TV show review: The Good Place
With an upcoming final season for “The Good Place,” viewers are excited and ready for another encounter with the show’s lovable cast and unique plot-line.
What initially captivated me about this show is its ability to discuss deep, and sometimes dark, philosophical ideology on its version of life after death under the facade of humor. In the show, humans are sent either to the good place, the bad place, or the medium space. In life, every action either garners positive points for the individual or subtracts points if the action is unethical. When a person dies, the person’s point total is evaluated and sent to the according place. The architect of the good place is Michael, an immortal being in the body of a human, with the help of a comedic all-knowing being, called Janet. In earlier seasons, viewers watch as Eleanor Shellstrop, the main character, finds herself in the good place by mistake, and lives cautiously with the help of other supposedly misplaced humans as well, including Tahani, Chidi, and Jason. Together, they navigate the risky waters of the good place residency and try not to get caught.
One of the show’s greatest strengths would be the distinct personality of each main character, which also reveals what the show believes is a truly “good act.” Eleanor, an anti-social, aggressive person in the past, is blatantly “bad.” Tahani, a social-activist born into wealth, does many grand acts of kindness only with the desire to beat her sister and gain parental favoritism. Chidi, a professor of moral ethics, is crippled under his immense indecision, which hurts others as well. Jason, an unintelligent DJ from Jacksonville, commits criminal acts like drug-dealing. Their differences create hilarious interactions while still discussing important concepts of ethics and what truly constitutes a “good” person.
The show has an uncanny ability to make viewers question their own point total and will surely make them think again when committing a shady act. Packed with humor, wit, and thought, “The Good Place” is a sophisticated discussion of ethics and morality packaged into mainstream entertainment.