I have learned a lot about the afterlife from a lot of conflicting sources. None said it would be this primary. (Image Courtesy of: youtube.com)
Quick Take: The Good Place Season 1 showcases a funny concept with a likable and charming cast who develop naturally with the story unfolding. With several surprises along the way, it is more than the sum of its parts and one of the best comedy series on TV right now even if it is a bit disposable in its first outing.
***This is a review focused on giving an overview and introduction to The Good Place. As such, it will contain no spoilers. All readers should be able to read ahead at no risk.***
I have never been much for comedy. Perhaps it is because I've never had the most engaging sense of humor. Most of what I love is to engage with strong characters in affecting storylines, and comedy often is driven by caricatures and individual situations rather than overarching plots.
Because of this, NBC's The Good Place snuck up on me. I have always liked Kristen Bell particularly for her work in Veronica Mars, and the concept here was unique enough that I was willing to give it a chance given I had some free time. I lucked out because the series is fast, smart, funny, and honestly engaging.
The Good Place is a comedy about the afterlife. In particular, it focuses on Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell), a woman who has just died and gone to "The Good Place". However, she realizes quickly she has been mistaken for a woman of her same name and actually should have gone to "The Bad Place".
With the help of her supposed soulmate Chidi Anagonye (William Jackson Harper), an ethics professor, she tries to escape the gaze of overseer and architect Michael (Ted Danson) by learning to be a good person.
Along the way, she makes odd friendships with wealthy philanthropist Tahani Al-Jamil (Jameela Jamil), her soulmate Buddhist monk Jianyu Li (Manny Jacinto), and even programmed guide Janet (D'Arcy Carden).
This is a series driven by its situational comedy, but the overall story also has merit as several of the characters evolve over time. Eleanor especially becomes a better person over time even as greater obstacles get in her way. It is not intense a tale, but the combination of emotion and good comedy work.
I have never been much for comedy. Perhaps it is because I've never had the most engaging sense of humor. Most of what I love is to engage with strong characters in affecting storylines, and comedy often is driven by caricatures and individual situations rather than overarching plots.
Because of this, NBC's The Good Place snuck up on me. I have always liked Kristen Bell particularly for her work in Veronica Mars, and the concept here was unique enough that I was willing to give it a chance given I had some free time. I lucked out because the series is fast, smart, funny, and honestly engaging.
The Good Place is a comedy about the afterlife. In particular, it focuses on Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell), a woman who has just died and gone to "The Good Place". However, she realizes quickly she has been mistaken for a woman of her same name and actually should have gone to "The Bad Place".
With the help of her supposed soulmate Chidi Anagonye (William Jackson Harper), an ethics professor, she tries to escape the gaze of overseer and architect Michael (Ted Danson) by learning to be a good person.
Along the way, she makes odd friendships with wealthy philanthropist Tahani Al-Jamil (Jameela Jamil), her soulmate Buddhist monk Jianyu Li (Manny Jacinto), and even programmed guide Janet (D'Arcy Carden).
This is a series driven by its situational comedy, but the overall story also has merit as several of the characters evolve over time. Eleanor especially becomes a better person over time even as greater obstacles get in her way. It is not intense a tale, but the combination of emotion and good comedy work.
Aren't they cute together? Full of so much... shared emotion? (Image Courtesy of: decider.com)
The primary actors that drive this series are Kristen Bell and Ted Danson (Cheers). The two are immensely charismatic and give extra weight to their characters with every scene. Moreover, they have great comedic chemistry working off one another which is especially why the writing works so well.
Creator Michael Shur has a ton of experience on successful sitcoms including writing for The Office and helping create Parks and Recreation, so it should not be a surprise that his comedy continues to work in this series. However, it is the world building of The Good Place that stands out.
It is always dangerous to write a series about the afterlife, but The Good Place has crafted its world impressively with new properly established layers added every few episodes. Some of the ways the world shifts are surprising yet perfectly set up on reflection.
It takes until the end of the season for the full genius of the series to be revealed, but it is truly a uniquely intelligent show that has been wrapped up in a short-form narrative. The series rewards those paying attention which is a rare trait in a comedy series.
At its core, The Good Place is a funny show, simply put. The interplay of Eleanor's almost absurdly poor behavior, Michael's heavenly and endearing innocence, Chidi's nervous ethical correctness, Tahani's self-entitled grandure, and Janice's delightful good nature make for a cast worth watching.
However, it is the journey that makes the series special. Without having to become a dramedy, it uses its drama sparingly but effectively to convey honest characterization. As a fan of honest storytelling, I would have liked to see more of that as the series is a bit light especially over just 13 episodes, but it does make the most of those moments.
Creator Michael Shur has a ton of experience on successful sitcoms including writing for The Office and helping create Parks and Recreation, so it should not be a surprise that his comedy continues to work in this series. However, it is the world building of The Good Place that stands out.
It is always dangerous to write a series about the afterlife, but The Good Place has crafted its world impressively with new properly established layers added every few episodes. Some of the ways the world shifts are surprising yet perfectly set up on reflection.
It takes until the end of the season for the full genius of the series to be revealed, but it is truly a uniquely intelligent show that has been wrapped up in a short-form narrative. The series rewards those paying attention which is a rare trait in a comedy series.
At its core, The Good Place is a funny show, simply put. The interplay of Eleanor's almost absurdly poor behavior, Michael's heavenly and endearing innocence, Chidi's nervous ethical correctness, Tahani's self-entitled grandure, and Janice's delightful good nature make for a cast worth watching.
However, it is the journey that makes the series special. Without having to become a dramedy, it uses its drama sparingly but effectively to convey honest characterization. As a fan of honest storytelling, I would have liked to see more of that as the series is a bit light especially over just 13 episodes, but it does make the most of those moments.
