my thoughts on the finale's treatment of Michael.
note: these are just my feelings as someone who identifies heavily with Michael, I am not going to invalidate anyone else's opinion about the finale. I've seen the fighting, I don't want any part of it. this is just me needing to vent a little about the way my comfort character died
I was really excited for Michael to get their villain arc. their story that had been playing out in the background since The Beginning was something I really really enjoyed following and analyzing. I was ready to feel the catharsis of Michael finally losing it and trying to right the wrongs they'd been dealt.
this finale did not give me that.
Michael's breakdown was painful to watch. not even because of the writing or the things I was hoping to see, but the way that Michael NEVER got to be truly, truly heard.
did Aziraphale and Crowley try to get them to open up and talk about their feelings? yes. did they do that because they cared about Michael and wanted to help them? it did not feel that way to me.
they were purely trying to save the world and stop Michael. don't get me wrong, that was obviously the highest priority, but like.... giving Michael more than just placating them and "I forgive you"
I will say that Aziraphale seemed to become a little empathetic, but the way that both of them were eyeing the book the entire time Michael talked about their struggles ruined it for me.
not a single other being in the entire universe ever cared about Michael.
they lived their entire life in service of God, in service of Heaven, and got nothing at all in return.
and then they died. at their own hand.
I'm definitely clinging to that cute bartender scene with Michael and Dagon, but my Michael—the one I felt seen and understood by—had such a heartbreaking ending.
lowkey had to double up on my antidepressants these last few weeks.