The late fantasy author Terry Pratchett’s former personal assistant and official “representative on Earth” has shared how Good Omens season 2 respects his legacy and pays tribute to him through several easter eggs and references.
Pratchett, who wrote the popular Discworld novels, co-authored the 1990 book Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch with Neil Gaiman.
The same book inspired the 2019 TV series Good Omens season 1, which Gaiman wrote himself. Pratchett died in 2015 and did not witness the adaptation of his best-selling novel on screen.
Wilkins, who was directly involved in season 2’s development, said that he consulted with Gaiman frequently during the script-writing process. He also hinted that the show is following a definite story arc that Gaiman and Pratchett had planned in 1990. Here are his remarks:
“If I said I was here to make sure Terry’s voice was heard, that’s wrong because Terry’s voice is here, it’s everywhere. My presence is Terry’s presence and that’s what I bring to the set.
“He would be most proud of the detail and the love that is compressed into this that everybody puts into it and it’s lovely to see that everybody respects the written word and here we are turning the written word into this.
“Neil makes sure Terry’s voice is heard every single day through the scripts, it’s fantastic. In the build-up [to production], in the script-writing process, I speak with Neil probably every other day and he wants to share what he’s doing and tell you where the story’s going and where the narrative is going.
“Neil and Terry, they plotted out in a hotel room in Seattle in the early 1990s, they shared a room together and they talked about what would happen next. There’s definitely a story arc and Neil would actually kill me in my sleep if I was to let on too much but there’s a definite story arc for Aziraphale and Crowley and we’ve got to see that to the end, we have to.”
Good Omens contains many Easter eggs and hidden references for attentive viewers. Good Omens season 1 paid tribute to Gaiman’s original co-author by featuring Pratchett’s signature hat and scarf in Aziraphale’s bookshop. Season 2 has kept up the trend with more references to the acclaimed fantasy author.
Pratchett’s first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, appears discreetly in season 2, episode 2. However, the most notable Easter egg is the author’s portrait on the wall of the Dirty Donkey pub, dressed as the Witchfinder General.
Other references include Pratchett’s and Gaiman’s names among the graffiti in the ‘Give Me Coffee or Give Me Death’ coffee shop, and subtle mentions of famous Discworld characters. Moreover, Mrs. Sandwich’s repeated claim that she is a “seamstress” alludes to Discworld’s Seamstresses’ Guild, which is a euphemism for prostitutes in that world.
Good Omens season 2 has received positive reviews, and many viewers would probably concur with Wilkins’ statement that Pratchett “would be most proud” of Gaiman’s work on the show.
Gaiman has not only respected Pratchett’s work, but also replicated the distinctive comic voice of his former co-author. Hopefully, Prime Video will soon announce Good Omens season 3 and allow Gaiman to complete the story that they had envisioned.
About Good Omens
Good Omens is a fantasy comedy series created and written by Neil Gaiman, based on his and Terry Pratchett’s 1990 novel of the same name. The series was directed by Douglas Mackinnon, with Gaiman also serving as showrunner.
The cast includes Michael Sheen, David Tennant, Adria Arjona, Miranda Richardson, Michael McKean, Jack Whitehall, Jon Hamm, and Frances McDormand as the voice of God, who narrates the series.
Set in 2018, the series follows the demon Crowley and the angel Aziraphale, longtime acquaintances who, having grown accustomed to life on Earth as representatives of Heaven and Hell, seek to prevent the coming of the Antichrist, Adam, and with it Armageddon, the final battle between Heaven and Hell.
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