Written by: Kevin Berge
This show's ethical explorations almost make me wish I had learned more about this stuff in college. Almost. (Image Courtesy of: denofgeek.com)
Quick Take: The Good Place Season 2 escapes the first season's similar episode-to-episode formula by changing the dynamic dramatically and continually shifting the story to make a more complete story in the second season. While not fully committing to its full cast, the acting and writing makes this a funny and engaging second chapter.
The Good Place Review: Season 1
***This review will focus on the entire story of season 1 and 2 of The Good Place, expecting the reader to have seen both seasons. Reading ahead will give heavy spoilers for both season.***
Most of the first season of The Good Place felt like a fairly generic fun sitcom, but it came out looking far better thanks to the final episode twist. The Good Place was The Bad Place the whole time which forces everything into a far more interesting light.
The second season is far more unique with its exploration of the afterlife, exhausting the potential of its original set within a few episodes. Thus, the concept shifts multiple times over this second season. By the end, it feels completely different than what it was to start.
This makes for an uneven experience at times, but the show is always funny. The comedy is on point. The problem is the characters are not all as consistently strong with the characterization shifting wildly especially through the early resets.
This season is still focused on Eleanor Shellstrop's improvement as a person over time with Michael also getting in on the self-improvement through ethics. Kristen Bell and Ted Danson carry the show in impressive fashion especially driving the drama and heart of the series.
William Jackson Harper makes Chidi Anagonye the funniest character, but the writing is so consistent with his indecisiveness that he never evolves as much in this season as he did in the last. It makes him a bit too one-note. Chidi still far outshines Jason Mendoza and Tahani Al-Jamil.
Manny Jacinto and Jameela Jamil are not given much to work, but they also don't give more to the role. Jason is just awkward with most of the humor coming from the other characters for some reason liking him, and Tahani comes off as bland.
***This review will focus on the entire story of season 1 and 2 of The Good Place, expecting the reader to have seen both seasons. Reading ahead will give heavy spoilers for both season.***
Most of the first season of The Good Place felt like a fairly generic fun sitcom, but it came out looking far better thanks to the final episode twist. The Good Place was The Bad Place the whole time which forces everything into a far more interesting light.
The second season is far more unique with its exploration of the afterlife, exhausting the potential of its original set within a few episodes. Thus, the concept shifts multiple times over this second season. By the end, it feels completely different than what it was to start.
This makes for an uneven experience at times, but the show is always funny. The comedy is on point. The problem is the characters are not all as consistently strong with the characterization shifting wildly especially through the early resets.
This season is still focused on Eleanor Shellstrop's improvement as a person over time with Michael also getting in on the self-improvement through ethics. Kristen Bell and Ted Danson carry the show in impressive fashion especially driving the drama and heart of the series.
William Jackson Harper makes Chidi Anagonye the funniest character, but the writing is so consistent with his indecisiveness that he never evolves as much in this season as he did in the last. It makes him a bit too one-note. Chidi still far outshines Jason Mendoza and Tahani Al-Jamil.
Manny Jacinto and Jameela Jamil are not given much to work, but they also don't give more to the role. Jason is just awkward with most of the humor coming from the other characters for some reason liking him, and Tahani comes off as bland.
The trick to the train problem is obvious. Kill whoever because it's their fault for getting in the way of the train. (Image Courtesy of: newsday.com)
The main reason the show still works is that the season is driven by Eleanor's journey. The character who began as the most reprehensible has truly evolved, and many of her greatest scenes show this. "The Burrito" has an unspoken but powerful moment where Eleanor does not admit she actually passed her trial for The Good Place.
This series' strongest themes have begun to reveal themselves with this second season. This is a story about ethical responsibility but also practical ethics. Shown once more in the season finale "Somewhere Else", Eleanor's growth came from two places: her love for Chidi and her understanding of ethics.
This is why Eleanor and Michael are the only characters that are fully realized in this season because they always have both aspects of this ethical focus. Chidi has no practical ethics. Tahani and Jason have not ethical responsibility. Hopefully, future seasons will let them find that balance.
While she is not a direct lead character, it would be a mistake not to talk about Janet. Her own story is a little hard to pin down as she is shifted wildly given she is a programmed personal assistant, but D'Arcy Carden elevates the material by making Janet so intensely likable.
While I would like to see the story open up to more complexity, it was entertaining throughout by taking multiple risks. The home stretch with the group venturing out of The Bad Place to try and get to The Good Place shows some real potential far removed from the original setting.
I do wonder just how much this show has left. The final episode was strong but also a noticeable restart with no clear conclusion. What comes of the third season could ultimately decide exactly how The Good Place stands long term.
This series' strongest themes have begun to reveal themselves with this second season. This is a story about ethical responsibility but also practical ethics. Shown once more in the season finale "Somewhere Else", Eleanor's growth came from two places: her love for Chidi and her understanding of ethics.
This is why Eleanor and Michael are the only characters that are fully realized in this season because they always have both aspects of this ethical focus. Chidi has no practical ethics. Tahani and Jason have not ethical responsibility. Hopefully, future seasons will let them find that balance.
While she is not a direct lead character, it would be a mistake not to talk about Janet. Her own story is a little hard to pin down as she is shifted wildly given she is a programmed personal assistant, but D'Arcy Carden elevates the material by making Janet so intensely likable.
While I would like to see the story open up to more complexity, it was entertaining throughout by taking multiple risks. The home stretch with the group venturing out of The Bad Place to try and get to The Good Place shows some real potential far removed from the original setting.
I do wonder just how much this show has left. The final episode was strong but also a noticeable restart with no clear conclusion. What comes of the third season could ultimately decide exactly how The Good Place stands long term.