Gendered Pollution: Good Omens And Bad Signs

Good Omens is a TV series adaptation of the novel by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. The show has been praised for its approach to gender presentation and its avoidance of transphobia. One of the characters, Pollution, is a non-binary member of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, who replaced Pestilence in the 1930s. Pollution is portrayed as materialistic and appreciative of their work, taking pleasure in things they consider beautiful, such as a polluted river. They are referred to with gender-neutral pronouns and are presented as androgynous.

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Pollution is a non-binary character

In the Amazon series Good Omens, Pollution is a non-binary character. They are one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, replacing Pestilence after their retirement in 1936.

Pollution is shown to be materialistic and appreciative of things they find aesthetically pleasing. They are introduced in a scene where they admire a river full of garbage, calling it "just so damn beautiful". Their item of power is a crown, which turns from white/transparent to black when they hold it.

Neil Gaiman, the creator of Good Omens, has stated that angels and demons in the story do not have a gender or sex "unless they specifically make an effort". This suggests that characters like Pollution, who is neither an angel nor a demon, may also be non-binary or genderless.

Gaiman has also responded positively to a fan's comment that Pollution uses they/them pronouns, indicating that this interpretation is intentional. Additionally, the character of Crowley has been described as having "pure, unfiltered non-binary/gender-fluid energy", further highlighting the show's inclusive approach to gender representation.

Overall, Good Omens has been praised for its handling of gender, with characters' gender presentations never being the subject of jokes or ridicule. The show challenges traditional gender norms and presents a diverse range of gender identities and expressions.

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They are one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Pollution is a non-binary character in Good Omens, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. They are the second of the Four Horsemen to be defeated, stabbed by Brian with a flaming sword. Pollution is shown to be materialistic and appreciative of things they consider aesthetically pleasing, such as a polluted river. They also enjoy their work, finding defilement lovely.

Pollution replaced Pestilence in the 1930s, an era of innovation in antibiotics and plastics. They are credited with helping to design the petrol engine, plastics, and high-tech weed killers. Their item of power is a crown, which turns from white/transparent to black when they first hold it.

Pollution is described as having an androgynous appearance. Good Omens author Neil Gaiman has stated that angels and demons in the story do not have a gender or sex "unless they specifically make an effort," and that neither Crowley nor Aziraphale identify as male. This interpretation of gender in the series has been praised for avoiding transphobia and challenging the gender binary.

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They replaced Pestilence in the 1930s

In the Amazon series Good Omens, Pollution is one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. They replaced Pestilence in the 1930s, after he retired following the discovery of penicillin. The 1930s were a time of innovation in antibiotics and plastics, which heralded the start of widespread plastic pollution.

Pollution is a non-binary character, using they/them pronouns. They are shown to be materialistic, with a penchant for things they find aesthetically pleasing. They appreciate their work, finding defilement beautiful. This is evident in the scene where they admire a river full of boxes and garbage. They also have a hand in creating some of the world's most polluting inventions, such as the petrol engine, plastics, and high-tech weed killers.

Pollution's item of power is a crown, which turns from white/transparent to black when they hold it. This crown is symbolic of their power, coated in grime. They are also credited with spreading the seeds of nuclear extinction by infecting the world-wide electrical grid.

Pollution is a unique character, and their inclusion in Good Omens has been praised for avoiding transphobia and challenging the gender binary.

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Pollution uses they/them pronouns

In the Amazon series Good Omens, Pollution is a non-binary character who uses they/them pronouns. They are one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, replacing Pestilence in the 1930s after the latter retired. Pollution is shown to be materialistic and appreciative of things they consider aesthetically pleasing, such as a polluted river and their crown, which they coat with grime.

Pollution's non-binary gender identity is a notable aspect of their character, and they are described as having an androgynous appearance. Their gender expression is not made the butt of jokes in the show, which has been praised by some fans.

Neil Gaiman, the creator of Good Omens, has confirmed that other characters in the series, such as Crowley and Aziraphale, also do not identify as male, despite mostly presenting as male. This aspect of the series aligns with the book's portrayal of angels and demons, who do not have a gender or sex unless they choose to make an effort.

Pollution's gender identity as non-binary or agender contributes to the representation of LGBTQIA+ characters in Good Omens and has been well-received by some fans who relate to the character's experience.

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Good Omens avoids transphobia and the gender binary

Good Omens has been praised for its approach to gender and its avoidance of transphobia. The show features a range of characters who defy gender norms and challenge the gender binary. One of the most notable examples is the character Pollution, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, who is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns. Pollution is portrayed as materialistic and appreciative of things that look nice, such as a river full of garbage and their own crown, which turns from white to black when they hold it.

Another example is the character Crowley, who exhibits non-binary or gender-fluid energy. Crowley is comfortable appearing in different forms, such as a nanny, and is never questioned or made fun of for their gender presentation. Similarly, the character Aziraphale shares a body with Madame Tracy, and this is accepted without issue by other characters. Archangel Michael, who has a traditionally male name, is played by a female actress, further challenging gender norms.

The show's creator, Neil Gaiman, has confirmed that the main characters Crowley and Aziraphale are not male, but rather identify as a "Fallen Angel" and an "Angel (retired)", respectively. In the book, angels and demons do not have a gender or sex unless they choose to make an effort, which differs from human perception. Gaiman has also stated that the show aimed to avoid making gender presentation the butt of jokes, and while he is not certain they always achieved it, the representation of non-binary characters and avoidance of transphobia is still noteworthy.

Overall, Good Omens challenges the gender binary and transphobia through its diverse range of characters and their unique presentations, providing positive representation and helping to normalize gender fluidity.

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