[oldblackhat]

On possible Third Proposal to God

"Very well. I'll let you choose. This decision, this one decision, can be yours. What do you want? Do you want me to put everything back the way it was?"

So this is really a question of consent - any Binary Choice made in the bookshop, however well intentioned, would highly impact those not present without their input. Whether that is:

Stop existing in their old lives (new universe) -OR-

Live in a world where Free Will is under question (old universe)

Both run into the same problem: Just as the fandom is divided, in-universe characters would also be divided on what they want. To address this issue, a third option would be needed.

Firstly, how about two (or more) universes running simultaneously, including the

Big Bang Universe

Original Universe (everyone lives!) with some modifications (more details below)

And here's the crucial part:

Every single time you reincarnate the character Death gives you a moment of Clarity about

Your past lives

Basic details on how each universe works

***And you get to *choose* your next universe to be reincarnated into every single time!***

Freedom of choice about your own free will!

Like let's say you die in the original universe -- you could choose to be reincarnated in the big bang universe (or vice versa)!

More details below, including:

Moral reasoning & justification for this instead of just one universe

Modifications for the original universe

More details how Reincarnation Choice works

Multiple different "levels of free will" (the reincarnation & soulmate problems)

Why Death not God handling the between-life choice?

Pitching/selling this idea to God

How the choice of next universe might be impacted by past life experience, world events, and attributes of each universe

How a "remember past lives" universe would work

I'm working on a whole essay about this possible "Third Option Proposal/Pitch" to God. When I finish it I'll post the link here. "Reincarnation Choice" will be one of the AO3 tags.

--------

Why Death not God handling the between-life choice?

This between-life choice is administered by Death (not God) cause he's more trustworthy to be impartial.

On that note, how do we know we can trust God to keep her promise long-term? To make a Godless universe and keep Her grubby hands off it?

Multiple universes could help keep her engaged and interested (and not tempted to mess about inappropriately). Her offer to "put everything back" might have been in bad faith but if you can interest Her. Give Her something to sink her teeth into elsewhere -- then that might just help keep Her paws off the Big Bang Universe 🤔

------

The moral reasoning and justification for this proposal instead of just one universe (Big Bang or original-with-modifications)?

Why not have only the new Big Bang Universe (canon)? Or only the original universe (with some modifications)? What is the argument for this being necessary?

You could argue that when Crowley & Aziraphale give their decision to God, the souls of the old universe presently don't exist and never did. So it isn't a "continuing" but a "bringing back" -- it isn't an "ending" but a "choosing not to restore" -- which changes the moral balance.

And is it not a moral violation to choose to take someone (who at this moment does not exist) and bring them back without their consent -- knowing that they will be going through major changes or tumult?

That said, is an unknown better or safer? There is no guarantee that this new universe will be kinder or gentler -- it could just as easily be harsher and crueler -- there is no way to know in advance. Is it better to choose the devil you know or the devil you do not know?

But no matter what, decisions have still been made about a soul's final disposition without their consultation. Whether to exist is arguably one of the most deeply personal and individual decisions -- and making that choice *in any direction* for others without consent is arguably a moral violation.

If even one single being from the old universe would disagree with Crowley's choice -- would say "I want my current life back even if my level of free will is in question". Can we morally make this choice for that person? And too, if someone agrees with Crowley, can we make the opposite choice for that person?

Just as the fandom is divided, in-universe characters would also be divided on whether they want the old universe or the new universe. So making this choice *in any direction* would be making it for someone who disagrees. It's a fascinating cunundrum really.

The souls of the old universe did not consent to:

Living in a world where the existence of Free Will is questionable (Crowley's argument)

No longer existing as they were. Losing their memories/current lives and selves.

For angels and demons, being forcibly changed fundamentally (made human: depowered; mortal) -- especially with their memories intact, which could be quite traumatic

Being brought back changed with 0 memory of who they were before

No matter what option you choose, you are making radical decisions for others without their consent. The only solution to that dilemma is to give others the opportunity to choose.

To quote The Good Place:

"Fork this! If we're going to lose, let's lose on our own terms. Let's come up with a completely new idea that actually makes the universe better. At least then we can hold our heads high."

(And so they break out the chalkboard/legal pad, come up with a better option, and manage to get it passed & into effect. I highly encourage you to watch The Good Place if you haven't already. It's perfect, no notes.)

------

More about how Reincarnation Choice works

Of course while you can choose the universe -- you can't control the circumstances in which you are born in a given universe.

Everyone can always choose to reincarnate in the Big Bang universe.

In the majority of universes, inside your current life, you have 0 outside knowledge. (So while inside the big bang universe -- its the exact same as in Crowley's proposal)

But perhaps there could be a universe (you would willingly choose) where you get to remember all your past lives simultaneously? (more on that later)

You can have multiple populated planets in the same universe if the base mechanics will be the same -- this will help reduce the total universe count to be managed

Everyone is equally powered (so either no one has abilities or everyone does)

----------

On Modifications for the Original Universe:

Bring the old universe back to the present day with everyone alive and everything erased is restored. This means everyone in Heaven will remember what Michael did (poor Michael but also you brought it on yourself)

We know this is possible because Adam does it -- the delivery man Lesley is no longer dead and people wonder where Atlantis went.

Moving forward it will be reincarnation; no Heaven/Hell; Angels/Demons are stripped of miracles & given min 70 years of life with memories intact before their first reincarnation cycle.

In the short term (70 years) Heaven/Hell are merged and the depowered Angels/Demons can just hang out there for the 70 years

Or they can live on Earth -- but if they go to Earth they will have real human needs like hunger, fatigue, and the need for bathrooms.

Now this is a traumatic change to force on angels/demons with no say or consent in the matter. Is this better or worse than 1.) ending an existence without consent or 2.) erasing memory without consent?

Again no matter what option you choose, there will be a moral violation in that you are making radical decisions for others without their consent. The only solution to that dilemma is to give others the opportunity to choose.

So here's the crucial bit, before everyone rejoins the restored old universe they get that between-life moment of clarity where they get to choose whether they want:

70 years with their old memories (depowered/mortal) before their first Reincarnation cycle

Skip right to reincarnating as a human baby

They could choose to be frozen in stasis until the Big Bang Universe is ready to support intelligent life

Either way it is clear to them that they will still exist and reincarnate -- the question is just about their own personal memory and experience in the short term (70 years). That is an upsetting choice to have to make -- but whatever you decide you are still getting to choose.

Some might take the option to just reincarnate right away (rather than have to go through that radical change). The people who make this choice might find this brief tangent upsetting -- maybe even wish they hadn't been asked at all! -- but then as requested they would be reborn asap as babies with no memories.

But some are going to choose to take the 70 years with memories intact. Meaning they choose to undergo this change process knowing what they once were and what they are going to be now.

Of course, for many the preferred option would be to stay an immortal who serves heaven/hell -- but if that option's not available on the buffet line then they are getting to choose this much at least.

Psychologically, being allowed to make a choice -- even between two not-great options -- can also help a person reconcile themselves to a not-great situation and increase their buy-in. Even among any angels and demons who want to keep their memories so that they can spend those 70 years trying to eff up the Earth out of spite -- they still made that conscious choice to do this instead of skipping straight to a memory reset. There was still a level of buy-in to this less bad option and that changes things about how a person generally interacts with their new reality.

(It is also worth noting that angels and demons are famously not actually that effective at impacting Earth even with the use of miracles -- and depowered (& needing food/bathrooms), well, that will significantly impact what they can accomplish in 70 years. These are the beings who forget to put petrol in their cars or plug in their stereos.)

The thing is I don't believe in:

Ending lives prematurely -OR-

Memory tampering (outside of death)

So from my perspective the option to take those 70 years is ethically important:

Even if they cause problems for humans

Even if they squander the opportunity

Even if it is traumatic to be depowered and made mortal

It isn't reasonable to expect any resolution to resolve every single problem in the world -- it is not possible to have Free Will but end all wars, hunger, genocide, global warming, poverty, etc. Utopias are wonderful ideas but there is a reason why they have not and will not ever actually exist. I never expected GO3 to fix everything perfectly because that's not possible. I expected heaven and hell to fall and rebuilding to start -- and that rebuilding is going to be messy because all rebuildings are. Nothing will ever be simple or clean because that cannot exist alongside Free Will.

Mr Incredible:

"No matter how many times you save the world, it always manages to get back in jeopardy again. Sometimes I just want it to stay saved! You know, for a little bit? I feel like the maid; I just cleaned up this mess! Can we keep it clean for...for ten minutes!"

No, because that isn't how free will works!

And keep in mind if my "Reincarnation Choice" scheme described above is now in effect --

That hopefully takes some pressure off of fixing every single little damn thing perfectly in the original universe (or any universe)

Seeing as how that actually isn't even possible -- cause Free Will is gonna Free Will.

Because even if your last life was kinda rough: you can always choose any universe -- including Godless universes' -- for your next go around.

Freedom of Choice for your Free Will!

Jason Mendoza from The Good Place: "You know what they say in Florida: "If you don't like this funeral, juuust wait a minute!""

----------

If there is a "remember all your past lives" universe, it would:

**Be a completely optional place where people could choose to remember their past lives and selves.***

1.) Only becomes an option after you go through at least one iteration as a human in a world where you don't remember your past lives.

So any angels and demons there will now *also* have memories as a human (to hopefully help them chill the eff out a bit.)

2.) You can only stay up to 100 years before you have to get reincarnated again in a world where you don't remember your past lives.

Just to keep people being chill/normal and avoid too much stasis

3.) I imagine people who like to hang out here would end up coordinating/synching up with loved ones on the timing of reincarnation cycles

This is particularly lovely because you are unlikely to meet past loved ones during reincarnation cycles -- since you might be reincarnated in Peru and they are reincarnated in China in the 1300s (before Columbus) and therefore you will never meet! But you can choose to meet up in between cycles in the "remember everything" universe.

4.) While originally intended as a place where people could choose to 1/heal and process from past lives (if they want!) & 2/reunite with past loved ones -- this also could become a very interesting and messy place.

If everyone remembers the combination of multiple life experiences--including what others did. Multiple different marriages. Murder. Old grudges and emotional ties.

5.) Of course, since this "remember everything" universe is completely optional. A person could choose to never spend any time here at all if they prefer! -- opting instead to always reincarnate in a universe without memory

---------

Universes with different "levels of free will" (the Reincarnation & soulmate problem)

One issue is arguably the main goal is true free will for humans but what is asked for is godless. And arguably predestining that an Earth will form and one day have humans is not godless. And Reincarnation is in itself not purely godless.

There are gradations then of "lack of Godly involvement":

Intelligent life is not guaranteed (truly godless) or if it does happen if night not be humans that evolve

God nudges intelligent life to happen but it is offerwise godless (no reincarnation)

God nudges intelligent life to happen and there's reincarnation but it's otherwise godless.

Let's say any intelligent being who dies in a world without reincarnation will actually get the choice to move to a different universe. This can be the universe that generates only new souls, which then feeds into all the other universes.

Similarly the idea that you might meet with old loved ones repeatedly; that you are "fated" -- may not be a purely godless concept.

Would there be some divine intervention happening here? Nudging you to at least be reborn in the same country (if not city) so there is a decent probability of finding each other (especially in pre-aviation societies).

Or is this happening because the souls are genuinely finding each other again -- they have a kind of unconscious memory that helps them seek each other out? And would this then help them manage to not have one person be born in Peru and the other in China in the 1300s?

I'm sure people would love to have the choice to reincarnate in close proximity with loved ones thereby increasing the likelihood of meeting. If this is dually chosen by both parties at their Reincarnation Choice then that is arguably Free Will instead of Divine Intervention. Being born nearby is mutually chosen by the people involved.

-------

If God scoffs that it's too big an Ask well:

(plus how the choice might be impacted by past life experience, world events, and attributes of each universe)

But God wouldn't this be interesting to observe for you the Viewer?

Yes you're no longer allowed to directly impact universes*** (once they've been set in motion) but

Just think won't it be psychologically fascinating, oh Lord, to watch how people's past life experience(s) impact their choice of next universe

And sociology fascinating, oh Lord, to watch how major events in & attributes of a universe might impact people's choice

For example, the aftermath of a war

The presence of penicillin or electricity

Past fantasies of being a pirate or a knight (which of course you won't remember once you are inside your new life)

We have cards/options available to concede

We can always backtrack to first "just the two universes with reincarnation choice

Falling that, just the two universes now without reincarnation choice

Failing that also, we're back to picking just one universe

Never start a negotiation conceding everything

Possible Hail Mary:

"Too big an Ask? Well you said you'd let me make this one decision -- and seeing as your God it must be in your power to create this, amiright?".

Definitely a Hail Mary move -- and the exact phrasing might need some workshopping by the demon Crowley

***Does She still need more convincing? Let's (semi-)concede a card. Perhaps, oh Lord, some universes can be a little more lax then others about Godly influence providing the below points remain sacred:

0 godly influence in the Big Bang World(s)

There must be sufficient godless options for anyone who wants that

***The choice of universe at Reincarnation***

Meaning everyone always has the option to reincarnate next time in a "godless universe".

(Also getting God to agree is technically a Watsonian (in-universe) issue! Doylistically (out-of-universe), if the Writer wants a particular outcome, I am sure they can set things up to make that outcome happen (make it real).)

[tsilvy]

friendly reminder that aziraphale made crowley smile in rome when he realized he was in a foul mood

that he blushed when he described crowley as a wily adversary (keeps me on my toes)

that he smiled when he realized the bentley was back without a scratch after having blown up

that he refused crowley a suicide pill

that he kept an eye on crowley for 26 years after 1941, then sought him out and gave him the holy water so that he didn't have to get it himself. but i can't have you risking your life. not even for something dangerous. if we must quote it then at least let's quote it right.

that he went to hell for crowley and made sure they wouldn't bother him anymore

that he only ever cared about crowley not being destroyed

that no way aziraphale didn't check on crowley in three years

friendly reminder that aziraphale would never give up crowley without a fight, not even if crowley asked

[books-and-omens]

I suspended so so much disbelief for S2, and then S3 came, and all of that disbelief came crashing back.

THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT STORY

[sexy-people-contests-2026]

Tumblr Sexyman Contest 2026 Round 1 Part 95

Louis de Pointe du Lac (Interview With The Vampire)

Crusnr Colven (Psychopomp)

Uncle Iroh (Avatar the last airbender)

Remaining time: 4 days 20 hours

[dajo42]

it’s been ten years

[geniusoflove]

its been 12 years

[shivshivshivvyyy]

13 years

[pinkthinkspalistineshouldbefree]

14 years

[momperlman-deactivated20251022]

15 years

[dammmithardison]

16 years

[fruitsfag]

17 years

[airinyourtires]

loss is an adult today. happy birthday loss.

[emptypatrycja]

To be honest, what hurts me the most is seeing something like “In every lifetime and in every universe". It just reminds me that they stripped away everything I found meaningful and beautiful about their love.

Yup, apparently I’m still not done being sad and angry about it.

[I’m not saying it’s wrong to like the soulmate trope. Of course it’s okay if you do. I just personally find it hollow.]

[oldblackhat]

Just because something is a cool base premise doesn't mean it works as an ending to a specific story with pre-existing canon

Soulmates across reincarnation and dimensions is a cool idea

That doesn't mean that it fits as the ending to a specific story

[beemovieerotica]

dystopia

[loumner]

???

[chocolate-apple7]

I miss Good Omens 🤍😢🖤

[ouidasart]

whoah this year's gomens pride month drawing is JC Leyendecker inspired

I obviously can't draw or paint as well as he does but I can attempt the design sensibility and the period suits! I just wanted to draw something Edwardian so it's giving "what if they had pride parades in 1908" lol. The lacy handkerchief is the Gilbert Baker pride flag with the turquoise and pink stripes included and is also supposed to evoke flagging bandanas and hankies, bc I thought it would be fun to combine time periods and ideas into one.

This will also be in my shop as a print! Link in my pinned posts if you want one✨ 🩷💕 PLUS! I did an extra version of this painting with confetti, which I didn't like as much as the plain but I did still like enough to show, so that will be under the cut 🩷

[moghedien]

I feel like I need to share this because idk if Europeans are familiar with the presence of Aldi in the US, but at least especially in my area they’ve been growing a lot recently. Like Aldi bought out some local failing grocery chains where I live (Louisiana) and have opened Aldis in all these somewhat rural communities and small towns, which for the record I’m fine with

But as a result of this they are advertising a lot more in my area and also in many cases, the people in these areas have never been confronted with Aldi or any European grocery store. So the ads that Aldi is pushing out to its new US customer base feature a cowboy shopping at Aldi who is explaining to new Aldi customers how Aldi works. Like this cowboy is explaining you gotta put a quarter in the shopping cart and why there are very little name brands. A cowboy is how they want to reach their American customer base. They gave us a cowboy

[moghedien]

Here he is, the Aldi Cowboy

[hey-must-be-a-devilbetween-us]

Its just...maybe I was naive, maybe I should have known better, but I didn't know how much I needed the finale to be okay.

like, not even great, not even good, but just okay, just safe, sad that it was over but happy that it happened, a closed book with a happy if mediocre ending.

and then it wasn't, and it knocked me entirely off kilter, and the worst part was it completely blindsided me, it wasn't just mediocre, or rushed, or boring, or disappointing.

It was all of those things and also tragic. It made me sad.

and the thing is...before that, I never could have imagined that Good Omens would make me sad, would have me break down in tears inconsolable days afterwards, it never even occurred to me as a possibility.

It was one of the few things I had that kept me safe inside my own mind, it was a talisman against sadness, it was where I walked when I needed sanctuary, and now it feels like there is a giant pit in the middle of my former haven that I have to worry about falling into and being trapped.

because Good Omens made me a promise, as a viewer and a reader 7 years ago, that the world is saved because it is worth saving, that everybody lives, everybody, even telemarketers.

That Anti-Christ's grow up with their best friends in their Kingdom of Tadfield because that's enough of the world for them, that Witches fall in love with Witchfinders, that Prophetesses make their own destiny, that Death and all his friends will ride motorbikes to the end, but not today, no not today. Due in very small part, really just moral support, of a Demon and an Angel who wanted to stay, just a little bit longer, maybe another 6000 years, go for a picnic, dine at the Ritz. That promise was broken, if this is the legacy that they want to give Sir Terry Pratchett I would say its as bad as spitting on his grave.

Shame on them.

[crowleysgirl56]

My thoughts on the Good Omens finale (cont.)

CW and TW: discussions and mentions of Neil Gaiman.

Ok, it’s been a minute since my first post which basically gives a run down on my emotional state, my emotional reaction, and just a lot of deep seated feelings. I did promise I would talk a little bit more about contextual issues and today’s post is going to be devoted to the writing of the finale.

Again because this is going to be yet another critical take, I understand those of you out there who either enjoyed the finale and don’t want to see anything negative or even if you hated it but don’t want to be exposed to any further negativity may not want to read this. So I will put my thoughts under the cut.

Again, I ask that people do not argue or send hurtful or derogatory messages to each other or anyone involved in the cast and crew*

*I’d give a caveat to the writers but in the end, don’t even send them hate messages. They’re not worth your time or effort.

This is a bit of a long one, so buckle in!

Post 2. The writing

I know I’m probably not going to say anything that hasn’t already been said. There has been so many great takes about the incomprehensible writing and I don’t know if I will do them justice but I will give it my best go.

Firstly, we’re going to get the elephant in room out of the way first. Everything we saw on that screen was Neil Gaiman. Plain and simple. Perhaps I had been incredibly naive in thinking that when he was removed from production the new script writers brought in were going to use the skeleton of his story beats and re-write the finale from scratch. I mean, if thousands of fandom fic writers can do it, why can’t published authors? But when you look at the timeline of events, the decision to bring on new writers and the length of time before filming started (whilst pre production had already commenced), the only thing that could have happened was a gutting and condensing of the script.

This was made abundantly clear in the cryptic crossword scene when Aziraphale says the word pedometer, a moment that punched me in the gut, because NG had given that inclusion fact long ago. You can go to this previous post of mine for further context about that.

NG has always had a nihilistic structure to his stories. His characters’ “happy endings” come at great personal cost or sacrifice, or through incredible hardship or heartache. Read Neverwhere, read American God, read Ocean at the end of the Lane, or Sandman (or actually don’t, but you get my point). Protagonists who go through awful tumultuous times before coming out the other end, sometimes unscathed, sometimes worse for ware, sometimes dead. So the way the finale ended set my sights directly on NG to blame.

What is the most galling is, I’m convinced this was ALWAYS how he intended to end it. He spoke many times prior to the allegations coming out how he had completed episodes 3-4 was finishing drafting episode 5 and the end of episode 6 was written. You can clearly see the outlines of the episodes where the story was cut away for time, and then where the plot completely falls apart when everyone is erased which in my opinion, clearly shows where he stopped writing. Plot threads are woven and then completely dropped, and it’s obvious to me how the writers just couldn’t be bother figuring out how to tie them off properly.

Jesus

What on earth was the point of Jesus, except to be a plot device? A reason to get Aziraphale out of Heaven and to work with Crowley. His actions and story arc went no where and affected nothing. Wouldn’t it have made more sense to have him appear in the bookshop in the end? Solve the problem of the destroyed universe? Face God himself? Bring the find the lady card game full circle? Be the literal counterpoint to Adam and his arc in S1? On the topic of Jesus, he mentions his disciples and his mother (Mary) and Aziraphale just sadly says it’s been a long time. WHERE THE FUCK ARE THEY?! They’re in Heaven, WHERE ARE THE DEAD HUMANS?! I’ve pointed this out before about how Heaven looks suspiciously empty so where do all the humans go? Looks like we’ll never know the answer.

Michael

Michael’s set up as the bad guy was obvious from the start, but why not include a set up to her feelings of being under appreciated? Actually give her motivation for feeling like she has to do everything and get no reward. Maybe a scene of Aziraphale telling her to do a bunch of stuff. Instead what we get is “Oh those silly women and their emotions.” Honestly, not surprising to have such a one dimensional character arc from the man who we now know has no respect for women.

The Metatron and the FF

So, The Metatron’s setup in S2 always seemed like there was something far more nefarious going on. The music queues, the menacing look he gives Crowley, the furtive and anxious looks Aziraphale has. Now, we just have to accept everything in that scene was at face value. He really was offering Aziraphale a job. He legitimately thought Aziraphale was the best. There was no secret threat to Crowley. And Aziraphale did just want to go back to Heaven to make a difference (remember it had nothing to do with the second coming because he finds that out in front of the elevator). There is also the small mention that The Metatron was tampering with the Book of Life. Again, probably something cut for time, but had the potential for something far more meaningful. His story arc instead is meaningless and becomes just part of the plot line to create a mystery. Also, when you think about it, nothing in S2 was necessary to get us to S3. Except maybe to explain why Gabriel wasn’t there, and to have a reason that Crowley is angry and Aziraphale is in heaven. So why on earth bother with S2? *cough NG cash grab cough*.

Crowley having no miracles

What was the point other than the side quest to get the Bentley back. Which frankly was fun and the best part of the finale in my opinion. But when it didn’t matter at all to the plot it could have just been cut and more spent given to Aziraphale and Crowley just reuniting in a better and more fulfilling way. Crowley without miracles doesn’t seem to matter or be resolved in the end, considering the Bentley still got to space and Crowley still got them to the bookshop using the burning book of life page.

Did the writers even watch S2? Or S1 for that matter? Or even read the book?

When I first heard who the writers were I did a bit of a deep dive into their writing credits and history. When fantasy horror was all that came up and no proof at all that they were a fan or even spoke of Pratchett’s work, alarm bells started ringing. But I didn’t want to bring everyone’s moods down as a lot of angst around whether the finale would be any good was being thrown around at the time. So I kept my fears to myself.

But when the writers seemed to miss key elements of what made S1 and parts of S2 great and special (companion of owls and the resurrectionists specifically) it honestly felt like they didn’t bother to do any research at all. For example:

Adam is convinced in the end of S1 that the world is worth fighting for. That he doesn’t need to make it new even though the voices keep telling him. That it’s up to the humans to make it right. So how can you reconcile that with Crowley saying we need to just start again? It makes no sense.

Crowley drunkenly berates Wee Morag for wanting to commit suicide “No dying. No more dying. No trying to kill yourself, it’s wrong!” So why the FUCK does he decide complete annihilation is the answer?!

The entire Job minisode is devoted to explaining why Job and Sitis don’t want new children, they want their own children because they love them. Why on earth would the writers think Human Crowley and Aziraphale would be at all satisfying?

And for that matter, the entire S2 storyline with Jimbriel tells us that Jim is not Gabriel because he doesn’t have his memories and experiences. So how can you expect the fandom to accept Anthony and Asa are just a reincarnated versions of Crowley and Aziraphale when the lore you set up in your own show contradicts otherwise!

Plot lines that were added which makes no sense:

In the great war prologue Aziraphale is seen as this great general and leader. A master strategist. Why not have anything to do with him being a great strategist included in the rest of the plot then? Why do the angels later think him an incompetent idiot when they had so much praise for him (which has been established since S1)? Where did he lose their faith and gain such distain? Are we supposed to infer it is merely from being on earth?

Also was this Great War scene just a way to establish why Crowley doesn’t fear to approach Aziraphale on the Wall of Eden in S1? Because Aziraphale was kind to him and therefore he can trust him? You know we didn’t need that right?

Crowley’s knowledge of the book of life. How does Crowley go from “that was just a story to scare the cherubs” to “tampering with it sends you crazy” and “can’t be destroyed, it’s too well made”. How does KNOW all of this?

Why didn’t Michael just erase Aziraphale from the book of life to begin with? (Pitch Meeting Guy voice: so the movie can happen!)

Missed opportunities:

Aziraphale seemed to be in over his head in Heaven, it seemed like Sandalphon was about to start some kind of coup. So why did Michael not work with him? Why erase him? Did she just want to get the competition out of the way first? Why bring Sandalphon back at all when again he served no purpose to the story, except to be erased.

As much as I love Crowley’s heaven outfit (I will get down on my knees and worship that outfit), there was no reason for him to be dressed like that. He wasn’t in disguise, Saraqael saw him immediately and objected to his presence. Crowley also is still supposed to be without miracles at this point, so it’s implied it’s all Aziraphale. So damn well focus on that! Put some quick banter in there, maybe about how tight Crowley’s trousers are and Aziraphale just raises his eyebrows and turns away to smirk (perhaps it was lost to the cutting room floor, but I needed flirting and closeness between them, and these sacrificed moments were too much to lose).

Give us more of Asa and Anthony if you wanted us to care about them. A montage of dates, kissing in the rain, seeing one of them propose, sitting in a park having a picnic, a brief glimpse of their wedding day, dancing in the living room of their cottage, sweet soft moments of affection. Something! A 30 second montage would have been all that we needed. Instead we’re left with a semi platonic hand hold and some lovely music. I get that that is sweet and wonderful, but as I said in my previous post, the fandom has been fucking reeling for almost 3 years. We needed healing and proper visible on screen queer representation. This would have helped sway the anger and disappointment!

Character Assassinations:

Aziraphale. Just, everything. Leaving Crowley in the ally. Not actually apologising. That whole “you’re the best angel” bit (god damn it accept him for the demon his is you maniac!) I rest my case. I don’t enjoy at all how he was written this season, and it just shows the writers had no clue how to fix that or understand who he was a character.

Circling back to NG

When he was on Tumblr, NG would try to convince us constantly that there was going to be a happy ending.

The post where someone asked why and he said the answer was Love. The post where he was asked what his favourite line from S2 was and he answered the invisible line that connects Crowley and Aziraphale. That the ending was set and was what Terry wanted. The years of speaking about a cottage where Crowley and Aziraphale were retired. Telling us to trust the process. He said this for a year after S2 before he abandoned social media. Rachel Talalay said it in her Blueksy post there was never any kiss scripted for the finale. NG always intended to never resolve the heartbreak of S2. For S3 he sets up Crowley as broken, depressed, sick of life, and then has Crowley suggest at the end to just accept the end of the universe. Start again, make it new, but not with him in it. And we’re meant to accept this as somehow noble? What kind of a fucking message is that?! NG always saw himself in Crowley and I think this incredibly broken man is frankly telling on himself here. And he used our comfort show to do it. I still can’t get over how incredibly angry I am with this man. For everything he did to those women and everything he did to this fandom.

This season was full of plotholes, contradictions, and non-sensical out of character actions, and they cannot all be blamed on the cutting down of 6 hours to 98 minutes, but can be laid at the feet of a broken man who sadistically took pleasure in the pain and suffering in others.

And the most upsetting thing of all is the inability of fandom to now continue writing in canon universe stories for Crowley and Aziraphale. They are dead and gone, unless we can think of a way to bring them back. What point is there to write of Asa and Anthony when there was already thousands of human AU stories out there. And also we know so little of their characters and how they lived in this world that it’s hard to write anything for them (full props to all the fanfic writers out there who have managed it so far. Please don’t let me discourage you).

I think this is why I’ve struggled to continue writing my WIPs, even though I am getting there, but it worries me that people will see this end as a way to just stop participating in the fandom. And I can’t help but feel that maybe NG was playing a long game with us all along, that this was his endgame. He initially hated the shipping of Crowley and Aziraphale and then years later leaned into it when it meant financial gain. And now that he can’t have these characters anymore, neither can anyone else.

I realise that this is quite a dark and heartbreaking conclusion to end on. So I will say to everyone out there, keep creating, keep writing, keep making art, keep making friends in this wonderful fandom. You don’t need to take anything in S2 or S3 seriously if you don’t want to. You don’t need to accept it as canon if you don’t want to.

If you got this far, thank you for reading. My next post will be more positive about the things that I did like and love about the finale. So stay tuned.

[neverheroes]

Everyone is so busy being upset they forgot to freak out about how fucking cute Muriel and Eric were. I thought it was a crack ship and now and I’m flippin pancakes. Hot diggity dog. I love demon Muriel. The head shake, THE WALK. Yes.

On screen together, on screeeeeen

Eric: THIS MEANS WAR. Muriel: tee hee

“Hello again.” “Ohh!”

“Hello :D :D :D …. You’re almost certainly in trouble too!” Almost certainly? Aw, making an exception?

Eric: There must be hurting, and burning! Muriel: You tell’m, good job :)

Muriel: Very good! Eric: :] Muriel :]

~time after time~

[certified-cervid]

the terrifying beast of the darkness wants a kissy

[depsidase]

[liache]

i love that we and cats share pareidolia (seeing patterns where they dont exist), but instead of seeing faces in everyday objects like us, they see snakes

that computer cord? snake. string? small snake. cucumber? short fat straight snake

[yiffmaster]

snake pareidolia is one of the strongest things in human minds too! people report freezing mid-stride before being consciously aware of a snake in front of them, and the same happens with coiled rope, etc. in humans and other primates. it’s even been proposed that the need to detect snakes was a factor in the development of primates’ insanely good color eyesight

[ehlbee]

It’s because snakes are wonderful and we must stop and admire them at any cost

[phantomrose96]

I think it's funny world-building how like, so at the center of Life we've got Water. Arguably The most important resource. Colorless transparent substance that molds to any container and we die without it and quickly. And all organic functions of society hinge on its availability. Could fight a ton of wars over this thing.

And well beyond organic life, modern society's great human invention is the Electronic Magic. Our greatest minds invented the Electronic Magic and it sends information around the world instantly. Our infrastructure our economy our modern life, minute by minute by minute, hinges on utilizing the great Lighting Technology.

BUT ☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️ DO NOT. DO NOT EVER. get the magical Elixir Substance of Life and Living and Healing, Water, IN the Electronic Device. The water keeps you alive critically but it KILLS the Electronic Device instantly and catastrophically. This Says something.

[phantomrose96]

and this Says something...

[sitronsangbody]

"Oh so we should just eat anything we want??"

Well actually YES but also:

Restricting food Does Stuff To Your Brain. "Restricting" doesn't mean stopping when you're full. I feel like this is what gets misunderstood a lot. It means placing rules and limits on food that supercede what your body is signalling that it wants. Let's use cookies as an example. Restricting would be:

- I can only have cookies when I deserve them.

- I can only have cookies when I'm alone.

- I can only have two cookies.

- I can only have low-calorie cookies.

- I can only have cookies on set days, or so-called cheat days.

- I can't have cookies.

- I can't have cookies in the house.

- I'm bad when I eat cookies.

- Cookies are a bad food and I must compensate for having eaten them.

Whether or not you stick to the restrictions you set, your brain is learning to be an anxious mess around cookies. It might want to avoid anywhere that has cookies. It might feel shame for wanting or eating cookies. It might get exhausted from suppressing the craving and decide to binge. It might go into binge mode every time you eat cookies because you've taught your body that This Will Not Be Available Whenever. It might feel ridiculously important to eat all the cookies while you can.

I know we're all so used to constantly talking about food, diets, weight and bodies, and it's completely normalised to look at absolutely everything you eat and assign it the level of guilt you're gonna feel for eating it, and to brag about not eating this and that, and to announce that you know it's a Naughty Indulgence when you eat anything sweet.

But oh my god, it's such a huge weight off your shoulders to just let yourself eat cookies because you wanted cookies and stop when you feel satiated and know that the cookies will be available next time you want cookies because you don't need to earn them in any way. Because a brain that knows it can have cookies whenever it wants cookies, doesn't crave cookies all the time. Nor does it feel any self-loathing when it does crave cookies.

And I just wish everyone a very chill brain and some cookies