This end was kinda of a mess.... What the hell happened here?! Between finding who's who and what's the anomaly, they lost me altogether...
"The Batcave is literal perfection."
"It will be...when it becomes a kitchen."
Sam "We don't need to talk, I throw my name in the bucket of "the best episodes of the year" without writing dialogues" Esmail
One of the best episodes ever made! Amazing!
My unedited reaction to the episode : Ah, balls!!! Lena! Stop this nonsense now young lady. Focus your energy on supercorp instead.
Wow! I was going to give this episode a 9, but that ending easily pushed it to a 10+. I can only hope that the rest of the series is as exciting.
Loving this 70s period-scifi piece so far. Nice space missions, human drama, very 70s. Everyone smokes all the time, everyone drinks all the time. My kind of fun.
So much Meta in this episode. I'm happy they found a way to make Rose play "herself" with her real hair and real accent. Although her accent felt a bit overexaggerated, or overiggsidgereeded as a kiwi would say.
Great first episode. This feels much more like a Star Wars movie than the current trilogy.
This episode gave me such happy teary moments about halfway through to the end. The actual sweetness of this show (w/o being schmaltzy) is so tremendous. I absolutely loved it. Can't wait for it to continue in January but I so don't want it to be over.
[8.5/10] One of my complaints about early episodes of The Good Place was that the psychology could be too simple. We’d see the humans face some challenge in the afterlife, flashback to an illuminating vignette in the past that informed their choices and character, and then see them have a breakthrough in the present.
“The Answer” is that idea on speed. We don’t just get a solid Chidi flashback; we get flashbacks to his whole life, to hidden moments over the course of the show we haven’t gotten to see before, to intimate conversations that gave him guidance and solace. And we don’t just get to see him have a breakthrough; we get to see him have the breakthrough, a resolution of his constant need to decide and find the solution to the problem.
The psychology gets sufficiently complex to match. It’s still comprehensible for a network T.V. show presentation, but the story of why Chidi is the way he is has more bumps and bruises along the way than the type of backstory we saw in the first season.
It’s a story about fearing his parents were on their way to divorce and Chidi seemingly arguing them out of it. The idea that, like all kids, he was dismayed by his parents fighting, and unlike most kids, thought that logic and study were the key to preventing it. When that plan seemed to work, it set him down the path to thinking that all problems had solutions, and that any solution could be found with enough diligence and perseverance.
It led Chidi to a life of constantly trying to find the answer, of treating all questions as directed toward one possible resolution that must be excavated through rigorous logic and constant examination of the texts. The show underscores this a little too heavily in Chidi’s scene with his schoolyard chum, but it does well to frame Chidi as having solved his first big problem this way and it having set him on the path that would carry him through the rest of his life...and afterlife.
Granted, no philosophy advisor in the world would tell their grad student that their thesis needs more heart, and Chidi’s girlfriend breaking up with him the same week feels convenient. (Though hey, I’ll never turn down a shout out to David Hume in the process.) But it sets up the twin concerns of the episode: that Chidi treats all questions as both answerable and equally important, and that he thinks love and romantic fulfillment are a problem that can be solved in the same way that a philosophical problem could.
What’s great about “The Answer” is that it not only sets up Chidi being able to get past both of those issues, but it does so through intimate, heart-to-hearts with all his fellow survivors. He gets a lesson in decisiveness and being in the moment from Jason, something the Jacksonville native is an expert in. He gets a lesson on confidence from Tahani, who talks about achieving it through failure, through getting knocked down and getting back up again until the prospect of getting knocked down is no big deal.
He gets an unexpected kiss from Eleanor, and with it, a lesson on the universe-approved love of your life perhaps not being the actual love of your life, but it being something that you have to figure out for yourself. And he gets a final, and most outstanding lesson from Michael, who tells him that soulmates happen through work, not through fiat, and that there’s more to Chidi’s parents story than he ever knew.
Chidi’s parents didn’t reconcile because he argued them into it. They went to counseling; they saw the best of each other in their son; they were reminded of what was already there. Michael drives this home, with his little bits of afterlife-worn wisdom. Just as he’s about to have his memory wiped, Chidi discovers that the ideas he’s founded his life on -- that any problem, including love, can be solved -- are wrong.
That should be devastating, and yet instead it’s freeing. The man plagued by indecision because he’s not sure what path will take him closer to the mythical, platonic (or, more accurately, Kantian) ideal answer, is suddenly allowed to pursue his passions, to follow what moves him, without needing to have it approved and understood from each philosophical underpinning before going after it.
That’s especially true for his affections for Eleanor. I’ll admit, I’m still not fully sold on the Eleanor/Chidi pairing, and I have major qualms about the “finding The One will heal everything that ails you” message that more than a few other T.V. shows and movies subscribe to. And yet, there’s something incredibly stirring about Chidi’s note to himself. He has spent so long in search of the answer that it’s been paralyzing, preventing him from living his best life and being truly happy. Now, he’s found someone who conjures that happiness within him, and he realizes it’s more important than any grand, abstract problem he might otherwise set his mind on. There’s something truly beautiful about that thought.
There’s also something brilliantly ironic about the fact that Chidi has his breakthrough on not needing to find the answer and self-actualizes in a way that frees him from that burden, right when the group needs him to “Go all Chidi” and decide what new principles the afterlife should be founded upon.
But maybe, just as ironically, he’s already found them. Chidi and Michael reach the conclusion that life is not a puzzle that can be solved once and then set aside. Instead, you have to solve anew each day, again and again. Maybe the answer Chidi’s looking for isn’t a new way to formulate points or tally good deeds and bad. Maybe it’s that points, that reductions of the infinite complexities of our existence to dots and dashes and other efforts to chalk up the best and worst of us, inevitably fail to account for who and what we are from day to day. It represents a similar evolution in The Good Place itself -- recognizing that what makes a person who they are takes more than an A-to-B flashback, but a rush of key moments and realizations that build to a greater whole.
Either way, humanity, existence, and more may rest on Chidi’s shoulders, but he’s no longer burdened by the need to solve for x, and content to look into the eyes of the woman he loves with joy and hope. For now, at least, that’s enough.
Worth checking out if you liked shows like Pushing Daisies or Dead Like Me. Kristen Bell is great in this too. So good at playing a bitch lol. Yet she's a likeable one.
The show had its ups and downs through its season, but the final two episodes were game changers and made up for every little bad thing. The show is amazing and can't wait for next season.
I am all in. This is the character Bell is meant to play. I'll be giving it a full season to see how well it develops around her performance. Not perfect but at least its fresh.
Time loop... Always takes my attention and here’s a nice one.
Happy New Year, everyone!
I know that I'm in the minority when I say that I genuinely liked series 11. For starters, I found the overarching storyline a lot more coherent than a large chunk of Moffat's era. And I thoroughly enjoy Jodie's Doctor. She's bright and quirky and fun and she's got that oh-so-Doctory, slightly unhinged glint in her eye. I absolutely can't wait for her to finally snap Time Lord Victorious-style because I have no doubt that she's gonna do it brilliantly. The companions have grown on me too, as all of their predecessors did. Was last season perfect? No, it wasn't. But did I vibe with it? Yes, I did. I know there are a lot of edgy fanboys out there who'd love to explain to me that it was in fact garbage and the worst thing in the history of everything, but you can pry my enjoyment from my cold, dead hands. It's a lot more fun to like things, even if I see their flaws.
Anyway, I really liked this episode! I felt the mystery was quite compelling, there was a good mix of action, suspense, comedy and drama, and the score was REALLY good. The companions are coming into their own more and more - I particularly enjoyed Yaz and Ryan's scenes together. Jodie is exactly as chaotic and living her best life as I expected her to be, and I would absolutely die for her. And that reveal at the end? Just (chef's kiss) delicious. Can't wait for more!
The list of requirements for actors auditioning for The Master:
* must have sufficient chaotic energy
* must have aggressively sexual chemistry with whoever is playing The Doctor
I'm happy to say that they've chosen the perfect person again.
Jodie has such expressive eyes. She gets so much incredible acting done just through looks, communicating so much without saying a single word. The little details in her performance? The nuance? I don't wanna sound like a cheesy old white lady but that shit is breathtaking, bro. I love, love, love her as The Doctor. I truly hope she sticks around for a couple more seasons because I can't imagine having to say goodbye to her.
I found the laser shoes to be SO over-the-top ridiculous (actually same goes for Ryan piloting a whole ass plane via an app), but then I remembered that this is Doctor Who and that stuff kinda comes with the name, so I guess I'm giving it a pass.
I like the fact that the companions finally called out The Doctor for being so cryptic. Thirteen in her own way seems to be running from her past even harder than the previous incarnations, thinking that if she just ignores it, it'll all be fine. Well, the past came to bite her in the ass big time in the last 2 episodes. She can't outrun the darkness forever. Eventually, it'll all catch up to her and when that happens, the companions got a big storm coming.
Also, the Timeless Child is something I've completely forgotten about and honestly I kinda thought the writers have too but now Chibnall is referencing it again? I see you with your continuity, Chris. I see you. Nicely done.
I liked it. It was better than the first half. One of this Doctor's best episodes. The only thing I didn't like was the laser shoes.
Filoni and Favreau have done it folks in my world. Let me have the shows and the kids can have the new movies. Good compromise.
I was reluctant to see this movie because on paper it looks like an arthouse chore. Luckily it isn't at all.
We follow the cynic and self-proclaimed "it-man" of the high-class nightlife in Rome; Jep, through his episodic encounters in the city. Because of the death of his one true love (who married someone else) he starts to reflect on his life and what the Great Beauty in it is (or was).
The movie showcases beautiful cinematography, editing and score and has a diverse set of actors. There is also plenty of often subtle humor to be found in the scenes and dialogue making it everything but dry.
wohooo time loops are always amazing, and this was a particularly good one. What a final season Arrow is having!
Holden: Guys! Guys!!!
Fred Johnson: What did you do?
Holden: There was a button. I pushed it.
Fred: Jesus Christ. That's really how you go through life, isn't it.
The flow of this episode detracted from its dramatic effect. There were many good pieces in this episode, but their order and the editing of them reduced their impact. Naomi's rescue, the battle with the Rocinante, the battle at the gate, and the reunion with Avasarala, none of these hit with me the way they could've.
Firstly, the nice speech Avasarala gives during the reception would have been much better as the last scene of the episode. After the belters and Martians have taken over the ring, we would be concerned about the future, then Avasarala gives us hope.
The other development that didn't resonate with me was the dissolution of Drummer's team. I understand that they were torn between supporting Marcos and not, but that turmoil was caused by a threat of destruction, not a desire to work with Inaros. The ties between the crew were shown to be extremely strong, emotionally and otherwise. It should take an enormous conflict to break them. The crew knew that the agreement with Inaros was made under duress and so should have understood how fragile it was. The crew faced two options: cooperate with Inaros and do things they did not want to, or risk their lives and their family's lives by defying him. Both options would be reasonable and acceptable to the crew, and it doesn't resonate with me that the crew would be that upset by Drummer making the decision everyone thought she'd make in the first place. I could accept a decision by some of the crew to leave temporarily because their brother was killed, but to blame Drummer for this (and not Inaros) and completely break their bonds is a stretch given their relationship.
An underrated Bond film. People like to make fun of the title. Whatevs. I'll admit the script was hurt by the strike, they did what they could, it's the shortest Bond film and Craig's least successful outing. I still like it, and a revisit is always worth it for the GREAT song, and that motorcycle flip Bond does in the beginning. So badass.
[9.0/10 on a post-classic Simpsons scale] I was worried about this one. The Simpsons taking on pot in 2020 feels like the potential for some real “Old Man Yells at Cloud” levels of out of touch. But this was really good! It was funny! It told a good story! And while the third act goes off the rails a little bit, it resolves everything on a sweet note. Post-classic Simpsons, I didn’t know you had it in you! Kudos to writer Carolyn Ormine and substitute showrunner Matt Selman.
I like the emotional conflict and the story here. Marge doesn't know what to do with herself while Maggie’s at daycare, and stumbles into a job at a slick, modern CBD shop backed by Drederick Tatum. Meanwhile Homer ends up starting a business with Moe to offer old devotees the weed-buying experience of their youth. The conflict between the new look of buying marajuana and the old look is both a good source of comedy and a good source of drama between the couple.
I like Marge having qualms about participating in pot sales, only to be convinced by Tatum that she’s actually participating in wellness. There’s commentary and even some cynicism in the idea that a button down woman like Marge selling them pot puts squeamish folks at ease about engaging in something that is legal but still a touch taboo in certain corners. It makes sense that Tatum and company, who are wanting to put a new, more sophisticated and respectable face on pot, would want to use Marge’s to do it.
Along the way there’s tons of great gags. The episode is rife with great THC-based wordplay. (It’s not the most clever, but I think my favorite is “chicken pot pot pie”, though Marge’s “I’m a healer and you’re a dealer” is a good one too). Billy Porter and Chelsea Peretti are quite funny as Marge’s suave counter-culture coworkers. The running bits about Homer replicating the old pot-buying experience are amusing, as is the fact that the cops run a sting not based on him selling drugs, but on him selling food without a license.
Marge betraying Homer like that is a solid character beat, and I like the resolution that he tries to expose Marge as a fraud to her clientele as a teetotaler for retribution, only to help comfort her through her disorienting high. It’s a bit of a quick fix, but it’s sweet, and the show gets a lot of humorous mileage out of Marge the square being under the influence. Homer accidentally burning down Tatum’s center seems unnecessary, but I guess the show needed to do something to restore the status quo.
Overall, this was a surprisingly timely and funny take on modern pot sales, and a really good Homer and Marge story to boot. It’s in competition with “Thanksgiving of Horror” for best of the season in my book!
GOD, chaotic bisexual variant loki twins is my vibe now.
Chaotic bisexual "twins" from different universes is exactly the kind of time shenanigans I never knew I needed in my life.
Am I the only one who thought they were gonna make Loki fall in love with himself or in this case herself? I mean that's one way of showing his narcissistic personality.
