[7.6/10] Best episode of the show so far, which, granted, is only three episodes old at this point, but still! This is one where both the A-story and the B-story definitely worked and had some interesting intersections.
I’m enjoying how the flashbacks are being used on the show, both to display amusing bits of Eleanor’s prior life, but also to shine a light on her behavior on the future. The notion that she has trouble making lasting friendship because people who seem “better” than her makes her insecure is a strong one. And dramatizing it through a socially-conscious ex boyfriend in the past, and the seemingly perfect Tahani in the present is a good choice.
Having Eleanor witness Tahani crying and vulnerable over being unable to connect with Jianyu is a good way to break the spell and form a genuine friendship between the two, allowing Eleanor to help move past her issues.
The B-story is good too. I like the idea that as good as Chidi is, he’s also timid and indecisive, leading him to eschew ever pushing outside his comfort zone. Deciding that he does want to work on his manuscript (with a nice bit of help from Eleanor) and picking Michael as his advisor, is a nice bit of self-determination and growth that doesn’t feel out of character. Plus, Janet trying on different programming/personae on for size was an amusing bit of comic relief.
Overall, the strongest the show’s been thus far.
Well that ending was unexpected lol. Love this show.
Fun Fact, "I am Janet"
What a twist! Now this is getting interesting. Also, props for Janet, she's hilarious.
This is getting forking fun. Loving it.
Okay, Okay, Okay (said à la Peralta) , seeing further improvements
The ending saved the episode, because before that it was completely boring.
Eleanor has a lot to learn and it might be funny to see that, but so far she is annoying as hell!
I do like her relationship with Chidi. And now with the Jianyu revelation things might start to get interesting
Ooookay hahahah
I didn’t think I’d like this show, but I’m in! Glad I gave it a try :rofl:
Finally! The first two episodes were pretty much junk, but I figured the show was trying to get its stride. Thankfully it found it. This episode is so much better than the previous two.
The best part of this episode was the choice to use The Golden Pavilion in Kyoto as a setting. Such a gorgeous location.
The second best part(s) were Janet. Deciding to play around with her demeanor was fantastic.
Also, the plant bursting into flames was the first time in three episodes I actually laughed out loud.
The ending is not surprising and actually what I expect from more people in the Good Place, but it was so well done as to be quite special. Manny Jacinto is perfect.
It seems we're moving into a couple of episodes exploring the other main characters on the show, so: to Tahani. I'm greatly enjoying the various philosophical jokes on the show so far, so the gag regarding Aristotle and Plato at the beginning of the episode had me laughing out loud. Eleanor tries to find the culprit who slid a note under her door at the end of the last episode telling her she doesn't belong in the Good Place; a conversation with the irritatingly perfect Tahani leads her to suspect her as the note's sender and sets her on a mission to prove it. The episode's best moments come from the smaller interactions between the characters: Chidi's 'directional insanity'; Janet's various outbursts as Michael tries to reprogram her to be his assistant; Chidi and Eleanor's bickering over the increasing decrepitude of the plant Tahani gifted them. The writing does a fairly good job of both moving forward the relationships between the characters as well as giving Eleanor what feels like genuine character development, deftly illustrated by more flashbacks to her outrageous behaviour while on earth. The last few seconds of the episode provide an interesting twist, so I'm curious to see how this is handled.
Shout by CoolTomatosVIP 9BlockedParent2016-09-23T03:51:19Z
Jianyu is so forking adorkable. Love this show.