Saturday 2 September 2023

Good Omens Series 2 Episode 2 — “The Clue” — A Review

1st September, 2023: the Intro.






Right … I have to admit to starting this post, very early.

At roughly 11:30 on a Friday morning.

A lot earlier than usual: normally I’m cooking dinner.

But?

I’m looking after my nephew, today.

And I’ve started this review post early, to save time, later.

At ANY rate?

I’m going to be watching another episode of Good Omens, tonight: and telling you about it, tomorrow: I’ll see you then.

~≈😈≈~


2nd September, 2023: “The Clue”.

Episode 2 — “The Clue” — opens not with a summary of earlier episodes … but with a brief scene in 2500BC, in the Land of Uz: and shows us Crowley (David Tennant) threatening the herds owned by Job (Peter Davison), only to be stopped in his tracks by Aziraphale (Martin Sheen).

Who is very disappointed to find Crowley had God’s permission to destroyed Job’s entire family: and keen to do something about it.

Meanwhile, in the present day … ?

Aziraphale is in deep thought, in the book shop: whilst the mysteriously amnesiac Gabriel (John Hamm) … is desperately trying to be helpful.

By filing all the books in alphabetical order of the first line: leaving Aziraphale … vaguely unnerved.

Especially by Gabriel’s singing.

Post-titles, we find Aziraphale, popping next door: to the record shop run by Maggie (Maggie Service).   He needs her to identify the song that Gabriel’s been humming whilst he works.

It’s only when the former angel gets to one line … that Maggie starts crying.

And admits her feelings for Nina (Nina Sosanya), the woman who runs the coffee shop over the road.

Maggie’s love life?   Is not something Aziraphale can help with.

But the song?   The song, Maggie explains, is Buddy Holly’s “Everyday”: something the angel finds interesting.

Especially as Maggie tells him every record she sends to a specific pub in Edinburgh … turns into a mint condition copy.

Right then?

Is exactly the wrong time for a trio of angels to turn up on Aziraphale’s bookshop … … 

~≈😈≈~

Now … what did I think of the episode … ?

For starters … ?

I’m not especially religious.

But was brought up vaguely — very vaguely — Church of England.

So was equally as vague — very vague — about the figure of Job.

Job’s not a figure I know much about.

To the point I kept thinking he had been swallowed by a whale.

I would get Job and Jonah mixed up, wouldn’t I … ?

At any rate?

I impressed by the fact the first few minutes of “The Clue” turn out to be a minisode called “A Companion to Owls.”

And a retelling of the opening chapters of the Biblical Book of Job from a very unorthodox point of view: that of the angel and demon — Aziraphale and Crowley — tasked with testing Job.

Turning what — to me — sounds like a rather harsh tale of a man pushed to his limits by a angry god into a far more merciful story: of an angel and demon thinking their bosses are punishing the wrong man, and determined to help.

It’s a thread that continues through the episode, and is intertwined with another: that of Heaven and Hell’s rival missions — or jobs, if you want a bad pun — to find Gabriel.

That’s something that gives this episode a certain amount of depth: at least as far as I’m concerned.

As does the acting: with Peter Davison and Liz Carr both grabbing my attention.

Personally … ?

I’m going to be coming back for more.

Sir Terry’s legacy, the one he left with Neil Gaiman?

Is in very good hands.

~≈😈≈~

As a final thought … ?

As a final thought, before I sign off, I should mention actress, Liz Carr.

She plays the angel Saraqeal: and plays the angel as quite a menacing piece of work.

Wheelchair user that she is, though?

I can’t help but think of a traditional type of angel known as a Ophanim: they’re supposed to look like giant wheels with lots of eyes.

Why Liz Carr makes me think of that — and the Scourge, in Barker’s Weaveworld — I really don’t know!

~≈😈≈~

At any rate … ?

At any rate, what I’ve seen of Good Omens 2 has me very pleased.

To the point where I’m going to be watching episode three of Good Omens, “I Know Where I’m Going” on Friday, 8th September.

I’ll be posting my written and video reviews of it on Saturday, 9th September.

Hopefully?

I’ll see you then!

“The Clue”.
★★★★

No comments: