#grand duke dagon

[azariah-z-fell]

I think this queen is going to be grand Duke of hell in season 3.

[shynrinn]

Oh boy, the idea of dagon being chosen as the nxt grand duke instead of shax is killing me.

1. Their protective nature towards colleagues

2. Experience in leadership (maybe the head of the dark council)

3. Similar red sash as with Beelzebub (so probably a duke of hell now)

4. A somewhat closer relationship to Satan (like hell how do they know the great demon likes Hors d'oeuvre???)

I just...needed to let this all out, I know I'm overthinking this bcs I'm sure shax is the next grand duke with Furfur as their 2nd in command. But hell is unfair and I'm not so sure they reward hard working demons, not to mention Shax killed 70 demons under their command (sure it was against an angel but come on). Dagon's another alias is Lord of the FILES (disappointing they didn't have scenes with Belzeebub tbh) they could actually be nxt. Lastly I'm pretty sure Satan would want someone "close" as the nxt grand duke AND a Master of Torments. So uh yea.

..........

Or maybe what if at the end of it all Dagon becomes the nxt grand duke and Michael finally becomes supreme archangel. OR Jesus doesn't want 2nd coming anymore, Michael and Dagon become fed up bcuz no war and then they decide to retire together. Like, I'm doing office work to get the war we want and now we can't have it?? Screw this we are out.

[actually-azi]

GOD'S INEFFABLE GAME

I've seen this headcanon/theory here and there and I love it, so I felt the need to lay it all out. Hold on tight, yall.

Everyone knows how perfect Aziraphale and Crowley are for each other. The Angel of the Eastern Gate and the Serpent of Eden, the sword and the snake - they've been drawn together since before the beginning.

The way that these two compliment each other seems almost perfect. They each have what the other one lacks; they challenge and make each other better. It seems a bit... ineffable.

But then, it happens again? (if it happens again, it'll seem like an institutional problem!) Seemingly against all odds, the Grand Duke of Hell and the Supreme Archangel fall in love. Beelzebub and Gabriel, probably the most unlikely pair, end up fitting together so perfectly that they become each other's heaven and hell.

And here's the part where I'm reaching a bit more since I'm leaving what we know to be canon, so take it or leave it. But have you seen the way that Dagon, Lord of the Files, looks at the Archangel Michael? Could it be that they're also ineffably connected? Honestly, I dare you to tell me that they don't seem... smitten.

Next up, we have precious Muriel, 37th Order Scrivener, and "Disposable Demon" Eric. Equally low-ranking but lovable entities whose personalities match so well? Sure, sure, they never even speak or meet (yet!?) so maybe I'm delusional, but I have a strong feeling that these two will end up together. Personally I think they'll be something like a QPR, but who knows. They're just such perfect mirrors of each other, and as we all know, things are always on purpose when it comes to our lord and savior Neil Gaiman.

Even though angels and demons are supposed to be "hereditary enemies", it seems like they all end up liking each other just a little too much to be a matter of chance. We know that there are 10 million angels and 10 million demons... what are the chances that that was an accident? A perfectly even split, by coincidence? Nah. We know that God plays an ineffable game with the universe, and it seems like She might have been in the mood for a romantic comedy. Creating ten million sets of perfectly matched beings, and then putting them on opposite sides, seems like just a thing that God would do for Her own amusement. She's probably sitting back and laughing to Herself, seeing how long it takes Her creations to find their way back to each other.

[beebopboom]

i can just imagine Hell putting up posters like warning/reminding demons to stay away from angels because they are the enemy or some shit now that not only one but two demons (with one being the Grand Duke of Hell) have run off with an angel

like it can’t just be in the rule book anymore gotta put it on the motherfucking walls to reMIND SOME PEOPLE (looking at you Dagon)

[actual-changeling]

"Sooooo," Michael drawls, leaning back in their chair.

It's only the third time they are holding their earthly meetings in public, and if you were to ask them why they had suggested it, the answer would be something vague like 'research' or 'keeping up with what's happening with humanity. The real reason, however, is much simpler and closely connected to the almost casual outfit the Archangel has chosen for today; a bit overdressed for the café, but neither they nor Dagon have much of a grasp on human social norms.

Dagon, who is sitting opposite them in a dark blue blouse, and, here we are getting very close to said reason, soft, pale human skin.

"Grand Duke of Hell, huh?"

"You heard?" They wrap their hands around their mug, still cold-blooded and seeking warmth, and yet there is a slight blush rising to their cheeks. Michael's eyes are drawn to it like a moth to the flame, flickering from side to side and biting back a smile when it spreads further down their neck.

"I have my sources," they respond lightly, basking in the sharp glance Dagon shoots them.

"Oh, don't be jealous, you know you're my-"

Ah.

Reaching for their own cup, Michael interrupts themselves and blinks rapidly. Now it is their turn to study the pattern on the wall behind Dagon's chair and ignore the flush claiming their face. Leaning into their personal space, Dagon jumps on the unfinished sentence like a predator pounces on their prey. A curtain of shimmering ginger hair moves with them, rippling like the ocean surface in a sunny breeze.

"I'm your what?"

Michael's gaze snaps back, landing not on silver-blue eyes but the genuine, amused smile tugging on their lips, and while the urge to taste it is by far not a new one, the intensity of it still catches them off-guard every single time, a fact Dagon is well aware of.

"Oh, shut it," Michael bites back, but there is no real heat behind it, and hides their shaky exhale with a sip of coffee.

Good stuff, coffee; humans did something very right with that. Bitter, and comforting, and nothing like the salty-sweet chill they have definitely NOT imagined for Dagon's lips.

The newly promoted Grand Duke of Hell does indeed 'shut it', falling back in their chair and stretching out one leg under the table.

Michael swallows a choked sigh and tips their heeled foot against Dagon's just once, an acknowledgement of something they both cannot quite name.

Neither of them says a single word for the next two hours, draping them in an amicable silence, and yet when they part outside the café, Michael turns around and says, "Good talk. Same time next week?"

Dagon tilts their head curiously, a measured look in their eyes, and gives them a once-over that leaves Michael covered in a comfortable warmth they know will linger even in the cold sterility of heaven.

"Same time next week, angel."

[isiaiowin]

Behind the scenes of Hell's Art Department.

So I made this image of Shax last night as a practice piece:

And I thought it might be fun to show you how these are made. I can't really draw, so what does a demon lost in Hell's Art Department do? Find another way.

Find a funny story with pictures below the cut:

And there it was: a shiny new app on the dingy computer called Canva. Instead of using this fancy program how as it was meant to be used, memories of H.S. Paint resurfaced, and a little spark of Hellfire lit up their soul: there are shapes in this thing.

SHAPES

and you can RESHAPE the SHAPES!

A few more hot drinks from the fire cooler later, they had made this for the April First Bad Art challenge :

But Shax threatened to use them as her new wall décor when she saw it, so back to the proverbial drawing board they went and came up with this:

Triangles for days! Even the background! And a happy Grand Duke of Hell now had something else to hang on the wall.

This was fun, and when a new event happened in @goodomensafterdark: 8008 Week, they had to make some more.

After surviving the 8008 events and learning a lot more about shapes (all the circles and stars), they kept fidgeting and found a fuming Dagon in front of their ink-stained desk, demanding a portrait. And you don't say no to the Master of Torments of Hell itself.

Pride Month started soon after, and Eric wanted a fun picture because he won the popular demon vote.

Then there where birthday celebrations with angel Cake.

And the pride gift exchange.

Then one day, Shax was in front of their desk again, demanding a piece for her nightstand. Hours of hyperfocus later, forgetting to eat the half rations she left them, this fell out of the old computer.

Yes even the base stag itself is made out of separate shapes.

And now we're here.

This was an overview of four months of art and progress, offering a glimpse into my madness. Thank you for reading. ❤️💚

[ivereadthemanual]

Dagon was relaxing in their usual hotspring. Their eyes were closed, but they could tell that Michael just teleported nearby. The angel spoke shortly after.

"We have to talk."

"i'm listening."

"I would prefer to have you standing in front of me and being able to look you into the eyes, when talking to you."

Dagon let out a sight and swam towards Michael. Once he reached the edge he placed his hands in front of him in the snow and pushed themself up. Dagon kept their sight low as they placed his right foot next to his hand and stood up. Taking their time, while the hot water was dripping of them and hot steam was raising from their skin. Scales glistering, Dagon raised his head and locked eyes with Michael.

"Not so much looking into my eyes now, are we?"

"We are literally locking eyes, Dagon. Please put something on."

"Of course. Are we talking business or....?"

"Strictly business."

"Right, okay."

Dagon leaned down to grab his red sash lying on top of his cloths. They put it over their head. Even made sure there were no wrinkles. Gotta look representable. It was the only thing they put on.

"The Grand Duke of hell is ready for the audience with Supreme Archangel Michael."

Michael mumbles something what sounds awfully close to "Stopping Armageddon might have been a mistake"

[averageanonymous]

Summary: The new Grand Duke of Hell has requested an Audience with the recently appointed Supreme Archangel.

This is somewhat of a sequel to This Post/Ficlet. It doesn't need to be read in order though. More info at the end.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“The Grand Duke of Hell has requested an audience,” Uriel says, just short of a sneer, as he enters Aziraphale’s ‘office’. (Of course, it isn’t really an office. Just a desk in a secluded corner of heaven. Gabriel hadn't even had a desk, apparently. Aziraphale had insisted on one.) He tosses a folder in front of him. 

“Always nice to see you, Uriel,” Aziraphale greets his fellow archangel without looking up from the documents he is working on, pointedly ignoring the not-remotely-subtle roll of Uriel's eyes. “You said an audience with the Grand Duke? Somewhat irregular…but in light of recent developments, I suppose an audience isn't unjustified.” 

“Mm,” Uriel turns to leave, barely pausing to throw over his shoulder, “First floor boardroom, five minutes.” 

Aziraphale looks up sharply, sputtering, “Five minutes!?” But the other angel is already too far away to bother answering, if he even heard at all. Aziraphale shuffles his papers together in a rush and places them in a desk drawer before gathering up the folder left by Uriel and starting quickly towards the lift. 

Honestly, he thinks as the lift door opens, I don't expect them to like the situation, but this is ridiculous. He steps in and presses the button to take him to the first floor. It's as close to “neutral” as exists in the building shared by Heaven and Hell with the exception of the lobby.

As the lift begins the long drop down, he flips open the folder and scans through the pages. They’re basic audience request forms, followed by a contractual agreement to refrain from all hostilities including but not limited to maiming, dismembering, beheading and spontaneous combustion. The section on the request form where it's meant to indicate the reason for the meeting has been left blank. Aziraphale checks the signatures, but doesn't recognize a name in the messy scrawl. 

He assumes that Shax took up the role of Grand Duke. She seemed quite ambitious… though perhaps she would have taken on Dagon’s responsibilities on the Dark Council and the Lord of the Files would have moved into the coveted position. Either way, it didn't make much difference which demon was in the seat. They were all cut from the same cloth. 

Something in him twists at that thought. Not all, he amends. There were exceptions to every rule. 

As the lift approaches the first floor, he straightens his bowtie, adjusts his coat, rolls his shoulders back. He lets just a little bit of Heaven's Grace shine in his skin, not too much, but enough to remind whoever it is he is meeting just who it is they're dealing with. He's not just an angel who spent most of his years on earth. He's not the Angel of the Eastern Gate of Eden. He's no Cherubim or Principality. He is The Supreme Archangel of Heaven. With that, the lift doors open.

A hall with several gray doors greets him. The gray tile floor is accented by intricate patterns of black and white. At the end of the hall, the largest door is flanked by angelic guards on one side, and a pair of mid-level demons on the other. Standard procedure for any officially sanctioned meeting of the representatives of Heaven and Hell. 

Aziraphale approaches the door quickly. His internal clock indicates that he is three minutes late. He tells himself that there's nothing wrong with making Hell wait a few minutes, though. After all, with how they run things Downstairs, waiting is surely quite familiar to them. 

With a nod to the angels, who respectfully nod in return (at least the lower angelic ranks don't seem to hold the same ire towards him as the upper ranks), Aziraphale pushes open the door and enters the room- 

His heart literally stops beating, the physical functions of his corporation all stalling as his mind freezes, attempts to re-process what he is seeing, and fails miserably. There must be a mistake, or someone is playing a great bloody joke, or SOME other explanation that makes who is seated before him, lounging at the head of the table with his legs up like he owns the place, make sense. 

It doesn't make sense. It can’t make sense. 

Aziraphale finally finds it in him to choke out, “Crowley??”  

“Don't think I've ever seen you so speechless, angel,” Crowley drawls, uncrossing his ankles and uncoiling from his chair, every bit the Serpent. “Something got your feathers in a twist?” 

Aziraphale tries to take in the demon as he steps around the table. There's so much to take in, though, that Aziraphale finds it difficult to even look at him. He forces himself to anyway. His gaze is immediately drawn to Crowley’s wings in their full manifestation. Even folded tightly against his back, they're huge and lustrous, shining like polished obsidian. It’s clearly a statement. And so is the rest of his appearance. He has a black metal circlet on his head, two curling horns giving the illusion of Crowley himself having horns. His dark red hair is longer than it has been in years, curling around his shoulders. Aziraphale can see black snake skin on the sides of his neck, disappearing under the collar of his shirt and reappearing on the back of his hands. And at the ends of his fingers he's got claws, for Heaven's sake. His gaze travels back to Crowley's face, to his eyes, hidden behind his usual dark lenses, and then, unbidden, to his lips. His eyes snap down, but he knows Crowley saw. 

He inhales shakily, trying to gather himself. Memories of the last time they were together are themselves almost a physical blow. Aziraphale can recall with perfect clarity the feel of those lips pressed to his. He can remember the array of unfamiliar sensations and emotions it elicited. 

Aziraphale finally steels himself and looks back up at Crowley, Grand Duke of Hell. 

“I know we didn’t leave things on the best of terms, but whatever it is you think you're playing at, this isn't funny,” Aziraphale finally snaps at him, dropping the file on the table. 

“Not meant to be,” Crowley shrugs, “I saw an opportunity, and I took it.” 

“After everything you said to me about- about not rejoining their side-” 

“I'm a demon,” Crowley cuts him off. “I lied.” 

Aziraphale purses his lips. “So that's how it is,” he says, not sure where this leaves them. 

“That's how it is,” Crowley agrees. He claps his hands together, “Right. Now that's out of the way. I didn't come here just to shock you, Supreme Archangel. There's things that need to be discussed. Now this Second Coming nonsense your lot have cooked up -” 

Aziraphale shakes his head and holds up his hands, confusion and betrayal warring within him, “Crowley, you can't expect me to play this charade with you.”

“Not a charade, angel,” Crowley corrects him. 

Aziraphale huffs in frustration and steps closer, eyes darting to the sides of the room as though the walls are listening, and says with quiet vehemence, “Oh, really? You’re the actual Grand Duke of Hell, and you think that we can, what?”

“Work together. Obviously,” Crowley hisses back in a stage whisper, “You and me against the forces of Heaven and Hell, working towards the common good of humanity.” 

“Oh, Crowley,” Aziraphale sighs, “You know it isn’t that simple.” 

“It can be,” Crowley says, taking a step towards Aziraphale. They’re close now, close enough to touch. Crowley hesitantly reaches across the space between them. When Aziraphale doesn't pull back, he tentatively curls his pinky around Aziraphale’s. Aziraphale looks down at their hands, joined by that smallest touch, and feels his heart beating a quick rhythm in his chest.

“You and me, angel,” Crowley says again, his voice sure. The mockery is gone now, the act vanished. Beneath the gaudy costume he is simply himself. Crowley continues seriously, “We have an opportunity here. You at the top of your totem pole, me at the top of mine. What do you say?” 

Aziraphale meets his gaze. 

For the first time since before the Metatron came to his shop, Aziraphale feels…

Hope.

He curls his pinky around Crowley’s in return, their fingers linked in a promise.   

“Where do we start?”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thank you for reading! This (even more so than its prequel ficlet) is essentially a first-draft mini-scene from a multi-chapter fic that I'll likely never write in entirety. I figure I can let them gather dust on my computer, WIPs dead in the water, or I can release them to the internet. I'd rather let them be free. But hey, maybe someday I'll write enough of them to string together into an actual story.

[ivory--raven]

the last day. "And then I found you." Post-season 2 finale, though Dagon and Michael don't know what happened after each of them left.

This is it! It's been a month. Thanks for sticking with me and liking and reblogging and Abby, having things to say! I love you, you lot <3

Michael’s so tense. “What happened?” asks Dagon, “after I left? If you want to tell me. If you can tell me.”

Michael shifts. “The Metatron came,” she says, quietly.

“The Metatron as in… the Voice of…?” Dagon curls around Michael, leaning around her and resting her head on her shoulder. She’s warm, which is ordinarily nice but now she’s radiating anger and disappointment.

“Yes,” says Michael. “He was… overbearing.”

“I’m sorry,” says Dagon, pulling away. What can she say? What can she do? She wants to help, she doesn’t want to stifle.

“Not you,” says Michael quickly, her warm hands finding Dagon’s arms, pulling herself even closer. Dagon hums softly and squeezes her. “It was very strange. He… he said I was saying… balderdash. I don’t…”

Dagon scowls. She could attack The Metatron.

“You know how I should be Supreme Archangel,” Michael says, she almost sounds insecure, and Dagon nods. She knows. Michael should be. She’d be good at it. She is, as Dagon understands it, next in line. With Gabriel gone, Michael really should be Supreme Archangel. She’ll be better at it than Gabriel was. “He… well, he hasn’t said. He just sent us away. He had coffee.”

“Coffee?”

“I don’t understand,” says Michael. “He had a cup of coffee. He’d been to a mortal coffee shop. We don’t… we don’t do that.”

“Very strange,” Dagon agrees. Also very clearly unable to see the obvious, that he shouldn’t have been rude to Michael and should have immediately made her Supreme Archangel. She wants to fight The Metatron. She doesn’t care for anyone calling Michael’s words balderdash, or dismissing her. She doesn’t care for it in a teeth and sword and gun sort of way. If she could infiltrate, if she was powerful enough to kill him…

“Tell me about the Dark Council?” asks Michael.

Dagon shrugs. “Emergency meeting tomorrow. We can remove Shax and appoint me, that’ll… be better. Then you and I…”

“When The Metatron sees sense.”

“Realistically, who else would it be? It has to be you. You and I.”

Michael smiles slightly. “An institutional problem,” she muses. “Except not a problem. A pattern.”

“Glad I found you,” says Dagon.

“Or I found you,” Michael counters.

Does it matter? They found each other. They’ll keep finding each other. They’ll construct the future they want, still counterparts, still balanced, when Dagon is Grand Duke of Hell and Michael is Supreme Archangel. Everything might not have gone to plan today, but the future is still there, waiting for them to build it.

[rcreveal]

New Leadership

Crowley read Aziraphale’s lips as the angel looked at him from across the street on the precipice of the elevator to Heaven.  Huh, so it was like that.

In the Bentley, he turned off the song of the nightingale that had been theirs for so long as he drove steadily to his flat, eyes dry and temporarily feeling nothing but cold rage: at Heaven, at Hell, at that manipulative bastard, the Metatron, and at that sodding idiot, Aziraphale.

Opening the flat he found a hideous side table with curved spindly legs that had a neat set of pigeon holes stuffed full of his mail.  It was just part of the overwhelming explosion of baroque opulence, velour, and velvet across the entire flat: red velvet curtains, red velvet sofa, baroque monstrosity of a desk.  Shaking his head in amazement, and storing the anger at his place being so thoroughly debased for later usage, he made directly for the wall safe.  His Da Vinci piece was gone, likely sent down to Hell as tribute, with a sickening picture of a red kitten painted on velvet having killed a nest of sparrows hanging in the place it had graced.  But with luck they wouldn’t have been able to crack the safe.

A moment’s work at the lock showed that his little helpmates were still stored safely, he pulled out the specially made brass knuckles set with genuine holy relics and demon repelling glyphs and slipped them into his jacket pocket.  The dull ache of them so close to his skin just made him angrier, good.

Right, then, time to go to Hell.

Heated arguments were taking place in Beelzebub’s throne room between Shax, Furfur, Dagon and Hastur.  Crowley sauntered in with the hand-crank resting on his shoulder like he owned the place, walked straight to the throne, and sprawled into it.  The other demons were temporarily shocked into silence at the absolute nerve of the traitor.  Shax, recovering first, yelled, “What the Heaven do you think you’re doing, traitor?!”

Crowley casually pointed at her from the throne, red tinged demonic lighting pulsing from his finger until she cracked and exploded.

Tipping his head up and over to the side, he said, “It’s obvious. I’m taking over,” to the rest of them.

Hastur, gaping and gabbling, stalks towards Crowley gesturing jerkily from where Shax had stood then back to Crowley, “What did you…? What do you think..? Look what you..!” finally looming over Crowley on the throne he growls, “On whose authority do you have the right to be the Grand Duke of Hell?!!”

Crowley looks up at him casually. Then Crowley stands menacingly slowly right within an inch of Hastur’s face, radiating such cold fury that Hastur takes an involuntary step back.  Crowley pats Hastur on the shoulder, with the hand still holding the hand-crank while he slips his other hand into his jacket. He growls softly, “Oh, you want my authority, Hastur? Look, I‘ve got it right here.”

The holy brass knuckles ignite on contact with the demon’s jaw, as the punch lifts the demon off his feet.  Hastur doesn’t disincorporate, but he lays crumpled at Crowley’s feet with a new tattoo burned on his jaw.

“Anyone else want to question my authority!?”Crowley says, pointing the hand-crank at the demons who are still standing frozen and gawking.  The remaining demons make no move to stop Crowley as sits back down and leans into the black throne throwing a leg over one of the arms apparently entirely at his ease.  

“I’ve got news for you lot,” Crowley growls, “The Metatron made Aziraphale Supreme Archangel! You sent dozens of demons who couldn’t stop him when he was all alone with a couple of measly humans for support.  How do you think you’ll fare when he’s got all the resources of Heaven?  Without me, you haven’t got a, hah, prayer, of opposing Heaven.  You’ll just roll over and show them your bellies and do whatever they ask, again,“ he glares at Dagon, who was trying to surreptitiously slink off with his phone. “And Dagon, do tell Archangel Michael, I send my regards when you tell them I’m the new Grand Duke of Hell!”

“Now push off!  I want everything you’ve got planned on the Second Coming!” 

[u2fangirlie-blog]

Good Omens Season 2 Discussion

It's time to discuss Good Omens season 2. SPOILERS. Don't read this unless you've watched it. You've been warned. This is a disorganized mess. I'm trying to summarize parts of the plot and arrange ideas by themes. EDITED: After rewatching the whole season. I added a lot more! This post is long.

One major theme this season is love, different types of love, different types of relationships. The plot focuses on three relationships: Crowley and Aziraphale, Maggie and Nina, and Gabriel and Beelzebub.

Couple number 1: Demon Crowley and Angel Aziraphale have been besties for more than 6000 years on Earth. They have an arrangement to help each other get their jobs done. They are also very much in love with each other: platonic love, fraternal love, and some would argue erotic love. The Good Omens fandom calls them Ineffable Husbands. They're in a romantic relationship in everything but name.

Couple number 2: Humans Maggie and Nina are shop owners in the same block as Aziraphale's bookstore. Maggie owns the record shop and Nina owns the coffee shop. Maggie has a crush on Nina. Aziraphale and Crowley, for reasons, try to get Maggie and Nina to fall in love with each other. It's a comedy of errors that results in torrential rainfall that does not lead to a kiss and a Jane Austen style cotillion ball in the bookshop that leads to dancing, and later Maggie and Nina help Aziraphale defend the bookshop from an invading army of demons.

Couple number 3: SPOILER ALERT: The big mystery of the season is the relationship between Gabriel and Beelzebub. Gabriel voted against Armageddon Part 2. For his disagreement, the other archangels chose to punish him by removing him from power and removing his memory. Gabriel outplayed them by hiding his memory and going in search of Beelzebub, but he ended up on the doorstep of Aziraphale's bookstore and no memory of who or what he was. Things happen.

After the attack on the bookshop, with all parties present, the archangels Michel, Uriel, and Saraquael and dukes of hell Dagon, Furfur, and Shax meet in the bookstore. Gabriel's memory is restored. (He hid his memories inside a fly - a gift from Beelzebub, lord of the flies.) Gabriel and Beelzebub, equals on opposite teams, have been meeting in secret to commiserate about their jobs and they fell in love. They are both opposed to Armageddon Part 2 and must face consequences for rebelling against their bosses. The angels and demons argue over which side gets to do the punishing: demon Furfur reminds the archangels of demons punishing Job on God's behalf (remember the wager between God and Satan about Job?). The archangels reserve the right to punish Gabriel and Beelzebub by sending them to hell because then it would be celestial justice.

However, the archangels reiterate the idea that accepting Gabriel back into his old job is impossible, and casting Gabriel to hell for his rebellion is also impossible because it would demonstrate "institutional problems." The big story about Satan and the fallen angels being cast into hell after the war in heaven can't be overshadowed by casting out yet another angel for rebellion. Heaven doesn't want him. Hell doesn't want him. Hell can't do anything about Beelzebub. The demons could have asked the heavenly team to execute the "extreme sanctions" that archangel Michael promised would happen to anyone who aided Gabriel - erasing the offender from the Book of Life so they never existed. But that option isn't taken.

In the end, when asked by Aziraphale what they want, they choose to leave hell and heaven forever. "Wherever Beelzebub is is my heaven," says Gabriel. "Wherever Gabriel is is forever my hell" says Beelzebub. Shax threatens to send the legions of hell to hunt them down wherever they go, but Beelzebub reminds Shax that hell doesn't have the manpower to do it. With Beelzebub out of the way, Shax is next in line to be the grand duke of hell. Gabriel and Beelzebub get their happily ever after. They vanish and go off to parts unknown. This is the same offer Crowley made multiple times to Aziraphale that they should leave heaven, hell, and Earth and go off together as a team of two. The demons Dagon, Furfur, and Shax return to hell to sort things out with the Dark Council. Shax is in for a promotion.

After the demons leave, archangel Michael threatens Aziraphale with being erased from the Book of Life as punishment for helping Gabriel. Right then the Metratron walks into the bookstore and sorts things out. He dismisses the archangels Michael, Uriel, and Saraquael back to heaven. Then the Metatron takes Aziraphale outside to have a chat and drink coffee. (Remember the Metatron is literally the Voice of God. He's the most powerful of angels.).

Maggie and Nina tell Crowley (Aziraphale is not present for the conversation) that they are not puppets to be manipulated by supernatural beings. Maggie and Nina put romance on hold and take the sensible route of becoming friends before entering into a romantic relationship that Crowley and Aziraphale tried to orchestrate. That's their happy ending.

In the same conversation, Maggie and Nina confront Crowley (Aziraphale is absent) about his relationship with Aziraphale and tell him it's obvious to literally everyone else that the demon and angel are in love with each other (without saying the word love), and it's time for them to have that conversation about their true feelings.

Aziraphale returns to the bookstore for the big scene that fans have been waiting for nearly 30 years to see. After receiving a job offer from the Metatron to take over Gabriel's vacant position in heaven to help with a new project called the Second Coming, Aziraphale offers Crowley a job in heaven with his angelic status restored. Crowley knows this is a bad idea. Crowley tells Aziraphale he turned down an offer to return to hell with the other demons. He tries to talk Aziraphale out of accepting the job and cautions him about Armageddon Part 2. Crowley says "When heaven ends life here on Earth, it'll be just as dead as if hell ended it." Crowley says he knows they could always rely on each other and that they've been a team all along but pretend that they aren't. Without saying the word love, he really is confessing his love for his best friend. Crowley points to the example of Gabriel and Beelzebub going off together, so he and Aziraphale should too, to get away from toxic beings in heaven and hell.

Aziraphale says that if he's in charge, and with Crowley as second in command, they can make a difference and change the system. Crowley says to Aziraphale that the angel couldn't leave his bookshop. Aziraphale says to Crowley "Nothing lasts forever." Crowley goes to leave. Aziraphale pleads with him that he needs Crowley and says, "I don't think you undestand what I'm offering you." To which Crowley responds, "I understand a whole lot better than you do." Aziraphale says, "There's nothing more to say." Crowley says, "You idiot. We could have been us." Showing Azirphale that he loves him, without saying the word love, Crowley grabs Aziraphale and THEY KISS!

BUT! Aziraphale can't reciprocate. Aziraphale says to Crowley, "I forgive you." WAIT. WHAT? To which Crowley responds, "Don't bother." and leaves. What needs to be forgiven? That Crowley won't accept Aziraphale's job offer? That they kissed? That the true nature of their partnership is out in the open? That they're in love?

Aziraphale can't let go of his need to be in the side of the good guys and save Crowley from being a demon. They do not go off together in the end. The Metratron returns to the bookshop, asking how it went, knowing that it wouldn't go well, and says Crowley "always did want to go his own way" and "always asking damn fool questions." Aziraphale reports to the Metatron. Crowley drives off in his Bentley. Sad music plays. The end. Roll credits. Season 2 ends on a cliffhanger. The Good Omens fandom collectively loses its mind.

(Note: the sweet angel Muriel, 37th class scrivener, is put in charge of the bookstore by the Metatron.)

Now for some analysis: Ask yourself if two of the most powerful beings from heaven and hell, Gabriel and Beelzebub, will be happy by simply going off together to do their own thing as couple? My answer is no. They are some of the biggest players in the game and have exercised a lot of power in their respective home offices. I don't think they are going to be content. I strongly suspect they will start recruiting more angels and demons to their team.

Let's look at another theme that has been present in the story since the book was published in 1990: The system is corrupt and unfair. This was a major theme in season 1, as illustrated in the flashback stories of Crowley and Aziraphale's friendship over 6000 years. Season 2 is not based on the book and has all new material. Gaiman included the story of Job to illustrate the corruption and unfairness of the system. Crowley and Aziraphale working at cross purposes, but they end up working together because they both see the gross injustice of what Satan and God are doing to Job and his family.

This begins the Arrangement between Aziraphale and Crowley, who help each other with temptations and blessing, realizing the work they do is just going to cancel each other out, and the home offices don't care as long as it appears that the work is getting done. This has been going on for a few thousand years. Then Gabriel leaves, there's a job opening, and the Metatron makes an offer Aziraphale can't refuse. Aziraphale sees an opportunity to work within the system to make it better, but is too blind to see how he's being manipulated by the powers that be who are still intent on Armageddon part 2.

Crowley knows he can't accept Aziraphale's offer to have his angelic status restored. If that happens, that leaves open a huge theological paradox. God is capable of forgiving Satan and all the fallen angels, but God will never do it. Forgiving the fallen angels and restoring them to heaven can't happen because that would upset the system. If Crowley's angelic status is restored and he returns to heaven to work for that team, this could lead to another angelic rebellion and War in Heaven Part 2.

Aziraphale either doesn't see this problem or believes he's capable of changing the system so that can't happen. I don't think Aziraphale even understands that this Second Coming project is part of Armageddon Part 2. Crowley understands. There's the scene at the end of episode 2, after Aziraphale lied to the archangels about Job's children, where he thinks Crowley has come to take him to hell for his lies. Aziraphale thinks he's a fallen angel for his disobedience. Crowley laughs at this, but is ultimately kind to Aziraphale and says he won't report his lie. Nothing has to change. To paraphrase quotes from the episode, Crowley is just a demon who goes along with hell as far as he can. and Aziraphale is an angel who goes along with heaven as far as he can.

I don't think Aziraphale understands the depth of Crowley's pain of being cast out of heaven and the true nature of God's abusive relationship with angels, demons, and human beings. Aziraphale can't see the manipulation and abuse that is at the core of the system. Crowley does.

Season 2 is left on an emotionally devastating cliffhanger. Neil Gaiman has season 3 planned and plotted. The sets are still up at the studio. Hopefully the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes will be resolved soon so production for season 3 can commence.

11 Aug. 2023

Rerun from Facebook

[reloha]

When Crowley got dragged down to Hell in Edinburgh, he came back within a month (Aziraphale’s journal entry suggests this) and also, possibly only got stuck doing paperwork while he was there.

Crowley did not do temptations involving his kissing or having sex with humans. Ditto Aziraphale.

Aziraphale didn’t kiss anyone in the discreet gentlemen’s club (wrong gavotte for that).

1941 isn’t the first time they’ve seen each other since the holy water request.

Crowley can see in the dark (like in the book).

Ligur is returned to life with everyone else who died the day that Adam reset, but Hastur kept him hidden till after Crowley’s trial.

Hastur and Ligur are a couple.

After Gabriel and Beelzebub get together, Beelzebub randomly changes their face as the mood strikes.

If Shax doesn’t get the Grand Duke of Hell job, she and Muriel hang out on Earth and make increasingly bad deductions about human behavior/alternatively, learn about human behavior together.

Aziraphale has never liked any of the archangels, one reason he was so excited to meet Crowley.

Aziraphale feels guilty about telling the Starmaker about the plan, but he would have found out five minutes later from Lucifer anyway.

It is not Aziraphale’s fault Crowley fell.

The reason Crowley doesn’t remember Furfur is that Furfur is actually confusing him with someone else.

The reason Crowley doesn’t appear to remember Saraqael is because he wants to mess with Saraqael.

Muriel is not dim; Heaven just has no training programs. Looking forward to their passing everyone by with their human knowledge while running the bookshop.

Crowley will be hurt in 1941 in an echo of the Holmes-Watson scene in “The Three Garridebs” (the short story). “Say you are not hurt”—also, check out Neil Gaiman’s short story, “A Study in Emerald,” which is unrelated, kind of.

Michael and UrieI have a love-hate relationship and end up in a throuple with Dagon.

Sandalphon is away on a secret mission during season two, and so is Hastur.

Aziraphale is actually a great leader.

Aziraphale is actually really good at sleight of hand magic but gets nervous in front of crowds and Crowley, and he always hopes that this time he’ll be able to impress Crowley.

Agnes Nutter sent the equivalent to lorem ipsum to Anathema as the second book, knowing she’d burn it and allowing her to be free. Anathema becomes a powerful witch on her own.

Sandalphon was killed in a freak hellfire accident when it was being removed from Heaven.

Crowley does read books.

Since nothing is ever solved at a ball in Jane Austen, I have to conclude Aziraphale is secretly watching Bridgerton and doesn’t want to admit it. He also cries over Dash & Lily.

Crowley only vaguely remembers Richard Curtis films.

Sometimes when Aziraphale is stuck doing the blessing and the tempting, Crowley pretends he thought it was his turn, and they have lunch or dinner somewhere.

Aziraphale showed up at Crowley’s apartment after giving him the holy water.

God and Satan are chilling together while everything goes to rack and ruin after season two. Satan, particularly, needed to recuperate after the Adam thing.

(Bolded are mine specifically, which doesn’t mean they aren’t others’ also.)

You know what. Fuck it. I don’t have enough Good Omens Head Canons. Give me some of your best obscure or personal favorites

[charsawdeath]

Duke's Of Hell

A duke (male) can either be a monarch (A monarch is a sovereign head of state in a monarchy. A monarch may exercise the highest authority and power in the state, or others may wield that power on behalf of the monarch) ranked below the emperor, king, and grand duke ruling over a duchy or a member of royalty or nobility, historically of highest rank, below princes of nobility and grand dukes. The title comes from French duc, itself from the Latindux, 'leader', a term used in republican Rometo refer to a military commander without an official rank (particularly one of Germanic or Celtic origin), and later coming to mean the leading military commander of a province. In most countries, the word duchess is the female equivalent. However, in some countries (such as the UK), the term duke is used even for females, and the word duchess is reserved for those who marry dukes. (So does that mean Dagon isn't married? Or is male? Chooses to be neither?)

-

A duke (male) or duchess (female) can either be a monarch ranked below the emperor, king, and grand duke ruling over a duchy or a member of royalty or nobility, historically of highest rank, below princes of nobility and grand dukes.

-

A duke is the member of nobility that ranks just below the monarch. A duke is a ruler of a 'duchy' (county, territory or domain). (So they RULE parts of Hell then?) It's also tradition for men of the royal family to get a new title when they marry - often taking onduke status. (So are they all married to someone or...what?)

-

From such a novel that puts such details as CROWLEY BEING IN A PLACE TO HAVE BULLET HOLES IN HIS BENTLEY-I am positive these three have a reason for BEING at all what they are!

Just rather puzzling

Does that mean Dagon doesn't choose to marry-Hastur, Ligur, and Dagon all are royal or something?

Again, DETAILS from Aziraphale discorporating below the E to little collar details upon Crowley and Aziraphale before their trials

Can't NOT be just nothen!

[b4phomet]

how does hell's government/ political systems work??

From Collin De Plancy’s Dictionaire Infernale (1863):

Asmodeus - The DestroyerAstaroth - Obtains friendship of great lords. Behemoth - Demon of indulgenceRonwe - Demon of lingual knowledgeUrobach - Of the lower order of demonsAndras - Grand Marquis of Hell, causes discord and quarrelsBeelzebub - Lord of the flies

Sir William Fletcher Barrett’s The Magus (1801):

Mammon - Prince of tempters Asmodeus - Prince of vengeance Satan - Prince of deludersBelzebuth - Chief of false godsPytho - Prince of the spirits of deceitBeliel - Prince of iniquityMerihim - Prince of the spirits of pestilence Abbadon - Prince of warAstaroth - Prince of accusers and inquisitors.

From the Grimoire of Pope Honorius: (1600’s):

PRINCIPLE INFERNAL SPIRITS:

Lucifer - Emperor 

Beelzebub - Prince 

Astarot - Grand Duke

SUPERIOR SPIRITS:

• Lucifage Rofocale - Prime Minister• Satanchia - Grand General• Agaliarept - Aussi General• Feurety - Lieutenant Commander• Sargantanas - Major• Nebiros - Field Marshall

SUBORDINATE SPIRITS

Bael , Bathim, Agares, Pursan, Marbas, Abigar, Pruslas, Loray, Aamon,Valefar, Barbatos, Forau, Buer, Ayperos, Gusoyn, Nuberus, Botis, Glasyabolis

Johan Weyer’s Hierarchy of Hell:

• Beelzebuth - Supreme Chieftain• Satan - Occupies second place as prince of darkness.• Eurynomous - Prince of death• Moloch - Prince of the land of tears• Pluto - Prince of fire• Baal - Commander of the armies of hell• Lucifer - Dispenses justice• Asmodeus - Gambling• Baalberith - Minister of pacts and treaties• Proserpine - Prince of demonic spirits• Astaroth - Prince and treasurer of hell• Nergal - Chief of secret police• Bael - King, lord of the East, and commands 66legions• Forcas - President��� Beur - President and commands 50 legions• Marchocias- Marquis and commands 30 legions• Behamoth - unknown

Chamos, Melchom, Dagon, AdramalekSebastien Michaelis’s Histoire admirable de la Possession et conversion d'une penitente (1613):

FIRST HIERARCHY

Belzebuth - pride

Leviathan - faith

Asmodeus - luxury

Balberith - blasphemy and murder 

Astaroth - vanity and sloth

Verrine - impatience 

Gresil - impurity 

Sonnillon - hate

SECOND HIERARCHY

Carreau - mercilessness 

Carnivean - obscenity 

Oeillet - riches and wealth 

Rosier - love

Verrier - disobedience

THIRD HIERARCHY

Belial - arrogance

Olivier - cruelty and greed 

Juvart - demonic possession

Peter Binsfeld’s Demons of the Seven Deadly Sins (1589)

Lucifer - pride 

Mammon - avarice 

Asmodeus - lechery 

Satan - anger 

Beelzebub - gluttony 

Leviathan - envy 

Belphegore - sloth

Faust’s Hierarchy of the Kingdoms:

Beelzebub - NorthLucifer - EastBelial - SouthAstaroth - WestPhlegathon - Center (Not an actual demon, but a river. Phlegathon means center in Greek.)

Misc. Medieval Hierarchies of Unknown Origin-Possibly from the obscure Liber Perditionis; a medieval book of Demons and their rank in the infernal hierarchy.

THE SEVEN PRINCES OF HELL

Baal-beryth - master of rituals and pacts

Dumah - commander of the demons of gehenna 

Meririm - prince of air

Rahab - prince of oceans

Sariel - Prince of the moon

Mephistopholes - the destroyer

Lucifer Rofocale - prime minister and controls wealth

ARCH DEMONS OF HELL

Adramaleck - Prince of Fire

Carniveau - Demon of Possession

Python - Prince of lying spirits

Mammon - Prince of tempters, avarice, and greed 

Rimmon - Prince of lightning and storms

ARCH SHE-DEMONS

Leviathan - The Chaos Dragon

Barbelo - Unknown

Proserpine - Destroyer

Astarte - Queen of spirits of the dead 

Agrat-bat-mahlaht - One of Satan’s wives and demoness of whores

Eisheth Zenunim - Same as above 

Lilith - Satan’s favorite wife 

Naamah - demoness of seduction.

Richard Dukanté’s Hierarchy (1963):

• Satan - King• Unsere - Fertility and Sorcery• Satanchia - Grand General (War)• Agaliarept - Assistant Grand General (War)• Lucifage - High Command (Control)• Flereous - Fire Elemental• Lucifer - Air Elemental• Leviathan - Water Elemental• Belial - Earth Elemental• Beelzebuth - Lord of insects• Belphegore - Master of Armorment and Weaponry• Mesphito - Keeper of the book of death• Amducious - The destroyer• Asmodeus - Demon of Lust• Sonnilion - Demoness of hate• Abbadon - Advisor• Ammon - demon of domination• Mammon - Demon of Avarice• Rosier - Demon of love• Ashtaroth - Priestess of friendship• Eurynomous - Demon of Death• Verrine - Demon of Health• Ronwe - Demon of Knowledge• Babeal - Keeper of Graves

The Demonic Aspects - the true Hierarchy of Richard Dukanté.

-The hierarchy is composed of nine different families including 39 infernal hierarchs of note:

Family 1

• Satan - King• Unsere - Fertility and Sorcery• Satanchia - Grand General (War)• Agaliarept - Assistant Grand General (War)• Lucifage - High Command (Control)• Flereous - Fire Elemental• Lucifer - Air Elemental• Beelzebuth - Lord of insects• Belphegore - Master of Armorment and Weaponry- gain• Mesphito - Keeper of the book of death• Delepitoré- Demoness of magick.• Belial - Earth Elemental

Family 2

• Luithian - Advisor• Leviathan - Water Elemental• Sonnelion - Demoness of hate

Family 3

• Abbadon - Advisor• Ammon - demon of domination• Mammon - Demon of Avarice

Family 4

• Rosier - Demon of love• Astarte - Demoness of love• Ashtaroth - Priestess of friendship• Astarot - Matters concerning the heart• Amducious - The destroyer• Asmodeus - Demon of Lust

Family 5

• Eurynomous - Demon of Death• Balberith - Prince of dying• Babeal - Keeper of Graves

Family 6

• Verrine - Demon of Health• Verrier - Demoness of herbal knowledge• Ronwe - Demon of Knowledge

Family 7

• Svengali - Demon of Vengeance• Tezrian - Priestess of battle

Family 8

• Asafoetida - Demoness of feminine attributes• Rashoon - Priestess of seduction•Taroon - Priestess of Desire

Family 9

Consists of lesser hierarchy.

______________________

This is straight from Connolly as well, so this is accurate information.

[reloha]

i just want to note that we need to be making a distinction between Grand Duke of Hell (Beelzebub’s position) and a duke of hell (what Hastur is). There is only one grand duke and an indeterminate number of dukes. Beelzebub was offering Crowley a duke position, not their own position.

I think Beelzebub and Gabriel were planning to run Hell together. There was quite a discussion awhile back regarding Beelzebub’s sudden acquirement of a second throne.

Obviously, since then, Beelzebub’s position has become open. I would be okay with Crowley doing it if it were part of a plan, as in an Ineffable Husbands plan, not an ineffable plan. That may be what Pratchett and Gaiman had in mind for the book sequel and actually makes sense as an explanation for why there would need to be a bridge season to get to that point. (Imagine season two opening with Supreme Archangel Aziraphale and Grand Duke of Hell Crowley in place? We’d need a whole season of flashbacks just to reveal how that happened.)

Beelzebub suggested Shax for their replacement, but we know that may or may not happen. Although I was adamant against this at one point, I can now see how it could get there without Crowley giving up his principles. Maybe what is needed is for Heaven corporate and Hell to become better. Who is better to accomplish that than Aziraphale and Crowley?

Now, I’m also very okay with this not happening.

It may be Shax. Other posters on here have suggested Dagon. But why, @canarybell, are you humbly standing in the tags with this gem:

#I'm just humbly standing aside with my “Archangel Michael as the next Duke of Hell” theory.

I’m gonna need some art for this one.

i feel like everyone is starting to root for grand duke crowley in season 3 and i just dont get it. he said he told hell no!!! idk i wish i could describe why it feels like such a bad theory 😭.

Ohh dear, people just have different opinions on where it could go in s3 and that’s perfectly alright. I’m personally not a fan of duke of hell crowley either but also… i kinda trust that wherever neil gaiman chooses to go with these characters (which might be something completely different and unexpected), the storytelling will make sense. And if not there’s always fanfic :)

[ivory--raven]

oops, day 23's late, but here it is. "Copycat" and an excuse to bring up a really cool building. Nobody can keep a secret in Heaven or Hell.

It doesn’t take long to put the pieces together.

“Gabriel’s doing something suspicious,” says Michael. “He’s leaving and coming back without new suits. And he’s not taking Sandalphon with him. Sandalphon misses him.”

“How anyone can miss Gabriel I’ll never know,” says Dagon. 

“Something’s up,” says Michael with certainty. If anyone knows Gabriel, it’s Michael.

“Hope it’s nothing bad for you,” she says.

“Probably won’t be. It’s annoying, he’s started singing this song to himself.” Michael hums to demonstrate.

It’s a familiar song. Dagon has heard it before. Far too often, recently. “Beelzebub loves it. Plays it all the time.” 

“That’s funny,” says Michael. What an odd coincidence!

It can’t be a coincidence.

“Next time Gabriel leaves Heaven, call me,” says Dagon.

Michael calls. “He just left.”

“Going down?”

“Just to Earth.”

Dagon slinks outside, Michael still on the line. The hallways are still clogged with angry demons with nothing to do, but they’ve calmed down enough that they’re all stewing independently in their own annoyance about the lack of Armageddon. They don’t pose a threat anymore. Someone calls out to her - “Duke Dagon, I was coming to-” but she brushes past them and doesn’t hear the rest of what they have to say. She has places to be.

And there, going into the elevator up, is Beelzebub.

“Guess who’s also going to Earth,” Dagon says into the phone, and speedwalks back to her office.

“I’m scanning for demonic presences,” says Michael. “Okay… couple minor spots in America… England, London, that’ll be Crowley, there’s something in the Côte d’Ivoire…”

Dagon closes her office door behind her. “Côte d’Ivoire, you said… no, that’s Josh, that’s accounted for. Shax is also in London. America should be Eric.”

“Malaysia?”

“Asterik’s there.”

“Bhutan?”

“That’ll be Abaddon.”

“Ecuador?”

Dagon scans her page. “Ecuador… Ecuador… no one’s there.”

“Meet you there,” says Michael. “Looks like it’s Quito.”

Dagon prefers Guayaquil, and would rather be going there to trace the Grand Duke of Hell with Michael, but she emerges from the ground in Quito just outside the massive basilica. She looks around for Michael, and there she is - inside. Of course.

“Michael!”

Michael looks disapprovingly at the basilica. “It’s full of gift shops, Dagon, there’s a bar.”

A bar in a basilica, that’s funny. “You coming out? Cause I’m not coming in, and I don’t think Beelzebub would either.”

“You probably could,” sniffs Michael, but she leaves the edge of the consecrated ground anyway. “Now, if they’re both here…”

They wander down the street, holding hands, ignoring the vendors and the food and the signs. There’s a statue ahead of them in the distance, rising above the city, a woman with wings. Looking up at it are -

“That’s them,” says Michael. “They’re looking at the statue.”

“They’re together,” says Dagon. Gabriel and Beelzebub are hand in hand. Gabriel is saying something, and Beelzebub is smiling, waving their free hand at him. They’re teasing him. 

“Well that’s that settled,” Michael says. 

“Think it’s good for them,” offers Dagon. “I don’t know about Gabriel, obviously, but Beelzebub has been happy. Even if they do play that song over and over.”

“He’s happy,” says Michael. “We don’t have to…”

“No, of course not,” says Dagon. “Let them have this.”