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Last yr, hot off the release of the Good Omens series, I remember some reviews criticizing it for being “too faithful” to the book, i.e. it didn’t bring anything new to the table. Ofc not everyone’s going to see GO the same way, but I respectfully disagree. (1/9)
Last yr, hot off the release of the Good Omens series, I remember some reviews criticizing it for being “too faithful” to the book, i.e. it didn’t bring anything new to the table. Ofc not everyone’s going to see GO the same way, but I respectfully disagree. (1/9)
1st of all, being “too” faithful to the source material isn’t a bad thing! Besides, while the series is very faithful in spirit (much kudos to it for treating the book w/ respect; it rly helped that Neil was showrunner), it *does* build on the premise & add new elements. (2/9)
There’s some world-building: we see what Heaven & Hell are like. We also see A&C& #39;s relationship thru the yrs.
But there are subtle differences! Sure Aziraphale& #39;s still a fussy bookseller & Crowley’s still a flashy, stylish demon. They bicker a lot, like in the book, but...(3/9)
But there are subtle differences! Sure Aziraphale& #39;s still a fussy bookseller & Crowley’s still a flashy, stylish demon. They bicker a lot, like in the book, but...(3/9)
...there are still differences to their personalities & dynamic! For example, we see less of Aziraphale& #39;s bastard side in the show. And there& #39;s the added conflict of him being considered an odd duck among the angels, yet him still earnestly trying to earn Heaven& #39;s approval. (4/9)
I love how the show expanded the novel& #39;s theme of families of choice, defying expectations, & not being pigeonholed by labels, by having Aziraphale not immediately realize that he & Crowley were on their own side all along. (5/9)
This adds a layer of relatability for us who& #39;ve had a toxic upbringing & are still struggling to unlearn unhealthy behavior. Breaking free from a toxic background is a journey, and it& #39;s neither easy nor linear. (6/9)
And, re: differences in dynamic: while the book Husbands have a more standard "old married couple" dynamic (w/c tbh felt more like subtext to me), the show sets up a slow burn, but what& #39;s great abt this is that it& #39;s even less ambiguous abt A&C& #39;s deep love for each other. (7/9)
So, while reviewers are ofc entitled to their own thoughts, & no single work is immune to criticism, I think that criticizing the Good Omens series as "too faithful" to the book is rather off-the-mark! It didn& #39;t just blindly re-create most of what happened in the novel... (8/9)
...rather, it builds on the novel& #39;s themes. And even when some things may seem similar on the surface, there are differences if you look closely!
/end thread (9/9)
/end thread (9/9)