#final fifteen

[melbatron5000]

Heartache

Since I put up my theories that Crowley and Aziraphale faked the break up in the Final Fifteen, I've had a LOT of people comment, "Then why are they so sad?"

LISTEN.

Imagine you and the person you love most in the world have to keep your relationship secret. Because no one would approve of it, and one or the other of you could be hurt or killed or imprisoned over it. So you keep it casual, and have to pretend you're not even friends.

Then you get a chance to change everything. You get a chance to save the world, and maybe have that relationship you both want so badly together. You even plan your proposal. You throw a big party and make it as romantic as you know how.

Then your party gets crashed by people who hate you.

And then an authority -- one that has the power to make both your lives horrible and maybe end them -- comes sniffing around. He's figured out you're up to something, and that you've teamed up, and been teamed up for a while. He maybe suspects you're more than friends, when even friends is something you are not allowed to be. He essentially black mails you into coming back with him, to what essentially amounts to prison, though he offers that your love can come with you. You'll both be in prison, and maybe not be able to save the world, but you'll be together, and safe.

You tell the person you love most in the world what's going on, that your plan has been uncovered, and beg him to come with so he will be safe. And your beloved says, "No, I'm not going, I want to fight for this. I want to fight for you, and for us. I want to save the world. We need to pretend to break up so I can keep working on our plan. You do what you can from inside prison, and I'll do my best from here, and let's try for this. For us." And then he breaks your heart and forces you to reject him. While your enemy watches and waits to take you to prison. And he doesn't let you leave without kissing you first. He gives you something while he kisses you that he hopes will help you. And then he goes.

Imagine your beloved tells you an authority has come sniffing around -- he suspects you're up to something and wants to haul you both to prison. Your beloved has no choice, he absolutely is going to prison, right now, but he wants you to come with him. You want to fight, you want to be free with your beloved and you want to save the world. So you tell him you have to fake a break up in order that one of you can stay free and hopefully make it work. And then you break his heart, and force him to reject you, while your enemy watches and waits to take him to prison. And you do not let him leave without kissing him first. You give him something while you kiss him that you hope will help him. And then you leave.

If you could do that while feeling nothing, totally confident that you're still a couple and everything is actually fine, you've got a different head than me. I wouldn't be okay, watching my husband get taken to prison for the crime of being in love with me. I certainly wouldn't be okay pretending not to care, or like we never meant much to each other after all.

The break up is fake. That doesn't mean any of those emotions are.

It actually makes it worse, in my opinion.

If Aziraphale had actually chosen Heaven over Crowley, Aziraphale would be sad, but not miserable. But he hasn't. He's going to prison without the one person he most wants to protect and be with. And he has no guarantee that Crowley will be safe, or that they will ever see each other again. He must be devastated.

If Aziraphale had chosen Heaven over Crowley, Crowley would have every right to be hurt and angry. But Aziraphale hasn't. He's being dragged to prison, where Crowley can't be with him and make sure he's okay, where Crowley knows he'll be treated badly, and Crowley's going to try to save the world, and if he succeeds, they can build that life together they've wanted for so long; but if he fails, they may never see each other again. He must be devastated.

Stop asking why they both look so sad if the break up is fake.

They are devastated.

#good omens #good omens 2 #crowley #aziraphale #good omens meta #ineffable husbands #aziracrow #good omens analysis #good omens fan theory #the final fifteen #ineffable divorce #final fifteen #our poor husbands #it's so much more sad than it first seems

[demcrazymandolin]

I just wanna say that Crowley in the Final Fifteen saying "no nightingales" was FOUL. Absolutely FOUL.

But honestly touché

#good omens #go2 #crowley #aziraphale #ineffable husbands #good omens 2 #crowley x aziraphale #final fifteen

[crowleys-hips]

#i think i'm so funny #good omens #good omens s2 #good omens 2 #good omens memes #good omens shitpost #good omemes #incorrect good omens quotes #good omens incorrect quotes #aziraphale #crowley #aziracrow #ineffable husbands #ineffable idiots #ineffable partners #ineffable lovers #ineffable divorce #air conditioning #ineffable fandom #aziraphale x crowley #crowley x aziraphale #final fifteen #david tennant #michael sheen #xanshitposts

[hyperfixating-rn-brb]

remembering the time I tried to explain what good omens was to my art teacher when I animated crowley for my final project and when I said "the Bible but make it gay fanfic between the serpent of eden and guardian of the apple tree", this man perked up and said he would watch it immediately. it was a chill class where everyone just kind of worked with their headphones on and this guy just sat at his desk watching good omens for the rest of class.

a week later it somehow came up in conversation that he had finished the show. when I asked him what he thought he just went quiet then said "... you didn't warn me and I cried an embarrassing amount."

yeah dude thats normal over here welcome to the cult.

edit: I forgot the best part! this was at a fairly conservative, small catholic school with at most 200 kids from preschool to eighth grade. and the fact that he got that excited at the mention of Bible fanfic in this catholic school makes me so happy to think of.

#good omens #aziracrow #final fifteen #i made a grown man cry but the cult has grown #ineffable husbands #ineffable divorce #go2

[bwlkins]

Together?

Aziraphale's desire to be together is so strong it hurts

#good omens #crowley #aziraphale #good omens 2 #ineffable husbands #aziraphale x crowley #ineffable partners #ineffable idiots #ineffable spouses #good omens parallels #aziracrow #aziraphale loves crowley #the final fifteen #final fifteen #good omens analysis

[weirdly-specific-but-ok]

Hey maggots, Good Omens Mascot here. I woke up and chose to make a Final Fifteen quiz. In fact, a which line from the final fifteen are you quiz. It's my first ever quiz.

Starting a tag game! It's so fun! Let's all join in and share our results! Here's mine! I'm okay! This fandom is so stable! So is its Mascot!

@howmanyholesinswisscheese @queermarzipan @soleilpirate @random-doctor-on-the-internet @eybefioro @1800ineedshelp @bat-plus-moth-equals-both @singalongpoppet and everyone who sees this. Spread the happiness *smiles in broken inside*

#good omens mascot #weirdly specific but ok #asmi #good omens #maggots #good omens fandom #final fifteen #good omens brainrot #children of divorce #ineffable divorce

[cornchrunchie]

And you told him just where he could stick it, then?

↳ Requested by @iiiflow

#good omens #aziraphale #crowley #final fifteen #ineffible husbands #good omens 2 #s2e6 #good omens season 2 #go2 #crowley x aziraphale #aziraphale x crowley #aziracrow #tell me you said no #ineffable breakup #gif #mine #good omens spoilers #id in alt #request

[nikki-rook]

You can't leave this bookshop

#good omens #goodomensedit #crowley #aziraphale #david tennant #michael sheen #good omens 2 #ineffable #aziraphale and crowley #aziraphale x crowley #Neil Gaiman #anthony j crowley #aziracrow #aziraphel #ineffable husbands #ineffable idiots #ineffable spouses #ineffable divorce #final fifteen #nikkirookgif

[azfell-ajcrowley]

Something we didn't notice (part 2)

part 1

Overall, the meta is based on close observation of Aziraphale (for the most part) and Crowley. Without speculation or trying to guess what we haven't been shown (well, almost).

The Metatron makes it clear that he is watching Aziraphale delivering the "good news". Aziraphale looks back at him.

The first thing I'd like to explain. The Metatron is talking to Muriel, and then he stares at the window of the bookshop duplicating that gaze toward Crowley. The frame changes and we see Aziraphale looking out the same window, just for a second, but he will do it repeatedly.

As Crowley starts his monologue, Aziraphale tries to stop him by gesturing for him not to say too much, while looking out the window himself. Aziraphale continues to turn to the window with every meaningful attempt to speak.

Let's also note that Aziraphale doesn't usually behave in a similar way in conversations with Crowley. Yes, Aziraphale is characterised by active gesticulation, but the constant pauses, averting his eyes from the interlocutor, nervous and jerky movements - these are messengers that angel is holding something back, hiding or simply doesn't want to tell. Most often we see this Aziraphale in conversations with the leadership - God and Archangels.

https://commonmexicanname.tumblr.com/post/734305363759890432/good-omens-thoughts

Here's a prime example, comparing his interaction with Archangels when he's caught off guard and frantically trying to figure out how to get out of the situation.

I don't think Aziraphale is just lying to Crowley here, no. He just has an audience beyond Crowley. He tries to tell everything, knowing he has more than one viewer.

When Aziraphale mentions the Metatron, he is not just hinting, he points his index fingers - one at the window, another at Heaven, and then in a distinctly active quick motion once more at the WINDOW.

And again - turns his face to the window at the words about Gabriel failing, and then tilts his head towards the transparent panes of the bookshop.

The conversation with the Metatron is important, among other things, to assess Aziraphale's behaviour when Crowley is mentioned by his superiors. At the words about their partnership Aziraphale looks frightened: his facial muscles are tense, his forehead and eyebrows are furrowed, and there is a terror in his eyes.

When the God's spokesman concludes his really suspicious speech, Aziraphale swallows nervously and averts his eyes. He certainly doesn't look like someone who's been offered the fulfilment of his cherished dream. And not like someone who believes it.

Aziraphale looks like someone who has just found out what an enormous amount of incriminating information is in his opponent's possession.

"Tell me you said no. Tell me you said NO." Crowley is definitely shocked and horrified, he thinks the best of his angel. He can't believe what's going on (and he isn't supposed to).

Aziraphale turns his head towards the window again as an answer.

He actually said:

And

We see him right before he walks into the bookshop, he never says yes to the Metatron.

Aziraphale utters his most delusional words while looking out the window. Of course, they're not meant for Crowley. Aziraphale hasn't believed it for a long time, Crowley even more so.

And then Crowley says "Oh, God", without correcting himself afterwards, because this demon can only hope in God here.

For a second Aziraphale has a look of hope on his face that Crowley has realised what he's getting at. Then Aziraphale realises that Crowley is trying to confess. He's waited for so long not to realise. He was about to confess too.

Aziraphale already knows everything Crowley is about to tell him, but more importantly, literally everyone already knows it. It's impossible to stay and start pretending again that there's nothing between them.

Aziraphale has a completely blank stare past Crowley, and then he looks out the window. Again.

And then the most interesting thing happens. Crowley starts his line "And I would like to spend…" But he turns his head and finally looks out the window, where Aziraphale has been pointing so hard since the beginning of their conversation.

Maybe that's the reason Crowley doesn't complete the sentence. And he begins to pick up different words. Maybe not, maybe the sun from the outside is preventing him from seeing the Metatron.

In the final part of their conversation, when they move closer to the bookshop's door, Aziraphale looks towards the window again.

After "no nightingales" line he turns away to hide his feelings and pain.

The cherry on the cake is the kiss, Aziraphale is falling into the abyss. He averts his eyes trying to figure out if the Metatron could have seen what just happened.

When Crowley leaves, Aziraphale thinks he's lost him. But then, even when the Metatron walks in and says devaluing words about Crowley, Aziraphale can't tear himself away from the window, because now he can see Crowley there. Maybe not everything is lost.

Aziraphale retreats back to the clock - to the very spot where Crowley was standing a few minutes ago. He looks out the window at Crowley, as if to say, "I stand where you stood, you stand where the Metatron stood."

#aziraphale #crowley #good omens #good omens meta #ineffable husbands #final fifteen #good ineffable omens #good omens 2 #good omens analysis #good omens parallels #ineffable divorce #ineffable spouses #the final fifteen #the metatron #good omens finale #good omens theories #good omens thoughts #good omens theory #good omens clues

[idliketobeatree]

incorrect good omens part 1/?

#good omens #ineffable husbands #final fifteen #after a few months. is it too soon #because i'm ready for take off #incorrect good omens #incorrect quotes #good omens edit #ineffable divorce #good omens memes #good omens shitpost #good omens s2 #good omens finale #crowley #aziraphale #aziracrow #incorrect good omens quotes #good omens text post #ineffable idiots #my posts

[melbatron5000]

Oh, God

"Blasphemy, Angel? That's not like you."

"No, I mean, MY GOD!"

DO NOT ASK NEIL ABOUT ANY OF MY THEORIES!! K thanks bye

At the start of Crowley's speech in the Final Fifteen, he starts off with "Oh, God." An odd thing for a demon to say, especially when we know he kind of chokes over saying "For Heaven's sake."

Everything is reading very differently now that I know that A. the entire Final Fifteen is emergency improv, and B. Maggie is Jesus and Crowley and Aziraphale have been trying to protect/hide her to prevent the second end of the world.

Aziraphale comes in and tells Crowley that the Metatron suspects something and is making threats, but if they both go to Heaven, they can be safe and allay those suspicions.

But Crowley knows that if they both go, there will be no one to keep an eye on Maggie.

Crowley says, "Oh, God," because that's what this conversation is about! He has to stay on Earth to watch Maggie, who is Jesus, who is God incarnate on Earth. The only way for him to stay on earth, if the issue is that the Metatron knows about Aziraphale and Crowley's relationship, is if they break up.

Aziraphale does not want to fake break up. He wants Crowley to be safe with him, he thinks Maggie will be okay. Saraqael is in on everything, after all. But as they talk, he realizes that Crowley's right. Someone has to stay behind to watch Maggie, or the whole world could end. And Crowley will have a lot more freedom to move around without suspicion than Saraqael would. Aziraphale doesn't like it, but it's true. And since the Metatron is basically forcing Aziraphale to go and offering that Crowley come with, Crowley has to be the one to stay. And "No thank you" is not an option. The Metatron wants them both in Heaven where he can keep an eye on them, or broken up and separated. Their relationship is the big issue, so they have to seem to break it off.

Everything is clicking into place so fast right now. I don't even know if I can write fast enough to keep up with all my thoughts.

#good omens #good omens 2 #crowley #good omens meta #aziraphale #ineffable husbands #aziracrow #good omens analysis #good omens fan theory #ineffable mystery #ineffable divorce #the final fifteen #final fifteen #oh god

[youryurigoddess]

Let there be Light

You probably noticed that one of the lamps in Aziraphale’s bookshop goes out after he gets into the elevator, clearly visible in the final shot. But of course this is Good Omens and the lamps aren’t just lamps, so let’s slither inside for a better look at what’s going on. Sometimes a little perspective change makes all the difference.

The twin lamps are actually statues of two brass cherubs facing the interior of the bookshop — their own world — just like the two angels we saw Before the Beginning facing the creation of the solar system, their current home. Aziraphale always on the left, Crowley on the right.

The fact that it’s the right — Crowley’s — lamp that broke at the end of the Final Fifteen can mean two things. Either the light of his life has left him that morning and the lamp reflects his loss, or just like a porch lamp it indicates that he’s the one not home, but in Heaven.

#crowley needs a hug #let there be light #aziraphale’s bookshop #bookshop statues #statues update #final fifteen #set design #the good omens crew is unhinged #good omens #good omens 2 #good omens meta #ineffable husbands #crowley #yuri is doing her thing

[sentientsky]

words by Henry Rollins

i see a quote, i make a devastated little “oh” sound, i reach for my ipad. rinse and repeat <3

#sorry i would’ve made the words fit the scenes better but honestly I’m too tired aksjkajd sorry #good omens #crowley #ineffable husbands #aziracrow #aziraphale #good omens 2 #go2 #good omens season 2 #ineffable lovers #ineffable wives #goodomensedit #my edit #gomens #gomens 2 #David tennant #Michael sheen #ineffable divorce #no nightingales #final fifteen

[autistinedaae]

It occurred to me that Michael and David's reactions to the kiss were very Aziracrow-coded. Literally if someone asked them how their first kiss was, that is EXACTLY how it would go.

Nina and Maggie, popping into the bookshop: "So, Mr. Fell, we hear Mx. Crowley finally got around to kissing you. How was it?"

Aziraphale: OH, NINA, IT WAS EVERYTHING I EVER DREAMED IT WOULD BE! CROWLEY IS SO HANDSOME AND WONDERFUL! I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!

Crowley: Ehh. It was fine. He'd brushed his teeth. Whatever. Let's go, angel.

#good omens #good omens 2 #aziracrow #crowley x aziraphale #ineffable husbands #final fifteen

[lookingatacupoftea]

Aziraphale's Anger

Aziraphale makes two very similar three-part facial expressions while he is alone with the Metatron:

Longing and regret as he looks out the window.

A glimpse of rage as he turns to the Metatron.

A mask of smiles or laughter quickly donned to cover the anger.

Look! Here he is looking out the window. Then his mouth compresses very briefly into an angry line as he turns his head in response to the Metatron insulting Crowley for his "damn-fool questions." Then he fake laughs along with the Metatron.

And again! This one is easier to see because it's slowed. The sad, regretful look out the window. A compression of the lips as he looks down and away. A flash of that determined rage that we'll see again in the elevator as he looks at the Metatron. Then the fake smile. (I looked at these about 50 times before I realized they are from different takes. Perhaps the editors really wanted to show that glimpse of anger).

gifs by inhonoredglory

He is already so angry at the Metatron for forcing him into this. No Second Coming needed.

I think some viewers have observed this anger but have interpreted it as directed at Crowley. But I really think it's pointed at the Metatron and later at heaven itself as the elevator ride ends.

#aziraphale my precious #aziraphale #good omens metatron #final fifteen

[lenaellsi]

if you take "I can make a difference" at face value you simply must also consider "you're the bad guys.” like they are both vital aspects of aziraphale's decision. the problem is not just aziraphale's attempt to lead a corrupt system, it is also his continued belief in the superiority of heaven and angels over hell and demons. that's why crowley was so hurt. it's not just a miscommunication, or a disagreement on the practicalities of changing hearts and minds in heaven--it is a fundamental misunderstanding of morality and of crowley as a person. if crowley had asked aziraphale to come to hell to help fix it and protect the earth, he would not have gone. he says so. it’s not just about safety, or reform. it is about being Good.

and all of this happens because aziraphale is not just motivated by fear and love: he is also motivated by shame. he is insecure in his identity as an angel and a Good Guy, and both his alienation from heaven and his relationship with crowley have always aggravated this insecurity. it’s why shax’s mockery hit him so hard, and why he’s so susceptible to manipulation from the metatron. he desperately wants to be taken seriously and treated with respect and to have power and be an uncomplicated Good Guy, and that is just as much of a motivating factor in his decision as his desire to protect humanity and crowley.

and re: “appoint you to be an angel”: I know people want to insist that aziraphale has never wanted to change anything about crowley, but I’m sorry, I just don’t think that’s true. over and over in season 2 aziraphale demonstrates a desire to sand the rough edges off people and things for the sake of the Greater Good, without consideration for the free will or complex emotions of others. obviously this tendency culminates in the ball, where he exerts control over all of the humans to make everything perfect for maggie and nina, and in doing so, infringes on their autonomy and nina’s (crowley’s narrative mirror!) capacity to feel her own anger and sadness. and he has never liked that crowley is a demon. in his mind, the problem has always been that crowley was put in the wrong category, not that the entire system of dividing people and angels into Good and Bad is ridiculous. that’s the exact lesson he needs to learn.

and yes, his intentions are good, absolutely. I don’t think aziraphale ever acts out of malice, and I do think he genuinely wants the best for the people around him, particularly crowley. after all, if crowley is accepted as an angel again, as aziraphale has always secretly considered him to be, their relationship can (in his mind) finally stop being so fraught with danger and conflict. (the other side of that, of course, is that aziraphale can also stop being so ashamed for loving someone who is supposed to be Bad, and everything in his life will make sense again, the way it hasn’t since he met that star maker who got so upset about god’s plan.)

but that’s not who crowley is, and it never has been. even before he fell, crowley’s recklessness and relentless questions made aziraphale uncomfortable. their relationship has never been safe or easy, and in wanting to make it so, aziraphale is demonstrating a desire to change the parts of crowley that led to his fall, whether he intends to or not.

I’m rambling, but the point is: the insistence on reframing this moment as a purely selfless, calculated, self-sacrificing decision by aziraphale to protect crowley and the world ignores the uglier parts of the things he said in order to make their eventual reconciliation less complicated, and it’s really frustrating to me. crowley is in fact right to be upset by what he said, and it’s not just a misunderstanding that can be fixed with aziraphale saying “I was only trying to protect you!” and another kiss. it’s a culmination of all of the double think aziraphale has been doing in order to preserve his vision of heaven as The Source Of Truth And Light And Good since before the beginning of time, and it’s time for him to finally unpack it.

(and because every post on the final fifteen needs a disclaimer: aziraphale is trying his best and has an incredible amount of love in his heart and wants so badly to do good and ALSO the things he says, does, and believes can be incredibly hurtful and destructive. all of these things can be true.)

#good omens #aziraphale #crowley #final fifteen #good omens meta #good omens 2 #long post