Good Omens Easter eggs/easily missed moments, Ep. 1
1. This mention of a motorway being diverted away from Tadfield, which is explained in the books as Adam’s power subconsciously protecting the town he loves, and I love this nod to that here. During this scene you can also make out a ‘letters to the editor’ on the back page of the newspaper, which features letters from R.P. Tyler, the neighbourhood watch member that Anathema meets later, and who’s letters feature heavily in the book.
2. All the people that gather behind and follow Aziraphale and Crowley through the opening titles have either David Tennant’s or Michael Sheen’s face, if somewhat distorted. This was mentioned by Neil Gaiman at a talk at The Southbank Centre last week.
3. Mr Young’s car number plate is TARDIS backwards, this is one of many Doctor Who Easter eggs.
4. And Crowley’s number plate appears to be ‘curtain’ backwards.
5. The nuns having a table tennis table in reference to this bit from the book:
The Chattering Order of Saint Beryl is under a vow to emulate Saint Beryl at all times, except on Tuesday afternoons, for half an hour, when the nuns are permitted to shut up, and, if they wish, to play table tennis.
6. Sir Terry Pratchett’s hat hanging in Aziraphale’s shop
7. The shops neighbouring Aziraphale’s shop all seem to have a hidden meaning; ‘Skye Suits’ referencing the eerie connection to Skye this production has (Neil has a house there; Frances McDormand goes to Skye regularly on holiday and once rented Neil’s home there; the series’ director Douglas McKinnon is from Skye etc); ‘Honey Sweets’ may be a reference to the ‘Order of the Honey Bee’ which is a group of people Terry Pratchett elected to safe-guard the future of his works, or could also be a reference to the fact that Neil keeps (or once kept) bees; ‘Jon Coffee’ has me a little stumped, except that it’s a homophone to John Coffey from The Green Mile (who like Aziraphale has healing powers) but maybe I’m missing something? (or looking too hard!)
8. Crowley dresses in a Mary Poppins inspired get-up when he’s posing as Warlock’s nanny. This isn’t really missable but it made me laugh a hell of a lot!
9. While Aziraphale is in Heaven you can see angels on hoverboards in the background, again this made me laugh a lot!
10. Aziraphale reads the ‘Celestial Observer’ a pun on the real ‘Observer’ newspaper, but also a nod to The Them discussing that people read newspapers specific to their interests (The Angler Times, Physic News etc).
11. This is Crystal Palace Park and possibly only excites me as it’s just down the road from me and I’ve been going there since I was a kid.
12. The name of Aziraphale’s magic act appears to be ‘The Amazing Mr Fell and his Remarkable Feats of Prestidigitation’.
13. When The Them are discussing Adam’s desire for a dog three of the Horsepersons of the Apocalypses’ accessories are represented; the scales (Famine) in front of Wensleydale, the sword (War) on Brian’s belt, and the crown (Pollution) in Pepper’s hands. I seriously love this!
