The Good Place: Witty and Humorous, but Redundant After Season 1

Netflix streaming show The Good Place has been airing since 2016, first on NBC before joining the service. I never heard about the show when it was on television, but after joining the platform it seems like all four seasons have been laced with positive reviews. Intrigued by optimism and out of need for a funny, easygoing show, I settled in the binge watching chair for an (unintentional) few days. The show ended up being more captivating then what I bargained for, included jokes that actually made me L-o-L, and I found the premise utterly unique.

The Good Place is centered in an afterlife reality, where Individuals who died on earth join together in a kind of promising community, living out pleasures in different ways, in eternal days much the same. Examples include frozen yogurt in flavors like ‘being complimented,’ having nice houses, and being able to drink but not feel hungover. The community is pristine, and people appear to act nicely.

For the first few episodes, we can definitely understand how this could be a good place. Through the season, however, it is clear that some things are off. Firstly, our main characters act in questionable ways and have questionable morals. We know they don’t belong there, and they even have fights and act tortuously to each other. Eleanor (Kristen Bell) figures out what is really going on towards the end of the season, and her figuring- out was definitely an outcome I never predicted.

The show is produced with a dash of drama, and keeps us laughing and on our toes. But really, after season one, redundancy sets in. It has the vibe of kids- against- everything – else. After we have figured things out, problem after problem one at a time keeps coming, but everything always ends up getting solved and nothing that bad ever really happens (because the scenario can be regenerated time after time). The jokes are what jazz it up and make it entertaining, alongside the quest-like atmosphere at first. There is some darker humor, name calling and sexual humor, but I think it matches the characterization.

Kristen Bell’s character, Eleanor Shellstrop, is the lead, and Kristen is well suited for the role. Her character is blunt, mildly aggressive, and a little promiscuous. Her companion, Chidi Anagonye, is an indecisive ethics professor (William Jackson Harper). Orchestrated by chief architect Micheal (Ted Dansen), the characters quite frankly get into a lot of trouble. I think this series is among the actors’ best roles, because they fit well on screen and have a cohesive relationship. It feels like they are their characters and their roles. There also were two breakout actors, Jason Mendoza (Manny Jacinto) and Tahani Al-Jamil (Jameela Alia Jamil). The characterization that went into each role is commendable and such true effort shines through.

The filming style is advanced for television, and on par with streaming services. The composition is frequently balanced, except at times to provide dramatic effect. Pan-outs are used outdoors, profile shots are used for conversations and medium shots are frequently used for descriptive scene shots. All of the basic to moderately advanced techniques are used to provide a well-done and well- worked over approach to filming. It has the quality that we have come to expect from streaming service originals. I think the approach to editing is a classic approach that includes events for what they are without much coloring, except for stunts as needed. Three uses of technology that really stood out to me were the apocalyptic scenes in episode two, the scenes including the bad place employees or the void in season four. These effects show how far editing can go when it is utilized well, however, special effects are not used frequently in the show.

The Good Place is entertaining and one of the most captivating shows I have seen in awhile. I think for the premise of taking place in a constructed afterlife environment, it is unique and stands out from other streaming shows, cable shows and comedies. But, even for being for one of its own, four seasons was a bit of a stretch. As with anything, not everything is perfect, but I think those looking for an alternative and lighthearted show to dig into any weekend, The Good Place is a good bet!