#ineffable idiots

Hey pookie you’re retarded 😂😂😂😂

Doctor Doom Don’t Dig Dummies

Sooo, I've seen a lot of posts arguing that the imbalance between Aziraphale and Crowley starts to become apparent in Season 2. Specifically, that Aziraphale is portrayed as worse than Crowley. You know, always in the wrong, naive to the point of being almost foolish. Don't get me wrong, I GET IT. After watching Season 3, I actually think that was probably the intention.

But. BUT.

That is not how I've been reading Season 2. I genuinely believe that Aziraphale and Crowley were portrayed as perfectly balanced. I'd like to share that perspective with you guys.

Three comments before we begin.

(1) You know what I think actually happened? I think that THAT GUY wanted to diminish Aziraphale. He wanted to give him personality traits that were supposed to make him seem like the lesser one. Ironically, I think he failed because he doesn't really understand what people value in other people. That is why he gave Aziraphale personality traits that made many of us fall in love with him EVEN MORE in Season 2.

(2) Whenever I say that Aziraphale or Crowley is "right" or "wrong," I mean only one thing, i.e., whether their actions ultimately make them feel better / happier or not. I'll use this shorthand throughout the post to make it easier to read.

(3) This is my reflection on Season 2. It requires me to completely neglect the existence of Season 3. Nevertheless, this has been my attitude all along, because I refuse to accept it as a conclusion to the stories presented in Seasons 1 and 2. I do enjoy analyzing it, though, as it helps me process my feelings and gives me some twisted kind of fun (satisfaction?).

I know that many of you will disagree. Of course, I welcome discussion. That being said, I have spent months (years?) reading posts and analyzing Season 2, so my opinion is pretty well solidified. Don't be surprised if it is EXTREMELY difficult to change my mind. Or maybe it always is, I am not sure.

Let me begin with how I see them:

Crowley:

Crowley believes that Heaven and Hell are equally horrific (and equally dysfunctional) institutions. Perhaps Heaven is even worse, because at least Hell does not claim to be "the good" side.

He also believes that you cannot truly win against either of them. You can try to fly under the radar, and if that eventually becomes impossible, you can try to run away. This is a very helpless worldview. [You know, the feeling of "What is the point of anything?" or "It is always too late."]

So, although Crowley is not someone who enjoys harming people and generally avoids doing so, I also do not believe he would actively help them on his own. [What I mean by "on his own" will become clear in a moment.] His first and most important consideration is always whether he can remain true to himself.

Aziraphale:

Aziraphale wants to be a being who helps people do good. [I know, I know. I should define what "good" means. This comes later. Hold on for a second.] He wants to be a being who protects them and, ultimately, brings them peace and happiness.

He cannot accept the idea that God has bad intentions. He has a weak hope, but it is still there, that Heaven can be repaired, that it can once again fulfill its intended purpose. Therefore, he does not adopt a helpless worldview. He believes that it is worth trying to make a difference, that taking action matters, and that things can be changed for the better.

How they are important to each other:

Crowley to Aziraphale:

I think what is really easy to spot in Season 2 is that Aziraphale is struggling because, if you are a being who wants to help people do good, it would be nice if that "good" were, well, clearly defined. At first, he believes that it is. You simply follow God's or Heaven's will. That is the naivety everyone talks about.

However, it is also clear that Aziraphale is already subconsciously sensing that those two concepts are not so easily equated. Sometimes God's or Heaven's will feels wrong to him. For example, when Heaven wants to kill Job's children for the sake of a bet. Other times, it is difficult to define what "good" even means. For example, when poverty, the desire to help (save?) a friend (someone you love?), the pursuit of knowledge, and the necessity to dig up a body become entangled with one another.

I disagree that Crowley teaches him this. What I see instead is that Crowley helps Aziraphale confront the doubts he already carries within himself. Aziraphale loves him for exactly that, if one can even say that there are reasons to love someone. And, of course, for treating him like a queen.

Aziraphale to Crowley:

I think there are people who do not believe that Crowley needs Aziraphale just as much. Maybe this is because it is more subtle, but in my opinion it is by no means less important.

Crowley believes that he is not fit to be a demon. He has too many undemonic traits, but he also sees himself as a screw-up. Remember how he panics when he loses the Antichrist. He says it himself: the task was very simple, and no demon should have been able to mess it up.

Aziraphale not only notices those undemonic traits but actually praises Crowley for them. He also constantly voices his belief in Crowley. Now, now. A very unpopular opinion coming. I actually LOVE that Crowley is portrayed as the more powerful one. [I completely disagree with the idea that this makes him "better". Think of it like physical strength. It is just a trait. Couples are very often not equal in all of their traits.] You know why? Because, without Aziraphale, Crowley is not really capable of doing much with that power. He just gives up too easily. It is Aziraphale, the stubborn bastard, who pushes him to use it. For example, to stop time and figure out how to deal with Satan.

Moreover, I am not sure that without Aziraphale, Crowley would act to help people as often as he does. I have always believed that he gave people miraculous escapes PARTLY because he did not want to make Aziraphale unhappy. He was determined to save Job's children, to seal the deal in front of the archangels PARTLY because Aziraphale believed in him, and he hoped that Aziraphale would become his companion. He drank the poison in the grave PARTLY because he did not want Aziraphale to feel even worse. The beautiful thing is that those deeds also gave him a sense of fulfillment, even though he paid an awful price for some of them.

Crowley loves Aziraphale for all of that. And, of course, for giving him the opportunity to act as a hero on a white horse who saves his queen.

What I wanted to convey but in two sentences:

Aziraphale gives Crowley purpose and motivates him to use his power. He values Crowley's undemonic traits. Crowley helps Aziraphale confront his doubts and embrace the complexity of what "good" truly means. They both know and accept each other for who they are. Well, not merely accept. They are SMITTEN. Is that all? Well, definitely not. Their relationship is far more complicated, I know! But how can you cover 6000 years in an already, frankly, too long post? Also… I intended to make this post sharp and clear, but I see that it turned out quite chaotic. Sorry about that.

Ah, one more thing. I know we are divided and currently at war here, but I genuinely love being part of this fandom. Take care, everyone!

Honorable mention, because I have no chill:

Oh, well, let me add two sentences about the Final 15. How I see it. I believe they were both wrong. Aziraphale [remember that he was not aware of the Second Coming at this point] wanted to return to Heaven to help change this oppressive system, and he genuinely believed that they could finally be together there, no longer hunted by Heaven and Hell. Crowley [remember that he knew about the Second Coming] wanted to flee to Alpha Centauri because he believed they needed to escape the oppressive system, and he genuinely believed that they could finally be together there, no longer hunted by Heaven and Hell. Neither option would have made them happy. Moreover, they both ended up hurting each other during the conversation.

What should they have done? Well, communicate. Openly. Share all the facts and come up with a plan to take down the oppressive system.