handyowlet

[handyowlet]

Bandstand and Final 15

If S1 ended with the bandstand argument, I bet we'd have the same situation we have with S2, people blaming Aziraphale and calling him cruel and unreasonable for not wanting to do as Crowley asked.

Oh who am I kidding, many fans STILL think Crowley was right back then.

Was Aziraphale stupid?

Was it unreasonable of him to try and speak to God and stop Armageddon? Instead of just - trying to kill the Antichrist child and see what happens? Or run? (Run where?)

Aziraphale was heartbroken but he just had to try. That's the kind of person he is. He hoped someone will see how Earth doesn't need to be destroyed. They could go and speak to the child perhaps. There doesn't need to be a War.

But God didn't pick up his call. So we never get to know what She thinks and whether She'd do anything to help as Az hoped - and of course one could argue that everything that happened was exactly what She wanted (and wait for it, that's exactly what Crowley says on the bench as they wait for a bus). Because the 'spokesperson' who did answer Azi's call, didn't understand Az at all and fobbed him off.

After Aziraphale got discorporated in an accident (which looked like agony btw, Crowley wasn't the only one to suffer) he knew he was running out of time and resolved to speak to the kid himself. Kill him even, if there's no time for anything else. But save the world. If at all possible. He assumed he's on his own now, Crowley having left. He was not.

After losing his body (and abandoning Heaven doing a demonic thing), he learns his home and everything in it burned down.

And yet, he's determined to save the world even if he seems to be losing everything.

I see a lot of metas about - did Aziraphale know Crowley was talking about him when he said he lost his best friend...

I believe he did. But what if Aziraphale understood that after the argument, Crowley is saying he lost his best friend... because it is their friendship what is lost. Is that why Aziraphale is so careful with words at first, but when he learns Crowley saved a book, his book, THE book, he knows Crowley is the one thing he did not lose. Because how would Az know Crowley thought he lost Az in the fire? He didn't know Crowley went looking for him. He only knew he disappointed Crowley for not wanting to run and Crowley calling him an idiot and leaving. When Az reached out later from the bookshop, Crowley hung up on him. That's the last Az knew of Crowley before being forced away.

Just because things didn't work out how Aziraphale hoped or was trying to achieve, doesn't mean he was wrong to try.

If anything, he was right. And Crowley would stand right by him and say so too. Would killing the boy (which I don't think they would have attempted at all when push came to shove without the stress that came from being on that tarmac with forces of Heaven and Hell converging) change anything? No. Because they misunderstood (yes, both of them) how the Plan works (or doesn't work). It wasn't about trying to kick one step out from the Plan to topple it. It wasn't about killing the kid or persuading him to not destroy the faulty humanity. It was about shifting the whole mindset. About humanity but also about Plans.

It was about freedom to choose. Az told Adam to make up HIS mind. (Which incidentally, I think Crowley told Eve in Eden too.) Crowley gave Az the space to do so. To be kind. To be his usual self. To be an angel who is strong and brave and open.

Adam took it.

Yet, it still wasn't enough. Their superiors wanted a War. They believed the Plan. But Aziraphale didn't anymore. He changed something. Suddenly it was just a question of finding a loophole to do the right thing. SOMETHING HE IS A VERITABLE EXPERT ON HAVING HAD THOUSANDS OF YEARS OF PRACTICE IN DOING

And when it came to their punishment?

A loophole.

What would the guesses be I wonder on how would they escape? Run? Az deciding to Fall? They tricked them. Not with words this time but with appearances.

_________________

S2 is different. It's not Bandstand part 2. They changed.

Yes, Crowley poured his heart out, wanting to finally acknowledge how much he wants, how he wants things to be simple. Open. Just to be together. But the timing was so wrong you'd think Metatron tempted him into it, to confuse him.

Because Crowley has just been to Heaven and learned why Gabe was being pursued, what the new plans were and knowing Heaven, he must have known Gabe's 'nah' wasn't gonna stop anybody. Gabe just needed to be put away. Which Aziraphale put a stop to with his stubborn protectiveness.

So why wasn't he more on board in helping Az in F15?

gif by @capinejghafa "Tell me you said no." But he did! Aziraphale who said flatly no so many times. To the 'chin-wag' and how he all but laughed at the proposal of him being the new Supreme Archangel. Aziraphale who only blanched when Crowley was brought into the discussion. (Same as some 80 years before... his biggest fear is always Crowley getting hurt and them being forced apart)

(He found a loophole nobody expected, to escape)

"IF YOU WANTED TO WORK WITH HIM AGAIN" (this is the only way Aziraphale*)

So what does Aziraphale do? He gives Crowley a choice. He doesn't say - they are taking me back to Heaven, making me go (because Crowley would follow immediately no questions asked). He doesn't even say he said yes, he just says he got the offer and asks, will you come with me. After all, Az thinks this is forever, that he must leave forever (he looks so stressed and so scared in F15) and he knows they both hate Heaven and would never choose to leave Earth voluntarily - but he wants Crowley to be able to choose - he doesn't want to force him the way he was forced, over his loved one's safety. And his heart breaks when Crowley says no. BUT

Crowley could not follow to Heaven, he made his choice. But he also didn't walk away. He didn't storm off. He didn't drive away. He stayed. I do not think he waited for Aziraphale to change his mind. He knows Aziraphale. He knew the angel made up his mind. He waited so Aziraphale will see that he's there. That he will wait until he's needed. But from Earth.

*I'm sorry but if you think that should Aziraphale insist on staying that he would be left in peace to be with Crowley, than you are not paying attention to what Heaven can do.

To sum up: Their 'arguments' are never about them, they don't need to learn to communicate better (they need to be free to communicate better) they are already doing so much better than expected in the circumstances. They know each other. Their arguments come up because they are not free and there is no way they can be safely together. Yes, they love one another and want to be together (and no, Az does not need to wake up and admit what he's feeling or some such nonsense), but in their world as it is, it's impossible (or the possibility is only very brief) and that's not what Aziraphale can agree to, so he must fight on. He was given that sword for a reason. He will fight. Just not... the usual way and not for what was perhaps intended.

[handyowlet]

Guys, he’s taking me to the Philly Pen Show. He plans to wear his tweed jacket.

i wasn't gonna add anything to the conversation because i often feel aziraphale and crowley, as characters, are too big for words but here i am anyway:

you wanna know the funny part about the final fifteen of good omens? aziraphale is right, actually

(and this isn't just a defense or explanation of his character or actions)

look - crowleys plan has always been "lets run away together" because that's what happened to him. he saw that the system of heaven didn't work, tried to fix it, and was shut out. he said "okay, you don't want my help. i'll never try to fix you again." and i do think that perspective is worth discussing. i do think sometimes all you can do is leave. but lets not forget what crowley would be leaving behind: earth and everything on it

listen - aziraphales plan has always been "work within the system" because that's all he's ever known. he's so good at hiding and finding loopholes that he thinks he's good enough to fix heaven, especially once he's in the hot seat. he says "we can make a difference" and our hearts break for crowley because we relate to his perspective more, but is aziraphale even wrong? and don't they - an angel and demon that built, lived in, fell in love with, and are watching the falling apart of the world - have a responsibility to try? furthermore, who will save it if not them?

[handyowlet]

Another excellent and fluffy post S2 fix-it.

[handyowlet]

Post S2 fix-it. Very funny. My two favorite passages:

The trio of archangels remained silent while they watched them leave. Then Uriel inquired, “Lamb’s tail? What do you think he meant by that?”

Michael looked at them equally confused. “Did he just say he was going to shake it?”

“Twice,” Saraquel added, bemused.

———————

“Why don’t you wear a scarf?”

“Spoils the look!”

“So does tucking your head into your coat like a turtle.”

[handyowlet]

Want a new take on Season 1 with none of the heartbreak of Season 2? And one of the fluffiest final chapters I’ve ever read? Read this. Thanks @itsscottiesstark!

[handyowlet]

My work desk has officially been taken over by Good Omens and I love it. (Thanks to @gleafer, WinterSkye, @ineffablepenguin and Michael Sheen for supplying my merch!)

[handyowlet]

Kiddo decided we should all draw tonight. This is why I turn to the beautifully talented artists of the Good Omens fandom, as, while I’m not super awful, I’ve got nothing on you guys.

[handyowlet]

All I can say is, Newt leaves the best comments.

[handyowlet]

@klikandtuna has done it again. If you haven’t already, go read Every Damn Day, Find the Light, and Sky Clear Blue (you will need at least one full box of tissues) and then read this amazing crossover. It’s just so very good.

[handyowlet]

Celebrating Friday the 13th in December by watching A Nightmare Before Christmas (naturally). Has anyone written a Good Omens crossover?

[handyowlet]

Finally got around to watching The Fall Guy on @midnights-dragon’s recommendation, and it was fun. Got that goddamn song stuck in my head now though.

[handyowlet]

Ever feel like passers-by get a completely different impression of you in winter than spring/summer? You can’t see my 11 tattoos, my graphic tees, my pride jewelry when I’m all bundled up. I’m not quite the demure middle aged mom I appear to be (& I give myself away as soon as I open my mouth).

[handyowlet]

Here’s a new way to think of it:

[handyowlet]

My playlist is on fire this lovely morning:

Meredith Brooks “Bitch”

Madonna “Crazy For You”

Jill Sobule “I Kissed a Girl”

Kelly Clarkson “Since U Been Gone”

Lady Gaga “Marry the Night”

Ke$ha “Hymn”

Dolly Parton “Jolene”

Bonus: “Old Flames (Can’t Hold a Candle to You)” by Ke$ha AND Dolly Parton

[handyowlet]

Of course I’m part of the Aziraphale Defense Squad. I married my own Azi IRL.

i wasn't gonna add anything to the conversation because i often feel aziraphale and crowley, as characters, are too big for words but here i am anyway:

you wanna know the funny part about the final fifteen of good omens? aziraphale is right, actually

(and this isn't just a defense or explanation of his character or actions)

look - crowleys plan has always been "lets run away together" because that's what happened to him. he saw that the system of heaven didn't work, tried to fix it, and was shut out. he said "okay, you don't want my help. i'll never try to fix you again." and i do think that perspective is worth discussing. i do think sometimes all you can do is leave. but lets not forget what crowley would be leaving behind: earth and everything on it

listen - aziraphales plan has always been "work within the system" because that's all he's ever known. he's so good at hiding and finding loopholes that he thinks he's good enough to fix heaven, especially once he's in the hot seat. he says "we can make a difference" and our hearts break for crowley because we relate to his perspective more, but is aziraphale even wrong? and don't they - an angel and demon that built, lived in, fell in love with, and are watching the falling apart of the world - have a responsibility to try? furthermore, who will save it if not them?

[handyowlet]

ARCHANGEL AZIRAPHALE

HC Time!!

It's coming up on 18 months Earth time since Aziraphale left Earth. What do I think he's been up to?

First of all, Metatron, who called him a good leader and praised him for speaking truth to power and didn't believe a word of it, is quite content as Aziraphale plays the bumbling idiot and has a million questions before he (openly) does or decides anything while providing completely accurate and useless info about humans and the world they live in.

Aziraphale knows the other Archangels have plenty meetings without him and he is yet to meet Jesus. Officially anyway. Because they have plenty meetings themselves, Jesus having found loopholes of his own while he was aimlessly browsing the long empty corridors of Heaven for 2000 years and longing to go back to Earth and remedy the shitshow that happened after he followed his orders. He longs for a glass of wine and to feel sunshine on his face again.

So they have plenty to reminisce about with Aziraphale is what I'm saying. Jesus also introduced Aziraphale to all his friends (and for a guy in his 30s, he has plenty friends). As is his custom, none of them are Archangels or of any rank whatsoever. They are just angels who wanted someone to talk to.

And Jesus was always happy to chat. Now that he has a kind Supreme Archangel with sad eyes for a friend too, he wondered if they all could get together sometime. And so they did. They have a secret book club (Aziraphale can recite many books from memory) and Ask Me Anything sessions (that tend to take - a while) which Crowley once patiently explained to him when Aziraphale was looking to contact an author couple of years back. Middle of the pandemic it must have been.

Which reminds him, he hopes Crowley found a place to stay. He wishes he could check on him and contact him, but it doesn't feel quite safe yet. He needs to bid his time, he knows. He plans.

What he hopes for though, is that whenever Crowley is accosted by a friendly swan who picks his pockets for peas and a strong coffee delivery finds him when he wakes, wherever he is, he knows.

Aziraphale wanders the overly lit corridors of Heaven with hands clasped behind his back, wishing for Crowley's sunglasses and for the soft carpets of his home. And he thinks and thinks and plans.

[handyowlet]

I have more than 30 on my Kindle alone. Hundreds on shelves. How does anyone keep less than 30?