Good Omens — Series 1: Episode 6 — The Very Last Day Of The Rest Of Their Lives — A Review

5th July, 2019.

Sad times can be very sad.   As you’ve possibly realised.

There’s upsides: although these are bitter sweet.

IN my particular case?



Simply a touch of money inherited from my stepfather: with the help of my two sisters, Anna and Ruth.

I’ve been able to replace a few big ticket items around the house.

I’ve a new oven due, for example.

A new tumble dryer’s* been delivered, as has a new microwave oven.

Bits, bobs, clothes, a new book or two: the Dune Encyclopedia looks good.

And unbelievably detailed.

The other thing I’ve picked up: with a bit of a story too it?

Is a new TV.

Which is now in place: in front of my favourite armchair, and loudly playing some Eno inspired ambient.

Having just been used … 

To watch the last episode of Good Omens …

Did anyone else catch the Dr Who† reference … ?

~≈§≈~

Episode 6 — The Very Last Day Of The Rest Of Their Lives — opens with a brief glimpse of the future: showing us Crowley (David Tennant) being put on trial by his peers.

Stepping back … ?



It shows us why.

Shows us Adam (Sam Taylor Buck) confronting Gabriel (Jon Hamm) and Beelzebub (Anna Maxwell Martin) … 

Confronting — and winning out against — the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse … 

And finally?

Confronting Satan (Benedict Cumberbatch) himself.



And then … … ?



Then having to deal with his annoyed father, Arthur (Daniel Mays).



Sometimes, the only way to stop the Antichrist … ?

Is to ground him … 

~≈§≈~

Now … 


Good … ?



I have to say yes.



This episode of Good Omens is a very light and fluffy climax: for what’s been a faithful adaptation.

Fluffy … ?



Might be the wrong word … 

Light might be the better one.



Good Omens, much like the novel itself?

Is both satirical: taking the proverbial Michael out of human foibles, out of our deep tendency to view our side as the good guys … and the other side as demons incarnate.



But also shows us something else.

We’re human.



All of us.

Good or bad, black or white, male, or female, Antichrist or otherwise, what we are … ?



IS sometimes less important than who we are.

~≈§≈~

As a final thought … ?

As a final thought, I have to admit, I’ve always had an ambiguous relationship with the film — or TV show — of the book.

I find the details that reach the screen don’t look anything like the ones that have crawled off the page and into my head.

Neither do the actors.

I believe I share that with a lot of fans.

I worried about how Good Omens would turn out.

I don’t think I should have.

This is a very good adaption: true to the book, and with a cast that’s top notch.

It’s I think will delight fans … 


And, hopefully, interest non-fans.

Can I suggest that, if you’ve read my posts about the show, and been encouraged to watch Good Omens?



That you do me a favour, and read the original novel.

I think it’ll will repay you.

*        The thing’s got an accompanying app.   An app, for God’s sake!

†        About half way through the episode, Adam is eventually taken home by his dad.   Arthur’s car’s number plate?   Spells out SIDRAT: the copied imitation TARDIS created by the War Chief and sold to his masters in Patrick Troughton’s last Dr Who‡ story, The War Games.

‡        There’s a few former Dr Who cast members in there.   Dan Starkey (Strax) turns up as a passerby, Anna Maxwell Martin (Beelzebub) was in a Christopher Ecclestone episode called The Long Game, Michael Sheen was in The Doctor’s Wife.   Then there’s David Tennant’s whole family …