THE GOOD PLACE: The Eternal Shriek & Ethical Eleanor

Whoa! Major happenings in this week’s episode of The Good Place! We’ll get to Eleanor’s big reveal in a minute, but first, let’s talk about Michael’s decision.

Sooo…retirement for architects sounds horrible. What do you think about Michael’s willingness to retire for the good of the neighborhood?

Melissa: It falls in line with his childlike outlook on existence, as we witness again when he describes all the things he wanted to try – “Take it easy, sleazy”, trying saltines – before he retired. But I think that in describing exactly what retirement would mean for him, Michael sent Eleanor down the path that ultimately lead to her telling the truth.

Mynda: The Eternal Shriek sounds a lot like “The BAD PLACE!”

Leah: Poor Michael. He just wanted to do the hallway “dance” with someone and now he is going to be burned on a thousand suns. I think Michael will always do what he feels is best for the neighborhood, no matter how hard on himself.

Roz: I think his whole purpose has been to put everyone else before himself and so he’s continuing to do that even if it means his own unhappiness.

Chidi had a girlfriend?!? Discuss.

Melissa: Somehow I had it in my head that he’d never dated anyone, let alone had sleepovers. And his girlfriend was kind of mean. I’m not sure how I feel about this side of Chidi. Or his red boots.

Mynda: I can totally believe he would be in that kind of relationship where he was the less dominant of the two. Loved the whole red boots story line. We all can relate to a small lie out of kindness growing into painful awkwardness later. Better to face the truth in the beginning.

Leah: Color me completely shocked. I did not see him as someone who had enough social skills to land anyone…let alone someone who stayed the night.

Roz: I’m shocked that someone would sleep with him, but I find it funny that she can’t take his work talk often enough. He seems like the sort of guy who would pick a girl like that though – mean and spiteful at times.

What did you think of the “let’s kill Janet” plot?

Melissa: I found it both funny and horrifying. I’m not surprised that Eleanor fully embraced the plan – she’s shown a remarkable ability to sacrifice others for her own gain. But Chidi! Talk about an ethical dilemma! Chidi was already struggling with lying, then he accidentally killed someone, albeit an anthromorphological non-entity. The Good Place has not turned out well for him so far.

Mynda: I really enjoyed all of it. Who knew killing could be SO MUCH FUN!? Yes, for Chidi The Good Place has been very BAD.

Leah: I loved it. Watching Eleanor so into a plan that Chidi is so against is entertaining…even if it was terrifying listening to Janet plead for her “children”.

Roz: I think I’m in a place where I didn’t laugh as hard as it I could have, but it did serve a purpose of showing how Eleanor, Chidi and Jianyu think of killing as a moral dilemma.

And finally, Eleanor comes clean. Why do you think she did it? Was it her first truly selfless act? What do you think the consequences will be?

Melissa: I really thought she was going to throw Chidi under the bus and blame him, so her pronouncement was a jaw-dropper for me. Has she really changed that much under Chidi’s tutelage? It certainly appears so. However, I don’t think Michael will believe her at first. He seems to have blind faith in the neighborhood’s citizens and their right to be in the Good Place, so I suspect he’ll try to come up with any other explanation.

Mynda: Further evidence that in spite of herself she is becoming a kinder person.

Leah: I think she did it because she saw how physically uncomfortable lying was for Chidi. It was the first really truly good thing she has done. Part of me thinks Michael won’t kick her out until he figures out what happened because ultimately he made the mistake letting her in. I do wonder how many points you get for admitting you aren’t supposed to be in The Good Place. Maybe enough to stay?

Melissa: Ah, you may have found the loophole for Eleanor (and anyone else who ‘fesses up), Leah. Surely Eleanor’s confession counts for something.

Roz: I think Chidi’s lessons are finally taking shape, but I don’t know if she did it for truly selfless reasons. She’s becoming more selfless, but I think it still has the ulterior motive of helping Michael not leave this Neighborhood. Hopefully now that she’s come forward other people will do the same, like Jianyu, but other than that, I’m drawing a blank on where this goes.

Favorite line/scene?

Melissa: “You want a robot killed right, you have to do it yourself.” I also got a kick out of the changing decorations at Tahani’s party. We went from bright pastels to greys for Michael’s retirement party then black for Janet’s funeral. She must have a room just for balloon storage!

Mynda: I was totally enthralled by Michael’s goodbye thoughts. It’s the little things that mean the most!

Leah: Chidi’s horrified look while trying on and wearing the red boots was great!

Roz: Anything with the red boots. They were fugly!

MVP?

Melissa: Janet! Her imitation crying and faux (but convincing) pleading for her “life” were amazing!

Mynda: Yes, I totally agree Mel. Janet wins the night!

Leah: Janet. She definitely was the winner for me.

Roz: I want to give it to new!Janet for the ability to just say “Hi!” and “A. B. Janet.”

The Good Place airs Thursdays at 8:30/7:30c on NBC.