Good Omens || Crowley, It’s Too Late || Character Analysis
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- Опубліковано 15 чер 2024
- Crowley is an incredibly complex character. This video discusses why he thinks it’s always too late, and how that relates to his innate desire to question everything, and his past trauma.
My apologies for the jump cut at 08:30. Amazon decided I couldn't use that clip :( The missing bit just talks about Crowley relating to and being empathetic to humans, despite knowing they are flawed.
00:00 - Crowley, Character Analysis
00:47 - In the Beginning
01:39 - It's Too Late in Edinburgh
04:08 - It's Too Late for Aziraphale
05:59 - It's Too Late for Crowley
11:20 - Conclusion - It’s Always Too Late
13:11 - Predictions
14:20 - Random Thought
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Thumbnail image - Good Omens - Crowley (DAVID TENNANT) - (C) BBC Studios/Amazon Studios - Photographer: Ilze Kitshoff
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Might i remind you that in the book, Crowley's watch shows the time in 20 countries, including Another Place, where the time is always TOO LATE
Ah yes! I tend not to include book info, as Neil has said they are different canons, but that is true!
@@Sendarya Oh ok! That's interesting that they're different canons, cause the first part at least is very similar
Yeah, I read that and it tickled me too.
That's one of my favorite things in the book. That book, man. It wastes no opportunity to let us know how terribly bitter our Crowley is. Truly heartbreaking.
I didn't know "Another Place" is what they call India over there. Good to know
Because, underneath it all, Crowley was an optimist.
Crowley doesn't like being associated with snakes. Hence the name change from Crawley. Crows fly. I wonder if he sees himself as an angel at heart? We know from Gaimen that Crowley chose those black wings. I wonder if he saw crows and decided he wanted to be like them? Crows are associated with a bad omen, death, and destruction. This is because historically crows were seen around carcasses and people immediately assumed they were the ones to bring bad luck to others, when in reality, it was due to their nature as scavengers, finding things that predators have killed or have already died and eating the remaining carcass. But in reality, crows have good memory, like shiny things, are well-tempered, and are vital to preventing the spread of diseases. I wonder if he associates himself with them like he does duck?
He heard the rumors about the evil crows, went to see them for himself, learned about them by observing, and renamed himself after them due to how he thinks others see him, versus how he sees himself.
I like that theory! It makes sense. He never explains the change.
I think that Crowley's reference to himself as a former demon is a reflection of where he is at in his journey. Crowley does suffer from depression, self-doubt, and trauma, but I think his calling himself a former demon is a big step for him towards something else. By labeling himself as a former demon, he is effectively placing a very strong, healthy boundary between himself and heaven and hell. He is taking the first steps towards addressing his trauma and creating a new space to exist in. He will likely fall off the deep end without Aziraphale because he is so co-dependent on him, but I also don't think it will last. Crowley has looked to Azriaphale to get the friendship and acceptance that he couldn't get anywhere else, but he also never needed Aziraphale in order to define himself as a character. We see this in the Job episode, where he has already decided that he is on his own side, even before entrusting Aziraphale to help him save Job's children. We see this again more directly when he says both heaven and hell are toxic. He's not just on his own side anymore; he has actively identified the problem and wants to take steps to distance himself from it. Again, he makes this decision without Aziraphale (he just really wants Aziraphale to join him in this space). I don't think he will wallow in self-pity indefinitely. That's not who he is. He's already pulled himself out of a pool of burning sulfur and redefined himself once. He will do it again. He may not always deal with it in the healthiest or most productive ways, but I do think we will eventually see a Crowley in season 3 who is more emotionally stable and more sure of who he is and what he wants to be.
Yep, that spark of hope and self determination is strong in Crowley. I agree, he won't wallow for long! I hope he makes friends with Muriel. That would be good for him.
Yes, it would be good for him to be friends with Muriel. I also think he'd get along well with Nina.@@Sendarya
Wouldn't it be great to see him with Maggie. Nina, and Muriel, like the mom, sister, and daughter he never had.
your types of video essays/analyses are such a treat to have in a fandom
Aw, thank you so much! I'm just happy to part of such a wonderful fandom in the first place. ❤️
I heartily agree. There is depth in this universe and you excavate it superbly!
Aziraphale saying “rescuing me makes him so happy” when really he loves letting Crowley rescue him because he knows it will always give Crowely a reason to live asksjsaja i am DEAD
Such a nice catch of Crowley in all those shots associated with time. Lovely, oh my gosh, how they framed him against the clock in the bookshop during his confession, pitting him against time when last season his ability to manipulate it was his desperate last resort. And when he asks Aziraphale that awful question, “Hear anything?” the ticking of the clock is so loud-it’s replaced the nightingale.
😢 Well spotted! I didn't mention that ticking, but it's there, that's so sad!!
What you said is so beautiful that now I feel like the Doctor Who reference I was gonna make would just feel silly in comparison, lol. The reasons to have Crowley associated with time are so much more profound than just, _Oh, look, he played a time-lord, and now he's running out of time, lol!_ 😂I love your assessment so much better.
Nothing is silly. Share your Doctor Who reference! This show has TONS of comedy. I have 3-4 videos that are just silly stuff in the show I find amusing. Don't be afraid to share :)
@@aisleelovegreenwood6448. Didn’t he make that comment in Dr Who? It just sounds so familiar. And I don’t know if his comparison of the angels as bees is worth noting because I don’t know if it’s in 🎉the book (yet,, I just started the book) but I immediately thought of his comments, as the Doctor, about bees when Donna mentioned them. If it’s not in the book, I wonder if it was deliberate. Either I am imagining things but there are other times the things he says or does as Crowley make me think it’s something he said/did as the Doctor.
@@lulu480 He did make a comment about the broken clock ticking being a scary sound in the episode about Madame de Pompadour _(The Girl In The Fireplace)._ Is that the one you're thinking of? Or was it a different episode, if you can recall?
GUYS WAKE UP SENDARYA MADE A NEW GOOD OMENS VIDEO!!!
Praise be! 😂
Crowley definitely dont relate himself to Hell. We can see it from S1. In very 1st episode when Hastur greets "hail the satan" Crowley just says hi. When the book shop is burning he is in doubt where he should curse in the name of hell. Through interaction since s1 we have seen that he has began to despise Hell and prefer to stay away from it. Crowley sees Hell as toxic workplace from where he can never retire. Its like a work place where You are stuck in that, eventually you see yourself as seperate entity all together. Yes, he has to report, but he is never shown excited about unlike Aziraphale. He tries his best to stay away from Hell.
With years surrounded by humanity I think he has began to see himself as more human than demon. He relates to human, like you said where he sees them facing consequences of their actions. He sees them bounce back from every terrible discussion made. He sees that questions asked have answers than end point. He has seen humans asking questions and finding solutions without worrying of consequences.
That is why he likes humanity unlike Aziraphale. Aziraphale sees humanity more in boyish or materialistic way . I meant that its more like distraction to his routine work as an angel. No doubt he has grown to love it and care for it. But there is some detachment, where he doesn't see it as home. He still thinks Heaven as his home and angels as his close one.
But for Crowley, humanity is his place where he survived without judgements ( by God) . He got the sense, that of self within humanity. Its just not about asking questions. Its about being "grey". He saw humans as grey, where certain characteristics doesn't define identify of a being. Its good and bad, you learn as you make mistakes and question.
He didn't get either from Heaven or Hell. The place of self in either of institutions. The institutions which were meant to be "his", dont accept his flaws or his quirks.
Thats why he is so relatable as well. We all are struggling to find that place that is our own.
I am extremely sorry for ranting here. Sorry if my comment bored uou
Never be sorry for rambling. This is a great place to share your thoughts! It is such a relatable story, with very relatable characters, considering they are celestial, lol. Thank you for sharing.
I love this!!! I am so invested in the idea that Crowley and Azi are slowly becoming more human (although hopefully not mortal; that would be terrible!)
You understand everything, and you explain so well. Bravo!
I see Crowley as a scientist, he's always questioning and learning. He's not a person of faith. He's a democratic who feels good with humanity, whereas Heaven and Hell are totalitarian states. I love him so much...
Crowley really is such an amazing character. There's a lot we can relate to...
I know you talked about him being an engineer but I haven’t seen anyone directly talk about the “tool” Crowley uses. In season one when he’s restarting time he spins the tool to get it going. Originally everyone just says ‘ow it’s a piece of his car’ but in the before the beginning scene he used it to prime the engine for the start of the universe. Humans weren’t even finished yet let alone had time to invent cars. I wonder why he always has it in big moments of immense control of creation
That is an interesting question! It does seem to be a sort of symbol of his...engineer status. Like Aziraphale's ring?
That's right
The crank is part of the simple machines (a concept in physics), related to the lever and the wheel and axle.
To me, it makes sense that an angel involved in defining the laws of physics of the universe would have an aspect of simple machines as their symbol.
Ah yes somebody saw that tooooo!!!! Thank youuuu ❤️❤️
Good video. Perhaps the key is from series 1, episode 5 - where Crowley survives the flames on the M25 (and Hastur does not) - because, as God so succinctly puts it: Crowley has an imagination. It is this imagination that drives Crowley's curiosity, desire to question, is infecting (slowly but surely) Aziraphale, and perhaps also having had an impact on Gabriel and Beelzebub. Ultimately, as you suggest, I think this is all about Neil Gaiman (& the late Terry Pratchett's) take on free will - what it means - the consequences, which have both highs and lows. I suspect - for instance, no demon was actually prevented from entering Aziraphale's Bookshop unless invited - stopped by some mystic vampiric power (as was implied), but because they had been told they needed permission, and lacked the imagination that they could "just go in" if they wanted too. Bureaucrats to the end!
Excellent point about imagination, that is a big part of Crowley. I never considered that demons might not actually be prevented from entering. And I do agree, this...infection is not the right word...spread of imagination and curiosity is a BIG deal. Makes me want to do a video just on Muriel. And Shax. I have so many thoughts about Shax. Thank you for the very insightful comment!
@@Sendarya Any video on Muriel would be fantastic - I think she might be my favourite new character of the new series (although Maggie, Nina & Gabriel's Jim all run her close). And Muriel has her own form of unique infectious innocence and joy that I just want a whole series of. The ultimate anti-depressant!!
@@Sendarya I am pretty sure Terry & Neil have often shared a common conviction re Dogma (or - anti-dogma). The receiving of information "without question" as is often required by religion (under the guise of needing "faith") - the very polar opposite of Crowley, and the journey Aziraphale has yet to complete. Since this is a jarring topic for many with a religious upbringing, I feel that Neil is triying to find a subtle way to make the point "within" the Good Omens universe without seeming overtly preachy. But again - I could be very mistaken!
@@Sendaryaanalysis of Shax would be great as that is a character I don't understand.
I think az will fall too. hence the name hes given himself-fell.
crowley isnt innocent-he admits he fought on the plains of heaven. thats more than asking questions.
but im still mad at az. if i was crowley id ask for more than an apology dance. az knows how fragile crowley is. he knew crowley wouldt go back to heaven so just why did az accept to going back? az knew hed be going alone
az is a cult member
This is the point for Crowley. In the book, the phrase "too late" refers to Crowley's clock, which tells the time in all the capitals of the world and also in one other place, where it is always too late. He has the ability to stop time, even if only for a few moments. His imagination and foresight allow him to guess what will happen but for him it is always too late, it is always Hell time. He can't really do anything to stop time running. And that's why Az's quote "nothing lasts forever" is so devastating to him.
I like the idea that Crowley who was an engineer of the world, could become the engineer of a new world after a potential second apocalypse. I love your videos :)
That's a lovely echo, what a great idea! And thank you ❤️
This is the first analysis I've seen really that takes Aziraphale's "but rescuing me makes (Crowley) so happy" as just the plain truth, and you explained it _so_ well. I never was really fully on board with the fandom's cynicism in thinking Aziraphale was just being self centered here, cause it's never _just_ rescuing. It was usually the catalyst for nice moments between them, before they could just be in each other's company openly whenever they wanted. They go grab food after, talk, hang out, Crowley treats him with this extra warmth which _shows_ he's happy, it's not an assumption. Crowley didn't end up needing to rescue Aziraphale, but low and behold, what was he planning to do after? Yup, take him out for breakfast.
Would love to hear thoughts on the Bentley......it's obviously sentient. It purrs LOL. The idea that Aziraphale perhaps sent the Nightengale song to the Bentley for Crowley as a sign that "we'll be okay." I think you are right about the Aziraphale time bomb. Metatron will never let him have any kind of actual power. His goal was to split them up and fill the Supreme Archangel position with somebody he thinks can be manipulated. But our crafty angel is a lot more savvy than I think we, and Heaven, gives him credit for. And the Bentley loves them both.
The Bentley is on my list! Many thoughts on the Bentley. That one might end up a Mini Monday near the end of the month. And yes, I think the Metatron is severely underestimating Aziraphale. Everyone thinks he's soft, but we know there's steel under that sweet smile. :) Thank you!
Excellent as always! I really enjoy your analysis and the concise way you bring your thoughts together.
I think Crowley’s feeling of being out of control is part of the reason why the last scene between him and Aziraphale went so badly for them. Because Crowley tends to feel powerless when things get out of hands while Aziraphale tends to be overly optimistic and assumes he can get the situation under control even if it might be impossible.
Crowley often questions but rarely acts and Aziraphale rarely questions but often acts. Even in the first scene of season ne this becomes apparent. Crowley questions whether or not it is fair to punish Adam and Eve for the apple but he did what he was told to do anyway and accomplished his temptation. Meanwhile Aziraphale doesn’t question whether it’s right or wrong to punish them but still acts without permission by giving them the sword. Same in the resurrectionst episode. Crowley asks the hard questions but Aziraphale is the one who actively tampers in the lives of the humans. (When Crowley does the same at the end of the flashback, he instantly gets punished for it, though.)
The Job episode has them momentarily switch these roles, I think. But the finale is back to the same spiel: Crowley questions and rejects both Heaven’s and Hell's motives and just assumes there’s nothing to be done about it other than staying out of it and doing their own thing/running away. Meanwhile Aziraphale acts first and thinks later because he just assumes that he can influence the situation and determine the outcome. Personally I think if Crowley has agreed to go with him, they would have been a force to be reckoned with in heaven. This is probably why the Metatron schemed to break them apart. Because with Crowley at his side to make him question things Aziraphale always finds the right answer.
Very insightful comment, thank you! I agree, they do have these opposing tendencies. Another way in which the balance each other. I wonder if Crowley feels he has much free will, or if things are simply fated, while Aziraphale seems to really believe strongly in free will. At least their actions say as much, as you point out!
Interesting, I don't really agree with this analysis, Crowley does things all the time, he is constantly helping people (and then getting mad when Aziraphale calls him nice). Aziraphale, with the exception of the flaming sword, doesn't really do anything truly actively moral unless Crowley prods him into it with his questioning. (And I'm not even sure the flaming Sword example should count as moral bravery, because he didn't think it could get him into trouble until he had already done it, it was kindness, but not bravery necessarily). Crowley leads by example. I think people forget that Crowley was the one who wanted to save the world, and the one who came up with the plan to do so, and convinced Aziraphale to get on board. Sure Aziraphale's conscience might nag him a little, but he doesn't do jack until Crowley saunters up and rants about the almighty killing children and how unfair that is or whatever the situation is. Just Crowley's natural state of being is a rebellious act, his passive kindness is NOT passive, it is an active choice that could get him into deep trouble and he keeps making that choice day in and day out. Him lying and taking credit for the Sins of Humanity and leaving us alone to make our own mistakes rather than influencing us to be even worse than we otherwise would be is a choice that puts him in constant danger.
Crowley was kind to Jesus when he didn't have to be and gave him a tour of the world before his death. Crowley was the one who saved Job's Goats and children, and convinced Aziraphale it was the right thing to do and to actually actively participate with CROWLEY'S plan, rather than going along with Heaven's "MORALITY." Crowley was the one who was quietly, unobtrusively helping Elspeth carry her cart full of dead bodies while Aziraphale swanned around being a morally self righteous dick. Crowley is the one who talked her out of killing herself while Aziraphale stood there like a useless lump (not trying to be mean, I love Azi, but his dithering literally killed Morag lol). Crowley cares enough to correct people about the dietary habits of Ducks! Remember when Crowley started that gun fight but it turns out it was actually harmless and no one was hurt because of course he didn't actually harm anyone. (Also in the book, Crowley was the one who resurrected the Pidgeon that Aziraphale killed at the birthday party fyi). (And fun fact straight from Neil Gaiman's Tumblr, the reason Crowley wasn't wearing black in 1941 was so that he wasn't mistaken for a member of the Blackshirts (Fascists)). Etc.
Crowley has had 6,000 years to develop his own sense of right and wrong, and has been acting on it both actively and passively the entire time, Aziraphale acts off of Heaven's #MORALITY unless Crowley is there to prod him. They even said it in one of the episodes of season 2, Aziraphale has found his sense of civic duty. I think that's what this is, I think he cares because he has learned actual right and wrong FROM Crowley over the millennia and is (somewhat naively) going to go to Heaven to implement those values. He learned how to ACT on what he believes is the right thing to to from Crowley, and that's what he's doing, whether Crowley likes it or not.
Also, based on his conversation with Aziraphale on the wall, it seems like Crowley was unaware that Adam and Eve would be punished because of his temptation. I wonder if he still would have done it if he did know. Maybe the pursuit of knowledge is worth the loss of paradise in his eyes, maybe it isn't, maybe he would have Asked Adam and Eve their opinions on the topic, I suppose we'll never know.
@@Sendarya Really?! I feel very much the opposite. Crowley is the king of free will. He is the only demon, (and possibly angel, for who can say what the true difference is) that has an imagination, or at least he's the only one that uses it at first. The show goes to great length to point out Crowley's willpower and imagination and choices. Aziraphale constantly defers to Heaven against his own conscience (right up until he doesn't) and it's Crowley's influence that gets him to act against Heaven's will even when he is acting supposedly against Crowley, or not talking to Crowley, it's Crowley rebelliousness that Aziraphale is channeling, he gets Aziraphale to listen to his conscience. The Job episode is Crowley being as he has always been, it's just making it less subtle for the audience. It seemed heavily implied to me that Crowley does that kind of stuff all the time. Subverting Heaven and Hell's will is his Passion and Hobby. Who knows how many millions of lives Crowley has quietly saved over the millennia. How many Children did he smuggle away from the floods to a different continent? (After all, God wasn't mad at the Chinese lol). How many people did he save from the utter annihilation of Sodom and Gomorrah? Pick a historical scene, how many times did Crowley quietly sneak in, do a good deed that he refused to acknowledge was good, and sneak back out? I agree that Crowley is depressed and has a touch of fatalism about him, but I don't think that's ever stopped him from trying to do the right thing and help people.
Feeling out of control + depression = wanting to retire from the world. Once again you put into words what the rest of us just kinda feel but can’t put a finger on. Your videos genuinely make me enjoy the story so much more! Think it might be time soon for another rewatch… oops
Oh God. I've been fascinated by Crowley's fall, and connected that with his recurrent depression, but I hadn't put together how he talks with his plants (and the goats) with how he was treated. Now I want to cry. I'll never be able to see those scenes the same way again!
Aziraphale was questioning the actions of the angels before Job. He went to stop Crowley because he believed heaven wouldn’t kill Job's kids. What Crowley did was show Aziraphale that he could do something about it.
Crowley runs away, Aziraphale tries to change. In one of your previous videos you said Aziraphale didn't want to leave Earth. I think Aziraphale is more ambitious, so "running away" won't cut it. I think Aziraphale wants to get heaven and hell off both their backs for good. Crowley believes that "it's always too late" I think Aziraphale plans to prove him wrong.
Sorry if this doesn't make sense! Loving your videos!
Oh no, I get what you are saying. Yes, Azi has, on more than one occasion, gone off to prove Crowley wrong. I hope in this case, he manages it in some way. Help Crowley heal from his fatalism. Also, thank you!
I absolutely LOVE this point, and this take on Aziraphale
Faith vs fatalism….
@@Sendaryaalthough, in s2x02 Crowley was already doing his own thing (turning goats into crows) when Azi appeared. It was Azi who gave up, saying "May God forgive you."
You're absolutely right. Even when Satan was rising, Crowley believed it was too late to do anything and Aziraphale practically forced him into action. Crowley resorts to "it's too late" everytime. Sometimes its a fact of life, sometimes its just giving up. When its the former, Aziraphale discovers it too. When its the latter, its Aziraphale who gives Crowley hope. It shows us why they need each other.
I think that Aziraphale will call himself a "former angel" when he fully, finally chooses their side (if Crowley is still calling himself a former demon ofcourse). I also never thought of Crowleys questioning (maybe) being the key to save heaven but if it did turn out to be, it would be amazing! It would also show that Crowleys tedious teaching to Aziraphale hasn't gone to waste. I myself has always questioned and gotten in trouble for questioning since I was a kid so me relating to Crowley makes sense finally 😅.
Amazing video as always!
Thank you! Yes, in many ways the demons and angels are like children, and God is like a parent. There's a lot of symbolism for that everywhere in the show. The children get in trouble for questioning is sad, though. :(
Would be funny for Aziraphale to start calling himself a former angel considering how much Crowley calls him "Angel", LOL!
“He was created with a mind that questions everything.” In my mind God created Crowley for the sole purpose of questioning her and she needed an angel to be used as an example. Crowley really was created to be the scapegoat. If he was created to question everything then he really never had a chance to be a true angel. I’m not convinced that God really sees Crowley as a bad celestial being or a demon. I believe if we get a final season we’ll see just what God had in store for Crowley all along and the Metatron is doing something he shouldn’t be doing in separating Aziraphale and Crowley. I’m probably wrong about what’s going to happen in season 3 but I don’t think I’m wrong about Crowley.
Once again you’ve put out a very thoughtful and thorough analysis of Crowley and his behavior and I couldn’t agree more. Thank you for continuing these discussions for us Good Omens stans out here. It was just wonderful!
I’ve thought this too, Crowley having an essential role to play in bringing (seemingly) opposing things together. Through his open mindedness, despite the challenge of it (poor Crowley!) he and Aziraphale together are exploring some pretty big philosophical questions that humans have wrestled with forever. I hope God doesn’t turn out to literally be a creator with an actual plan (the universe doesn’t have any intentions or plans) but I like the symbolism of it.
I am so on board with this!!! I really hope we get a "people who question things are part of the divine plan" explanation rather than a "god is dead and it's all meaningless" kind of explanation.
Maybe God sees Crowley as a part of herself, her own questioning, experimenting and understanding, rather than an angel.
Perhaps that is why Crowley seems to speak directly to God.
Thank you for yet another great video!
While your analysis mostly aligns with what I already thought about Crowleys journey, you always pick up on some interesting details - like Aziraphale still clearly identifying as an angel, even though the archangel Michael explicitly refers to him as a "former angel" at the beginning of season 2. It also seems that Aziraphale (as opposed to Crowley) misses his official angelic status at least a little bit, like when he almost regretfully explains in the coffee shop that it's nice to talk about the good things he does now that he's not reporting to Heaven. Which ties into one of the main conflicts between him and Crowley - Aziraphale still believes Heaven is (or can be) good, and is ultimately where he belongs.
That's a great point about the coffee shop scene! How each of them phrases everything is so telling. The dialog, even the funny dialog, is never haphazard or off character.
I could never articulate why I related with Crowley so much and you just nailed it! Thank you again and congrats on passing 2K subs!! :D
Thank you so much. ❤️ The growth has been something of a surprise to me. Doing something you love, and being able to share it with other people, is a really wonderful experience!
Funny thing about the plants tho, he is actually just giving them to the old lady living some floors down from him XD
Neil himself have said so. :D
I did read that on Tumblr! It's all just a show. Yeah, Crowley never kills anything. I don't even think he himself eats meat.
Actually Crowley seems not to eat at all, just into alcohol
Whaaaa...t?! :D
And yet he made the M25 motorway or what was that thing...
@@SalomeHanka He did have a hand in changing the design by using three computer hackers, some selective bribery and by moving some markers across a field one night, turning it into a giant 'sigil of Odegra'
but in the end he only made it harder for himself, sense he ended up stuck in it himself in the end. XD
@@SalomeHankaI don't think Crowley at all anticipated that his M25 redesign would have that effect.
It's clear it only got activated into killing people because of the Antichrist embracing his powers. And after Adam's friends got him to see that ending the world was pretty cringe, he very politely restored everything and everyone to the way they were (well, almost).
Really enjoyed this, I hadn't made the connection with Crowley as scapegoat, but now you've pointed it out I'm kicking myself for missing it.
I also think that people give Crowley's "Let's run away together" "we should get out of here" lines far too much weight. Crowley is the one who wanted to save the world in the first place remember, I think wanting to run away is just a panic response. I don't think he'd ever actually run away. He is also the one who suggested at the end of season one that the next big battle would be humanity vs heaven and hell, and very much put himself and Aziraphale on the side of Humanity in that theoretical conflict. He only ever starts talking about wanting to run when he's backed in a corner and Aziraphale is being threatened/ relapsing back to Heaven's way of thinking rather than working with him to solve whatever problem is in front of them.
He only wanted to run in season 1 because Aziraphale lied to him about Adam and so everything seemed hopeless and he couldn't think of anything else to do to save the world, and he didn't want to fight in the war against heaven, the war against Aziraphale.
In season 2, he only starts talking about going away together when Aziraphale starts talking about going back to Heaven, and he feels threatened. He doesn't actually want to leave earth, he loves earth, he wants to fight heaven and hell with Aziraphale and save humanity, but just then he realized that he and Aziraphale are very much not on the same page, so the only thing he could think of was removing themselves from the situation. Notice how at the end of season 2 he's still on earth, because the reason he wanted to leave doesn't exist anymore. HE is still in danger, but that doesn't matter, what mattered was Aziraphale being in danger, and them not working together.
This was such a thoughtful, well written video! Honestly about made me cry. Crowley always feeling like it’s “too late” makes my heart break into pieces for him. I just wanna give him a hug and tell him everything will be okay.
I love the detail about the ducks. I’ve definitely noticed that at least one newspaper headline mentions ducks too.
Fantastic and devastating [in a good way]. I view Crowley not just through the lens of an engineer, but as an artist in general, since I am one and that's my bias. Angel-Crowley creating the nebula and getting such joy out of it only for Aziraphale to go 'but why?' and then to inform him it's a lot of effort for nothing and no one will be able to see it is just. Hhhhhhh. I feel that in my gut. And then, throughout human history, he goes from 'performing' the goat massacre with the huge fireball/mini-star, to not even bothering to do his job half the time because Aziraphale is counteracting his efforts, to losing all creativity and just taking credit for the things humans do. He still exercises his creative muscles sometimes, like with the motorway and the phone network, but Hell's reaction is a very 'why would you waste company resources on this?' which is just. Hhhhhhh.
Anyway here are some thoughts I can't elegantly form into one cohesive paragraph, enjoy:
I think it's poignant that he frequently uses alcohol and sleep as a means to turn his brain off, alcohol when he's stressed, sleep when he's not stimulated.
At the end of the series, I'd love to see him growing an actual garden by hand [as opposed to by threat]. With some goats and ducks. Crowley's interests really lend themselves to a hobby farm and I think that's adorable. Cottagecore demon.
I just love that Crowley casts himself as the lowest of the low, a fallen angel, a demon apart from Hell walking his own path- and still emotionally clings to Aziraphale as the only other being in existence who is like him, _but,_ still ultimately protects him from the one thing that separates them- losing God's love.
On the subject of Crowley and control, I've recently been thinking about how often Hell takes away Crowley's agency or invades his space. The orders to deliver the Anti-Christ are basically _injected_ into him, they abruptly suck him back down to Hell through a hole in the ground, the arrival of the Devil makes him physically collapse, the other demons appear in his home via the tv or physically breaking in, they take over the radio or pop up in his car at random, Beezlebub pops up in his car and then whisks him back down to Hell, etc etc. And contrast all that with how Aziraphale treats him with actual respect. They communicate primarily over the phone, Crowley has to actually answer his phone, he has to _agree_ to have a conversation. The only time Aziraphale pops into the Bentley is to give him the holy water. Aziraphale treats him with politeness despite their natural state as enemies ['Get thee behind me, foul fiend. After you~
The line about getting plenty of use out of the bookshop makes so much more sense to me after reading your comment. Crowley can go there to be safe from hell without them just appearing!
@RedMiel "At the end of the series, I'd love to see him growing an actual garden by hand [as opposed to by threat]. With some goats and ducks. Crowley's interests really lend themselves to a hobby farm and I think that's adorable. Cottagecore demon." Couldn't agree more! ❤️I was just telling a friend, I imagine he'll have a little vineyard, and make his own wine. They'll have a kitchen garden for sure. It suits him. I love the idea that the ward might protect the Bentley, you are right, Hell is always invading poor Crowley's space.
I love that you interpret him as an artist, and that you are one yourself! I would love to see your work :) I actually have a kooky theory about that statue of Gabriel, btw. Might spot that on an upcoming Monday. thank you for the detailed and really insightful comment!
Very interested about the Gabriel statue theory - it must have been made by someone that knew Gabriel…
And it was Crowley that wanted to show it to Azi, which means Crowley knew what Gabriel looked like when he seems to have forgotten everyone else from when he was an angel.
@franstroud Exactly. Was the entire thing a ruse to get Aziraphale to join him, there? Maybe....(Plus he says something like " Probably comes here to stare at it, marveling at his own beauty", and Az gives him such a look, lol.) But yeah, I think you got it. :)
@@Sendarya I've been chipping away at a little GO fan comic in my spare time, I'd be happy to send you the link when it's done if you like~ Quite interested to hear the Gabriel Statue theory!
I think Crowley's "Fall" is going to be significant for S3. That he didn't chose Hell, he was thrown out by the Metatron for rejecting the bureaucracy and unquestioned obedience. I think Aziraphale as the new supreme (as Raphael?) will learn this and _eventually_ join him. We'll probably get the idea this was part of the Ineffable Plan, a set up of the 3rd Side that leads to either the Them vs Us scenario or it being completely unnecessary
I am so committed to this I think I'll lose my mind if it's not how it turns out. :)
Excellent analysis! I specially loved the part about 'scape goat'. I noticed that the motif of goats repeated itself in laudnum-affected Crowley's speech. But couldn't find a strong reason behind it. You did that for me, so thanks a lot!!
Thank you, I really enjoy your videos. From the book: "...underneath it all, Crowley was an optimist." In the show his trauma and resulting angst issues are much more apparent than in the book and I really love that they did that, but I do believe he is an optimist. He will come around in the end and that has a lot to do with him being a scientist at heart.
Looking forward to see more from you. ♥
I do think that is where he always draws his spark of hope from, he never loses it completely, I agree! Yes, his show character is much darker, but then screen adaptations tend to be more dramatic. I'm so glad you enjoyed the video, and I also look forward to his Inquisitive, scientific nature helping to get him, and the world, through to a happy ending!
Another amazingly insightful analysis! Crowley as an ever inquisitive engineer and physicist, with a connection to time, is maybe my favourite image.
I love how your video incorporates not just Crowley's trauma, his sense of ... helplessness? powerlessness? and how that affects so much of what he does, but also how he and Aziraphale help each other grow.
Another aspect of their interactions that I've been thinking about is the flip-side of their millennia-long friendship, of being not alone because they have each other: a codependency that makes Crowley (because of his particular trauma) allow Aziraphale to keep violating Crowley's boundaries. The whole quarrel over what to do with Gabriel is a case in point. It seems funny at first, but the way Aziraphale springs Jimbriel on him without warning, then dismisses Crowley's panic reaction, and his fears for their safety, and then has Crowley do that apology dance... I _love_ Aziraphale, but that is so messed up!
They both need to learn some serious relationship skills, for sure! Aziraphale does tend to walk over Crowley's boundaries quite a bit.
Maybe Aziraphale is trying to give Crowley someone new to rescue, as well as because Aziraphale wants to do some rescuing, also. And I think that Crowley isn't so upset as he makes out by Aziraphale exercising so much free will; I feel like he is pushing Aziraphale to be more assertive.
I have been hoping someone (you, especially) would address Crowley's trauma. His hurt is so palpable in that scene where he is addressing God. Crowley walks through time and space with a God-shaped wound, one salved only by Aziraphale's faith and trust in him. This is such a rich topic and you tackled it so beautifully. Thanks for your analysis! I have come to look so forward to them.
A God-shaped wound. That's so true, and beautifully put. Thank you so much for the thoughtful, and kind, comment!
Yeah, Aziraphale has a god-shaped hole, but Crowley has a god-shaped wound, a festering one that he hides with his defiant statements about being unforgivable. He breaks my damn heart.
@@MarieNuchols Yes, yes, oh yes!!
I love what Crowley chooses to do with his free will. The s1 scene that always gets me is when Aziraphale says, "Well, I'll be damned," and Crowley, carrying this God-shaped wound with the tortures of hell icing on top, looks at Aziraphale with love and optimism and says, "It's not that bad, once you get used to it."
(It doesn't diminish the pain he carries, but it hints at his intrensic worth. "Antony" means "Priceless One.")
@@susanmiller9317 You know, I had not given a single thought to the significance of the first name (and middle initial) he chose for himself. I love your insight with that. And I have always found that cheeky line about "get[ting] used to it" just fascinating. It was written and delivered for a laugh, but it's so in tune with his habitual defiance and survivorship.
I really enjoy your thoughtful analyses - they are always a pleasure to watch and leave me thinking afterwards. One of the interesting aspects (to me) with regards to Crowley's fall is that I don't think it completely stripped him of his angelic core - he was thus never completely a demon. He does good , has a conscience, loves and has compassion for humanity, none of which are the hallmarks of a demonic heart. As has been pointed out by Crowley himself on several occasions, humans manage to do things more demonic to each other and to the planet than hell could dream up themselves, so why does he even need to be there? "Pointless" is more than just his depression talking. He's justifiably angry at heaven for its cruelty, and seems to think there's very little difference between the "sides".
Only Aziraphale gives him any reason to hope differently, and now his companion's idealism makes him think that what he and Aziraphale thought they understood about each other was just smoke and mirrors. He didn't choose to be a demon nor had his heart in being one after his fall, and certainly doesn't want to go back to being an angel. He thought Aziraphale understood and accepted him as he is. But now he's gone off to 'fix' things and rejected his love, just as God had done before him. And God hasn't just abandoned him, she's abandoned her entire creation, leaving heaven to be run by self-righteous pricks like Gabriel and the Metatron, roiling in politics every bit as petty and vile as hell's, and ceased communicating with the creation she claimed to love. Did she get bored? Is there something else occupying her attentions? Who knows? But Crowley's abandonment issues weren't helped when Aziraphale was made the transparently sugar-coated poisoned apple offer by the Metatron and accepted it. Aziraphale's nature won't let him see the truth until it's snarling right in front of him, and Crowley can't stop seeing it even though he knows it's too late. Anyway, thanks for vid, and keep 'em coming!
Thank you for the very thoughtful comment! It made me wonder, did being cast down change the nature of the fallen angels turned demons? I wonder how that will be addressed in s3. I don't see the demons being inherently any more cruel than the angels. And they seem just as prone to becoming better when they aren't treatedpoorly (look at Bee, and even Shax). Definitely a topic worth exploring. Great comment!
Excellent analysis of their characters!
@@Sendarya I have often wondered if all of the demons are fallen angels, or if there are some of them were humans who arrived in hell taking such pleasure in evil that they were promoted, as it were. Hastor doesn't strike me as the fallen angel type, but I could be wrong. Shax does give off a lower-level-angel-with-outsized-ambitions vibe, not too different from Michael😂.
Also, I'm not certain of the Metatron's origin story here. Did Gaiman and Pratchett ever mention anything about it in the original? The Metatron was the only one of the angels not created as one, so maybe he feels a bit insecure about his position amongst them? He started out as a human named Enoch, who lived 365 years and then was taken to heaven without having to die first, because of his faith and righteousness. So I don't think he knew Crowley as an angel, since he didn't ascend until well after the great war in heaven. But maybe Gaiman/Pratchett don't hew to the "canon" version of the Metatron's origins, since they also don't stick to the old notions of the angelic hierarchy. The archangels aren't the pinnacle of the angels, but the top of the lower 3rd - below principalities, which is where Aziraphale ranks. But if so, I think that might affect how he sees Crowley, and others of the fallen, as well. Anyway, it's late and I'm rambling, so off to bed I go. Thanks for the good think!
That's the thing, I think the point of Good omens is that Angels and Demons are still the same beings, just with different circumstances and aesthetics. I'm almost 100% sure that nothing physiological or metaphysical (other than perhaps the hellfire/ holy water divide) has changed between the two groups. Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchet both hit on themes of individual choice and systemic impacts in their works. I think Demons act like that BECAUSE they are in Hell, and because they are expected to act like that and because there are consequences if they don't (I am redoubled in my belief of this since Beelzebub and Gabriel got together). Not to mention the simple fact that hurt people, hurt people, and exercising power over others when you feel powerless is a classic. All of them locked in that tight dirty, miserable place together, do we really have to wonder why they're terrible?
I think there's something to this! I saw an interesting comment awhile ago to the effect that Crowley's demon wings still have some white in them. I think that might be significant.
Great analysis as always, I was also wondering about Crowley casually addressing himself as a "former demon". Also, you have a very soothing voice :)
Thank you so much for saying so. ❤️
Unexpectedly, you’ve tugged at my heartstrings for Crowley. 😭
I’m thinking of Crowley’s character arc as being sort of opposite of Walter White in Breaking Bad. Crowley is literally damned early in life, surrounded by malice and wickedness in Hell, expected to be evil. And he manages to hang onto love for the universe, for humans and the Earth, for Aziraphale, despite everything. While Walter White, with his loving family, education, decent neighborhood, loses his soul and descends to Hell (figuratively) through his own doing. The inner strength Crowley has is phenomenal.
I think season 3 will show us why Crowley fell in horribly, heart wrenching detail. On top of that, I think the Metatron has God locked in a closet somewhere with some crayons and a colouring book and has since around the last time Aziraphale has spoken to her. God has no idea whats going on, and Metatron may not be the angel (has he even ever called himself that?) that we've been told he is. I think Crowley's falling has something to do with 'the ineffable plan', and that he had to fall to be the 'bad' part of the yin and yang that is Azira and Crowley and earth, Gods favourite little fan fiction, LOL. What do you think God is doing, Sendarya? I'd love to hear about it!
I think that is very likely as well!
I reckon we might find out in s.3 that God has run away/disappeared, no one has spoken to them for centuries, and the Metatron has been covering it up.
Hope Gaiman gets at least eight episodes for next season. Can't see it all wrapping up in six episodes.
Well, I could love eight episodes too but six is the standard length for a lot of British TV programmes and GO is definitely British.
also, if there are 6 episodes in each season that will make 666
The name of the book sequel was going to be 668 the neighbor of the Beast, so I could see 8 episodes making sense
Crowley is the embodyment of the fruit of knowledge!! When you said is this the seed of change ...godamn
Omg, I loved this video, it was all so well said ! Could you do a character analysis, like this, for Azi too?? And maybe you could take a flashback from their shared history and analyse it?? What that specific scene or minisode meant for them individually and what it meant for their relationship??
I do plan to do this for Aziraphale next Thursday. I love the idea of analyzing each of the flashback/minisodes and how it affects their relationship. That could be a whole series! Great ideas, thank you so much. ❤️
@@Sendarya omg, really?? I am looking forward to it !! And thank you so much for answering, it means a lot to me 🫶.
I loved each and every analysis video you have put out so much ❤️
This is brilliant. I've watched a lot of your videos over the past week. Your work really helps me see the brilliance of the character development and writing here! Thank you.
Truly, it is my pleasure. ❤️ Thank you so much for watching them!
Well. This video made me subscribe faster than a blink.
“He doesn’t even want to be forgiven…Forgiveness implies that he did something wrong that needs forgiving.”
BRUH. This literally is such a good point I hadn’t even come close to thinking of.
Crowley is always talking about how he never really did anything wrong, in regards to the few times he references his Fall. It’s always “I just asked questions,” “I didn’t really fall I just sauntered, vaguely downward,” etc.
He’s extremely bitter (understandably so) of the fact that he Fell, because in his heart, he truly feels like he didn’t do anything worthy of such a harsh punishment. If God created him to be naturally inquisitive and to ask questions and to have free Will, why would he be punished for it?
Your analysis is crazy good. It touched on things I hadn’t even begun to think about.
Thank you so much! And for the sub, too. :)
I always feel as if your videos are so carefully tailored, so thoughtfully put together, that I find myself looking back in time and wondering if I did even half as good a job in papers I handed in to professors in college or law school? Bc you just sound much more concise, clear & thoroughly precise (IMO). I don’t even understand how I can spend as much time as I do pondering Crowley’s intentions, actions, and not come up,with even half as much as you did in this video. Apparently this is how I will ultimately understand the videos I constantly rewatch almost daily. TYSM!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Once upon a time, I wanted to be an English teacher. I took 6 credits of English in HS, and 2 of them were AP. Then I ended up in an engineering field in college. Such is life! I suspect it's just those two halves of me working together. With a large dash of my hobby/artist side thrown in, lol. Thank you so much for the lovely compliment. I do work hard to put together something coherent. :)
@@Sendarya❤
Wonderful analysis! I especially loved the part about Aziraphale pulling Crowley back time and time again just by being there or by needing rescuing. Sweet and adorable. Now that you've mentioned it, it seems so obvious that I should have noticed it already, but this show is so complex I keep finding things I hadn't discovered yet!
This is such an insightful analysis - the way you so carefully look beneath surface of the scenes in GO and GO2 is just amazing. You've drawn out things that make Crowley such a compelling character, how, under the surface sparkiness and wit, there is a vastly intelligent and creative being who is often deeply depressed. And you identify that core of tenderness and vulnerability in him which makes me at least love him. Do you think we'll ever get to know what really happened at his Fall? For all his gifts and beauty, he was told he wasn't good enough and cast out. I'm guessing the trauma of Aziraphale in effect telling him the same thing at the end could feel like a repeat of the Fall to him, and I wonder where that will lead him. Thanks so much for these videos, they are the best!
@Ladyalice467 Thank you so much! It appears UA-cam held up your comment for some reason. Just wanted to let you know it came through.
i love crowley 🥺 another excellent video!
great video! in my psych course we learned that this is called 'learned helplessness'... poor crowley :(
LOVE what you said at the end about Crowley's questions being the key to everything! Couple of thoughts: 1. The book is very explicit that the houseplant thing was connected to his hatred of hell. The scene also happens right after he is threatened by hell. I don't see the connection to heaven there (I think it's much more likely that's playing out with the goats rather than the plants). 2. Personally I never got the impression from the "unforgivable, that's what I am" line that that was Crowley's coded way of saying "I don't want to be forgiven". Crowley was being very direct in that scene; it's one of the very few moments in the show where he speaks his mind unreservedly ("great pustulent mangled bollocks" &c &c). He thinks it's the last time he's ever going to get to speak with Azi and he's telling him exactly what he thinks.
Words cannot describe how obsessed I am with this show
You read my mind with every of your videos. But what I appreciate most is the fact that you don't take sides for either of the characters. I tire of reading or watching one-sided articles/videos that completely ignore both Crowley and Aziraphale's complexity. So, I hope you will make an analysis video for Aziraphale, too. And an analysis of the "side characters" like Metatron or Muriel could be interesting, for they might become important for season 3. Whatever you decide to do next, I'm looking forward to it and subscribed to your channel, so I won't miss the updates.
Definitely a Muriel vid would be nice she such a sweet character. And why has nobody ever mentioned that she was stood at the window when Crowley and azi went there separate ways after the kiss? Was she watching them kiss the whole time? 😮
I definitely want to do the side characters! Jimbriel is fascinating as well. And I even have an outline for Muriel. But there's so much! I could easily analyze 2 season of this show for 2 years! lol I'll tell you what, I'll make November "Other characters month", at least mostly, and do a good 3-4 videos on on these fantastic side players. :) Thank you both so much for the great ideas. :)
@@Sendarya that'll be an awesome month, wahoo! 🎉
Your videos are trully a confort material for me, so much thanks for all your work 💜
I absolutely love your channel Sendarya. I love your analyses and how you interpret the characters and storyline. And I enjoy your narration and the emotion in your voice when you speak. Your videos are thoughtful and coherent and just so well done. I honestly could listen to you speak about Good Omens for hours, and I’m not even kidding. I find myself looking forward to your videos. Thank you for another great video!
This is a line of dialogue that I really wondered about when it was uttered and felt was never really directly addressed in the show. Thanks for deep diving into it. You are really good at this.
Thank you so much! And also, it is my pleasure. :)
Poor Crowley. There have been so many times over the course of the series that I just wanted to give him a big hug. Regardless of what happened, I don't think there's any way he could have done anything that was so bad that he deserved to be cast aside and forced to serve under killers and tormenters. His heart is way too soft for that.
I'm really interested to find out whether we'll actually learn about his fall in season 3. I've seen some fans say they don't think it matters, but personally I think season 2 had a number of hints suggesting that it may be explored to at least some extent in the future. Neil Gaiman doesn't seem to do much of anything without a purpose or wider significance in mind.
I think it's an incredible analysis, it made me see things about Crowley that I didn't even expect and it's really very interesting.
Another great analysis! Thank you 💛💜. I would love to hear your analysis of why the Companion for Owls minisode was important in Aziraphale's character development (according to Neil).
Oh boy, I think it's possibly the most important scene (set of scenes?) in the entire series. I've already done on video relating it to the kiss, but there's soooo much more going on there. Yes, it's on my list. Perhaps I will do that week after next. Thank you for the suggestion!!
Crowley refers to himself as a former demon and by extension due to the events at the end of season 1 that would make Aziraphale a “former angel” and yet Crowley continues to call Aziraphale “angel” when they talk. This proves my own theory that “angel” is a pet name at least to myself!
Oh, I think it's pretty well established as a fact by the end of s2!! :)
Star gardener is my new favorite headcanon.
Great video! I was always fascinated by how Crowley projects to his plants. It's really tragic. But at least he's honest with them when he says "This is gonna hurt you so much more than it hurts me", because that is always true, only some people are too entitled and self-righteous that they say the opposite which is always a lie.
Ooh I missed the Former demon line!
Soooo many little things in this show. It's amazing!
You are amazing creator, the depth and the accuracy is mind blowing. I look forward to your videos every week
Such an insightful and compassionate analysis ❤
I literally saw this video then yelled “ITS THURSDAY!”
Can’t wait to watch another video!!
I love your analysis, you are so thorough and connect the dots so well! There is always something I had not realizedbefore. Being longer than previous videos does not make it long, it's still very short for me! XD Thank you so much, what a pleasure listening to you!
thank u bae listening to these theories while doing work is saving my ass rn!! ur the best
Rewards repeat viewing: this morning I heard an Alan Watts lecture on Jung’s contribution to our more contemporary view on good and evil. My Good Omens bells were ringing. Basic premise: it’s the illusion that Good & Evil are mutually exclusive, and that if we’re one, we’re not the other, that have created the r we order in human nature. By believing “I am good and you are evil” this righteous blindness is created, that allows the evil inside to run free, since it “doesn’t exist.” Just like Az in S2E3. I’ll find the link for you.
ua-cam.com/video/GRuYkGDtwiA/v-deo.htmlsi=cniGv9jgsaROn5z3
I'd appreciate that, it sounds both fascinating, and extremely relevant to the themes in GO's!
@PatriseHenkel Great video, very profound insights, and more timely than you know! I see the GO's connections, as the themes goes far beyond sides working together. Thank you so much for sharing this!
Excellent as usual....always makes me think after watching. Will watch a few more times too just to fully absorb your observations, which are always spot on.
I really, really love your sharp analyses of the show. Tey always help me to come to a better and deeper understanding.
You and your amazing videos got me climbing up the walls. Fantastic job!! ❤
Minute 1:21 No wonder Crowley is so struggling with himself, being a demon and can't stand heaven. He got punished for that, what he was created to do! So the confusion,anger, and frustration are more than understandable!😮😔
Just wanted to say that i feel happy every time i see that you posted - thank you💚💚
It is my pleasure :)
When Crowley walks out on Aziraphale and the Metatron comes into the bookshop, Aziraphale tells him Crowley didn't take it well. Metatron says, "Aw, well. Always did want to go his own way. Always asking damn fool questions, too." Then outside when he tells Aziraphale that they want him to work on the Second Coming, he looks shocked and looks back at Crowley and almost leaves, but then gets into the elevator back to heaven, frowning. Then just before the scene fades, Crowley's still frowning but Aziraphale smiles. He is either accepting his new job or he might have a plan of his own.
Awesome commentary! I can't wait to see (or read) S3. I bet Crowley teaches Muriel how to enjoy earthly delights and how to question, just as he did with Aziraphale.
I LOVE YOUR ANALYSIS AND YOUR THEORY OF AZIRAPHALE BRINGING THE NEED TO QUESTION INTO HEAVEN AND IT GIVES ME HOPE FOR THE NEXT SEASON. I've always asked how he plans to "change" Heaven once he's there, and after watching this i think the answer is simple. By being himself. By being the goodness and caring sympathetic nature he always is and influencing other angels how to ask questions and think for themselves instead of simply following the rules. Because the truth is even the ANGELS are second guessing what God's true intentions are and is basing it on the "great plan." But who's to say for certainty THIS is what God really wanted yknow. Maybe by asking questions, they can really come back on what GOODNESS actually is or create a better less rigid way of thinking of how to follow God's will.
Then someday, Aziraphale himself would find that he accomplished his job and become a retired angel as well, reuniting with Crowley and explaining how he changed Heaven while having dinner and nightingales in the background 😭💕
Exactly! That's the beauty of the writing of this show. Every piece is always just in the right place, even if we don't know it.
YES!!! Omg I love this so much!!
Oh good lord, this is so so good. This is exactly how I've been interpreting everything, and explains why I'm so drawn to this story, beyond just the enjoyment of it. It MEANS stuff, this particularly important stuff about reality, about being human. It has taken me years to reconcile determinism (no free will) and agency. I'm just about there, and I'm hopeful that this story will ultimately turn out to be a good representation of how i see the world. So far so good!
Adding a thought on Crowley's challenge- I don't think you used the word fatalism- that's how I see it. Linked with but distinct from nihilistic depression. Crowley understands determinism, physics, the dominoes falling etc, but when he feels out of control he dips into fatalistic thinking. Conflating determinism with fatalism is one of the main problems with discussing free will in the real world, so seeing it explored in fiction like this is just awesome.
@siobhanskehan2654 Well, hello fellow determinist! It is quite a journey to get there, and like many journey's of this nature, it probably never really ends, as we continue to learn new things about neurobiology and physics and try to figure out how that fits into human agency and "choice". Very few stories seem to want to confront this head on, since most people view free will as integral to being human, so they always balance destiny/fate with free will and choices. I can think of only a handful that have done the concept any justice. But, I do appreciate that we have a character in Good Omens who seems pretty deterministic. I wonder what Neil and Terry's viewpoints on the subject were/are? This story certainly is doing a marvelous job of deconstructing just about every other social and psychological norm!
Dang, I so rarely meet anyone else who openly admits determinism. I want to chat more! lol
Thank you so much for sharing.
Oops, edited to respond to your second post. I did initially use the word fatalistic in my first draft of this, but I was hesitant to accidently conflate the two, as you say! Although then I did go and say nihilistic, and you are right, perhaps fatalistic would have been a better choice of words.
Many people think that letting go of the idea of free will will make a person fatalistic (or nihilistic), but I have found the opposite. It's hard at first, as is letting go of any foundational belief system, but in the end, I think it engenders more compassion, because you aren't going around blaming people for choices, but instead understanding what makes people do the things they do. If there is harm involved, instead of punishment, we can see how to help. It's a much more compassionate worldview.
I could go on, sorry! Great post from you, ty again!
@@Sendarya Hello! I'm chuffed that my favourite good omens content creator is in the determinism club! I think you did a great job touching on it without being 'preachy'. I think if i attempted it i'd be all, Crowley GETS IT and thus is right and the best. Just kidding. I'm all about the nuance! I agree, it's a more compassionate (and accurate) take on the messiness of being human. I like the term sunny nihilism too, or optimistic nihilism, nihilism with just its basic meaning, without the baggage of the word.
I'm also curious about Terry and Neil's thoughts on it and have just started reading Sandman incase that sheds any more light on it. As the Good Omens story unfolds in the next season, I expect there will continue to be a sort of compatibilist vibe but am hopeful that there will be enough wiggle room to let me fit it in with my philosophy.
Wanting to discuss nofreewill and moral responsibility was what enticed me on to the internet a few years ago, and I've found some good groups, so I don't feel too alone. I may pluck up the courage to message you :) (if thats something I can do through youtube?) Thanks again for your amazing videos!
And for anyone else reading who is interested in this, can I mention a new book out this week, called Determined, by Sapolsky. Good place to start :)
Crowley is my favorite character because in any given story my favorite is always the sarcastic outsider. He doesn't fit in with heaven or hell because what those institutions have in common is that they do not tolerate questions. (Any organization that punishes people for asking questions is not good, no matter what they claim.) But Crowley, I think, has the best moral compass of anyone in the story (well, Adam Young comes close). He sees past the simplistic posturing of both heaven and hell and is guided by empathy rather than the rules. He saves Job's children, he drinks the laudanum, he walks on the consecrated ground without hesitation, while Aziraphale dithers and agonizes over what his side will think.
It had to be a kick in the gut for him when Aziraphale pleaded with him to come back to Heaven at the end of season 2. That had to hurt especially coming right after Crowley laid all his cards on the table with that kiss. I really really hope Aziraphale wakes up in season 3, and I look forward to Crowley playing a major part in that (I hope he will, anyway). Please make it so, Mr. Gaiman.
I am so glad you liked the video. Crowley is such a great character, very relatable! And he does make hard choices, all the time. Aziraphale has a very, very difficult journey ahead of him, as well. Thank you for the thoughtful post!
@@Sendarya I especially like the irony that the characters most expected to be evil, the main demon character and the Antichrist, are the most moral, in my opinion. Aziraphale is moral too but he's hampered by his black-and-white thinking and inability to question the authorities who he thinks are the "good guys".
Your videos are always amazing and so incredibly thoughtful, and this is my personal favorite. 💜 You had me bawling my eyes out. I love him _so_ much. He deserves all the happiness in the world, and I hope he gets it in the end.
I was asking the same questions! Throughout the entire video I was nodding and audibly agreeing
The thing about good omens is the characteristic of "Shades of grey"
Heaven and hell aren't the good and bad of the universe
I don't think there's any possible way to be truly good or truly bad
If anything there's only Morality
This morality is shown through Crowley and Aziraphale
They complete poor actions for the greater good
Eden: Aziraphale CHOSE to help them and even lie to god about it
Meanwhile in the book of Job: Crowley makes the MORAL choice not to kill the goats or children
There's so much more I could say but it'd be such a rambleeee
Shades of grey is such an important concept in GO's. and in life, really. I know how you feel! I think I could talk about his show for the next three years until s3 comes out, and never get bored. Never worry about being rambly. I ramble ALL the time, lol.
@@Sendarya I truly don't think you'd believe me if I told you I had a full half an hour conversation with myself about the Good vs Evil aspect of GO
And I believe it's something that should be touched on more within analysis videos as well as theories because I believe it will be a defining plot point within season 3 that Aziraphale most of all has to realise in order to over come his troubles with Crowley as well as within Heaven
I'd believe you, lol. (I sit here 4-5 hours a day right now, doing nothing but trying to figure out these themes and put them into some orderly form!) It's an important concept in RL, too, so it makes sense that we look to media to help us understand ourselves. Humans use story telling all the time for that end.
Thx for some clarification of these scenes❤
9:41 - 10:23 made me cry so hard omfg
I'm an atheist and even though I was raised with Christianity my whole life I relate very much to Crowley because I never really believed in God so that isn't exactly what hit me personally here. My mother is the most aggressive person in my life about her faith and as a lesbian I feel very cast out from her life because she's never been the kind of person who was going to actually care about me outside of what she wanted me to be which is probably why I love a lot of demon characters. Every time I like a character like this I think surely it's just based on a surface level liking badass cool people and then literally every time I get invested enough and watch video essays breaking down their character I realize it's actually because I relate to the pain they have at their core. If you have one on Aziraphale I'm probably going to watch it soon and get called out even more because holy shit you're so good at this the entire part I timestamped literally is like a mini therapy session 😭
I'm so sorry you've gone through that experience with your mom.
I do have a similar video on Aziraphale, and I should warn you, I cried quite a lot myself while writing and editing it.
Both of these characters are so relatable to those of us with religious trauma.
I'm glad you're finding these videos cathartic !
Crying, screaming, throwing up 😭 I'm gonna use some of these for my fic❤
Please do! ❤️
Crowley is a pretty decent person for a demon. He seems to truly care about humans especially kids. Neither one of them wanted to hurt children, and thought it was wrong.
Thank you a lot, Sendarya, for your thoughtful analysis!
It is not really related to "It's always too late", but I want to cater to the topic "former demon" at the end of the video. My point of view is Azi: There is a scene with him, Crowley and Adam. Azi the angel with white wings, Crowley the demon with black wings and Adam...just Adam, the human, without wings. Crowley transported them to a place out of time (?), it looks like some hidden place no outsider (even angels) can overwatch. That is my interpretation when I look at Azi here. He seems to be renewed, makes a gesture that looks like he can finally breathe again. He looks even mighty, charismatic. He tells Adam he was not angelic, but something BETTER, a human.
He is not the least bit doubtful here, I think that are his real thoughts. Without any angels watching/something endangering him and Crowley for beeing not like the others.
So I think deep down he knows already that Crowley is right with questioning and maybe he not just likes humans, but wants to have their rights to choose (I am refering to the bodystealing and this discussion with Crowley) or their way to change things. I guess he thinks they have more possible courses of action. Anyway, I think there is a longing.
(Out of the topic:)
Then he looks at Crowley. I like that look very much. Well, his shy and cute loving gazes I also like, but this look... It is not just to hand over the relay. To me it looks as if in that moment he does not care about "angels-demons-humans-hodgepodge". He just looks at Crowley with certainty, trust, a bit smiling, again charismatic...it is damn attractive, a bit like a conquer, confident of victory ("Crowley is mine and I know it" Half joking but I would fall in love if he would look at me with this absolute confidence 😘😍🥳🥰. I want to see him selfconfident again 🤩🤗🌻♥️). And with Adam between them. Just like Muriel, reminds me of their "child".
Sorry for the bad grammar etc. I usually just listen to English, I don't write or speak it on daily basis 🙃.
Your English is very good, and it's great practice to speak and type it! I like your take on how they behave differently when they don't think heaven or hell are watching. Very insightful!
@@Sendarya
Thank you very much ( :
Sometimes, I am not too sure the sentence I assemble sounds natural. For example phrases like "to hand over the relay". Do Englisch speaking people even say that? But "to deliver the word" or "to transfer the word" looks even stranger (that would be another literal translation to the same meaning as "to hand over the relay"). Not to mention the right use of punctuation marks 😂.
Well, it's fun and If it sounds strange, I guess you can say I am doing "language-art" 😇.
Finally! You helped me to pinpoint what it is I like about Crowely so much. I'm just the same in terms of questioning everything. And it always got me into trouble as a child (until becoming a source of high income as an adult 😅).
My 10 year old niece said that to me yesterday when I watched S2 with her, she said getting in trouble for asking questions feels very familiar.
So nothing's changed xx
Isn't it sad that children are so often treated poorly for doing what comes natural, asking questions? But yes, as an adult, channel that properly and you can make a living! Good for you, never gave it up. 🙂
This was sooooo good. I loove all your analysis. Thanks for sharing. I'll have to watch it a couple times again so I can fully process all the info (english is not my native language), and maybe share an opinion. You are great. ❤
Thank you so much. I hope the subtitles help. Your English is fantastic! I look forward to your future comment. ❤️
I enjoy your videos very much
You just make great - nay superb content with a brain far more capable of understanding human psychology and filmmaking, than mine.
Good job enlightening me once again^^
This is such a great video! And i can't wait for season 3
Thank you!
crowley analysis crowley analysis crowley analysis crowley analysis AAAAAA YAY!
It crossed my mind that Crowley resents being cast out of heaven in the first place, because he's still good underneath a lot of the time, and when it matters. I think he's bitter about it, and so he treats his plants the way he thinks god treated him. Can't even have one spot, you're gone. No forgiveness. No leeway. When I was taking notes on a rewatch of the series, one of my notes says that Crowley is a question asker. Aziraphale is too afraid of being cast out of heaven and I think he's driven by fear a lot of the time, and that's def a tactic used in real world brainwashing. I think you mentioned that before that Aziraphale is driven by fear.
Aziraphale is definitely a more cautious person than Crowley. His rule following behavior seems to be a mix of things, and fear is one of them for sure! It's awesome you are taking notes while watching. I do that too!
Another fan had the idea that Crowley actually sets the defective plants gently outside and just runs the saw as a scare tactic.
OMG, this is brilliant! I really believe that you hit on something here. I watched this video several times on Thursday because it really had an impact on me. It’s like you looked into my secret soul.
This is going to be a bit a long comment, but I hope that you read it all.
From my first exposure to GO, I loved Crowley for a couple of reasons. First, David Tennant. Second, the complex character of Crowley is so engaging, complex, and layered. Through your video, I found a third reason.
I have spent a lot of time in my life in therapy and dealing with my lack of a childhood. In that process, I learned the impact of having a parent who doesn’t, can’t, or won’t love you. Regardless of the situation, the outcome is the same, having a “parent” who doesn’t love you as a child. You spend the rest of your life believing that you are unlovable and unworthy of being loved. It never leaves you and impacts every single relationship for the rest of your life.
You did a lovely job of describing those feelings of abandonment and unworthiness. Regardless of who Crowley was before the fall, he and all the angles really were children. Yes, their bodies were the equivalent of grown adults, but they were still young and inexperienced. They were also in some ways being set up for failure, as God is never really telling them what she expects of the angels. They don't really know what the expectations of them are and it's impossible to meet expectations when they are unknown. There is also, the additional challenge that since God's plan is ineffable, those expectations may be in motion.
For me, all of this circles back to The Kiss. Was Crowley’s kiss a temptation? Maybe. Was it a manipulation? No, I don’t think so. Imaging myself in Crowley’s place, which based on the above is easy to do. He knows he’s lost Aziraphale when Aziraphale tells him to "hold that thought." It messed up the speech that he had planned and he knows that Aziraphale is leaving him. Crowley, thanks to Nina and Maggie, has a better understanding of what he’s been feeling and probably a better understanding of Aziraphale.
When his speech doesn’t work and when telling him he can’t leave the shop doesn’t work. Crowley feels everything he has slipping through his fingers. I believe that the kiss is Crowley begging Aziraphale not to leave him, not to be like everyone else who has ever abandoned him. The fact that the kiss didn’t work is going to be devastating for Crowley.
I’m sorry that this was a bit rambling but hope that you found something in it.
🫂 Thank you for sharing, so honestly, your experience as a child. I can't express how sorry I am that you, that anyone ever, goes through something like that. My own partner has similar parental abandonment issues, so I have a small understanding of it. The angels really are like children, as are all of Gods creations in GO's, so it is a painful analogy for those who've suffered something similar in RL. I absolutely agree that the kiss isn't a temptation (from Crowley's perspective, I do think Azi may have seen it that way, at least for a moment), but I'm not sure Crowley sees any of his gifts as temptations. They are just...gifts. The kiss of course, is exactly as you say. Not a gift so much a desperate plea.
Hopefully, Crowley will realize that it wasn't rejection in this case. There's a lot of communication, growth, and healing that needs to happen in season 3.
I hope you have found therapy to be helpful, and that wound isn't what it was when you were younger. 🫂
Yes! Crowley keenly feels the loss of God's Love.
Further, you say: "The God who created him and is supposed to love him, gave up on him and cast him down." All true, Sendarya. But it's worse than that-- "The God who created Crowley-- 𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙨𝙠 𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨, 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝, 𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧, 𝙖𝙨𝙠 𝙈𝙊𝙍𝙀 𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨... 𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙚𝙙, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙤𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙃𝘼𝙍𝘿𝙒𝙄𝙍𝙀𝘿 𝘾𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙡𝙚𝙮, 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙖𝙮, and is supposed to love him... expelled Crowley for being exactly what She created him to be.
Crowley is in a forever-catch-22. He can't stop being the questioner/thinker She made him. Yet he's shunned, condemned, unforgiven for being what She made him.
Despite it all... he still loves Her. Misses Her. Wonders (Season 1 bus stop) whether She 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐲... Crowley wants to think long-game. He wants to believe in Her GOODNESS and LOVE. But it's damn hard on him. It's been eons...
Yes, exactly. He was made to do this, and then she punished him for doing what he was made to do. 😭
@@Sendarya Yes. Malicious. Unjust. Inimical to all we believe God *is*.
But... what if She didn't? What if Crowley-- horrified by the War; bereft of Lucifer; angered by God's subsequent silence and withdrawal; frustrated with the sudden appearance of a new gatekeeper (Metatron); wary of Gabriel's elevation to Supreme Archangel... what if he really did "saunter vaguely downwards"?
Yeah, we really don't know! I hope we get some clarity on this in season 3. So much wait and see, lol
Thank you - You have pointed out much about Crowleys' surroundings such as goats and clocks. Crowley probably is a sacrificial scapegoat used by Heaven as an example to all who dare question as he did. The symbolism of time supports his innate belief that it is too late for him to ever return to a vaunted position. All of this goes over Azi's head I'm afraid. I have not understood Crowley as feeling unlovealbe because he is unredeemable , now I do. Feeling that for him it is "too late" - a fatalistic malaise that Azi surely does not share - is either mistaken self pity, or the god's honest truth! Frankly, I have also thought that Crowley is the clear-sighted one. His fall has released him from any illusions that Azi stubbornly clings to such as the notion God has a plan that will justify all inequities that have gone on through the epochs. The seeds of doubt for Azi are there, however Azi once again chooses to believe in Heaven at least for now. Azi's cognative dissonance is less a product of stability than sheer niatvitee that could cost them both dearly. I am afraid for all of them in Season 3.
Azi has a rough road ahead of him in S3 for sure. That's actually my next long form video. It's much harder to analyze Aziraphale than Crowley, because Crowley wears his heart on his sleeve. Aziraphale does have a lot of cognitive dissonance going on, and is extremely complicated internally. Thanks for the really well thought out comment!!
Just to add a minor point: I believe Crowley and Aziraphale have indeed the same nature (meaning inherently good), and the angel does point this out to his friend now and again, that we was also an angel once. The fall didn't have to do with his *nature* as much as with circumstances (being around "Lucifer and the guys", asking questions, being at the wrong place at the wrong time...). Circumstances do not necessarily affect nature, so he probably never thought he was doing something wrong (wrong to whom, after all?) and when he came to realise it, it was too late because God had cast him out of heaven. The scene with Elspeth is brilliant because she's doing something wrong, but she isn't evil, she doesn't mean harm, quite the contrary, and a new element is added: necessity. Aziraphale is quick to judge Elspeth and Crowley teaches him to look at matter from different perspectives. Something God doesn't seem to do in the series. Btw, I love your analyses! Thank you so much for them!
Thanks for laying all that out so clearly. I think you've also tangentially touched on why Crowley is such a powerful character for so many of us who feel that (paraphrasing you) the God/whomever/whatever that created us and is supposed to love us, gave up on us and cast us down.
I'm a lifelong loner who has never felt any connection to God in any form, and have always struggled to connect to humans. I did have relationships with other people for decades but now, like Crowley, I'm completely alone. I sob every time I watch the end of Season 2 since I know the emptiness that Crowley feels. But his continued survival is also the hope of people like me in this world.
Thanks for producing such insightful videos.
🫂 I'm sorry you have that struggle in your life. I hope you find some community here in the Good Omens fandom.
I'm a HUGE fan of in-depth character analysis, please keep up the great work!
Thank you, and will do!
I love your prediction. I've been thinking hard about what the solution will be in S3. I feel like they can't do a whole series with the character of Jesus, well they can but it would be tricky..so your idea makes a lot of sense, to pre empt the second coming by infecting Heaven. But Crowley will need to be involved from the start I think, so I'm curious as to how that will work.
I also love that you've brought out how Aziraphale brings Crowley back every time. Why did Crowley think he would come with him when he's refused twice before, and it was him sticking with it that meant they were able to save the world. He knows Aziraphale won't give up.
They are both stubborn. Crowley has a hard time staying in one place, so running off seems natural to him, I suppose. You'd think he would have figured out Azi isn't going to take the specific offer by now, though. And thank you. :)
@@Sendarya IDK I think he has stayed in one place a long time, but he is just cynical about the chances of things working out, and wants to run away. He is definitely a more flighty character.
As usual wonderfull video ! For me Crowley is a characters who knows, he knows why he fell, he knows all the bad things in Heaven and Hell, how the system is corrupt, and that's a part for why he doesn't want be an angel anymore. And he's an optimist !
Do you think that Aziraphale would do his declaration or at leat accepts Crowley's confess if Metatron hadn't appeared ? We can think of it when we see his lovely gaze during Gabriel and Belzebub scene, like "that's what I want with him". If it's right, it means it's too late again, Crowley missed the occasion just because he confess after Metatron's offer.
Oh the part about Crowley giving to Aziraphales key for asking questions is wonderfull ! It echoes to the sentence "evil has within itself the seeds of its own destruction" but for good (it was in one of your video no ?) I'd love see him understand and make a mess to Heaven haha !
Poor Crowley, always too late :( I do think Aziraphale would have accepted the declaration of love (and honestly, he didn't reject it, he gave his own version of it right back), but not sure he'll ever want to run off and leave earth. Maybe they could have worked it out, just decided to settle and be domestic, without the metatron interfering. Which is exactly why he did what he did. BOOO metatron! Also, thank you so much. :)
@@Sendarya yeah, Aziraphale seems be the kind of character who need hard time to understand and take decisions, after all, this relationship with Crowley are against his values in a certain way...
Bad angel Metatron !
You're welcome ^_^
Ahh! Once again I love these videos! ❤ I enjoy character deep dives and analysis and you do it the best.
Thank you for this thoughtful analysis of Crowley! ♡