Good Omens — Series 1: Episode 3 — Hard Times — A Review

27th June, 2019.

Yes!

My kitchen sink is not making hideously horribly glugging noises.

As you. Possibly aware, I had an issue with it, last night.

Something seemed to be coming up the pipes.

Quite why, or how … ?

I’m still not sure.

But … ?



At least I’ve managed to report it to my landlord.

~≈Ç≈~

At any rate … ?



Unemployment means I have time on my hands.

Time enough to get snotty: if my AppleTV starts playing up at a crucial moment.

OK: I can reset everything by switching it off, pulling out the power cable, then plugging it back in again.

But it IS awkward … 

And thankfully, something I didn’t have to do, before sitting down with episode 3 of … Good Omens … 

~≈Ç≈~

For its first half hour?   Episode 3 — Hard Times shows us a potted history.

Not just any old history: but a history of Crowley (David Tennant) and Aziraphale (Michael Sheen).

From when Aziraphale helped Adam and Eve world their way out of the garden of Eden, to when the pair met at the start of the Flood, and again, at the Crucifixion, and later, at Rome … 


And even later, in Paris, during the Terror … 

And in London, at the Blitz …

And in 1960s London: where we’re shown what Crowley’s been after, all this while … 

For the last half hour … ?

Anathema (Adria Arjona) gets to meet Adam (Sam Taylor Buck): all the while thinking there’s something odd about him.

Whilst both Crowley and Aziraphale get in touch with their field agents.



It seem Sergeant Shadwell has been practising his double entry skills … 

~≈Ç≈~

Now … 

I’m usually red hot on the idea that the film — or TV series — of the book should be as true to the text as possible.

And normally?

Would be unhappy about changes made.

But … ?



The first half an hour or so of tonight’s episode — mostly consisting of bits from the sequel Pratchett and Gaiman never finished — actually seems to fit VERY well with what I remember of the novel.



Very?



Perfectly, I should say.

After all, at least one half of the pair was left to write those extra bits.

It’s a beautiful addition to the story, showing us how the central pair have evolved across the centuries.

There’s something else … 

There’s also THAT scene: the Crucifixion, itself.

I’m curious to know how many people that may offend.

Either way?

It’s yet another good show, from Good Omens … !