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Peter Solarz
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#extradirty

oozey mess

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@redundant-angel
art block is still here so im just substituting aziracrow into paintings lol. this is the lovers by emile friant, i figured i should put their names in these artworks too yehahahaha
(note: crowley w long hair yoohooo !!)
I'm back!
Yes, you can see that.
I had a few rather stressful months where I struggled with reading and writing, and when the source of that stress was finally taken care of, I was one of those badly hit by the finale. Even though I kept reading, however infrequently, I couldn’t find the motivation, or indeed the time, to compile my beloved rec lists. But I’ve missed doing this! And I’m so happy to be back and help spread the love through the fandom! Once I started reading again, I felt like I was starving and I got reading several fics at the same time, alternating chapters from longer fics with shorter one-shots, so the WIP section in this list has been renamed WIPs and currently reading as I’m still in the middle of reading some complete fictions. So, even if you don’t read WIPs, please don’t skip that section; I will indicate whether a fic is there because it’s a WIP or because I haven’t finished reading it yet!
As always, this is a list of what I liked about the fics I read, it’s not a list of my very favourite fics, or exceptional fics. All fics are exceptional! A fic you haven’t read or that you feel lukewarm about might be someone else’s new favourite, so please don’t ever be shy about reblogging rec lists, new fic posts, self recs etc, even if you haven’t read them or they are not your favourites.
This list contains the fics I’ve read from February through to June. As always, at some point these recs will be added to my side blog, the nice and accurate lists of di-42, witch, so please follow that if you want to read even more (themed) lists!
And I hope it hasn’t been that long that you might have forgotten my mantra, but a reminder never hurt anyone: please don’t judge a fiction based on the number of kudos!
I really hope someone can find the comfort they need in these fics and in the fandom creativity!
Usual disclaimer, if you want your fic removed from this list, or know anyone who does, please let me know.
And now, without further ado,
Buckle Up For My Backlog Recs!
WIP & currently reading:
The Rule Of The Rose, by @joyandotherstories. Rated M, 38k. P. Jan 26. THIS FICTION IS COMPLETE.
Beauty and the Beast AU where Crowley is Warlock’n nanny. This fic had been in my MFL since when it was published and I kept eyeing it, waiting for the right moment to get to it. I’ve finally (only just) started it and it flows beautifully. I can’t wait to get to the main part where Crowley gets trapped in the beast’s (or is it?) castle. Crowley’s voice so far is so much in character; warlock hasn’t really said much, but I LOVE him already. Go and read it!
The Devil’s In The Details, by @addledmongoose. Rated T, 165k. P. Mar 26. THIS FICTION IS COMPLETE.
I’m two thirds into this written-as-post-canon-now-canon-divergent fic and I’m loving it just like all the other works by this author! Sequel to The Beginning of The End (Again), the story takes place after the failed Second Coming, when someone starts murdering humans and demons alike in Whickber Street. As always, the characterisation is great, and the established relationship dynamics between our Ineffables are explored so well. The mysterious plot is gripping and there is tension and suspense scattered throughout the fic, but not angst between Crowley and Aziraphale: their love for each other is unshakable. Great fic as usual!
And Your Nemesis Closer, by @beerok23. Rated E, chapters 1/6. This fic is a WIP.
Aaaahhh, I am SO excited about this human AU! My FTH gift from one of my favourite authors! I asked for a loose Bridget Jones AU from the queen of romcom AUs and Beerok is not disappointing! The way she’s adapting the vibes from the film and book to her original story is masterful, just like we’ve come to expect from her and I know I’m in for a treat! Outstanding humour as always. The story is pre-written and the author is unquestionably reliable with her posting schedule, so you can jump into this WIP confidently!
A Companion To Goats, by @vinyama. Rated M, chapters 3/?. This fic is a WIP.
Lovely human AU with animal rights activist Crowley and lawyer Aziraphale. They seem to come from very different backgrounds and have very different views on life, will they find that they ahve something in common after all?
Post Season 3, S3 trailer-inspired, and fix-its:
A Lovely New World, by @0ldstoneface. Rated T, 1.7k. P. May 26.
Season 3 complaint/fix-it where Crowley and Aziraphale started the new universe and where they love each other very much.
A Little Knowledge, by @angie-words. Rated G, 200 words. P. Apr 26.
Trailer-inspired crackfic in which Aziraphale wants to teach Jesus about literature. Jesus wants to learn about the most underrated kind of literature. Incredibly funny!
Shedding The Suit, by graywings @graywingssmua . Rated M, 1k. P. Apr 26.
Lovely fic inspired by the lift snippet in the trailer, hot and sweet. In the lift to earth, Aziraphale initiates an intimate moment with Crowley, and Crowley responds enthusiastically.
Seven (Soft) Minutes In Heaven, by @redundant-angel. Rated T, 800 words. P. Apr 26.
Lovely trailer-inspired fiction set in the elevator. Crowley and Aziraphale clear the air and have a lovely moment by themselves.
An Antichrist And A Messiah Walk Into A Pub, by @bellisima-writes. Rated T, 3k. P. May 26.
Great fiction inspired by the trailer showing Jesus getting into the lift and the confirmation that Sam Taylor Buck would be back for the finale (oh, the good old days when we could dream!) Jesus gets to Earth, London. He is confused. He starts walking and finds himself outside a pub where his hereditary enemy is waiting to teach him he can make his own choices. This story is about defying your destiny, learning to trust and training your dog to be as petty as can be.
You Though There Was Just the One? By LadyZoisite. Rated G, 188 words. P. May 26.
Fix-it fic that was posted just hours after the finale aired. Just to put things right.
Empty Pages, by @cheeseplants. Rated G, 857 words, P. May 26.
Lovely fix-it where our Aziraphale and Crowley, them and in character, get to write infinite stories with a version of them as protagonists. They will never run out of paper and ink, This was very healing!
Waiting For The Finale One Sentence At A Time, chapter 13: One Sentence Wishes, by Ineffableprofessionals. Rated G.
This is an absolutely beautiful, touching poem about the grief part of the fandom felt after the finale aired. But even more than that it is an ode to the fandom itself. To our ability to hold on to what we love, to not give up, to defy the fate imposed on us by the writers and keep doing what we do best: imagine better endings; writing new stories; giving each other hope. We are more than the story ever was. I am so very grateful for this poem that I can’t even put it into words.
A Snow Globe In A Garden, by @mizmak. Rated G, 731 words. P. May 26.
Asa and Anthony keep receiving food deliveries with the instructions to leave them outside the snow globe in their garden. Sweet and hopeful. Contains lovely art by the author.
And They Didn’t, by Savyl. Rated G, 895 words. P. May 26.
Lovely, healing, sweet S3 fix-it where our Ineffables get to live and to confess their love. I love it.
The Gods Of Their Universe, by @ineffable-shadow Rated E, 6k. P. May 26.
Lovely fic where Aziraphale and Crowley survive erasure and get to build a better universe.
In Every Stupid Universe, by @mxmaxzephyrus. Rated G, 1.3 words.
Incredibly soothing fiction in the weirdest kind of way! Proceed only if you have a rather dark sense of humour. This fic really helped me deal with the grief, highly recommended.
After Canon, by @bohoteacher. Rated G, 2k. P. May 26.
Meta/fix-it fic where several Good Omens characters gather at Give Me Coffee Or Give Me Death to discuss the finale of their beloved series Agnes Nutter, Witch. They have mixed reactions, but the one thing they all have in common is to keep the fandom alive with their creativity and love. This fic gave me hope at a time when I was feeling rather down about the fandom. We’ll get there, eventually.
Create A Third Place, by graywings. Rated T, 6k. P. May 26.
Canon divergent fix-it where things go differently and everybody lives! So many things to love about this fiction!
Pillars, by @ireallyneedmoretea. Rated G, 666 words. P. May 26.
Asa and Anthony live an ordinary life. They make tea, they go to work, they read The Astrophysical Journal. This fiction IS a fix-it and I might have teared up when I read it.
The Gang Watches Good Omens Season Three, by MxMaxZephirus. Rated T, 3k. P. Jun 26.
This meta/fix-it fic is by far the most uplifting thing I’ve read to fix S3. Not just the ending but everything. I like to imagine them exactly as in this fic: sitting side by side, loving each other, among friends, alive, happy, and making sarcastic remarks at terrible the televised versions of themselves someone thought would make a good TV show. They are so much more in character in this fic than they were in the finale. Highly recommended.
My own Transcendental, rated T, 3k. P. May 26.
My own S3 fix-it, born of heartbreak for the ending and anger at the treatment Aziraphale’s character received throughout the finale. I wanted it to be canon-compliant and I didn’t want it to be god to grant them to live. Somehow I managed both, but that means that I could only salvage Aziraphale and Crowley, but nothing else of the old universe. It’s still bittersweet, just a little less bitter and a little more sweet.
My own The Bookshop At The End Of The Universe, rated T 2k. P. May 26.
Trailer-inspired fic based on a snippet of the credits. Meh, not my best work.
Complete multichapters:
Speed Limits (And How To Break Them), by darcykindbergh. Rated E, 13k. P. Jun 20.
Sweet, lovely, heartwarming post S1 fiction. Aziraphale and Crowley find themselves somehow celebrating Valentine’s Day. Initial awkwardness, love confessions and first times.
Accursed Be The Tongue, by Panic_CelestialInk @tamsinswriting. Rated T, 20k. P. Mar 25.
Delightful, funny and touching fic, set in a post S2 happy future. After stopping the second coming, life goes on for Azirapahle and Crowley, until Crowley is cursed to only speak the truth, and only in Shakespearean quotes. The result is phenomenal! Old friends and unexpected guests make an appearance, the mood is light, the pining obvious to everyone but the two of them, this fic has all the vibes of a post s1 fic even if it was written well after S2. And the work the writer must have put into making them talk in Shakespeare quotes while keeping their conversations on point is outstanding! I loved it!
Giddy Up, by KaeRaeSketches, @naturallyteal. Rated E, 11k. P. Jan 26
Lovely through the ages in-universe fic set in 1871. Aziraphale is riding a sleigh in the West Siberian Plain when all of a sudden he comes across Crowley in need of a ride. A story of love, lust, temptation and endless pining, with the sweetest epilogue.
And I’ve Got This Missing Piece, by 3obby @manekitora. Rated E, 21k. P. Apr 26.
Exes to lovers human AU told across two timelines. Our Ineffables’ insecurities lead to misunderstandings and pain. When Crowley flies back to London after two years, he picks his ex’s Azirapahle book at the airport and reads it on the plane. Big mistake. But, fear not! There is a happy ending, talking things through, great smut and sweet fluff waiting for you along the way and at the end, as well as some surprising and very welcome characterisation! Lovely story!
The Way To Your Heart, by Mizmak. Rated E, 37k. P. Apr 26.
Lovely strangers to lovers human AU, full of baking and writing! Aziraohale and crowley meet through the readers page of a publishing website and decide to write a story together. This story is sweet, funny and angst-free. Seeing them fall in love step by step as well as communicating clearly is beautiful! Also I LOVED Aziraphale’s family!
Love And Solidarity, by @cemeteryangel725. Rated E, 25k. P. May 25.
Great human AU where Aziraphale and Crowley met as teenagers in the 90s and find each other again after fifteen years apart. Crowley is an activist and Aziraphale is a lawyer: they fight against the same system, but go about it in different ways, reminds you of something? I do love a good activism fic, and this one felt so real and was beautifully written! The teenage love story was incredibly tender and the author did a great job at describing all the raw emotions of that age, and their adult years were so relatable! Great fic!
The Least Eligible Bachelor, by @fellshish. Rated E, 37k. P. May 26.
In-universe canon divergent/pre-armageddon fic, full of humour, longing and incredibly hot sex scenes. Aziraphale takes part in a reality TV show where he’s a bachelor who has to be wooed by the contestants. The contestants are, of course, demons. There will be roses, there will be bananas, there will be snakes, there will be love. This fic gave me early-canon vibes, which I was and still am yearning, and I’m grateful for them. As usual, this author has the beautiful ability to make you laugh and cry in the same sentence, and feel all the emotions in-between. Highly recommended!
When Wishes Align, by AppleSeeds. Rated E, 33k. P. Jun 26.
Absolutely fantastic AU where Aziraphale is a human and Crowley is a djinn. The writer does a wonderful job of taking the readers on a journey to Persia alongside Aziraphale, describing the atmospheres and landscapes of the city of Nishapur vividly and beautifully. I loved witnessing the relationship between them blossom; the story was tender and hot at the same time. But what will happen when aziraphale has to travel back to London?
My own The Solstice Dinner, with beautiful art by Hogs_and_ham. Rated E, 42k. P. Feb 26.
Written for the Winter Omens Big Bang and very (I mean, VERY) loosely based on the Gilmore Girls episode the Bracebridge Dinner, this is my first enemies to lovers human AU where sunny Aziraphale owns an Inn and grumpy Crowley owns a cafe. I had so much fun writing the banter and the humour in this story and I’m always proud when I manage to pull off an just-enough-of-a-bastard Aziraphale in an AU setting! Working with Hogs was a real treat and her art will take your breath away!
My own Rovaniemi Calling, with incredible art by Lutralutra. Rated M, 37k. P. Jul 26.
Written for the Winter Omens Reverse Mini Bang. I had so much fun working with Lutra on this meet cute/stranger to lovers human AU set mainly in Rovaniemi. Aziraphale and Crowley meet on a plane, but after his holiday, Aziraphale will have to go back to London. Banter, fluff, a little bit of angst and a happy ending. I really hope I managed to do Rovaniemi justice, even though I’ve never been there! I absolutely want to go and visit it now, and hopefully so will you! Lutra's art is incredible!
One-shots and short stories:
All Of Us Angels, by fine_things_well_worn. Rated E, 8k. P. Feb 26
Beautiful, bittersweet story based on the film All Of Us Strangers. Aziraphale moves into a newly renovated block of flats. There never seems to be anyone around until he spots Crowley. The eerie atmosphere of this fic is so masterfully crafted and the prose so poetic, you will be hooked from the start!
Trigger warning: I asked the writer permission to mention that I feel that, at the time of writing this, there is an important tag missing. I don’t want to spoil the fic, but please read between the tags, and if you haven’t seen the film All Of Us Strangers, you might consider familiarising yourself with the plot before reading this wonderful story.
So I’m There, by AngieWords. Rated T, 9k. P. Feb 26
Human AU written for the DIWS Maggie’s Record Shop event and inspired by the song The Bones Of You by Elbow. This is a lovely and tender story of second chances. Crowley and Aziraphale had been friends in their uni years, and then drifted apart for reasons you’ll find out. I love how the writer manages to write a satisfying growth for both characters in a relatively short fic. Nothing feels forced in this story, it flows beautifully!
And It Feels Like Home, by AngieWords. Rated E, 5k. P. Feb 26.
Human AU, sequel to So I’m There, also written for the DIWS Maggie’s Record Shop event, and inspired by Madonna’s Like A Prayer. Sweet, romantic and hot account of how Crowley and Aziraphale get to know each other again and learn to communicate after spending years apart.
In Which The Snow Is Thoroughly Investigated, Weaponised, And Ultimately Followed By Hot Chocolate, by Savyl, Eybefioro. Rated G, 3k. P. Mar 26.
Sweet, tender fiction starring Eric & Muriel and following their adventure in the snow. Heartwarming!
Spread Me Open Like One Of Your Books, by @enderhuntresss. Rated E, 4k. P. Sep 25.
Lovely and fluffy human AU. Aziraphale is a librarian. Crowley never returns the books he borrows. That will never do, will it?
The Lunch Thief, by 3obby. Rated E, 6k. P. Mar 26.
Delightful human AU featuring flustered Crowley, just-enough-of-a-bastard Aziraphale, humour, wit, banter, lightheartedness and all the good vibes! Someone’s been stealing Crowley’s lunch at work, how will our hero cope? Truly great fic!
Angels Or Demons, by @curiouspupsicle. Rated T, 2k. P. Mar 26.
After the demons invade the bookshop, the shopkeepers of Whickber Street wonder about the nature of the local bookseller and his boyfriend. No one gets it right.
The Greasy Pole, by AppleSeeds. Rated T, 4k. P. Feb 25.
Lovely, funny, lighthearted story. Sort of canon-divergent, set before the events of S1, Furfur has been promoted to Temptations and asks Crowley’s help on how to do the job successfully. Crowley shows him, with Aziraphale’s help. That was lucky, wasn’t it? You can never go wrong with AppleSeeds!
LessonsI’ve Learned About Love, by curiouspupsicle. Rated T, 4k. P. Apr 26.
Very sweet Ineffable wives human AU. a story of found and chosen love and found and chosen family, community, solidarity and the metaphorical (and literal) village it takes to take care of the new generations and of ourselves.
Just (Maybe) a Gigolo, by @spectrallydistracted. Rated T, 5k. P. Apr 26.
The new gorgeous man in the neighborhood hits on Aziraphale. Of course Aziraphale would think he’s a gigolo, it’s the most obvious explanation, right? This human AU has all the feels: funny, sweet, intense, dramatic and sweet again! Lovely!
Crowleech: Love at First Latch, by twshowsufferer. Rated E, 9k. P. Dec 25.
Listen to me. Do NOT be put off by the tags. This is the Crowley-is-a-leech fantasy AU no one knew we needed, but we do need it. I went in for the crack and was immediately gripped by the feelings, the lust, the love, the banter and the trust. Beautiful and beautifully written story, I truly can’t recommend this highly enough. Have I ever disappointed you when I’ve been obsessed with a fiction before? Didn't think so, so just trust me on this.
5 Minute Dates, by curiouspupsicle. Rated T, 2k. P. apr 26.
Sweet human AU in which Aziraphae reluctantly agrees to take part in a speed dating event in order to help boost his friend’s business. Whoever might he meet there?
Grace Notes, by beardo @e-rated-beardo. Rated E, 1.7k. P. May 26.
Canon compliant fic set at some point in time before S2 and in the Scorn And The Saint-Maker universe (but can absolutely be enjoyed as a stand-alone). After receiving the visit of two, eerr, strangers, Aziraphale puts some music on and indulges in a fantasy about Crowley. Delicious smut in the form of a sad wank ensues, but you wouldn’t expect anything less from our beloved beardo. Beautifully written as always, this fic has all the feels.
Darling, by @eybefioro, Kiratastic_art. Rated G, 7k. P. Jan 25.
Sweet and funny story where Darling the cat makes friends with the two new strange humans (or are they?) as they move into their new cottage in her village in the South Downs. Lovely characterisation for Aziraphale and Crowley through Darling POV. Great artwork as well!
A Whole Lot Of Woolly Mammoth, by tvshowsufferer. Rated E, 11k. P. Jun 26.
Brilliant, hilarious, touching, tender, incredibly hot and so very clever cavemen AU. They’re cavemen. Just read it, OK? It will surprise you in all the good ways. This author is criminally underrated, please show them some love! This fic is incredible!
This Is What Forever Looks Like, by CemeteryAngel725. Rated E, 8k. P. Jun 25.
Human AU, sequel to Love And Solidarity. Twenty years after the events narrated in the first story, Aziraphale and Crowley are happily married, but they are still fighting for a better, fairer world.
Thin, Friendly Walls, by tvshowsufferer. Rated E, 10k. P. Jun 26.
Funny and, oh, so hot, flatmate human AU. Every Friday night, Aziraphale can hear Crowley indulging in self-pleasure activities through the thin walls of their shared flat. Shame that lovely, gorgeous, handsome Crowley is straight. Ha! Great humour as I have come to expect from this wonderful author, plus pining, tenderness and fantastic sex scenes!
Be My Valentine, by Mizmak. Rated G, 6k. P. Feb 26.
Sweet and fluffy post S1 Valentine fiction! Aziraphale and Crowley are trying to summon the courage to confess their feelings to each other. Angst-free fic full of flowers, chocolates and romance. Lovely!
My own For Old Times’ Sake, rated T, 4k. P. Apr 26.
This fiction is so so dear to me. I love it more than I can say, even though it’s not my usual piece of banter. Human AU in which Aziraphale and Crowley have known each other… Well, sorry, but they really have known each other for a long time, but their lives went in different directions. Can they get back together after twenty-five years? My dear friend said that the fic is safe for the under-40s, but the over-40s should enter at their own risk and I agree: this fic is my love letter to middle age and I’m extremely proud of it!
Bite Size:
Major Flaw, If You Ask Me, by Angelica_Tree. Rated T, 433 words. P. Feb 26.
Lovely snippet of a post S1 future that could have been, where Crowley and Azirapahle’s personalities and dynamics are spot on.
The Chase Is Only Part Of The Fun, by @tigerseye67. Rated G, 520 words. P. Jan 26
Incredibly sweet and fluffy fic depicting a possible post S1 future. Such heartwarming vibes, I loved it!
3:10 To Yuma, by ireallyneedmoretea. Rated G, 666 words. P. Dec 25.
Great human Au that packs so much in just 666 words! Crowley’s last act as a soon-to-be former deputy sheriff is to make sure outlaw Aziraphale gets on the train to Yuma Territorial Prison. Cleverness, mystery and Aziraphale’s sassiness, what more can we ask for?
On A Mission From God, by curiouspupsicle. Rated G, 666 words. P. Apr 26.
Aziraphale is released from heaven. Crowley is waiting for him, so they can go on a mission to save the world. Funny Blues Brothers inspired fic.
You Rang? By PinkPenguinParade. Rated G, 781 words. P. Apr 26.
Lovely and very funny fiction in which Crowley is summoned and his husband comes to take him home, thank you very much. Great married couple dynamics between Crowley and Aziraphale.
A Masquerade In Every Sense Of The Word, by The_Rogue_Bard. Rated G, 500 words. P. Oct 24.
Lovely and funny through the ages fic. Aziraphale is at a masquerade ball talking with Oscar Wilde. Or, is he? Sweet and short, featuring just-enough-of-a-bastard Aziraphale.
Darling Visits The Veterinarian, by ireallyneedmoretea, Kiratastic_art. Rated G, 666 words. P. May 26.
Lovely domestic fluff ficlet inspired by Darling by Eybef=Fioro and Kiratastic_art. Darling the cat wants to make sure her own hereditary enemy is OK.
Knight Of Swords and Knight Of Swords (Reversed), by ireallyneedmoretea. Both rated G, 666 words each. P. Jun 26.
Lovely canon compliant fics inspired by the tarot card Knight of Swords, which, I learned in the author’s note, signifies a man or a woman on a mission. Set after the 537AD scene, these fics imagine what could have happened at the court of king Arthur and what happens next. Funny and sweet!
Poems and podfics:
I Am Death, Creator of Worlds, by ireallyneedmoretea, rated G and [Podetry] I Am Death, Creator Of Worlds, by Literarion.
Beautiful and very powerful poem about one of the most powerful –and most underrated– characters of Good Omens. The podfic’s sound effects are absolutely amazing!
Artworks:
The Days Of Innocence And Wonder, by Werpiper. Rated G, P. Feb 26.
Beautiful artwork depicting Eden.
Date Night At The Ritz, by @anatomic-girl. Rated G, P. Jun 24.
Great piece where Crowley is waiting for Azirapahle leaning on the Bentley and Aziraphale is wearing his finest clothes (which are also his usual clothes) for the occasion. Lovely fic and great art!
Please do let me know if you’d like to be tagged in my (more or less) monthly rec lists! Don't forget to leave kudos, comment and make friends!
Wings.
I thnk it's entirely thanks to Good Omens that I can draw wings so well! haha
5 hopeful messages for healing after GO3
Hello, lovely friends. I am so grateful for all the wonderful people in this fandom that are supporting each other after the finale. I've had (quite an excessive number of) inspiring converations in replies on how everyone is grieving and healing 😅 This is a compilation of those thoughts so hopefully people can find something meaningful in it. These are the things that have been helping me heal. I hope it helps you heal a little bit, too ❤️
Message 1: This is just another bad fanfiction
So. We all know exactly who was responsible for this mess. NG wrote a self-insert hero-worship shrine to Crowley/himself. NG acts like the God in GO3: a cold, all-powerful being that doesn't care about anything he's creating or how any of those people will be affected by it. NG claimed it's all a 'tribute to Terry' while twisting what he wrote and profiting off Terry's legacy. This was DESIGNED to hurt us. There's a great post by adevilputaside4me on how GO3 was emotional abuse. NG knew EXACTLY what the fans wanted for years, the south downs promise over and over, yet he chose not to give us any of it. And it's important to recognize we didn't deserve it. It was disrespectful to everyone who has devoted some portion of their life to this story. But we don't have to let an abuser control us. It's time to reject one hateful man's interpretation. Why should we accept such a poorly-written story? Why should we give ANY weight to an ending that was created from nothing but cruelty and personal gain? Why should we let such an unkind person decide what happens to the story and the love WE have carried for years???
The finale also tried to erase the story of S1/the book. Season 1 is a hopeful and fun comedy, enjoyable to watch, over and over. S3 is 100% tragedy and despair, doom and death for every character. The ending tries to tell us there is no meaning in the book/S1 since it was always headed for destruction, but we DON'T have to accept it. Why should the lesson be "destroy yourselves and start over" when it provides zero comfort and no one can even apply that in their real lives? Why accept an ending so devoid of hope? Why accept an ending that lacks all the meaningful, inspiring, and relevant themes of the book/S1???
So, I choose to reinterpret the whole mess as 'bad fanfiction' because only then does it lose its power. Burying things sometimes works, but something that painful doesn't just leave you. So by seeing it as one interpretation, it releases the obligation to forget it completely. I've read lots of fanfictions where I didn't like the characterization, story, etc, then I just go 'eh I didn't like that one' then delete the tab and move on. It can still exist for other people if they want, but we don't have to accept or engage with it. There are thousands of different interpretations out there and they all coexist for us to pick what we want from them. Nothing is canon without your permission. Take whatever you need from it and leave the rest behind. We don't have to accept something we know is cruel and wrong. Canon has always been exactly what we make of it.
I'm not saying it's easy to change your mindset overnight. This was literally designed to hurt us, so pain, grieving, etc are completely valid responses. And the 'canon' has a huge reach and impact. But the more we practice letting something go, the easier it gets. It's a habit, not a switch. Over time, it will have less and less control over us.
Message 2: Nothing can take your favorite parts of this fandom away from you
A huge source of comfort for me has been reimmersing myself in all the things I loved about Good Omens that originally brought me here. This is a lovely list by ineffabildaddy of all those pieces of the canon we haven't lost. The original story, the love we feel, the joy we've had, the meaning we've found, the connections we've made, and the hope it's given us for so many years. That will never go away. Nothing can EVER take away the impact this fandom has had on you. And for the material itself, the good thing about canon is that it isn't like normal time or memory. It sort of always happened and always will. Even if some new interpretation tries to take it away, the original material always exists for us to go back to, whenever we want, over and over again. The 'canon' universe may have disappeared, but the book/S1 will exist for the fans forever, so it can never truly be destroyed. I think it was a post by hellogoodomens where I first saw the line "It starts, as it will end, with season 1." If that is canon to you, then that's what Your Good Omens™ will be, for the rest of your life.
This is not the first time a show I'm into has ended badly (I'm sure many can relate). But I try not to let the bad endings drive me away from what drew me there in the first place. It is my love for the source material that got me to stay and that love for the source material prevents me from ever leaving. The reason this upset so many of us is BECAUSE of how much we loved the original story. The ending disrespected us all, but it's so important to find ways to reclaim the joy we originally found here. Nothing can FORCE you to enjoy something less. I loved the book/S1 before, and I still do now. Just encouraging you not to let one person's terrible opinion take something away from you that brings you meaning and love and joy. If you have been in any way moved by that love and that story, who is anyone else to say it isn't real? Who is ANYONE else to say that story is over, or that the love you felt no longer exists????
Message 3: Fanworks can be even more valid than canon
I think endings like these are designed to push a fandom down, to make us feel defeated and depressed and powerless. So that the writers (NG) feel like they have some kind of 'authority' or 'story ownership' over us that we don't. But the thing that is pushing me forward, is remembering how much power we actually have as fans. Because in any form, writers create reality and there will ALWAYS be more of us (fan creators) than there are of them (canon writers). The depth and possibilities of fan content will always rival that of canon. Compared to the finale, I've read literally hundreds of AziraCrow fanfictions that were more in-character, more respectful, and so clearly written by someone who LOVES them both and how they love each other. If the fans can write the story with more talent and justice than the actual creator, then the fans' stories are what I'm going to believe in. NG wrote from his ego and greed; we write from our hope and love. Therefore, I believe our versions are MORE valid and impactful, BECAUSE we created them from love instead of spite and cruelty.
In terms of quantity, the fans have always imagined SO MUCH MORE of the story than the 'official' writers or 'official' canon ever could. If you look at the time and effort spent (79,000 AziraCrow fanfictions on AO3!!!), the fans have more ownership and power over the material than canon ever did. This is as much OUR story as it is the creators.' Who are they to tell us how OUR story ends?? Who can tell us they don't live happily ever after when tens of thousands of fanfictions disagree??? And if fan content has moved us this strongly (sometimes even MORE than canon has), and if the volume of content is virtually endless, if it celebrates the story and the characters more lovingly than canon does, who can tell us the fan content isn't real? Who could DARE to tell us that it isn't just as valid, and perhaps even more so, than canon is ?????
At its core, there is literally no objective truth here. Good Omens is a made-up story and all of these characters are made-up and canon is just as made-up as fanfiction is. I've said it before and I'll say it 6000 more times: The only difference between canon and fanfiction is the budget. This fandom has existed for decades and created so many wonderful things and relationships—all because of our love for these characters. Tens of thousands of versions of them being happy are NOT worth less than one canon version of them being destroyed. We, as fans, have so much more POWER than we think. Every single one of us has helped to create their story, and every single one of us are such a beautiful and necessary part of this fandom. The strongest power in the universe isn’t God. It is us. The fans. The story can never be destroyed as long as we continue to create it for ourselves.
Message 4: Love cannot be destroyed
I think for many of us, the ending of this particular story has struck so much deeper and been so much more painful than we were expecting. I don't think I've ever been this devastated from the ending of a tv show. And I think I realized that the reason this hurts so much is because we love so deeply. We love them and we love this story. We all represent the love Aziraphale and Crowley have felt and wanted to express to each other for 6000 years. We carry them in all of us. NG tried to tell us that the happiness we wanted for them is impossible. The entire universe tried to tell us that our dreams will never be realized. But does anything that happened in the finale change how much we care about these characters?? Can anyone tell us that they don't love each other, and that love isn't enough to keep them together?? Can anyone say the love we poured into thousands of fanfictions is lost forever??? I think not. NO ONE can take that love away from us. Their love will always exist no matter what did or didn’t happen on screen. You cannot destroy an idea. You cannot destroy love. Beyond any other versions of them, Aziraphale and Crowley‘s love—their happily ever after—will live on for eternity in all of us.
And in the end, this was so painful because of how much we cared. We wanted to see the love inside our hearts reflected in the love of our characters on screen. There is certainly a lot we were all hoping for that we never got to experience. But at the same time, I think the pain from the finale doesn't have to lessen the love we feel. We can remember all the good things we have in Good Omens AND feel the pain of what we deserved in the finale, and neither of them have to invalidate the other. It gives me a lot of peace and comfort to know that as long as we love these characters, that love will never die. We will always have that feeling, the meaning and relationships and richness and everything else they brought into our lives. We get to carry that with us forever. And we get to share that with each other to help us all heal.
Message 5: We know the real themes of good omens (better than the finale/NG ever did)
Given everything I've said, I think these messages can bring moments of great peace and comfort, but only because we experience moments of great anger and loss. Sometimes switching back and forth, or at the same time. Which is all completely valid and why I'm so grateful for everyone else sharing their own grief and dissatisfaction. Because the anger and loss reminds us how much we cherish the original story. All the unique ways in which we love it are what is giving us all these unique and detailed frustrations with it. I see it as a million different unique and powerful acts of love toward the story of Good Omens. And everyone who is still creating and sharing that sentiment is keeping alive the true spirit of the story. The Real Themes of Good Omens™, if you will. Because we understand that better than the finale/NG ever did. I have always taken comfort in the true humanism and hope of Good Omens, and remember that however hard the finale tried to break us—to tell us that love is impossible and hope has no reward—WE KNOW BETTER.
Therefore, please enjoy a summary of The Real Themes of Good Omens™ as a representation of the best and most hopeful take-aways from this story. It's sort of based on this analysis post I made except more general on the themes themselves.
Human incarnate: Humanity is messy and flawed and wonderful and the true beauty of it comes from all of that existing together. A little boy saved the world using only his humanity and his love. Not because he was perfect. But because he was human.
Everyone has free will: Meaning, everyone has the power of self-determination and humans get to decide for themselves exactly who they want to be. Free will is described as the defining characeristic of humanity, that our uniqueness and freedom of self is what makes us who we are.
There are no sides, only choices: No one is truly good or truly evil. Everyone has the power to be kind or cruel. We all make choices every day that make us the people that we are. There is nuance and depth in every choice and every person. We have the power to make the world better and choose what kind of person we become.
Love conquers all: The love and hope you feel toward people, the world, and the future is so powerful. Our love for others can randically change and heal. Our love for the world ensures it lasts long enough to have a future in it. The only way anything ever gets better is because people have enough love and hope to make it so. The love you give is never wasted, the love you feel will never die.
Anything of value can be fixed: Everything that's worth anything can be fixed without destroying it. Everything deserves to be saved because it all has intrinsic value. Every person deserves to exist exactly as they are, and no one needs to remove any trauma or any other part of themselves for things to get better. No one needs to change who they are to experience freedom and love.
In the true Good Omens story, Aziraphale and Crowley loved the world, and us—as humanity—enough to save it. Terry Pratchett is confirmed to have written most of the original book and is the one who INSISTED that everyone be revived at the end. That no one should die so Adam could live. The story, as we know it, is largely a Terry Pratchett creation, and anything NG did on his own could never hope to capture the same spirit and respect and care that Terry put into it. And so we cherish the hope and love from Terry in this story. No matter what the finale tries to tell us, we know what Good Omens and Terry Pratchett were always saying. The world is loved and we are the world. So we are all loved too.
Final note
I know a lot of people are suffering after the finale, and we as a fandom have been suffering for years now. We have been in the absolute trenches of AziraCrow hopes and dreams and endless waiting and failed promises but what has always kept me going is the love in this story and the love in the fans. In honor of these characters, in honor of our fanatical ancestors, in honor of each other, we will continue the story and the love.
I hope this helps you remember the best things about Good Omens and all the meaning it will continue to bring to our lives. The story is never over as long as we keep it in our hearts. And all the nightingales therein.
❤️🫂
I'm sorry I had to 🤣
The point was, absolutely never, that Crowley was a good angel and shouldn't have fell.
He was a bad angel because he refused to toe the party line, and so he fell. Sometimes you do what you think is the right thing and it still blows up in your face.
The point was that Crowley learned to live with that pain and he became a new person without heaven and he is, not always happy, but surviving and sometimes really enjoying being that person.
A tragedy or a loss changes you and that's okay. There's no wiping it away. There's just getting up off the floor, and taking an offered hand if there is one, and building yourself back up from there.
You're different, but growing is okay.
Lavender & Chamomile
prints ♥
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I need some time. To sit, with a heart full of so much love and gratitude, for them. So, sharing an old fave for now.
“It’s the same picture.” -Pam Beesly
Or
David Tennant as Crowely posing for his demon license photo.
Y'all remember when NG was talking about writing S2 and he said fans kept asking him if they were going to kiss, and then he said at some point he decided "I can give you what you want, but you won't want it" and gave us the Final Fifteen?
I can give you the South Downs Cottage, but you won't want it.
Just sayin'.
🫧Gentle Comfort🫧
What should have happened after Aziraphale picked Crowley off the streets!
Also angelic scalp massages are truly divine. Ask Crowley, he knows.
ρατreοn's sticker for June! Find the 🔗 in my pinned!
"We are making Good Omens 3 for the fans."
Fans (before watching go3):
The fans (after watching go3):
Another thing regarding the finale:
Michael Sheen tweeted after the cast/crew screening that "there will be nightingales." Um, NO THERE FUCKING WEREN'T?
There were no nightingales for Aziraphale and Crowley (the ones for whom nightingales actually mean something). They were apart and grieving their breakup for 3 years, had 1 shitty day together where they just talked around their issues, and then they died. They never got their happy ending, never completely reconciled. No nightingales.
As for Asa and Anthony...putting aside the fact that they're not A&C (the ones for whom nightingales actually mean something)...we don't even get confirmation that the bird Anthony hears is a nightingale. Anthony just thinks it's a nightingale because "it's not an owl, and it's night." But for all we know, it's just a random bird. Schrödinger's nightingale.
But if nightingales mean "a happy ending", it's not a true happy ending, because Asa and Anthony are living in the wreckage of Aziraphale, Crowley, and everyone else who died in the old universe. They're the mushrooms that grew out of the fallen tree trunk. But the nightingales were for the fallen tree, and it's dead now.
Idk. I just feel so lied to, by the Amazon marketing team advertising this as a comedy, by Michael Sheen promising "there will be nightingales", by the cast and crew getting custom mugs celebrating the line "we've come to a decision." All of this was hyping up a satisfying ending for A&C, knowing all the while that A&C get killed off for a bullshit plot contrivance.
I feel betrayed by the whole production.
Too soon?
A month ago, Good Omens tv ended on a sour note. Yet, our fandom has always been bigger than just a tv show. Whether you love the original book, the radio play, the book based first season, or even the whole tv trilogy, what unites us matters so much more. We are full of love.
Your daily dose of post-GO3 Good Omens content.