Good Omens

[shapinglight]

I thought I ought to write a review of Good Omens,(on the principle that for most of my time on LJ/DW I've written reviews of fannish things I've watched so I feel I should carry on), but I'm struggling with what to say beyond that I enjoyed it.

Spoilers behind cut.



I can't, for instance, write about how I think it compares to the book because it's so many years since I read it that I can't remember much about it. I'd even forgotten the bit about Crowley being responsible for the M25, or that the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse turned up. I only remembered that the Antichrist decided he didn't want to be the Antichrist any more, and therefore the world didn't end.

I can't also remember whether events in the book were seen mostly through Crowley's and Aziraphale's eyes, the way they are in the show. However, that doesn't matter, as doing it that way was obviously the best choice. Michael Sheen and David Tennant were terrific together - more interesting to watch than any other members of the cast (though Miranda Richardson is of course wonderful in everything she does, and John Hamm was excellent).

I thought Heaven and Hell were very well done too. Ultimately, it seemed like there was very little difference between them, except that Heaven had better hygiene. In fact, I suppose that brings me to my only vague criticism, which is a criticism I also (vaguely) remember having when I read the book - which is that I wanted the reason why Crowley and Aziraphale survived their executions to be because God(dess) stepped in and fixed it, in order to teach the angels and demons a lesson. But I suppose that wouldn't have worked, since God(dess) was so hands off otherwise.

Anyway, it was great. It's just a shame there won't be any more, if only because it'd annoy those people who were demanding Netflix (heh!)cancel it so much.

ETA: I read the book in 1996.

Comments

[orangerful]

I want them to make a completely unrelated show and have Sheen be the naughty one and Tennant the goodie. Because just those few seconds in the last episode were adorable with their role reversal.

I'm probably going to pick up the book once the wait list goes away at the library. My high school friend tried to make me read it but I resisted.

[shapinglight]

Like I said, I don't remember that much about it, except what I've said, and that it wasn't my favourite Pratchett book.

[shadowkat]

Anyway, it was great. It's just a shame there won't be any more, if only because it'd annoy those people who were demanding Netflix cancel it (heh!) so much.

Well, it did inspire or prompt Netflix to pick up The Sandman series from Warners Entertainment Group. I guess they decided they should have their own Good Omens?

I had more or less the same response to it that you did. I don't remember the book that well, although I remembered the exact opposite from what you did -- I remembered Crowley was responsible for the screwup, and that the horsemen showed up, but forgot the rest.
Also the book -- has a sort of bittersweet feel to me, because it was given to me by an online friend embers_log who died several years ago at the age of 62. So seeing it made me think of her. She was a huge Terry Prachett fan -- saw him in person, and went to all the cons. And was trying desperately to get me to fall in love with him (I didn't -- too many frigging footnotes). I miss her. She'd have loved the series.

Anyhow, I found out online that my favorite part of the series -- the long bit between Crowley and Arizaphale through the ages in episode 3 was not in the book. Gaiman added it to explain their relationship better. Which I found interesting.

[shapinglight]

Well, it did inspire or prompt Netflix to pick up The Sandman series from Warners Entertainment Group. I guess they decided they should have their own Good Omens?

Maybe. I haven't read any of The Sandman but I don't think humour is one of its strong points. Could be wrong, though.

too many frigging footnotes

I love those. ;)

[shadowkat]

Depends on your sense of humor. I often find Gaiman funnier than Prachett, but I don't understand puns (my family has decided its genetic, none of us do) and I do and read a lot of footnoting in my job, so hate reading them in stories. Gaiman has a very dry and wry sense of humor sort of whimisical that either works or doesn't. I found aspects of Sandman to be humorous, but I wouldn't say it was hilarious. But I didn't find Good Omens generally speaking hilarious either, just sections of it.

[scripsi]

I read the book 25 years ago, so I came from the same place as you- apart from me remembering the horsemen, but not how Adam stopped the apocalypse. And I agree with you on the rest. :)

[shapinglight]

:)

Sorry it's taken me so long to respond to your comment.

[scripsi]

No worries- I'm not exactly the quickest responder myself. :)

[lyr]

Actually, Gaiman's said maybe on a second season. He and Prachett plotted out a sequel years ago but never got around to writing it, so there's material that could be used to go further. But he probably won't have time between American Gods and Sandman, I expect. I'm super-excited about Sandman, though!

[shapinglight]

Yes, me too, even though I've never read the comics. Guess I'd better find the wiki page and gen up. ;)

Sorry it's taken me so long to respond to your comment, btw. Been away most of the last three weeks.

[sibilant]

Having never read the book, I enjoyed it as English high camp whimsy. At times it was almost too arch, and Michael McKean's attempts at a Scottish accent grated (wonder what Tennant thought of it?). But overall, I was utterly entranced by the 2 leads - thought Sheen in particular was wonderfully avuncular and loveable.

I'm reading the book now and am quite surprised by what a faithful adaptation it was. The series got the tone just right.

[shapinglight]

That's good to know. As I said, I really don't remember that much about it.

Sorry it's taken me so long to answer your comment, btw.