I'm writing this review to give this show the credit it so DESERVES! (And also to balance out the negativity.) The writing is superb and is some of the best for a comedy that I've seen. All through season 1, I was semi- invested and thought the show was cute, until, of course, the finale which made me flip out! Season 2 continues that trend, as it heads in a direction that no one would expect, and take the viewer to some places that they hoped for, and a whole lot of places that they didn't. The character development in this season is well thought out and each character grows exponentially, to the point where I often say..."oh my goodness. Look what a person they've become." As for this episode, it is one of the strongest of all of them. Plots are further developed, and a big (not huge) twist is out into play, which wonderfully sets up an arc for its third season. I truly love this show (and this episode) and believe it will get its recognition in due time.
7 Reviews
Pretending everything is alright is "The Good Place" S 2/4
edicionccq2 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Everything stars great in season 2. The revelation of the last season isn't a secret anymore and now Michael has to accept he can't outsmart Eleanor (or Jason). So we will see a whole different adventure with new revelations.
This season is as good as the first season because it has direction. I mean, the first part of the season is still a sitcom as the first season with the characters trying to cope with their new reality. The last 4 episodes are a whole different adventure from the first season, expanding the awesome universe of the afterlife that this show has. The humor this season is so dark and it takes you to places that you didn't think you will go in the show.
This season is more emotional in his last episodes, and the character development is so awesome. But you will understand how this show works by the season finale that it's almost as good as the first season but without the epic twist that the first season have.
In conclusion, season 2 of The Good Place is an excellent season with a good balance between comedy and drama.
This season is as good as the first season because it has direction. I mean, the first part of the season is still a sitcom as the first season with the characters trying to cope with their new reality. The last 4 episodes are a whole different adventure from the first season, expanding the awesome universe of the afterlife that this show has. The humor this season is so dark and it takes you to places that you didn't think you will go in the show.
This season is more emotional in his last episodes, and the character development is so awesome. But you will understand how this show works by the season finale that it's almost as good as the first season but without the epic twist that the first season have.
In conclusion, season 2 of The Good Place is an excellent season with a good balance between comedy and drama.
Season 2: Better than Season 1
jbencker2 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I enjoyed Season 1, it had an interesting premise, good actors with great chemistry, and was all in all quite fun. Season 2, however, definitely tops the first season and makes the show one of the best comedy's currently around.
The first episode starts as expected: after the reboot Eleanor, Chidi, Tahani and Jason get new versions of the "good place" - and especially Tahani's new situation is hilarious - however the viewer's expectations are subverted soon as Eleanor finds out the truth as early as at the end of the first episode. The writers wisely recognized that it would be boring to show things happening in a similar way than in season 1 with only a few changes. In order for things to stay interesting there needed to be another twist. This twist being Michael teaming up with Eleanor & Co is ingenious.
Michael teaming up with "Team Cockroaches" gives Michael not only an interesting character arc in which we seem him genuinely becoming more human and growing fond of the humans but is also a great opportunity for humor. Michael's interactions with the the others are always a win as they are both funny and touching. The latter especially goes for the scenes with Michael and Eleanor who develop a strong relationship.
Tahani and Jason also develop a relationship - though a romantic one. This does surprisingly work: It's great to see Jason grounding Tahani a bit. Their relationship (again) supplies both character development and humor.
Sadly there wasn't much of Eleanor and Tahani this season. It would have been great if he we had seen more of the version in which Michael grouped them together as soulmates, this would surely have been hilarious.
The only thing that didn't work for me was the romantic relationship between Chidi and Eleanor. I could never see any romantic chemistry between them and they always came across as friends rather than couple material. Also, the starter point of the romantic storyline is Elanor finding out they had been together in a previous reboot...it seems as if their relationship is not really about what they are feeling right now but about what they could feel, which is weird. The whole romantic arc between them seems forced.
Like the last season there is a gamechanger in the last episode. Actually bringing them all back to life is a very surprising twist and speaks for an interesting next season.
The first episode starts as expected: after the reboot Eleanor, Chidi, Tahani and Jason get new versions of the "good place" - and especially Tahani's new situation is hilarious - however the viewer's expectations are subverted soon as Eleanor finds out the truth as early as at the end of the first episode. The writers wisely recognized that it would be boring to show things happening in a similar way than in season 1 with only a few changes. In order for things to stay interesting there needed to be another twist. This twist being Michael teaming up with Eleanor & Co is ingenious.
Michael teaming up with "Team Cockroaches" gives Michael not only an interesting character arc in which we seem him genuinely becoming more human and growing fond of the humans but is also a great opportunity for humor. Michael's interactions with the the others are always a win as they are both funny and touching. The latter especially goes for the scenes with Michael and Eleanor who develop a strong relationship.
Tahani and Jason also develop a relationship - though a romantic one. This does surprisingly work: It's great to see Jason grounding Tahani a bit. Their relationship (again) supplies both character development and humor.
Sadly there wasn't much of Eleanor and Tahani this season. It would have been great if he we had seen more of the version in which Michael grouped them together as soulmates, this would surely have been hilarious.
The only thing that didn't work for me was the romantic relationship between Chidi and Eleanor. I could never see any romantic chemistry between them and they always came across as friends rather than couple material. Also, the starter point of the romantic storyline is Elanor finding out they had been together in a previous reboot...it seems as if their relationship is not really about what they are feeling right now but about what they could feel, which is weird. The whole romantic arc between them seems forced.
Like the last season there is a gamechanger in the last episode. Actually bringing them all back to life is a very surprising twist and speaks for an interesting next season.
Brought tears to me eyes
xhidden9915 September 2018
No good deed...
safenoe25 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Somewhere Else, the season 2 finale is bold, with another inter-racial kiss - Chidi and Eleanor. This episode is poignant with Eleanor sent back to her life and given another opportunity to "do good". But she finds that no good deed goes unpunished and becomes "I'm bad!". It turns out Michael makes a guest appearance on Earth as a bartender (Cheers!). I love Eleanor's reference to Frozen.
Eleanor ends up travelling to Australia to meet Chidi.
Incidentally, Tom Bromhead stars as Strange Man (uncredited)
Eleanor ends up travelling to Australia to meet Chidi.
Incidentally, Tom Bromhead stars as Strange Man (uncredited)
The Good Place has leveled up
pjgs20011 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This episode is probably my favorite episode of the Good Place. When I first started watching with Season 1, I wasn't really invested in the show (another reviewer has mentioned this). I thought it was funny and I liked the concept, but that was about it.
Season 2 has been a significant improvement upon the first. It's funnier and more creative, but where it got to me was with how it prioritized the relationships between the main characters. I actually care for the characters in the show now. Season 1 was funny and enjoyable throughout, but Season 2 is more than that: it has something to say about what it means to be human, and it does so in a consistently entertaining and inventive fashion. This episode wasn't perfect (I don't think any episodes have been), but I really liked it. At first, it was a darker episode as we saw Eleanor try to be good but then default to her old ways, and we didn't really know where it was heading. I found the ending of the episode particularly effective, and the editing and music helped the final scenes make an impact.
Season 2 has been a significant improvement upon the first. It's funnier and more creative, but where it got to me was with how it prioritized the relationships between the main characters. I actually care for the characters in the show now. Season 1 was funny and enjoyable throughout, but Season 2 is more than that: it has something to say about what it means to be human, and it does so in a consistently entertaining and inventive fashion. This episode wasn't perfect (I don't think any episodes have been), but I really liked it. At first, it was a darker episode as we saw Eleanor try to be good but then default to her old ways, and we didn't really know where it was heading. I found the ending of the episode particularly effective, and the editing and music helped the final scenes make an impact.
Dredful, boring, and not funny at all
mike4812828 February 2018
Perhaps a TV attempt at a satire like "Joe vs. the Volcano" which I had to watch a couple of times until I finally enjoyed it. I hoped that this series would improve with time but it hasn't. Even perky Kristen Bell can't save it. It started out like an old "Twilight Zone" episode. The one where Sebastian Cabot is "Pip" the devil's assistant and the thief thinks he is in Heaven. (Of course it's really Hell.) They changed the format and focus and we are halfway through Season 2. Maybe "Somewhere Else" is the last episode? It is for me.
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