The Good Place: Jeremy Bearimy
October 18, 2018 6:05 PM - Season 3, Episode 4 - Subscribe
The group explores the three main branches of ethical thought.
This episode broke me. I can't. I'm broken. I'm done. Nothing never happens and I'm tuesdays, also July!
Fuqua is a fun name. Fuuuuqua. Fuquaaaaa.
The seething noise Janet was making as Michael types each letter one by one is all of us in this new reality.
godDAMN Chidi, how does an ethics professor get that body? also, I need a WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE WINE shirt
that was MEGAN AMRAM playing the violin and got a bunch of money from Jason for a bigger chin guitar! (she also wrote this episode!)
shutting down a bank every time someone from Florida walks in is a pretty sound policy
that's a nasty ass chili. and i want to try some.
that was a great summary of philosophy, maybe like the most educational during someone's mental breakdown i've ever seen
Eleanor's speech about trying made me tear up a bit, because that's kind of how I feel about everything, that I generally suck as a person but I want to help my friends be happy
aw everyone forgot about Larry, that's not going to be good for his self-esteem
This episode broke me. I can't. I'm broken. I'm done. Nothing never happens and I'm tuesdays, also July!
Fuqua is a fun name. Fuuuuqua. Fuquaaaaa.
The seething noise Janet was making as Michael types each letter one by one is all of us in this new reality.
godDAMN Chidi, how does an ethics professor get that body? also, I need a WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE WINE shirt
that was MEGAN AMRAM playing the violin and got a bunch of money from Jason for a bigger chin guitar! (she also wrote this episode!)
shutting down a bank every time someone from Florida walks in is a pretty sound policy
that's a nasty ass chili. and i want to try some.
that was a great summary of philosophy, maybe like the most educational during someone's mental breakdown i've ever seen
Eleanor's speech about trying made me tear up a bit, because that's kind of how I feel about everything, that I generally suck as a person but I want to help my friends be happy
aw everyone forgot about Larry, that's not going to be good for his self-esteem
so i can die happy now because Megan Amram liked my tweet
posted by numaner at 6:10 PM on October 18, 2018 [12 favorites]
posted by numaner at 6:10 PM on October 18, 2018 [12 favorites]
I involuntarily said "Well HEY there!"when Chidi took off his shirt.
posted by emjaybee at 6:40 PM on October 18, 2018 [34 favorites]
posted by emjaybee at 6:40 PM on October 18, 2018 [34 favorites]
I was just trying to sell you some drugs and you made it weird!
Chidi’s grocery store breakdown and chili adventure are the song my soul sings, just FYI
posted by palomar at 7:36 PM on October 18, 2018 [21 favorites]
Chidi’s grocery store breakdown and chili adventure are the song my soul sings, just FYI
posted by palomar at 7:36 PM on October 18, 2018 [21 favorites]
And I like how when Chidi loses all the fucks he had to give, he really goes to town stocking up on almond milk.
posted by palomar at 7:38 PM on October 18, 2018 [70 favorites]
posted by palomar at 7:38 PM on October 18, 2018 [70 favorites]
Megan Amram knocked this one out of the park, and then William Jackson Harper somehow knocked it back into and then out of the park again.
“I’m done” takes over from “That’s what you think Hell is?!?” as the best line reading on this entire show.
posted by Etrigan at 8:01 PM on October 18, 2018 [11 favorites]
“I’m done” takes over from “That’s what you think Hell is?!?” as the best line reading on this entire show.
posted by Etrigan at 8:01 PM on October 18, 2018 [11 favorites]
aaaaaaaah the cinnamon roll/pizza dough thing was a reference to mario batali's weird sexual harassment apology, iknew that sounded familiar for a reason
goddamn this show's writing is just *chef kissing fingers emoji*
posted by palomar at 8:33 PM on October 18, 2018 [34 favorites]
goddamn this show's writing is just *chef kissing fingers emoji*
posted by palomar at 8:33 PM on October 18, 2018 [34 favorites]
Wow, it took 4 episodes to completely reset the premise of the show this season. I wonder if we'll make it to the season finale on this one.
Loved to see Chidi break out the Nietzsche at a perfectly appropriate moment. In just a few moments of revelation from Michael, Chidi's entire moral framework of the universe is destroyed. Every effort he has ever made to understand and work toward a higher morality has been rendered meaningless and futile, and it is his own efforts to understand his place in the world that have destroyed it for him.
In wake of God's Death, Chidi asks/quotes "Who will wipe this blood of us? What fesitvals of atonement shall we need to invent.?" I think Nietzsche's next line in that passage, which Chidi did not include, is very interesting:
"Is not the greatness of this deed too great for us? Must we not ourselves become gods simply to be worthy of it? There has never been a greater deed; and whosoever shall be born after us - for the sake of this deed he shall be part of a higher history than all history hitherto."
posted by skewed at 8:49 PM on October 18, 2018 [45 favorites]
Loved to see Chidi break out the Nietzsche at a perfectly appropriate moment. In just a few moments of revelation from Michael, Chidi's entire moral framework of the universe is destroyed. Every effort he has ever made to understand and work toward a higher morality has been rendered meaningless and futile, and it is his own efforts to understand his place in the world that have destroyed it for him.
In wake of God's Death, Chidi asks/quotes "Who will wipe this blood of us? What fesitvals of atonement shall we need to invent.?" I think Nietzsche's next line in that passage, which Chidi did not include, is very interesting:
"Is not the greatness of this deed too great for us? Must we not ourselves become gods simply to be worthy of it? There has never been a greater deed; and whosoever shall be born after us - for the sake of this deed he shall be part of a higher history than all history hitherto."
posted by skewed at 8:49 PM on October 18, 2018 [45 favorites]
"It's better to try than not to try." It's a strange experience to hear your own philosophy of life* explicated by a character in a TV show, but it's even stranger when that philosophy is stated by a character who is supposed to be Just The Worst.
* Half of my philosophy of life, anyway. The other half is "You just keep doin' what it looks like you're supposed to be doin'," as set down by a pre-Lebowski Jeff Bridges.
posted by MrBadExample at 8:51 PM on October 18, 2018 [9 favorites]
* Half of my philosophy of life, anyway. The other half is "You just keep doin' what it looks like you're supposed to be doin'," as set down by a pre-Lebowski Jeff Bridges.
posted by MrBadExample at 8:51 PM on October 18, 2018 [9 favorites]
That was one of the most insane episodes of television I've ever seen. I laughed out loud several times, many of them at William Jackson Harper, who just chewed the scenery.
Tahani's transformation was perhaps the most remarkable. The news seemed to lift all the weight of the world off her shoulders.
The Larry Hemsworth payoff at the end was forking brilliant.
Holy crap this show, guys!
I have absolutely no idea what's going to happen next.
posted by dry white toast at 9:18 PM on October 18, 2018 [17 favorites]
Tahani's transformation was perhaps the most remarkable. The news seemed to lift all the weight of the world off her shoulders.
The Larry Hemsworth payoff at the end was forking brilliant.
Holy crap this show, guys!
I have absolutely no idea what's going to happen next.
posted by dry white toast at 9:18 PM on October 18, 2018 [17 favorites]
Also, Chidi's despairing trip to the grocery store felt like a strong call back to the sequence leading up to Eleanor's death.
posted by dry white toast at 9:30 PM on October 18, 2018 [22 favorites]
posted by dry white toast at 9:30 PM on October 18, 2018 [22 favorites]
Apparently the closing credits had a buttload of easter eggs buried in the character names of Chidi's ethics class.
posted by dry white toast at 9:35 PM on October 18, 2018 [11 favorites]
posted by dry white toast at 9:35 PM on October 18, 2018 [11 favorites]
I involuntarily said "Well HEY there!"when Chidi took off his shirt.
Imagine what would have been said if this show had not been on broadcast TV.
posted by ZeusHumms at 11:17 PM on October 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
Imagine what would have been said if this show had not been on broadcast TV.
posted by ZeusHumms at 11:17 PM on October 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
Also - no Simone?
posted by ZeusHumms at 11:25 PM on October 18, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by ZeusHumms at 11:25 PM on October 18, 2018 [5 favorites]
I found the last episode to be a little bit of a disappointment (the whole let's do experimental philosophy in Australia setup was running out of gas) but I had faith this show would not let me down and lo, it has been redeemed. Megan Amram is a genius (I think she's been the lead writer on almost all of my favorite episodes so far) and they just blew everything up again and it was brilliant, and I can't wait to see what they do next.
Also every single beat of Chidi's breakdown sequence was hilarious and William Jackson Harper had better get nominated for an Emmy.
posted by karayel at 11:49 PM on October 18, 2018 [8 favorites]
Also every single beat of Chidi's breakdown sequence was hilarious and William Jackson Harper had better get nominated for an Emmy.
posted by karayel at 11:49 PM on October 18, 2018 [8 favorites]
Peeps are not available in Australian supermarkets.
posted by misfish at 12:19 AM on October 19, 2018 [12 favorites]
posted by misfish at 12:19 AM on October 19, 2018 [12 favorites]
This was my favourite episode of season three so far! And I did say damn Chidi out loud!
posted by ellieBOA at 1:49 AM on October 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by ellieBOA at 1:49 AM on October 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
Jason and lollipops.
I for one want to see the b-roll footage of him failing to catch a lollypop on his mouth.
This show. Still superb.
posted by Faintdreams at 2:27 AM on October 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
I for one want to see the b-roll footage of him failing to catch a lollypop on his mouth.
This show. Still superb.
posted by Faintdreams at 2:27 AM on October 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
Stomach aches are great for your core, I guess.
posted by absalom at 5:57 AM on October 19, 2018 [69 favorites]
posted by absalom at 5:57 AM on October 19, 2018 [69 favorites]
For a tiny minute, I was afraid that Chidi would say that he didn't want to join the Soul Squad, that he'd gotten too deep into nihilism. I think that's all because Harper's performance was so good through Chidi's breakdown. His delivery of the Nietzsche line was a perfect mix of heartbreaking and hilarious.
They were talking about the extended version of this episode on the podcast, and it's about another 5 minutes. I really want to see it. Are those on the NBC site?
posted by gladly at 6:23 AM on October 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
They were talking about the extended version of this episode on the podcast, and it's about another 5 minutes. I really want to see it. Are those on the NBC site?
posted by gladly at 6:23 AM on October 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
I kinda want to see how Micheal would have slaughtered the group if they went with the kill-them-all gambit.
posted by paper chromatographologist at 6:37 AM on October 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by paper chromatographologist at 6:37 AM on October 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
I'm glad that they titled the episode "jeremy bearimy," because otherwise the resolution of the question of how time works in the afterlife could have gotten lost under all the subsequent madness.
And as an explanation it's perfect. It's completely bonkers, it's completely nonsensical, but also it simultaneously indicates that the writers are well aware of how weird the show's timeline is and also that the writers don't intend to ever give a straight answer to that sort of question.
It's like Douglas Hofstadter's interpretation of "mu" in zen as an answer to a question that unasks the question, except it's also hilarious.
I'm hoping this is one of the things that Doug Forcett got right.
posted by Reclusive Novelist Thomas Pynchon at 6:43 AM on October 19, 2018 [22 favorites]
And as an explanation it's perfect. It's completely bonkers, it's completely nonsensical, but also it simultaneously indicates that the writers are well aware of how weird the show's timeline is and also that the writers don't intend to ever give a straight answer to that sort of question.
It's like Douglas Hofstadter's interpretation of "mu" in zen as an answer to a question that unasks the question, except it's also hilarious.
I'm hoping this is one of the things that Doug Forcett got right.
posted by Reclusive Novelist Thomas Pynchon at 6:43 AM on October 19, 2018 [22 favorites]
Well, now all timeline issues have been concisely explained and there's no reason to be confused about it ever again.
I'm guessing Jeremy Bearimy is part of the 92% that stoned Doug Forcett got right.
posted by ckape at 7:10 AM on October 19, 2018 [16 favorites]
I'm guessing Jeremy Bearimy is part of the 92% that stoned Doug Forcett got right.
posted by ckape at 7:10 AM on October 19, 2018 [16 favorites]
Peeps are not available in Australian supermarkets.
Neither is Stagg canned chilli.
I wish they’d paid just a little more attention to the Australian setting. I don’t understand why they did it, if they weren’t going to do it right.
Not having to deal with Simone’s accent this episode was a relief for the Australian fans, even though she’s delightful as a character.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 7:17 AM on October 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
Neither is Stagg canned chilli.
I wish they’d paid just a little more attention to the Australian setting. I don’t understand why they did it, if they weren’t going to do it right.
Not having to deal with Simone’s accent this episode was a relief for the Australian fans, even though she’s delightful as a character.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 7:17 AM on October 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
See you all in hell!
I gotta make the requisite Buffy and Angel references here.
I gotta make the requisite Buffy and Angel references here.
"Angel: Well, I guess I kinda worked it out. If there's no great glorious end to all this, if nothing we do matters... , then all that matters is what we do. 'Cause that's all there is. What we do. Now. Today. I fought for so long, for redemption, for a reward, and finally just to beat the other guy, but I never got it.posted by jenfullmoon at 7:21 AM on October 19, 2018 [27 favorites]
Kate Lockley: And now you do?
Angel: Not all of it. All I wanna do is help. I wanna help because, I don't think people should suffer as they do. Because, if there's no bigger meaning, then the smallest act of kindness is the greatest thing in the world."
Chidi gorging himself on Vegemite might have been too dark for American audiences.
posted by asteria at 7:22 AM on October 19, 2018 [24 favorites]
posted by asteria at 7:22 AM on October 19, 2018 [24 favorites]
Also - no Simone?
It makes sense, because they're gonna need a whole ep of wacky do-we-tell-her shenanigans before it's revealed that she's a Good Place returnee.
posted by Etrigan at 7:24 AM on October 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
It makes sense, because they're gonna need a whole ep of wacky do-we-tell-her shenanigans before it's revealed that she's a Good Place returnee.
posted by Etrigan at 7:24 AM on October 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
I still think Simone is an agent from The Good Place.
posted by asteria at 7:28 AM on October 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by asteria at 7:28 AM on October 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
The experiment is on a break- makes sense Simone wouldn't be around.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:32 AM on October 19, 2018
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:32 AM on October 19, 2018
Oh, and the reveal that he was making the chili in the classroom? We had to pause and rewind because we were laughing too hard. And then pause and rewind again because we were laughing too hard that time too.
posted by Etrigan at 7:44 AM on October 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by Etrigan at 7:44 AM on October 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
I involuntarily said "Well HEY there!"when Chidi took off his shirt.
I shouted "HELLO AND THANK YOU" right at my laptop.
that was MEGAN AMRAM playing the violin
Because of course it was
That was one of the most insane episodes of television I've ever seen.
This is officially my favorite writers' room ever and possibly my favorite ensemble cast in a television comedy ever (tight race between them and The Mary Tyler Moore Show)
Wow, it took 4 episodes to completely reset the premise of the show this season.
Take a stroll through S1 and S2 - you'll notice the same exact four-episode pattern.
The Larry Hemsworth payoff at the end was forking brilliant.
I FORGOT ABOUT HIM TOO I FEEL BAD
Also every single beat of Chidi's breakdown sequence was hilarious and William Jackson Harper had better get nominated for an Emmy.
Yes please and also Megan Amram. She should be nominated for "Best Goddamn Comic Violinist to Ever Come Up with a Sampling of Chicken Puns for Twitter and Then Destroy The Sitcom That was Currently Employing Her."
And also Writing in a Comedy Series.
but above and beyond, you guys...
Jeremy Bearimy
posted by tzikeh at 7:57 AM on October 19, 2018 [10 favorites]
I shouted "HELLO AND THANK YOU" right at my laptop.
that was MEGAN AMRAM playing the violin
Because of course it was
That was one of the most insane episodes of television I've ever seen.
This is officially my favorite writers' room ever and possibly my favorite ensemble cast in a television comedy ever (tight race between them and The Mary Tyler Moore Show)
Wow, it took 4 episodes to completely reset the premise of the show this season.
Take a stroll through S1 and S2 - you'll notice the same exact four-episode pattern.
The Larry Hemsworth payoff at the end was forking brilliant.
I FORGOT ABOUT HIM TOO I FEEL BAD
Also every single beat of Chidi's breakdown sequence was hilarious and William Jackson Harper had better get nominated for an Emmy.
Yes please and also Megan Amram. She should be nominated for "Best Goddamn Comic Violinist to Ever Come Up with a Sampling of Chicken Puns for Twitter and Then Destroy The Sitcom That was Currently Employing Her."
And also Writing in a Comedy Series.
but above and beyond, you guys...
Jeremy Bearimy
posted by tzikeh at 7:57 AM on October 19, 2018 [10 favorites]
Also if anyone knows where to find the extended eps I would be quite grateful
This show is BONKERS and I couldn't be happier
I love every one of you, and I just want to say, if I found out that life is meaningless and we're all going to hell, I would give all of you all of my money. Which would come out to about $30 for everyone who has commented in this thread so far. YAY!
posted by tzikeh at 8:21 AM on October 19, 2018 [12 favorites]
This show is BONKERS and I couldn't be happier
I love every one of you, and I just want to say, if I found out that life is meaningless and we're all going to hell, I would give all of you all of my money. Which would come out to about $30 for everyone who has commented in this thread so far. YAY!
posted by tzikeh at 8:21 AM on October 19, 2018 [12 favorites]
*comments to get some of that sweet, sweet $30 that seems to be going around*
posted by cgc373 at 9:54 AM on October 19, 2018 [9 favorites]
posted by cgc373 at 9:54 AM on October 19, 2018 [9 favorites]
Are Peeps somehow immoral, or was it a delightful nod to bunny boiling?
posted by wellred at 10:50 AM on October 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by wellred at 10:50 AM on October 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
"Put the Peeps in the chili pot, makes it taste... bad..." killed me.
I'm actually pro-Larry Hemsworth. Poor guy! Finding out he was just jilted for a Floridian is going to be so bad for his self-esteem.
posted by storytam at 11:24 AM on October 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
I'm actually pro-Larry Hemsworth. Poor guy! Finding out he was just jilted for a Floridian is going to be so bad for his self-esteem.
posted by storytam at 11:24 AM on October 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
Peeps are not available in Australian supermarkets
So is there like a special separate store, or... ?
"This broke me...the dot..over the i..that broke me" - my favorite reading of a line, possibly for the entire show. Also great was Janet reacting to the marriage news.
Kind of interesting that Jason really doesn't change character at all, probably because all of this makes the same amount of sense to him as everyday life.
posted by mikepop at 11:25 AM on October 19, 2018 [14 favorites]
So is there like a special separate store, or... ?
"This broke me...the dot..over the i..that broke me" - my favorite reading of a line, possibly for the entire show. Also great was Janet reacting to the marriage news.
Kind of interesting that Jason really doesn't change character at all, probably because all of this makes the same amount of sense to him as everyday life.
posted by mikepop at 11:25 AM on October 19, 2018 [14 favorites]
In the past, extended episodes have shown up on Hulu (US) some time after the season concludes.
posted by mikepop at 11:26 AM on October 19, 2018
posted by mikepop at 11:26 AM on October 19, 2018
Kind of interesting that Jason really doesn't change character at all, probably because all of this makes the same amount of sense to him as everyday life.
One day, I want to rewatch this series with an eye to Jason's views on marriage. He married Janet, proposed to Tahani, and proposed to the cop who arrested him. Jason sees marriage as a solution to a lot of problems.
posted by gladly at 11:43 AM on October 19, 2018 [25 favorites]
One day, I want to rewatch this series with an eye to Jason's views on marriage. He married Janet, proposed to Tahani, and proposed to the cop who arrested him. Jason sees marriage as a solution to a lot of problems.
posted by gladly at 11:43 AM on October 19, 2018 [25 favorites]
Chidi is by far the most jacked philosophy professor I have ever seen, and one of mine was a PI on the side.
The chili scene made me tell my husband about that horror show of candy corn pizza that someone made on the Blue; I don't know if the chili or that pizza would be worse.
posted by tautological at 1:25 PM on October 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
The chili scene made me tell my husband about that horror show of candy corn pizza that someone made on the Blue; I don't know if the chili or that pizza would be worse.
posted by tautological at 1:25 PM on October 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
Finding out he was just jilted for a Floridian is going to be so bad for his self-esteem.
ALSO this was another callout to Tahani agonizing in the neighborhood after sleeping with Jason originally: "Even Larry Hemsworth has more status than Jason!"
posted by emjaybee at 1:29 PM on October 19, 2018 [10 favorites]
ALSO this was another callout to Tahani agonizing in the neighborhood after sleeping with Jason originally: "Even Larry Hemsworth has more status than Jason!"
posted by emjaybee at 1:29 PM on October 19, 2018 [10 favorites]
tautological: Chidi is by far the most jacked philosophy professor I have ever seen
eponySTERICAL with just a hyphen and an apostrophe:
Taut-O'Logical!
If you need a name for a Neutral Good Ranger in your next campaign!
THIS SHOW IS BONKERS AND I JUST CAN'T ANYMORE
posted by tzikeh at 1:43 PM on October 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
eponySTERICAL with just a hyphen and an apostrophe:
Taut-O'Logical!
If you need a name for a Neutral Good Ranger in your next campaign!
THIS SHOW IS BONKERS AND I JUST CAN'T ANYMORE
posted by tzikeh at 1:43 PM on October 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
All my favorite lines have been mentioned, except for: "...who is so flagrantly ignoring the one-lollipop-per-customer rule!"
posted by Mogur at 2:02 PM on October 19, 2018 [12 favorites]
posted by Mogur at 2:02 PM on October 19, 2018 [12 favorites]
Jason sees marriage as a solution to a lot of problems.
Marriage is just a Molotov cocktail of love.
posted by rewil at 2:45 PM on October 19, 2018 [47 favorites]
Marriage is just a Molotov cocktail of love.
posted by rewil at 2:45 PM on October 19, 2018 [47 favorites]
Is Chidi Too Swole on The Good Place? - Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture
posted by ZeusHumms at 4:14 PM on October 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by ZeusHumms at 4:14 PM on October 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
NO HE IS NOT
posted by sixswitch at 4:29 PM on October 19, 2018 [35 favorites]
posted by sixswitch at 4:29 PM on October 19, 2018 [35 favorites]
To be fair, when we've seen Jason get married on the show it has helped him so Jason's not necessarily wrong about marriage being a solution to his problems. I mean, he's a hundreds millionaire now.
I think my favorite Chidi moment this ep was him grabbing the shirt and then thumbing at it. This episode had many wonderful Chidi moments, though.
My favorite Eleanor moment was just her kind of eating her feelings while saying "of course you do" when the driver commented he felt like a boomerang. Kristin Bell was really good this episode but her frstration level there was fun.
The lollipop thing was so full of Jason logic...he entered and exited so he was a new person every time or whatever Jason thing he said. Also, because I am crazy, watching people throw hard candy into their mouths makes me kind of insane.
The best Tahani moment was her wondering aloud why she couldn't have basically just made her own decisions for her own reasons before. Like, that could have been sad coming from someone else but since she was resigned to moving on and doing better it didn't come off as sadly as some Tahani realization moments in the past?
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 4:45 PM on October 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
I think my favorite Chidi moment this ep was him grabbing the shirt and then thumbing at it. This episode had many wonderful Chidi moments, though.
My favorite Eleanor moment was just her kind of eating her feelings while saying "of course you do" when the driver commented he felt like a boomerang. Kristin Bell was really good this episode but her frstration level there was fun.
The lollipop thing was so full of Jason logic...he entered and exited so he was a new person every time or whatever Jason thing he said. Also, because I am crazy, watching people throw hard candy into their mouths makes me kind of insane.
The best Tahani moment was her wondering aloud why she couldn't have basically just made her own decisions for her own reasons before. Like, that could have been sad coming from someone else but since she was resigned to moving on and doing better it didn't come off as sadly as some Tahani realization moments in the past?
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 4:45 PM on October 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
So, now that we know Michael and Janet wrote a manifesto in hopes that someone, someday reads it AND the nature of Jeremy Bearimy means time loops in and around itself, we are to assume that someone read the manifesto before this all started, and Michael and Janet are unknowingly piloting the restructuring of the afterlife that they, themselves, proposed, right?
posted by missmary6 at 5:38 PM on October 19, 2018 [46 favorites]
posted by missmary6 at 5:38 PM on October 19, 2018 [46 favorites]
It's completely bonkers, it's completely nonsensical, but also it simultaneously indicates that the writers are well aware of how weird the show's timeline is and also that the writers don't intend to ever give a straight answer to that sort of question.
This show is BONKERS and I couldn't be happier
THIS SHOW IS BONKERS AND I JUST CAN'T ANYMORE
Everything is Bonzer!
posted by ActingTheGoat at 5:55 PM on October 19, 2018 [11 favorites]
This show is BONKERS and I couldn't be happier
THIS SHOW IS BONKERS AND I JUST CAN'T ANYMORE
Everything is Bonzer!
posted by ActingTheGoat at 5:55 PM on October 19, 2018 [11 favorites]
Oh, this was so much fun!
Eleanor: "I'll see you in hell."
Jason: "Not if I see you first!"
Jason: "I could have gone to a real doctor instead of pretending I was a big dog and going to the vet."
Tahani waving off a music hall being named for her, "as lovely as it would be to add to my collections of wings and atria." Perfection.
Every single thing Chidi said and did.
I love how their definition of Good is maturing from being good to save themselves to being good as a response to almost dying to being good just for the sake of it.
And I really hope that something in a future episode happens inside the Jeremy Bearimy dot.
posted by mochapickle at 7:14 PM on October 19, 2018 [16 favorites]
Eleanor: "I'll see you in hell."
Jason: "Not if I see you first!"
Jason: "I could have gone to a real doctor instead of pretending I was a big dog and going to the vet."
Tahani waving off a music hall being named for her, "as lovely as it would be to add to my collections of wings and atria." Perfection.
Every single thing Chidi said and did.
I love how their definition of Good is maturing from being good to save themselves to being good as a response to almost dying to being good just for the sake of it.
And I really hope that something in a future episode happens inside the Jeremy Bearimy dot.
posted by mochapickle at 7:14 PM on October 19, 2018 [16 favorites]
Also, anyone know what's with the names of the bank and the supermarket? The supermarket was BNG and the bank was FNB.
(The supermarket is so funny. There are flags and kangaroo toys and random jars of vegemite on the endcap.)
posted by mochapickle at 7:22 PM on October 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
(The supermarket is so funny. There are flags and kangaroo toys and random jars of vegemite on the endcap.)
posted by mochapickle at 7:22 PM on October 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
Chidi's taken first place in the gun show. Lavender is really his color.
posted by elsietheeel at 7:26 PM on October 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by elsietheeel at 7:26 PM on October 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
Chidi is by far the most jacked philosophy professor I have ever seen, and one of mine was a PI on the side.
hey you can’t just throw that out there and leave it like that
posted by Hypatia at 7:41 PM on October 19, 2018 [7 favorites]
hey you can’t just throw that out there and leave it like that
posted by Hypatia at 7:41 PM on October 19, 2018 [7 favorites]
Also, anyone know what's with the names of the bank and the supermarket? The supermarket was BNG and the bank was FNB.
I believe they address it on the podcast episode from today... I haven't listened yet but I saw elsewhere on the internet that they're Buying Nemo Groceries and Financing Nemo Bank, respectively. In the Good Place writer's room version of Australia, they were just so proud of Finding Nemo's success that they went collectively insane and renamed every business.
I feel like we're probably going to find out at some point in the future that this is Fauxstralia -- some weird part of the afterlife that's neither Good Place nor Bad Place. Or something like that.
posted by palomar at 7:56 PM on October 19, 2018 [10 favorites]
I believe they address it on the podcast episode from today... I haven't listened yet but I saw elsewhere on the internet that they're Buying Nemo Groceries and Financing Nemo Bank, respectively. In the Good Place writer's room version of Australia, they were just so proud of Finding Nemo's success that they went collectively insane and renamed every business.
I feel like we're probably going to find out at some point in the future that this is Fauxstralia -- some weird part of the afterlife that's neither Good Place nor Bad Place. Or something like that.
posted by palomar at 7:56 PM on October 19, 2018 [10 favorites]
Also, anyone know what's with the names of the bank and the supermarket? The supermarket was BNG and the bank was FNB.
Buying Nemo Groceries
Financing Nemo Bank
No, really. Per the podcast, Australia is so proud of their starring role in Finding Nemo that they’ve named everything after it (hence the bar name as well).
posted by Etrigan at 7:57 PM on October 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
Buying Nemo Groceries
Financing Nemo Bank
No, really. Per the podcast, Australia is so proud of their starring role in Finding Nemo that they’ve named everything after it (hence the bar name as well).
posted by Etrigan at 7:57 PM on October 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
jinxpalomarowesmeacoke
posted by Etrigan at 7:57 PM on October 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by Etrigan at 7:57 PM on October 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
Ah, that makes sense! In the way that only this show makes it make sense.
(hence the bar name as well)
Drinking Nemo!
posted by mochapickle at 8:01 PM on October 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
(hence the bar name as well)
Drinking Nemo!
posted by mochapickle at 8:01 PM on October 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
I wondered if "Jeremy Bearimy" was a nod to "wibbly wobbly timey wimey."
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 8:08 PM on October 19, 2018 [13 favorites]
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 8:08 PM on October 19, 2018 [13 favorites]
Chidi is by far the most jacked philosophy professor I have ever seen, and one of mine was a PI on the side.
hey you can’t just throw that out there and leave it like that
If it was Josiah Thompson, I really enjoyed his book.
posted by MrBadExample at 8:19 PM on October 19, 2018
hey you can’t just throw that out there and leave it like that
If it was Josiah Thompson, I really enjoyed his book.
posted by MrBadExample at 8:19 PM on October 19, 2018
I really appreciate people bringing information from the podcast up in the thread, because I don't have time to listen an there is no transcript.
posted by gryftir at 8:21 PM on October 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by gryftir at 8:21 PM on October 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
the most jacked philosophy professor I have ever seen, and one of mine was a PI on the side
This confused me until I realized you didn't mean "principal investigator."
That took a while.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 8:56 PM on October 19, 2018 [6 favorites]
This confused me until I realized you didn't mean "principal investigator."
That took a while.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 8:56 PM on October 19, 2018 [6 favorites]
Neither is Stagg canned chilli.
Incorrect.
posted by crossoverman at 9:18 PM on October 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
Incorrect.
posted by crossoverman at 9:18 PM on October 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
The manifesto kind of got buried under everything else (CHIDI!!), but I have a theory: suppose it gets found and published/put online? Does that damn everyone who reads it? And what happens after that? Five bucks says it happens.
posted by showbiz_liz at 9:19 PM on October 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by showbiz_liz at 9:19 PM on October 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
My favorite (but also least favorite because it was painful) was Eleanor's line about how the US is great because society fell apart and now everyone just looks out for themselves and ... wow, this show can get really dark and yet also make you laugh 2.3 seconds later.
The reason I loved it so much is that I feel like this moment is really redeemed (or addressed) at the end of the episode, when it's not just that they are trying to be good themselves but trying to help other people be good. My major problem with the Good/Bad Place cosmology was how individualistic the points system seemed - it was all about how you as an individual acted and your own individual motivations.
And if your impact on the people around you was considered, it was about whether or not you did good things for them, and not about anything collective. If you had good motivations, you could theoretically buy your way into the Good Place by giving enough money to charity, for instance. Or like Mindy St Clair, whose idea for a great charity was almost enough to get her into the Good Place.
But of course, Mike Schur is all about collective good (as done by groups of individual weirdos) so this feels right.
posted by lunasol at 9:19 PM on October 19, 2018 [15 favorites]
The reason I loved it so much is that I feel like this moment is really redeemed (or addressed) at the end of the episode, when it's not just that they are trying to be good themselves but trying to help other people be good. My major problem with the Good/Bad Place cosmology was how individualistic the points system seemed - it was all about how you as an individual acted and your own individual motivations.
And if your impact on the people around you was considered, it was about whether or not you did good things for them, and not about anything collective. If you had good motivations, you could theoretically buy your way into the Good Place by giving enough money to charity, for instance. Or like Mindy St Clair, whose idea for a great charity was almost enough to get her into the Good Place.
But of course, Mike Schur is all about collective good (as done by groups of individual weirdos) so this feels right.
posted by lunasol at 9:19 PM on October 19, 2018 [15 favorites]
Also: reading these threads makes me glad I'm not Australian because I would find those anachronisms super annoying myself!
posted by lunasol at 9:20 PM on October 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by lunasol at 9:20 PM on October 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
Peeps are not available in Australian supermarkets.
Neither is Stagg canned chilli.
I honestly wondered about that when watching. Not about the chili, I mean, the peeps, and what I thought were Pringles. They both seemed so weirdly specific and odd as food (and honestly kind of terrible junk food) that it made me wonder if they were even available in Australia. Then I said something out loud about the Pringles, which my daughter had also seen Chidi put in the cart, so my spouse went back and had us rewatch. Very weird experience in all.
"This broke me...the dot..over the i..that broke me"
I'm really glad they addressed the dot on that i, because as soon as I spotted it, I just couldn't let it go.
posted by Margalo Epps at 9:56 PM on October 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
Neither is Stagg canned chilli.
I honestly wondered about that when watching. Not about the chili, I mean, the peeps, and what I thought were Pringles. They both seemed so weirdly specific and odd as food (and honestly kind of terrible junk food) that it made me wonder if they were even available in Australia. Then I said something out loud about the Pringles, which my daughter had also seen Chidi put in the cart, so my spouse went back and had us rewatch. Very weird experience in all.
"This broke me...the dot..over the i..that broke me"
I'm really glad they addressed the dot on that i, because as soon as I spotted it, I just couldn't let it go.
posted by Margalo Epps at 9:56 PM on October 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
Yeah, the inaccuracy to Australia is kind of disappointing me a little. I mean, I know they're being a little looser with accuracy this season but it just seems a little... culturally disrespectful and UScentric not to do the basic research on a country that you're setting your TV show in, especially since they've been so respectful and careful with so many other things.
posted by storytam at 10:46 PM on October 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by storytam at 10:46 PM on October 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
The weirdo-Australia stuff kind of reminds me of the first season, when there were random things that seemed not-totally-airtight but most of us wrote it off as sloppy sitcom stuff, and then most of it turned out to be Easter eggs about it not being the good place at all. Like the frozen yogurt, or Tahani being there.
I think there’s a good chance the writers aren’t just saying “fuck it, we don’t get Australia.”
posted by lunasol at 11:00 PM on October 19, 2018 [20 favorites]
I think there’s a good chance the writers aren’t just saying “fuck it, we don’t get Australia.”
posted by lunasol at 11:00 PM on October 19, 2018 [20 favorites]
I really appreciate people bringing information from the podcast up in the thread, because I don't have time to listen an there is no transcript.
I might be able to do something about it this weekend.
posted by Pronoiac at 12:28 AM on October 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
I might be able to do something about it this weekend.
posted by Pronoiac at 12:28 AM on October 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
What if that manifesto somehow gets into Doug Forcett's hands and that's why he got that much right and then due to Jeremy Bearimy, that's when Michael actually first start the The Good Place
posted by numaner at 12:38 AM on October 20, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by numaner at 12:38 AM on October 20, 2018 [5 favorites]
One thing I'm often reminded of is the Buddhist ... exercise, I guess? Technique? Thing? ... of acting in the world as though everyone else you encounter is a bodhisattva who is working, however mysteriously and implausibly it might seem, to help you achieve enlightenment.
posted by Grangousier at 1:43 AM on October 20, 2018 [31 favorites]
posted by Grangousier at 1:43 AM on October 20, 2018 [31 favorites]
They talked about the Peeps in the podcast. While they were aware they aren’t in general supermarkets, they found out they were available in some specialty stores so they felt ok taking some creative license there.
I think if the Manifesto got on the Internet, it would not doom whoever read it because they would not really know/believe it to be true, so they wouldn’t be acting to work this specific points system. Whereas these four saw the door and had an overnight explainer from Michael and Janet, who know everything about them and could use that knowledge to offer more compelling evidence. I don’t think clicking through to a Buzzfeed article “This Manifesto Shows Why We’re All Going To Hell, And There Are Butt-spiders There” would have the same effect.
posted by mikepop at 5:38 AM on October 20, 2018 [2 favorites]
I think if the Manifesto got on the Internet, it would not doom whoever read it because they would not really know/believe it to be true, so they wouldn’t be acting to work this specific points system. Whereas these four saw the door and had an overnight explainer from Michael and Janet, who know everything about them and could use that knowledge to offer more compelling evidence. I don’t think clicking through to a Buzzfeed article “This Manifesto Shows Why We’re All Going To Hell, And There Are Butt-spiders There” would have the same effect.
posted by mikepop at 5:38 AM on October 20, 2018 [2 favorites]
Yeah but they didn’t write a manifesto for it not to matter later on. That would be some Chekhov mockery worthy of The L Word.
posted by schadenfrau at 6:59 AM on October 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by schadenfrau at 6:59 AM on October 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
[EXCLUSIVE] William Jackson Harper Conquered One Of His '5 Biggest Fears' On Last Night’s 'The Good Place' Episode - Brooke Obie, Shadow and Act
posted by ZeusHumms at 7:26 AM on October 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by ZeusHumms at 7:26 AM on October 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
William Jackson Harper Conquered One Of His '5 Biggest Fears' On Last Night’s 'The Good Place' Episode
I was kinda eye-rolly about someone who looks like that worrying about showing it to people, but then I remembered that he works with Manny Jacinto and Jameela Jamil, so his self-esteem is working with a handicap.
posted by Etrigan at 8:13 AM on October 20, 2018 [12 favorites]
I was kinda eye-rolly about someone who looks like that worrying about showing it to people, but then I remembered that he works with Manny Jacinto and Jameela Jamil, so his self-esteem is working with a handicap.
posted by Etrigan at 8:13 AM on October 20, 2018 [12 favorites]
Crazy theory: Janet is god. She's got all these powers but she is huge on free will, letting people do what they decide. Only ever gives people what they ask for or helps them when they ask her to, even when she damn well knows what they ought to be doing. Clearest example is of course Michael, Janet doesn't try to talk him out of his crazy scheming, she still goes along with his decision after barely a nod toward pointing out the obvious.
posted by MiraK at 10:23 AM on October 20, 2018 [10 favorites]
posted by MiraK at 10:23 AM on October 20, 2018 [10 favorites]
I do wonder if "Australia" is just some sort of experimental pocket dimension. After all, they did create the Medium Place for Mindy St. Clair. I wouldn't be surprised if they can't actually "reset" the timeline on Earth and instead just wiped the team's memories and stuck them on "Earth".
After all, Michael did demonstrate pretty clearly that time only moves in one direction on Earth...
posted by Automocar at 10:50 AM on October 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
After all, Michael did demonstrate pretty clearly that time only moves in one direction on Earth...
posted by Automocar at 10:50 AM on October 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
I would really like to know how William Jackson Harper took off a vest and a fairly well-tailored button-up shirt off in one smooth move.
Also, I wasn't as down on last episode as some people were, but this ep really kicked it into high gear for me. Can't wait to see how Simone gets folded back into the story, her actress is absolutely delightful.
posted by bettafish at 11:31 AM on October 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
Also, I wasn't as down on last episode as some people were, but this ep really kicked it into high gear for me. Can't wait to see how Simone gets folded back into the story, her actress is absolutely delightful.
posted by bettafish at 11:31 AM on October 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
And do you think they used the prop of Chidi's thesis for Micahel's (and Janet's) manifesto?
posted by mephisjo at 11:48 AM on October 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by mephisjo at 11:48 AM on October 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
Re: Peeps and Stagg Chili...I recall it being mentioned that restarting the timelines and then saving them from dying would result in some minor differences in the new timeline. So, in this new timeline, Australia has Peeps! You lucky, lucky people.
posted by Thorzdad at 12:54 PM on October 20, 2018 [10 favorites]
posted by Thorzdad at 12:54 PM on October 20, 2018 [10 favorites]
Broken, defeated Chidi is probably the most relatable character I've ever seen on television.
posted by tobascodagama at 1:22 PM on October 20, 2018 [28 favorites]
posted by tobascodagama at 1:22 PM on October 20, 2018 [28 favorites]
the quote was I guess the closest they'll ever come to acknowledging that there is no god in heaven & that this infinitely deep and dark howling hole in the afterworld is more or less the clearest proof of the lack of meaning that gets continually raised, only to be played off into jokes and platitudes, because facing it directly is more than a human mind can well tolerate, even megan amram's very fine mind. I think it was a good way to acknowledge it, it was more direct than I ever expected.
but it is a really terrible universe they have. and that has nothing to do with how many people go to hell or don't. even if nobody did. life a process of always being observed with no Observer, the eternal measuring contest with no one to interpret the measurements, the afterlife as it would be invented by a modern person with a smartphone who'd never heard of any existing religion: so, one where everything can be and probably is recorded and captured and archived in a file folder, so nothing you ever did is lost or forgotten, but no conscious mind with agency ever reviews the recordings. it's enough that a million hours of footage of you were filmed and filed, you can't expect anybody to watch and think about it. you, personally, are not important to anyone. everyone a functionary who does their job but no talking about who assigned or designed those roles. but who did?? it's distressing if you think about it for a second but nobody ever does, least of all the philosophy professor.
I am entirely immune to christian propaganda but this is semi-transparently what this often seems like. and you don't have to tell me it isn't supposed to be or isn't actually, that's not the point and I know. it still comes across that way. not because of its shaky grasp of ethics but because it manipulates you into thinking maybe a personal savior would come in handy once in a while, not to reward you but just to let you know someone other than Ted Danson is concerned for your well-being, even if they do decide to send you to hell in the end where you belong.
posted by queenofbithynia at 2:21 PM on October 20, 2018 [4 favorites]
but it is a really terrible universe they have. and that has nothing to do with how many people go to hell or don't. even if nobody did. life a process of always being observed with no Observer, the eternal measuring contest with no one to interpret the measurements, the afterlife as it would be invented by a modern person with a smartphone who'd never heard of any existing religion: so, one where everything can be and probably is recorded and captured and archived in a file folder, so nothing you ever did is lost or forgotten, but no conscious mind with agency ever reviews the recordings. it's enough that a million hours of footage of you were filmed and filed, you can't expect anybody to watch and think about it. you, personally, are not important to anyone. everyone a functionary who does their job but no talking about who assigned or designed those roles. but who did?? it's distressing if you think about it for a second but nobody ever does, least of all the philosophy professor.
I am entirely immune to christian propaganda but this is semi-transparently what this often seems like. and you don't have to tell me it isn't supposed to be or isn't actually, that's not the point and I know. it still comes across that way. not because of its shaky grasp of ethics but because it manipulates you into thinking maybe a personal savior would come in handy once in a while, not to reward you but just to let you know someone other than Ted Danson is concerned for your well-being, even if they do decide to send you to hell in the end where you belong.
posted by queenofbithynia at 2:21 PM on October 20, 2018 [4 favorites]
God I love this show. That is all.
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 2:51 PM on October 20, 2018
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 2:51 PM on October 20, 2018
This was far and away the best episode of the season! Previous episodes weren't bad but they didn't feel magic to me like a lot of previous seasons, but this one sure did.
posted by Justinian at 3:34 PM on October 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Justinian at 3:34 PM on October 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
Because I watch this on Hulu, and because I live alone and do what I want, I have a tendency to watch new episodes at 7 am Fridays over coffee, before work. I don't usually wake up well, but my brain instantly zooms to 100%. It makes the rest of the morning very interesting and wonderful, to be honest.
posted by kittens for breakfast at 4:35 PM on October 20, 2018 [13 favorites]
posted by kittens for breakfast at 4:35 PM on October 20, 2018 [13 favorites]
Ok I haven’t read any of your comments yet so this is my honest reaction but I cried during this episode, it was amazing. I’ve not have something in recent pop culture speak to me so completely. I cried when Chidi has his meltdown in the park, and when Eleanor cried after that guy said she was a good person. Like how often do you think what the F is the point we’re all on the titanic so at least I’m the person playing the violin? And deep into Buddhist theory, basically the karma of your life is fairly set (except in rare cases you’re not going to change families of origin, early life experience, socioeconomic status etc) so you’ve got to live it out. Their fate is set, they’re going to hell, there’s No Reward. This is like meditation and enlightenment, completely let go of the outcome, let go of payback this life and future lives, and just be who you are as you are, and be as good as possible because what else have you got really.
Gaaah this show you guys !!
posted by St. Peepsburg at 4:41 PM on October 20, 2018 [31 favorites]
Gaaah this show you guys !!
posted by St. Peepsburg at 4:41 PM on October 20, 2018 [31 favorites]
Not-so-crazy opinion: who needs god when there's a Janet?
posted by MiraK at 5:26 PM on October 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by MiraK at 5:26 PM on October 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
I would really like to know how William Jackson Harper took off a vest and a fairly well-tailored button-up shirt off in one smooth move.
Abs like that will shred clothes right off if you’re not careful.
posted by Etrigan at 5:31 PM on October 20, 2018 [25 favorites]
Abs like that will shred clothes right off if you’re not careful.
posted by Etrigan at 5:31 PM on October 20, 2018 [25 favorites]
I would really like to know how William Jackson Harper took off a vest and a fairly well-tailored button-up shirt off in one smooth move.
It's the same move the mailman/firefighter(?) soulmate used to make in that Season 2 episode.
posted by MiraK at 5:42 PM on October 20, 2018 [14 favorites]
It's the same move the mailman/firefighter(?) soulmate used to make in that Season 2 episode.
posted by MiraK at 5:42 PM on October 20, 2018 [14 favorites]
So, now that we know Michael and Janet wrote a manifesto in hopes that someone, someday reads it AND the nature of Jeremy Bearimy means time loops in and around itself, we are to assume that someone read the manifesto before this all started, and Michael and Janet are unknowingly piloting the restructuring of the afterlife that they, themselves, proposed, right?
Doug Fourcett you guys!!!
(PS Calgary —> Calvary)
posted by St. Peepsburg at 7:13 PM on October 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
Doug Fourcett you guys!!!
(PS Calgary —> Calvary)
posted by St. Peepsburg at 7:13 PM on October 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
Aaah jinx numaner
posted by St. Peepsburg at 7:14 PM on October 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by St. Peepsburg at 7:14 PM on October 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
So, now that we know Michael and Janet wrote a manifesto in hopes that someone, someday reads it AND the nature of Jeremy Bearimy means time loops in and around itself, we are to assume that someone read the manifesto before this all started, and Michael and Janet are unknowingly piloting the restructuring of the afterlife that they, themselves, proposed, right?
this is the exact explanation for why certain people are fated to misery, degradation and death in the recent Haunting of Hill House effort, so...very popular television time theory of the moment.
circular or at least cursive loopy time structures are the most aesthetically pleasing way of signalling in a genre show that everything that happens to you is your own fault, somewhere along the line, even if it seems very unfair and improbable. that is a message I can get behind. the show's sanctimony would be intolerable without the nihilism and despair so thank goodness there is always at least a hint of the latter.
taking a hard left turn and letting ted danson kill them all like he wanted to, with baroque hannibal-style blood fountains the background to another cascade of dad-jokey musings about the frailty of the badly designed human form, now, that would be something. I figure they will not do it or they would have done it this episode. but it would have made the show every bit the astonishing revelation some fans want it to be. particularly if they cut from that to the familiar afterlife, same clean bloodless reset as always. the reality of death, like the absence of god, is another thing the show shies away from very hard. probably because it isn't funny, but that's no excuse
oh and Jason being the sincere marrying kind is just him being the weird dinner guest in the parable in Luke (I think it is Luke): his sins, which are many, are forgiven him because he loves much.
posted by queenofbithynia at 11:10 PM on October 20, 2018 [8 favorites]
life a process of always being observed with no Observer, the eternal measuring contest with no one to interpret the measurements, the afterlife as it would be invented by a modern person with a smartphone who'd never heard of any existing religion:
I may be half-remembering this, but it's my imperfect understanding that this is not far from how karma is explained in Buddhism. It's not that one is judged by a conscious entity; it's that each of your actions, good or bad, has a particular natural effect on your soul, which leads to what happens to it later--whether it stays in the cycle of existence or not.
The other aspects of the show's universe are, however, indicative of an unjust universe, and I'm basically trusting that the show's creators know that--that the show-universe's assignments of points aren't indicative of the writers' true sense of morality, rather than just a list of superficial likes and dislikes.
I don't know that it's religious propaganda to make a case for acting justly in an unjust world--it's an aspect of many religions, but (a) religion doesn't seem to be a prerequisite for, or a consequence of, that thinking; and (b) it's hard to get away from the religious origins or history of Western philosophy. Even athiest philosophers working in the Western tradition will need to account for the ideas of philosophers who, if not, explicitly religious, were working in a religious milieu.
posted by pykrete jungle at 12:47 AM on October 21, 2018 [3 favorites]
I may be half-remembering this, but it's my imperfect understanding that this is not far from how karma is explained in Buddhism. It's not that one is judged by a conscious entity; it's that each of your actions, good or bad, has a particular natural effect on your soul, which leads to what happens to it later--whether it stays in the cycle of existence or not.
The other aspects of the show's universe are, however, indicative of an unjust universe, and I'm basically trusting that the show's creators know that--that the show-universe's assignments of points aren't indicative of the writers' true sense of morality, rather than just a list of superficial likes and dislikes.
I don't know that it's religious propaganda to make a case for acting justly in an unjust world--it's an aspect of many religions, but (a) religion doesn't seem to be a prerequisite for, or a consequence of, that thinking; and (b) it's hard to get away from the religious origins or history of Western philosophy. Even athiest philosophers working in the Western tradition will need to account for the ideas of philosophers who, if not, explicitly religious, were working in a religious milieu.
posted by pykrete jungle at 12:47 AM on October 21, 2018 [3 favorites]
Jeremy Bearimy
This idea is now awaiting its moment to serve as a model of real world theories in the fields of theoretical physics and statistics. Predictable modulations of cause that follow a fixed path so as to give the illusion of complete de-correlation between two variables. It is only a matter of time!
posted by rongorongo at 2:09 AM on October 21, 2018 [3 favorites]
This idea is now awaiting its moment to serve as a model of real world theories in the fields of theoretical physics and statistics. Predictable modulations of cause that follow a fixed path so as to give the illusion of complete de-correlation between two variables. It is only a matter of time!
posted by rongorongo at 2:09 AM on October 21, 2018 [3 favorites]
> Yeah, the inaccuracy to Australia is kind of disappointing me a little. I mean, I know they're being a little looser with accuracy this season but it just seems a little... culturally disrespectful and UScentric not to do the basic research on a country that you're setting your TV show in, especially since they've been so respectful and careful with so many other things.
When I think of earlier Schur shows like Parks & Rec or Brooklyn 99, accurate representation of non-US people or cultures isn't exactly the first things that springs to mind, rather the opposite. In Parks & Rec there was that delegation from their Venezuelan (?) sister city. And Brooklyn 99 had weird people from Sweden, and a weird east-european restaurant which served (only?) insane amounts of sausage.
posted by bjrn at 4:30 AM on October 21, 2018 [3 favorites]
When I think of earlier Schur shows like Parks & Rec or Brooklyn 99, accurate representation of non-US people or cultures isn't exactly the first things that springs to mind, rather the opposite. In Parks & Rec there was that delegation from their Venezuelan (?) sister city. And Brooklyn 99 had weird people from Sweden, and a weird east-european restaurant which served (only?) insane amounts of sausage.
posted by bjrn at 4:30 AM on October 21, 2018 [3 favorites]
After last week I couldn't stop thinking about how the show is now out of moves and then this week Eleanor lampshades that they're out of moves and they leverage that fact into the new premise. The genius of it brought tears to my eyes.
posted by whuppy at 6:05 AM on October 21, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by whuppy at 6:05 AM on October 21, 2018 [5 favorites]
I'm looking forward to the rest of the season focusing on team cockroach trying to track down and rehabilitate all of Chidi's presumably deeply scarred philosophy students from the depths of mopey goth nihilism.
posted by phooky at 7:37 AM on October 21, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by phooky at 7:37 AM on October 21, 2018 [6 favorites]
I didn't start watching this show until about two weeks before Season 2 started airing, and of course I binge watched the whole first season in like a day. When I talked to friends about it who had watched episode by episode throughout the first season, it was clear that we had somewhat different experiences as viewers -- I was struck by the genius of the plotting and structure and little easter eggs everywhere and blah blah blah, and they were like, "well, up until that last episode I really didn't know what to think and week by week it was hard to tell if it was genius or fixin' to be a sloppy mess." So I'm pretty willing to sit back week by week on this season and just let the story unfold and then reevaluate when I can see the whole picture, after the season finale.
But ultimately I'm really not worried about whether the show is out of moves. I feel like Mike Schur probably has a plan.
posted by palomar at 10:38 AM on October 21, 2018 [8 favorites]
But ultimately I'm really not worried about whether the show is out of moves. I feel like Mike Schur probably has a plan.
posted by palomar at 10:38 AM on October 21, 2018 [8 favorites]
this is the exact explanation for why certain people are fated to misery, degradation and death in the recent Haunting of Hill House effort, so...very popular television time theory of the moment.
My wife and I finished Hill House night, and as soon as they launched into the dominoes explanation she yells “I fucking knew it! Jeremy Bearimy!!!”.
posted by a box and a stick and a string and a bear at 11:17 AM on October 21, 2018 [13 favorites]
My wife and I finished Hill House night, and as soon as they launched into the dominoes explanation she yells “I fucking knew it! Jeremy Bearimy!!!”.
posted by a box and a stick and a string and a bear at 11:17 AM on October 21, 2018 [13 favorites]
godDAMN Chidi, how does an ethics professor get that body?
I guess he could never decide if it was an abs day or a chest day or a leg day or what.
Chidi is by far the most jacked philosophy professor I have ever seen, and one of mine was a PI on the side.
Magnum was never that ripped.
posted by biffa at 12:36 PM on October 21, 2018 [15 favorites]
I guess he could never decide if it was an abs day or a chest day or a leg day or what.
Chidi is by far the most jacked philosophy professor I have ever seen, and one of mine was a PI on the side.
Magnum was never that ripped.
posted by biffa at 12:36 PM on October 21, 2018 [15 favorites]
>Jeremy Bearimy
This idea is now awaiting its moment to serve as a model of real world theories in the fields of theoretical physics and statistics.
Not only the real world, but we have a good example of a named trope in sf about to make its way in real time into the canon. We can watch it as it happens! Jeremy Bearimy is going to be a normal thing, an absurdist, somewhat cartoonish but genuinely felt description of how time travel mechanics are supposed to work. That's so wonderful!
posted by cgc373 at 1:42 PM on October 21, 2018 [13 favorites]
This idea is now awaiting its moment to serve as a model of real world theories in the fields of theoretical physics and statistics.
Not only the real world, but we have a good example of a named trope in sf about to make its way in real time into the canon. We can watch it as it happens! Jeremy Bearimy is going to be a normal thing, an absurdist, somewhat cartoonish but genuinely felt description of how time travel mechanics are supposed to work. That's so wonderful!
posted by cgc373 at 1:42 PM on October 21, 2018 [13 favorites]
Broken, defeated Chidi is probably the most relatable character I've ever seen on television.
the whole 3-step cogent detailed explanation of various equally valid POVs with the final step of BUT LOL NOTHING MATTERS is so painfully 2018
posted by poffin boffin at 1:55 PM on October 21, 2018 [33 favorites]
the whole 3-step cogent detailed explanation of various equally valid POVs with the final step of BUT LOL NOTHING MATTERS is so painfully 2018
posted by poffin boffin at 1:55 PM on October 21, 2018 [33 favorites]
also i forget what secret agent name michael gave himself but i laughed at it for like 5 minutes
was it RICHARD JUSTICE
posted by poffin boffin at 1:55 PM on October 21, 2018 [5 favorites]
was it RICHARD JUSTICE
posted by poffin boffin at 1:55 PM on October 21, 2018 [5 favorites]
Yes! Rick Justice, paranormal investigator specializing in ghouls, with his partner Lisa “Frenchie” “Double Nickname” Fuqua had me cackling for several minutes.
A lesser show would’ve milked that concept for at least an episode or two. Here, it only lasted the space of a few lines.
posted by Superplin at 2:39 PM on October 21, 2018 [9 favorites]
A lesser show would’ve milked that concept for at least an episode or two. Here, it only lasted the space of a few lines.
posted by Superplin at 2:39 PM on October 21, 2018 [9 favorites]
Frenchy Fuqua's previous television highlight (he's the one the pass was thrown to).
posted by Huffy Puffy at 2:53 PM on October 21, 2018
posted by Huffy Puffy at 2:53 PM on October 21, 2018
DICK JUSTICE
posted by poffin boffin at 2:54 PM on October 21, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by poffin boffin at 2:54 PM on October 21, 2018 [3 favorites]
(sung to "Goldfinger" *obviously,* right?)
posted by Pronoiac at 3:53 PM on October 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Pronoiac at 3:53 PM on October 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
What if they're all stuck in the loop in the i?
posted by Marticus at 5:24 PM on October 21, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by Marticus at 5:24 PM on October 21, 2018 [5 favorites]
I don't know which theory of the Manifesto I like best, but it's definitely a Chekovian gun. They spent too much time on it for it to just be a throwaway.
posted by dry white toast at 6:33 PM on October 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by dry white toast at 6:33 PM on October 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
I am not loving this season QUITE as much but I still like it a lot but I have to say topless Chidi took me out of it. I mean, I'm willing to believe Ted Danson is a demon for sure. I'm willing to believe in Heaven, Hell, and a bored guy who likes frogs guarding the door between Earth and the Afterlife. But world's-most-anxious philosophy professor who looks like the incredible hulk? I don't know....
posted by latkes at 6:55 PM on October 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by latkes at 6:55 PM on October 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
I wouldn't be surprised if they can't actually "reset" the timeline on Earth and instead just wiped the team's memories and stuck them on "Earth"
Nope; Schur confirmed for-realz-yo Earth. Also if it weren't the Actual Earth and they weren't returned just a moment before each of their deaths, Jen wouldn't have been flipping out over all of the knock-on effects that putting the four of them back caused - Byron Allen owns The Weather Channel, for fuck's sake!
posted by tzikeh at 7:38 PM on October 21, 2018
Nope; Schur confirmed for-realz-yo Earth. Also if it weren't the Actual Earth and they weren't returned just a moment before each of their deaths, Jen wouldn't have been flipping out over all of the knock-on effects that putting the four of them back caused - Byron Allen owns The Weather Channel, for fuck's sake!
posted by tzikeh at 7:38 PM on October 21, 2018
Wonderful episode.
I'm probably the only one that was a tiny bit disappointed that "Jeremy Bearimy" wasn't the new name of the teddy bear who was "Blake Beartles" in the previous episode.
posted by mmoncur at 8:12 PM on October 21, 2018 [12 favorites]
I'm probably the only one that was a tiny bit disappointed that "Jeremy Bearimy" wasn't the new name of the teddy bear who was "Blake Beartles" in the previous episode.
posted by mmoncur at 8:12 PM on October 21, 2018 [12 favorites]
At first I thought it was going to be a pet name for Jeremy Bentham.
posted by Mogur at 5:36 AM on October 22, 2018 [12 favorites]
posted by Mogur at 5:36 AM on October 22, 2018 [12 favorites]
Lisa “Frenchie” “Double Nickname” Fuqua
Technically she's Lisa "Frenchie" "Triple Nickname" ("Janet") Fuqua, but dear god, thinking about WHEN exactly that nickname counter gets updated breaks my brain.
posted by MiraK at 6:14 AM on October 22, 2018 [5 favorites]
Technically she's Lisa "Frenchie" "Triple Nickname" ("Janet") Fuqua, but dear god, thinking about WHEN exactly that nickname counter gets updated breaks my brain.
posted by MiraK at 6:14 AM on October 22, 2018 [5 favorites]
I am not loving this season QUITE as much but I still like it a lot but I have to say topless Chidi took me out of it. I mean, I'm willing to believe Ted Danson is a demon for sure. I'm willing to believe in Heaven, Hell, and a bored guy who likes frogs guarding the door between Earth and the Afterlife. But world's-most-anxious philosophy professor who looks like the incredible hulk? I don't know...
I feel like the reason Chidi is jacked is because he got the idea in his head that if he didn't take full advantage of his health and youth and mobility and he wasted his body's full physical potential he'd be acting immorally, so he's there for hours in the gym every day hating every moment of it, and also trying to silence the nagging voice in his head that says that it's immoral for him to get so swole while others don't have the same opportunity.
posted by jason_steakums at 6:34 AM on October 22, 2018 [26 favorites]
I feel like the reason Chidi is jacked is because he got the idea in his head that if he didn't take full advantage of his health and youth and mobility and he wasted his body's full physical potential he'd be acting immorally, so he's there for hours in the gym every day hating every moment of it, and also trying to silence the nagging voice in his head that says that it's immoral for him to get so swole while others don't have the same opportunity.
posted by jason_steakums at 6:34 AM on October 22, 2018 [26 favorites]
At first I thought it was going to be a pet name for Jeremy Bentham.
Me, too, actually!
posted by tobascodagama at 6:56 AM on October 22, 2018 [5 favorites]
Me, too, actually!
posted by tobascodagama at 6:56 AM on October 22, 2018 [5 favorites]
trying to silence the nagging voice in his head
Exercise to treat anxiety is definitely a thing.
posted by Etrigan at 7:40 AM on October 22, 2018 [12 favorites]
Exercise to treat anxiety is definitely a thing.
posted by Etrigan at 7:40 AM on October 22, 2018 [12 favorites]
At first I thought it was going to be a pet name for Jeremy Bentham.
Me, too, actually!
Jeremy Bearimy is what you get when somebody poses Jeremy Bentham's auto-icon like a taxidermied grizzly bear.
posted by Strange Interlude at 1:11 PM on October 22, 2018 [2 favorites]
Me, too, actually!
Jeremy Bearimy is what you get when somebody poses Jeremy Bentham's auto-icon like a taxidermied grizzly bear.
posted by Strange Interlude at 1:11 PM on October 22, 2018 [2 favorites]
“In Jacksonville, I got a flu virus named after me because I kissed a bat on a dare” is a great Jason line. It does that thing his best lines do, where I start laughing at the beginning of it, but then it escalates while I'm already laughing, leaving me to just giggle helplessly for a minute.
posted by Ragged Richard at 1:17 PM on October 22, 2018 [13 favorites]
posted by Ragged Richard at 1:17 PM on October 22, 2018 [13 favorites]
It's a real testament to Manny Jacinto's comic timing. I think most actors' instincts would be to just keep barreling through to the "real" punchline, but he understands how to ride the wave and let the joke gradually build to its crescendo.
posted by tobascodagama at 1:26 PM on October 22, 2018 [15 favorites]
posted by tobascodagama at 1:26 PM on October 22, 2018 [15 favorites]
Michael's Fake Name Power Ranking:
1) Rick Justice
2) Zach Pizazz
3) Charles Brainman
4) Gordon Indigo
posted by Aznable at 1:47 PM on October 22, 2018 [12 favorites]
1) Rick Justice
2) Zach Pizazz
3) Charles Brainman
4) Gordon Indigo
posted by Aznable at 1:47 PM on October 22, 2018 [12 favorites]
Now, I would have spelt it Zack Pizzazz. Or Zak Pizzazz. Or even Zak! Pizzaazz!
posted by Grangousier at 3:13 AM on October 23, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by Grangousier at 3:13 AM on October 23, 2018 [2 favorites]
Yeah, I've definitely seen Stagg's at the shops. And we've had Pringles for decades. I've never seen Peeps but I'm sure I could get hold of some if I put in an effort.
But the overall-very-loose interpretation of Australia hasn't bothered me at all, it's not a travel documentary. I particularly like Larry Hemsworth since there really does seem to be a dozen of them out there. Wasn't one cousin on My Restaurant Rules or something like that?
Simone is delightful and her accent just sounds like that awful trans-ocean thing that happens when people split their adult lives between Australia and the UK. So it's not a 'real' Aussie accent but it's real thing that happens once in a while. Kylie Minogue sometimes gets a bit of that, I think she makes an effort to code switch though.
Eleanor seems to always be wearing shirts with stars on them this season. I have no idea if this is meaningful or just cute, but I like it.
posted by harriet vane at 7:23 AM on October 23, 2018 [5 favorites]
But the overall-very-loose interpretation of Australia hasn't bothered me at all, it's not a travel documentary. I particularly like Larry Hemsworth since there really does seem to be a dozen of them out there. Wasn't one cousin on My Restaurant Rules or something like that?
Simone is delightful and her accent just sounds like that awful trans-ocean thing that happens when people split their adult lives between Australia and the UK. So it's not a 'real' Aussie accent but it's real thing that happens once in a while. Kylie Minogue sometimes gets a bit of that, I think she makes an effort to code switch though.
Eleanor seems to always be wearing shirts with stars on them this season. I have no idea if this is meaningful or just cute, but I like it.
posted by harriet vane at 7:23 AM on October 23, 2018 [5 favorites]
Sure, some of the Australia-seen-through-US-cliches seem over the top at times, but then again I just got a Twitter ad from the tourism board that is Crocodile Dundee themed. This was apparently based on their Super Bowl advertisement and it features none other than that other Hemsworth brother, Chris.
posted by mikepop at 7:48 AM on October 23, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by mikepop at 7:48 AM on October 23, 2018 [3 favorites]
so a mefite with the wonderful username Comrade_robot just posted this selection from the Tao in an unrelated thread on the blue, and (despite the male-gendered language) it’s so perfect for describing Janet that I had to come post it here:
>If the sage would guide the people, he must serve with humility.
If he would lead them, he must follow behind.
Janet’s in control of everything. She’s in control of everything by appearing to give up control of everything. I love this show and trust that the writers have a good ending planned for Team Cockroach.
posted by Reclusive Novelist Thomas Pynchon at 10:31 AM on October 23, 2018 [5 favorites]
>If the sage would guide the people, he must serve with humility.
If he would lead them, he must follow behind.
Janet’s in control of everything. She’s in control of everything by appearing to give up control of everything. I love this show and trust that the writers have a good ending planned for Team Cockroach.
posted by Reclusive Novelist Thomas Pynchon at 10:31 AM on October 23, 2018 [5 favorites]
Apologies. It has been brought to my attention that I forgot the fake name Michael gave Larry when he was Caterer to the Stars. Please see the revised name rankings. Management regrets the error.
1) Rick Justice
2) Zach Pizazz
3) Charles Brainman
4) Nathaniel Cookswell
5) Gordon Indigo
posted by Aznable at 10:32 AM on October 23, 2018 [9 favorites]
1) Rick Justice
2) Zach Pizazz
3) Charles Brainman
4) Nathaniel Cookswell
5) Gordon Indigo
posted by Aznable at 10:32 AM on October 23, 2018 [9 favorites]
Given that names 1-4 all relate to the the professions of the characters Michael was playing, how does "Gordon Indigo" fit in with "guru scammer" (AV club description)?
posted by mikepop at 10:54 AM on October 23, 2018
posted by mikepop at 10:54 AM on October 23, 2018
how does "Gordon Indigo" fit in with "guru scammer"
I read it as a reference to Indigo children / Indigo Era, which are often seen as cynical co-opting of New Age or self-help woowoo by nonbeliever scammers.
posted by Etrigan at 11:19 AM on October 23, 2018 [6 favorites]
I read it as a reference to Indigo children / Indigo Era, which are often seen as cynical co-opting of New Age or self-help woowoo by nonbeliever scammers.
posted by Etrigan at 11:19 AM on October 23, 2018 [6 favorites]
I wondered if it was a reference to Gordon "Greed is good" Geckko.
posted by mbrubeck at 11:37 AM on October 23, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by mbrubeck at 11:37 AM on October 23, 2018 [2 favorites]
What I absolutely love is that they took all of the fan and critic theories (discussed in depth in the thread on The Blue) like "America is a Bad Place" and "the system described is arbitrary, capricious, and meaningless" ...
And they turned that into an sitcom episode script, and it was hilarious.
Especially Chidi finally resolving two seasons and subjective years of cognitive dissonance about virtue ethics, consequentialism, and deontology by fully embracing nihilism.
posted by GenderNullPointerException at 12:34 PM on October 23, 2018 [8 favorites]
And they turned that into an sitcom episode script, and it was hilarious.
Especially Chidi finally resolving two seasons and subjective years of cognitive dissonance about virtue ethics, consequentialism, and deontology by fully embracing nihilism.
posted by GenderNullPointerException at 12:34 PM on October 23, 2018 [8 favorites]
If you like learning more about the people behind the things you like and how they do the work, this is for you.
Megan Amram: How I Get It Done
posted by palomar at 1:28 PM on October 23, 2018 [6 favorites]
Megan Amram: How I Get It Done
posted by palomar at 1:28 PM on October 23, 2018 [6 favorites]
I want there to be special crossover episodes where The Good Place people write an episode of BoJack Horseman, and vice versa. Hopefully before Season 10.
posted by rhizome at 1:55 PM on October 23, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by rhizome at 1:55 PM on October 23, 2018 [2 favorites]
I love how this episode stands on the foundation of the first two seasons. It doesn't need tedious explanations of Chidi's existential crisis, or of corrupt motivation, because they already gave us a framework for understanding those things. And they trust the audience to remember and apply the lessons we learned in past episodes.
posted by mbrubeck at 2:32 PM on October 23, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by mbrubeck at 2:32 PM on October 23, 2018 [3 favorites]
My favorite of the fake Australian names from the credits: Mark Supial.
posted by Nerd of the North at 11:44 PM on October 23, 2018 [10 favorites]
posted by Nerd of the North at 11:44 PM on October 23, 2018 [10 favorites]
136 comments, and nobody's mentioned the Swanson name on the Heir BnB picture-safe yet?
posted by Hermeowne Grangepurr at 10:52 AM on October 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Hermeowne Grangepurr at 10:52 AM on October 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
136 comments, and nobody's mentioned the Swanson name on the Heir BnB picture-safe yet?
That was also the brand of safe that Jason (originally) died in, and the podcast and its very real sponsors confirm that Ron is the proprietor thereof.
posted by Etrigan at 11:04 AM on October 24, 2018 [6 favorites]
That was also the brand of safe that Jason (originally) died in, and the podcast and its very real sponsors confirm that Ron is the proprietor thereof.
posted by Etrigan at 11:04 AM on October 24, 2018 [6 favorites]
I do wonder if "Australia" is just some sort of experimental pocket dimension.
That's a really interesting theory - I think you're on to something there.
I think maybe the Australia in "The Good Place" is one as well.
posted by happyroach at 2:38 PM on October 24, 2018 [12 favorites]
That's a really interesting theory - I think you're on to something there.
I think maybe the Australia in "The Good Place" is one as well.
posted by happyroach at 2:38 PM on October 24, 2018 [12 favorites]
One thing I wondered, are the notes on the blackboard behind Michael and Janet about each of the four humans taken from the show bible?
posted by biffa at 5:09 PM on October 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by biffa at 5:09 PM on October 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
A Moral Defense of Chidi's Swoleness: An Ethical Examination of Abs in "The Good Place"
posted by palomar at 6:55 PM on October 25, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by palomar at 6:55 PM on October 25, 2018 [6 favorites]
If you're looking for the WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE WINE shirt like I just was, you can get a very similar one from redbubble, but not in pink which I think is a heinous oversight. According to the reviews (of the shirt) it's been on sale before the episode aired, so most likely the creators updated this version for the show.
posted by numaner at 2:04 AM on October 28, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by numaner at 2:04 AM on October 28, 2018 [1 favorite]
Apparently the closing credits had a buttload of easter eggs buried in the character names of Chidi's ethics class.
Kathy Luu, who plays "Waomi Natts" is the employee in BNG that told Chidi he can't shop without a shirt. Her name tag actually said "Julie". "Lod Raver" is the bartender of Drinking Nemo. And "Damon" is the drug dealer that I totally thought was played by Christopher Eccleston at first glance.
posted by numaner at 2:10 AM on October 28, 2018
Kathy Luu, who plays "Waomi Natts" is the employee in BNG that told Chidi he can't shop without a shirt. Her name tag actually said "Julie". "Lod Raver" is the bartender of Drinking Nemo. And "Damon" is the drug dealer that I totally thought was played by Christopher Eccleston at first glance.
posted by numaner at 2:10 AM on October 28, 2018
Nerdist: We made Chidi's existential crisis chili with peeps and m&Ms and it was worse than going to the Bad Place.
posted by numaner at 2:03 PM on October 30, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by numaner at 2:03 PM on October 30, 2018 [4 favorites]
Can I just say to all the Australians dubious about how their country is misportrayed in American media: we sympathize, and you guys stood be glad you’re not next door.
Sincerely, you commonwealth pals in Canada.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 10:58 AM on June 9, 2020 [1 favorite]
Sincerely, you commonwealth pals in Canada.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 10:58 AM on June 9, 2020 [1 favorite]
The lollipop thing was so full of Jason logic...he entered and exited so he was a new person every time or whatever Jason thing he said.
Much like you can't swim across the same river twice, several different Jasons walked into that bank. I feel like this concept was mentioned in passing in Siddartha, and well, Jason was a buddhist monk so maybe it works.
posted by pwnguin at 10:09 PM on February 9
Much like you can't swim across the same river twice, several different Jasons walked into that bank. I feel like this concept was mentioned in passing in Siddartha, and well, Jason was a buddhist monk so maybe it works.
posted by pwnguin at 10:09 PM on February 9
Jeremy Bearimy
the whole 3-step cogent detailed explanation of various equally valid POVs with the final step of BUT LOL NOTHING MATTERS is so painfully 2018
“In Jacksonville, I got a flu virus named after me because I kissed a bat on a dare” is a great Jason line.
As a late watcher: So.... we all thought this was a show about ethics, but it's really humanity's gentle introduction to time travel? How else can they so casually describe America tearing itself asunder and a zoonotic virus two years ahead of time?
posted by pwnguin at 10:29 PM on February 9
the whole 3-step cogent detailed explanation of various equally valid POVs with the final step of BUT LOL NOTHING MATTERS is so painfully 2018
“In Jacksonville, I got a flu virus named after me because I kissed a bat on a dare” is a great Jason line.
As a late watcher: So.... we all thought this was a show about ethics, but it's really humanity's gentle introduction to time travel? How else can they so casually describe America tearing itself asunder and a zoonotic virus two years ahead of time?
posted by pwnguin at 10:29 PM on February 9
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See you all in hell!
posted by numaner at 6:07 PM on October 18, 2018 [12 favorites]