Summary
“The Ball” is an inventive and unique offering from Good Omens. The juxtaposition of the Jane Austen Ball and the army of undead demons really works a treat. It feels refreshing and fun while moving the story forward as well. This sets things up nicely for the season two finale.
We recap the Amazon Prime Video series Good Omens Season 2 Episode 5, “The Ball,” which contains spoilers.
The battle between Heaven and Hell heats up somewhat in “The Ball” as both sides search for the missing archangel Gabriel (Jon Hamm).
This showdown takes place during the Shopkeeper Association’s Monthly Meeting, which Aziraphale (Michael Sheen) has magically turned into a Jane Austen styled Ball.
Good Omens Season 2 Episode 5 Recap
Having received permission from Beelzebub herself, Shax goes to Furfur to requisition a legion of demons. Shax wants at least ten thousand soldiers for her assault on Aziraphale’s bookshop, but she ends up with a measly seventy demons instead.
Shax rallies her troops, running through her plan for the attack. One particular demon keeps interrupting her, so she vaporizes them to death.
What is Aziraphale’s matchmaking plan?
Meanwhile, on earth, Aziraphale prepares for the Shopkeeper Association’s Monthly Meeting. He’s clearly up to something special though, as he convinces the many shopkeepers to attend this unique meeting. It is revealed that Aziraphale wants to use the meeting as a way of coercing Nina and Maggie to fall in love with one another. He wants to romance them with a memorable Jane Austen style Ball.
Thankfully both Nina and Maggie agree to attend the event. Nina suspects that Crowley and Aziraphale are a couple, but Crowley denies this statement.
Crowley finds time to speak with Gabriel privately before the event. He mentions the fact that the real Gabriel hates Aziraphale, while the amnesiac Gabriel is surprisingly quite fond of the bookshop owner.
Crowley presses Gabriel to remember anything about the coming war.
Gabriel says that it hurts to remember, but Crowley forces him to try. He remembers placing his memories into a matchbox, the very same one that was found in Heaven.
Then he remembers placing his memories in a larger box, which he hand-delivered to Aziraphale, but its contents have since disappeared.
Crowley then speaks with Nina. She’s just broken up with her partner and doesn’t want to attend the meeting anymore. Crowley forces her to go, stating that her life could be in danger if she doesn’t attend. He adds that she will be safe in the shop.
How does Aziraphale decorate the shop?
The bookshop is used as the venue for Aziraphale’s first Shopkeeper Association’s Monthly Meeting. And he’s transformed the place into a romantic Jane Austen style Ball, decorating the bookshop with chandeliers. Everyone arrives dressed for the occasion in period attire, speaking in the classic style as if under a spell. Outside, the demon army gathers.
All the guests begin to dance. Nina and Maggie share an intimate moment together. Even Crowley and Aziraphale have a chance to dance together at one point.
Nina tells Maggie that she has broken up with her partner. Then Crowley warns Aziraphale about the demonic invasion outside.
Aziraphale believes that they are safe inside the sanctuary of the bookshop. He’s adamant that they will not be handing over Gabriel. Crowley worries that innocent humans will be hurt, though.
Then Shax makes her presence known. She orders that they send Gabriel out, or people will be killed.
How does Crowley save the humans?
Gabriel happily turns himself in. He steps outside and walks towards Shax right away. Of course, she doesn’t recognize Gabriel, as the miracle spell is still in action. Shax sends Gabriel back inside. Crowley then makes up a rule to save the humans, ordering the safe evacuation of all the guests. Shax accepts Crowley’s terms.
Good Omens Season 2 Episode 5 Ending Explained
One civilian is killed in a gruesome fashion for overstepping his bounds, but the rest are safely evacuated, thanks to Crowley. Nina and Maggie agree to stay behind and help out Aziraphale, though.
The episode ends with Muriel arriving on the scene. She observes the stand-off from a distance. Crowley spots Muriel and formulates a plan. He asks her to arrest him. Crowley has knowledge of a crime against Heaven, and he needs to be taken Upstairs immediately. The naive Muriel follows Crowley’s orders right away, taking him on the elevator up to Heaven.
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