Back in 2019, the demon Crowley and the angel Aziraphale teamed up to stop the Antichrist and Armageddon in the first season of Good Omens. The move made them outcasts from Heaven and Hell – but honestly, they like Earth better anyway. Now, a few years later, their creature comforts are threatened by the arrival of a certain amnesiac arcangel. Crowley and Aziraphale will have to use their combined powers to hide Gabriel from everyone in the Up and the Down, or risk losing everything they hold dear (again).

Michael Sheen and David Tennant reprise their roles as Aziraphale and Crowley for season 2 of the Prime Video series.

Good Omens: From Armageddon & the Antichrist to an Amnesiac Arcangel

Season 1 of Good Omens adapted Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s novel of the same name. So, the story was familiar to fans. But season 2 expands on the world of the source material, drawing fans into a brand-new adventure with their favorite angel and demon duo. (And it’s pretty exciting to get new content for characters who debuted back in 1990.)

Of course, expanding an adaptation beyond its source material always comes with some risks. Can it stay faithful to its roots and what everyone loved about the original? Luckily, with Gaiman himself teaming up with co-showrunner Douglas Mackinnon, fans have nothing to worry about and everything to get excited for. I loved the new story for Good Omens season 2! 

Gabriel’s missing memory creates a fun mystery, while also giving Aziraphale and Crowley a new common goal and mission. The romantic subplot forcing the pair to play matchmaker to Nina and Maggie also works well. Both stories draw in the audience, while providing the perfect backdrops to further explore Crowley and Aziraphale’s different personalities and approaches to problem-solving. This is a show that really works because of the dynamic between these two characters, and season 2 rightly puts their relationship front and center.

We also get to dive deeper into the lore of Good Omens, exploring more of the bureaucracy of Heaven and Hell, as well as how Crowley and Aziraphale served their respective sides over the years. You know what that means – more flashbacks! (This might be the only time I have ever referenced a flashbacks with such sincere excitement.) One of the things people loved about the first season of Good Omens was seeing Crowley and Aziraphale’s interactions and adventures in centuries past. Season 2 continues to include these kinds of flashback sequences, which feels like a real treat for fans.

Devilishly delightful performances

You know when you watch something and you can just tell the cast is having the time of their lives with their roles? That’s Good Omens season 2. 

Despite a four year hiatus, Tennant and Sheen slip perfectly back into their roles as Crowley and Aziraphale. Tennant revels in Crowley’s sarcasm and flair for the dramatic; Sheen delightfully delivers Aziraphale’s anxiety and holier-than-thou smugness. Whether they’re collaborating on half-miracles, doing apology dances and magic tricks, or conspiring to make two humans fall in love, it’s clear both actors truly take pride in these characters and enjoy every minute of bringing them to life on screen.

Also living it up in the best possible way? Jon Hamm as Gabriel (/Jim/James). Absolutely flawless delivery and comedic timing – I probably laughed out loud during every one of his scenes.

Where things sauntered vaguely downwards…

If this story of Heaven and Hell has a lesson somewhere, it might be that there’s no such thing as perfection. Good Omens season 2 isn’t without its flaws. There’s definitely some imbalance here when it comes to the plot; episode 4, for example, is mostly a flashback. While plenty of fun, it means not much happens to advance the season’s main story. The middle of the season also strays from Gabriel, leaving his mystery memory and ominous warning on the backburner in favor of some more character-driven shenanigans.

This isn’t even a full critique – a focus on character-driven shenanigans is the appeal of Good Omens, after all. (Honestly, I think I speak for most fans when I say we’d watch Crowley and Aziraphale get up to just about anything.) That said, I did get invested in the Gabriel story, and wish it hadn’t fallen away quite so much in the center of the season.

Good Omens Season 2 Is A Heavenly Good Time

People sometimes use the phrase “fan service” as a critique. And Good Omens season 2 really does feel quite driven by fan service. But you know what? I vastly prefer a series that knows what its fans want and delivers that over a series that intentionally goes against its fans under the guise of shock value or prestige. 

Good Omens might not be flawless, but it’s certainly fun. In fact, I’d go so far as to call this sophomore season an overwhelming success. Season 2 really doubled down on the best parts of Season 1 – Aziraphale and Crowley’s relationship, the nuances of the Up and the Down – proving the series really understands what people love about the show. I actually enjoyed this season even more than the first! All in all, Good Omens fans are in for a heavenly good time with season 2.

Good Omens season 2 premieres on Prime Video July 28.