s journey to the Victorian Era, where the two meet a body snatcher and grave robber. This leads to some great moral dynamics and conundrums for Aziraphale, who, due to him being an angel, firmly believes that digging up graves is a huge sin. Meanwhile, Crowley is just having a lovely old time with his incredibly large top hat and over-the-top Scottish accent. Yes, we know David Tennant is Scottish, however, he turns the Scottish up to 11 during his time in Victorian Edinburgh.

Sheen and Tennant Prove Why They’re a Match Made in Heaven

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Michael Sheen and David Tennant are once again the show’s highlight. Oozing with infectious chemistry, the two real-life best friends seamlessly slip back into their incredibly diverse roles. Aziraphale is an anal yet excitable stickler for the rules; being an angel, he has quite an affection for doing good. Sheen is delightfully fun to watch. His comedic timing is on point and when it comes to the more serious scenes, Sheen can certainly hold his own, especially in the powerful final scene.

Victor Crowley walks, no, strolls around Earth with very few worries. Other than the second apocalypse, of course. He’s over-the-top and simply a joy to watch. Therefore, Tennant is perfect in the role, bringing the energy from his time as The Doctor in Doctor Who, as occasionally delving into the tenacity prevalent in his time as Kilgrave in Jessica Jones.

Together, the two are a dynamite pairing, seamlessly bouncing back and forth from each other, elevating the show’s humor and allowing audiences to feel more immersed in Good Omens as a whole.

Related: Here Are All the Dr. Who Doctors and Where They Rank as the Time Lord

Jon Hamm’s Archangel Gabriel Shines Bright

Prime Video

As fantastic as David Tennant and Michael Sheen are, it’s Jon Hamm’s archangel Gabriel who steals season two. Hamm was brilliant in season one as the intimidating villain Gabriel, but since losing his memory, Gabriel has become far nicer, more naive, and much more interesting; and Hamm helps make his character far more entertaining. He’s truly lovable.

Gabriel must try and remember who he is, but in the meantime, Aziraphale must keep Gabriel hidden by using a secret name, “Jim,” which leads to one of the best gags in the season, as well as employing “Jim” as a bookkeeper in his shop. Hamm’s comedic timing is genius. With almost every line he will have audiences curling over with laughter. The rest of the cast (including Nina Sosanya, Maggie Service, Quelin Sepulveda, Liz Carr, and Shelley Conn) are extremely fun to be around as well, making season two an often surprising, clever, and ultimately poignant continuation of the show.

Good Omens season two releases on Prime Video July 28th. You can check out our interview with Michael Sheen and David Tennant below.

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