Brian Barton
In the Book of Revelation in the Bible, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are traditionally depicted as Conquest (or Pestilence), War, Famine, and Death. In the Amazon series Good Omens, Pollution replaces Pestilence as one of the Four Horsemen, reflecting the modern threat of environmental degradation. In the show, Pollution is portrayed as a materialistic character who revels in the defilement of the natural world, finding beauty in polluted rivers and trash-filled landscapes. Pollution's role in the apocalypse involves knocking out the world's electricity and incapacitating personnel at a military base, setting the stage for nuclear warfare and further environmental devastation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Traditional Four Horsemen | War, Famine, Pestilence, and Death |
| Current Four Horsemen | War, Famine, Death, and Pollution |
| Reason for change | Pestilence retired in 1936 due to the discovery of penicillin |
| Pollution's personality | Materialistic, enjoys his work, finds beauty in pollution |
| Pollution's power item | A crown that turns from white to black |
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What You'll Learn
Pollution replaces Pestilence
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, as depicted in the Book of Revelation in the Bible, have traditionally been War, Famine, Pestilence, and Death. However, in modern times, with the discovery of penicillin and other antibiotics, the threat of pestilence or epidemics has reduced significantly. As a result, some interpretations of the Four Horsemen have replaced Pestilence with Pollution.
This interpretation reflects the growing concern over environmental issues, particularly the impact of human activities on the planet. Pollution, as a horseman, represents the destructive consequences of human actions, such as chemical warfare, nuclear fallout, and widespread plastic pollution. In the Amazon series Good Omens, Pollution replaces Pestilence after his retirement in 1936.
Pollution, as a horseman, is described as materialistic and appreciative of defilement, finding beauty in polluted environments. In one scene, Pollution quietly marvels at a river full of boxes and garbage. This character trait underscores the insidious nature of pollution, which can gradually spread and accumulate without being noticed, ultimately leading to catastrophic consequences.
The inclusion of Pollution among the Four Horsemen serves as a stark reminder of the potential apocalyptic implications of human-induced environmental degradation. It highlights the urgency of addressing issues such as chemical pollution, nuclear threats, and plastic waste. By personifying Pollution as a horseman, the narrative underscores the agency and impact of human actions in shaping the future of our planet.
While the traditional horseman Pestilence represented the spread of diseases and epidemics, Pollution embodies the modern challenges faced by humanity. The replacement of Pestilence by Pollution reflects a shift in global concerns and underscores the evolving nature of apocalyptic threats. As humanity progresses and adapts to new challenges, the interpretation of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse also evolves to mirror contemporary anxieties and societal issues.
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Pollution's role in the apocalypse
Pollution is one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in modern interpretations of the Biblical prophecy. Traditionally, the Four Horsemen are War, Famine, Pestilence, and Death, but in modern times, Pestilence has been replaced by Pollution.
The original Four Horsemen must come to an agreement on who will remain, with Death arguing that everyone knows that pollution is a precursor to the other horsemen, leading to famine, pestilence, and death. In the end, it is decided that only one of the new horsemen can remain, and Pestilence is the first to go, leaving his position to Pollution.
Pollution is depicted as a young man dressed in white, with pale skin, faded blond hair, and light grey eyes. He is unmemorable and unobtrusive, and his presence is cumulative. He is materialistic and enjoys his work, finding beauty in defilement and pollution. He is defeated when Brian picks up a flaming sword and stabs him, declaring his belief in a clean world. Pollution dissolves into black goo and returns to the minds of man.
As one of the Four Horsemen, Pollution plays a significant role in the apocalypse. After the nuclear fallout lays waste to the environment, Pollution follows up with chemical warfare, knocking out the world's electricity and infecting the worldwide electrical grid. This spreads the seeds of nuclear extinction and ushers in the end of the world.
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Pollution's personality
Pollution is one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, replacing Pestilence after he retired in 1936. In terms of personality, Pollution is depicted as materialistic and appreciative of things that look nice. They enjoy their work, finding beauty in defilement and pollution. For example, when looking at a river covered in pollution, they note that it is "just so damn beautiful". They also express delight at the prospect of a polluted world, stating that they would be "very, very pleased" if someone were to litter their home.
Pollution is described as having pale skin, faded blond hair, and light gray eyes, appearing to be in their twenties. They are unobtrusive and cumulative in their presence, with their physical appearance being largely unmemorable. They are also depicted as being excited about the Apocalypse, although they expected it to occur in a big city or country, rather than the location where it ultimately takes place.
During the events of the Apocalypse, Pollution knocks out the world's electricity and follows up with chemical warfare, contributing to the end of life on Earth. They are the second of the Four Horsemen to fall, dissolving into black goo after being stabbed with a flaming sword.
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Pollution's defeat
In the Amazon series Good Omens, Pollution is one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, replacing Pestilence after they retired in 1936. The other three horsemen are War, Famine, and Death.
Pollution is defeated when Brian, one of the antichrist's three young friends, picks up a flaming sword and, announcing "I believe in a clean world!", stabs Pollution, causing them to dissolve into black goo.
In the real world, "defeat devices" are any motor vehicle hardware, software, or design that interferes with or disables emissions controls under real-world driving conditions. The use of defeat devices by manufacturers has been considered to cause many deaths and health problems, with one estimate suggesting that the excess pollution due to their use by Volkswagen and other manufacturers had killed about 124,000 people in the European Union and the UK, and caused 30,000 cases of asthma in children in the UK.
To combat the use of defeat devices, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken numerous enforcement actions against car makers and other companies that have used or installed defeat devices, whether deliberately or through error or negligence. While defeat devices were banned in new vehicles in the EU and the UK, millions of highly polluting diesel vehicles remained on the roads as of 2025, and a further 81,000 premature deaths were predicted to occur unless action was taken.
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Pollution's item of power
Pollution is one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in the Amazon series Good Omens. They took over from Pestilence, the traditional fourth horseman, after he retired in 1936. Pestilence's retirement coincided with the discovery of penicillin, which drastically reduced epidemics.
Pollution is depicted as a young man dressed in white, with pale skin, faded blond hair, and light grey eyes. He is described as almost entirely unmemorable, with a quiet and unobtrusive presence. He is materialistic and has a strong appreciation for things he considers aesthetically pleasing. For example, he finds a polluted river "all so damn beautiful".
Pollution is the second of the three Horsemen to fall and is defeated by Brian, who picks up a flaming sword and stabs them. Pollution dissolves into black goo, returning to the minds of humankind, where they originated.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, in the Amazon series Good Omens, Pollution replaces Pestilence/Pest as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
In Good Omens, the other three horsemen are War, Famine, and Death.
Pestilence retired in 1936 due to the discovery of penicillin and the subsequent reduction in epidemics.
The Four Horsemen are harbingers of the apocalypse, bringing about the end of the world/humanity.
