#ineffable protectiveness

[wistfulnightingale]

Elegant, steady hands. A calm, stoic expression. But it's that not-quite-hidden little gulp of dread that bobs in Crowley's throat that breaks me every time...

Aziraphale isn't great at magic tricks. But he always succeeds at magic and misdirection when it matters most. Especially for Crowley.

[wistfulnightingale]

At ANY Cost. (or, We need to talk about the Final 15)

Hey there! You love Good Omens, right? Do Aziraphale and Crowley melt your heart with their daring and courage and quiet affection? And then break your heart again and again every time you watch their relationship tragically crumble away in the Final Fifteen...?

Pull up a plush antique armchair and have a seat -- you can just toss that embroidered pillow on the floor! Get comfy, and let's talk about that scene for a couple of minutes. It's okay, you can tuck your tissues in your pocket for now. This might cheer you up quite a bit, if you're in the mood for it.

(If you've visited me here before, this will be familiar, but with the key points all in one place and sharable!)

The Final 15, as a terrible heartrending breakup scene, made sense to us -- mostly because we'd seen Aziraphale act that way twice before. Not just acting pettish with silly heavenly rhetoric, or having a marital spat about helping a victimized archangel, but actually being angry and rejecting towards his beloved friend. "It's happened before, it's in character for Aziraphale, but -- how could he!" We've been appalled and upset, even angry, with the angel each time. It stirs up strong protective urges to shelter and defend our sweet demon.

But what if those ugly arguments of S1 don't actually mean what we thought they meant?

The first major event was the 1862 Holy Water argument at St. James Park in S1 E3. Aziraphale isn't making eye contact, trying to be cool and distant, until Crowley passes the note. His deep concern, his caring, his love, all show plainly in this moment on the angel's face.

He refuses to provide the Holy Water, but then the conversation takes an abrupt turn. Aziraphale looks around anxiously, looks upwards. Who is listening? Who might be watching, waiting to punish or smite Crowley -- again? Aziraphale dramatically escalates into (seemingly!) unprovoked personal rejection and insults. WHY?

Aziraphale spoke as if himself and Heaven and its angels were Superior and "Good", pushed Crowley away, and hurt him.

We learned in S2 E3 that Aziraphale spoke so harshly in 1862 because of 1827 Edinburgh. Crowley had been too "nice" and "kind" and too familiar ("Fraternizing") with Azi. They were too openly chummy and affectionate with each other. Crowley was kidnapped by Hell right in front of his Angel, and was punished -- severely.

That new information, however, wasn't provided until the following season, literally several years later. Finally we realized that, when a broken Crowley returned in 1862 calling on their unique bond, dangerously requesting something only a close angelic friend could do for him, Aziraphale picked a fight to distance from Crowley to protect his beloved friend.

The second time we see Aziraphale angry and rejecting and unapologetic is the fight at the Bandstand, later in S1 E3. The two conflicts in the same episode seemed to mirror and reinforce each other. Despite Azi's eagerness to speak with Crowley and to meet and share information, the angel is tense and guarded from their first moments together. He shared nothing. WHY?

Aziraphale spoke as if himself and Heaven and its angels were Superior and "Good", pushed Crowley away, and hurt him.

In the very next episode, we learn that this is happening. Gabriel has taken to jogging in that park, near their rendezvous point.

It's unlikely that Gabriel would start "training" the same day Armageddon is to begin. There's substantial evidence that Azi saw The Supreme Archangel jogging the day before. In the Park. Near where Crowley was waiting. The day they met at the Bandstand.

If that's the case, then Aziraphale picked a fight to distance from Crowley to protect his beloved friend.

If BOTH previous fights were Aziraphale's attempt to protect Crowley from otherworldly harm, what does that mean for the Final 15?

We looked at it as a pattern -- "Aziraphale gets upset and says terrrible things to Crowley. He still thinks Heaven is great." But, based on what we now know about those past fights:

IF this terrible 1827 night caused this protective act in 1862 --

And IF this dangerous angelic jogger caused this protective act at the Bandstand --

And if we also recognize that Aziraphale is fully aware of and remembers all of heaven's cruelty --

including being assaulted by archangels (with their thug), and coolly informed that "a multi-nation nuclear exhange would be a nice start" to Armageddon --

and watching Crowley get KIDNAPPED. FOR PUNISHMENT. AGAIN. right before his eyes, BY ANGELS WHO ENJOY IT,

and how simply remembering Gabriel's dismissive cruelty about Job's family triggers a PTSD response with Jimbriel --

then we have to admit that Aziraphale does NOT actually believe that Heaven and the angels are superior and "Good".

And Crowley would know that too.

We, the viewers who love them, want to protect and defend Crowley from all harm, and teach our little angel to do better. But Aziraphale already KNOWS. So that means that, in the Final 15,

when Aziraphale acted as if Heaven and its angels are superior and "Good", pushed Crowley away by his words, and hurt him --

IT WAS BECAUSE OF THIS.

Aziraphale said those things to appear distant from Crowley so as to protect his beloved. His best and forever friend.

How are you doing with this? Still here, still hanging in? Good. Would you like some chamomille tea? It's very soothing.

It's okay to let yourself believe this. It doesn't invalidate how painful that scene was to watch, and the very real feelings it triggered in us, the viewers that love them. It doesn't invalidate the emotions that we saw happening for Crowley and Aziraphale in that scene. Our Ineffables were trapped, in pain, afraid, and misunderstanding each other. They were desperate to not lose each other. (And I think they came up with a desperate plan.)

It actually validates their history, their caring, their bond. Their Love.

The Final Fifteen was awful. But it wasn't the Ineffable Divorce. Aziraphale bonded with Crowley a very long, long time ago. He values and respects him. He'll do anything to protect him, even go into hell itself. He loves him.

Spread the word. Tell your friends.

Aziraphale will protect Crowley at any cost, even at tremendous cost to himself. Especially at Tremendous Cost to himself.

He always has. He always will.

*****

If you've visited here before, you've probably heard me make these earnest points already, so thanks for sticking around! If you're new, you can find my down-the-rabbit-hole proofs and explanations for each of the points I make here:

Fearful Memories (Aziraphale KNOWS)

An Unexpected Encounter (2 Angels & a Demon in the Park)

A Hefty Jigger of Death (Coffee Checkmate)

Anything to Protect Crowley

What a Brave and Handsome Demon (Angel?)

Plus: The Circle Kiss Theory (the desperate plan!)

*****

Thanks for being here! I'd love to hear your thoughts about all this in the comments!