God, I hate reblogging my own stuff but I have things to add.
First, more about Azi asking Crowley to be an angel again. People seem to be quite upset about that. BUT, but Aziraphale is coming from a good place when he asks this - like I said it isn't about changing Crowley but restoring freedoms. Think back to the first episode of S2 where we see Crowley as an angel (no name given) as he is creating the stars. Look at how happy and excited he is. He never smiles like that again in the rest of the series or shows that level of enthusiasm.
I think, even 6,000 years later, Aziraphale remembers that and feels like he isn't able to measure up to it. He's never made Crowley that happy, so why would his friend throw away this opportunity just to be with Aziraphale?
Because, while Crowley has always been on his own side, done things his own way, seen the world in shades of grey while still toeing the line of Hell's rules - Aziraphale has lived 6,000 years under heavy scrutiny and expectations from his superiors. The same superiors whom have constantly put him down, talked behind his back, belittled his efforts, and basically think he is a screw-up. After S1 they almost exclusively call him traitor and make it clear he's been excommunicated from Heaven.
In summary, it wouldn't be surprising if Aziraphale has a very low sense of self-worth. He cuts himself off from saying" I love you" to "I forgive you" after being kissed because he thinks Crowley can do better. He is obviously upset but is making the decision to let Crowley go.
That being said, second point of business: after posting this I read about the "coffee theory" and holy fuck it didn't even cross my mind. Do I think Aziraphale was drugged or mind controlled? No, not really. He is gullible and easily tricked, which I think was the point of the half-wit Nazi characters getting more screen time: to remind the audience of this part of Aziraphale. They also show him being fairly easily tempted into eating by Crowley, making an error in judgement in Edinburgh and thinking himself a demon after lying to save children.
The coffee thing is suspicious as hell though - it is possible there was something in it that inhibited or suppressed Aziraphales true desires. But the whole thing just smacks of the Metatron manipulating Aziraphale away from Crowley. The two of them fucked up one apocalypse together why leave them to their own devices so they can ruin a second one?
And to throw my own hat in the ring on Crowley's little I understand better than you, and they never change their passwords lines-
Who was Crowley before his fall, if he was anyone other than himself at all?
My own personal theory is that Crowley was a "Virtue" in the 9 choirs of angels. It would put him in the middle of the Second Triad who are meant to fulfill God's plan in the universe. Virtues run the operation of movement in the universe. They are often associated with planets, elements, seasons, and nature. It made the most sense since Crowley was associated with making the stars. Further research led to me finding that the Archangel Raphael was also a Virtue. I find the Raphael and Samael theories interesting since there is evidence for and against both. With the recent season I'm inclined to think that Crowley was not only an Archangel, but the Supreme Archangel.
I mean, Crowley is extremely powerful with the ability to stop time, shapeshift, conjure/control fire, shape reality to his perception/imagination, and summon lightning. Or he could be absolutely nobody which would be even funnier and on brand for the series.
As for more S3 "predictions"/hopes, well...
Since Agnes Nutter was so spot on with her prophecies I'm hoping she foresaw her descendent burning themanuscript and has a backup copy of 'Further Nice and Accurate Prophecies for the World to Come' sent to Aziraphales bookshop addressed to Muriel and Crowley to warn about the "Second Coming" apocalypse.
I mostly just want Agnes back on the show again and to perhaps drag some of the other characters back as well. Adam and Warlock should be 15-16 at this point in the timeline and the Catholic Second Coming of Christ mentions the Anti-Christ.
Aaaannnd this is officially longer than the first post and I've been working on it for over two hours, calling this shit done
