Good Omens – Hard Times

By: Ariba Bhuvad

This episode focuses on the friendship between Aziraphale (Michael Sheen) and Crowley (David Tennant) over the centuries. As the history of the world is played out, the episode first begins circa 3004 BC as Noah prepared his ark. Mind you, both Aziraphale and Crowley were present for this. They were also there when Jesus was crucified. And as time continues to propel forward, we see them during medieval times when Aziraphale was part of King Arthur’s roundtable, during the French Revolution, the Roman Empire and aiding Shakespeare at the Globe Theatre while he worked on Hamlet.

The timeline continues to play out until present day depicting what’s probably the most genuine friendship a demon and an angel could have. Over the centuries the two have managed to help the other out, but there are still some things to work through. Case in point? Aziraphale isn’t as vocal about being friends with Crowley. In fact, he’s a bit ashamed. Crowley, on the other hand, has no problem whatsoever despite their worlds literally being the opposite of the other. It’s strange but the demon is the better friend in this scenario.

And with Crowley being so controversial, he proceeds to ask Aziraphale for a favor. He’d like some holy water to use as insurance just in case he gets in trouble with the boss. Aziraphale isn’t thrilled with the idea because holy water could seriously hurt Crowley, but eventually he decides to give it to him anyway. He gives Crowley a thermos full of holy water, only to be used when/if needed. During all of this, Crowley crosses paths with Shadwell (Michael McKean) and recruits him to be his human representative, unaware that Shadwell also works for Aziraphale. This works in their favor as they need to find the Antichrist and Shadwell is the one to do it.

Meanwhile, Newton (Jack Whitehall) notices some strange weather activity in Tadfield, but Shadwell doesn’t seem to care much about it until he realizes that he was meant to go there anyway. He sends Newton to go learn more about the activity, hoping that it’ll help him help Aziraphale and Crowley.

Aziraphale heads to Heaven to talk about the Antichrist and the mix up that may change things dramatically. Apparently no one cares about that because the end goal is to be in a war, no matter what. Aziraphale and Crowley aren’t about that life and are certainly not interested in killing a child, even if he is the Antichrist. With not many options left, Crowley considers running away with Aziraphale who (naturally) isn’t too comfortable with the idea since they aren’t even supposed to be friends. And before they know it, Aziraphale ends their friendship and breaks Crowley’s heart.

Famine (Yusuf Gatewood) is paid a visit by the International Express Man (Simon Merrells) while he’s busy getting his very odd restaurant together. But once the package arrives, Famine knows it’s time for Armaggedon and speeds off.

Back in Tadfield Anathema (Adria Arjona) continues to fret over losing her book of prophecies and happens to bump into Adam (Sam Taylor Buck). When he sees how upset she is he asks if he can help in any way and both of them sit down to have some lemonade in her cottage. They start talking about the world as Anathema shares conspiracies and Adam starts to believe they may be real simply because she read it in a magazine. And, of course, since Adam is the Antichrist the more he obsesses over what Anathema told him the more these conspiracies actually begin to occur.