Good Omens — Series 1: Episode 1 — In The Beginning — A Review

25th June, 2019.

You know, there’s upsides and downsides, to life on the proverbial dole.

The length of time between interviews … the boredom …

It can leave you feeling … 

Mildly depressed, to say the least.

For me personally?

A couple of family deaths hasn’t helped.

Something I AM grateful for … ?

Is simply the amount of films and TV shows I’ve got access to: and the fact I can air my thoughts on what I see.

Yes: you’re right.

I’ve finally managed to access Good Omens: the series based on the book by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.

~≈§≈~

Episode 1 — In The Beginning — introduces us to to narrator, God (Frances McDormand) … 



Who tell us of the the birth of the Earth, some six thousand years ago, and of the often forgotten fact that the planet … is a Libra.

Oh, and humanity has observers.



The hideously evil Crowley (David Tennant)— the snake that tempted Eve — and Aziraphale (Michael Sheen) — the angel who originally guarded Eden — have a problem.



Like secret agents some distance from upper management?

They’ve got used to each other.

They like life on Earth.

The problem?

Crowley’s just been given a package to deliver to an order of Satanic nuns.

One that contains the baby Anti-Christ … 



And a warning that Armageddon … is far more nigh that the pair think … 

Ever get the feeling something’s started to tick … ?

~≈§≈~

Now … 


Good … ?   Impressive?   Close to the original novel … ?

Absolutely!

I’ve walked away from a first episode that quite clearly has its roots  in the novel on which its based, with a cast that — thus far — are portraying their characters well, and … ?

And actually seem to be well cast.

When I read the novel?

When I read the novel, back in the 1990s, I imagined Aziraphale looking something like a taller, camper, version of Derek Nimmo: and Crowley looking something like Gaiman, himself.



Now I’ve seen the first episode of the series … ?



Well … 


Whoever picked Sheen and Tennant got casting the two main characters spot on* … !

Frankly, Episode 2 is giving me something to look forward to … 

*        The series also sees Daniel Mays playing the Anti-Christ’s adoptive dad, Arthur.   I wasn’t stunned with his performance in Outcasts.   But then, Outcasts was a disappointing watch all ’round: both in terms of casting and writing.   His work in The Limehouse Golem?   Was great.