The Good Place: The Funeral to End All Funerals
November 14, 2019 7:41 PM - Season 4, Episode 8 - Subscribe

The group awaits the judge's final decision on the fate of human existence.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero (107 comments total) 10 users marked this as a favorite
 
Disco Janet!
posted by jeather at 7:43 PM on November 14, 2019 [43 favorites]


So many "YES!" moments in this one.

And... yeah, Disco Janet is clearly... a lot.
posted by Etrigan at 7:43 PM on November 14, 2019 [12 favorites]


I, for one, welcome our new Janet overlords. Seriously.
posted by mojohand at 8:25 PM on November 14, 2019 [7 favorites]


But as awesome as the Janets were, Jason shirtless (also jacked, though less surprisingly than for Chidi) was the standout for me.
posted by jeather at 9:01 PM on November 14, 2019 [10 favorites]


I LOVE EVERYBODY IN THIS DYSTOPIAN AFTERLIFE

except Shawn. Fork that dude.
posted by tzikeh at 9:05 PM on November 14, 2019 [3 favorites]


I'm actually a little afraid of how this show will end. As nimble and hilarious as the scripts are, I sense that a universal "happy" ending is not what we're going to get for all of our pals.

I'm afraid Chidi will choose Simone over Eleanor. I'm afraid that Michael will sacrifice himself for real. I'm afraid that they'll all end up separated from each other forever.

GAH I shouldn't feel this deeply apprehensive about the end of a sitcom.
posted by tzikeh at 9:09 PM on November 14, 2019 [17 favorites]


Nah, I'm right there too, tzikeh. There are probably a lot of us in that boat.

Ugh, so many feels about the funerals, especially Eleanor saying Tahani was the best friend she'd ever had. Those sorts of stories really get to me more than romance. And I loved seeing the return of the dysfunctional Democratic...er, Good Place committee.

So excited they weren't just taunting us with Chekhov's Janet and we got to see the wonder that is Disco Janet.
posted by kitten kaboodle at 10:30 PM on November 14, 2019 [8 favorites]


I called it! I knew Gen would want to try to shut it all down.
Also my fear is that Chidi chooses Eleanor over Simone. They just have such sibling chemistry, I can't see them together at all except as lawful & chaotic twins from the beginning of the universe following each other around.
posted by bleep at 11:09 PM on November 14, 2019 [3 favorites]


Weekend at Chidi's
posted by ActingTheGoat at 11:30 PM on November 14, 2019 [50 favorites]


"Before we even find out what happened, we want you to know we're willing to give up all of our leverage, compromise, and meet you half way."
posted by Gary at 11:54 PM on November 14, 2019 [47 favorites]


Disco Janet!!!

My life is complete now.
posted by Thorzdad at 1:56 AM on November 15, 2019 [3 favorites]


To add to that, I'm willing to bet that, as soon as the army of Janets started marching in, everyone watching was hoping, hoping, hoping Disco Janet was going to be in the crowd. And, when she did appear, I really liked how there was no need for any character to say anything to explain it. They just showed DJ and all of us went SQUEEEE!!!.

Best. Fan. Service. Evar.
posted by Thorzdad at 3:20 AM on November 15, 2019 [10 favorites]


DISCO JANET!!

WEEKEND AT CHIDI’S!!

JASON’S TRIBUTE SONG FOR ELEANOR!!

I’m full of too many feelings. Time to go stand in the shower and listen to the podcast.

Sidenote: Kristen Bell directed this episode, was that her first time directing?
posted by palomar at 4:20 AM on November 15, 2019 [1 favorite]


I'm pretty sure she directed at least one earlier episode (not necessarily this season)
posted by Thorzdad at 4:27 AM on November 15, 2019


As someone who has spent a lifetime making bad decisions I'm all in favour of the redemption arc, but still. We all gotta pay the piper, right? I just hope Stephen Merchant comes back with a cake and some bad decisions of his own, all backed up by some kind of algorithm which absolutely works on paper if nowhere else. It's fun to charter an accountant, you see.
posted by h00py at 5:04 AM on November 15, 2019


Sidenote: Kristen Bell directed this episode, was that her first time directing?

I'm pretty sure she directed at least one earlier episode (not necessarily this season)


I woulda sworn that she had, but this is her first directing credit on IMDB.
posted by Etrigan at 5:55 AM on November 15, 2019


Loved this episode! Half way through I legit thought the episode was finished and then saw the clock and there was still 15 minutes to go. They pack a lot in a very short amount of time. Disco Janet is for sure my favorite Janet. Even thought I KNEW Bad Janet would return with Michael's Manifesto it was still a thrill to see her storm in and save the day and remain a jerk while doing the right thing.

Kristen Bell/Eleanor broke my heart begging Michael to bring back Chidi. I know some folks don't think they make a believable couple, but I think they have done a great job establishing their deep love (and attraction) for one another and I am here for it. Also, Eleanor is 100% right - Chidi is their only hope for figuring out this After Life conundrum. Henry Adams said "philosophy is unintelligible answers to insoluble problems." Who better to tackle that mess than Chidi?
posted by pjsky at 6:28 AM on November 15, 2019 [14 favorites]


Crisis of Infinite Janets!
posted by ZeusHumms at 6:39 AM on November 15, 2019 [14 favorites]


It's amazing how much more irritating the Good Place people are than the Bad Place. I was sad (if unsurprised) that Nicole Byer didn't return.

The judge coming up with "I guess people can change!" was slightly unsatisfying, though I like how she can switch from fun to menacing so well.
posted by jeather at 7:06 AM on November 15, 2019 [3 favorites]


me in a previous thread: I'm anxious for them to get on with it, whatever "it" may be.

me last night: here the fuck we go

And as most pointed out here, if they hadn't coddled Brent with "the Best Place" strategy, his eventual I'm sorry would have pushed him into positive improvement instead of just cancelling out how much more awful he became thinking his worldview was vindicated.

Was this episode in Bearimy Standard Time? Because both the slow-paced, loving, retrospective, funerals storyline and the high-drama, judgment resolution storyline both felt like their own full-length episodes.
posted by mikepop at 8:05 AM on November 15, 2019 [13 favorites]


I was right -- it's now canonical that Chidi exercises to help with anxiety.
posted by Etrigan at 8:14 AM on November 15, 2019 [17 favorites]


(IRL, William Jackson Harper works out because D'Arcy Carden ruthlessly drags him to brunch all the time)
posted by Etrigan at 8:32 AM on November 15, 2019 [5 favorites]


So it occurs to me that the Janet Revolution also says a lot about the Janets -- the Bad Janet who replaced Our Janet had been rebooted "like 40 million times" to make her capable of acting like a Good Janet, but then she was able to convert all of the other Bads Janet (and Neutral Janey and Disco Janet) to defending humanity within six months, presumably not by rebooting them over and over again, but just by talking to them. So it's not just that people can better, nor even that demons can get better, but even the fundamental components of the universe can get better.
posted by Etrigan at 8:43 AM on November 15, 2019 [35 favorites]


Manny Jacinto is a national¹ treasure. His portrayal of Jason's raw sincerity is breathtaking—both metaphorically and literally (when I'm laughing so hard I can't breathe).

¹ A Canadian national treasure. (Where is the Florida of Canada?)
posted by thedward at 9:19 AM on November 15, 2019 [11 favorites]


25 comments in and yet zero mention of Tahani in sweatpants, which surely is the true harbinger of the end of the world.

SKANK ARMY 4EVA!
posted by mochapickle at 9:27 AM on November 15, 2019 [13 favorites]


I too loved Disco Janet but am wondering where the root of it is -- was she mentioned in an earlier episode?
posted by BlahLaLa at 9:30 AM on November 15, 2019 [1 favorite]


First episode of this season - Michael references Disco Janet in an offhand way.
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 9:43 AM on November 15, 2019 [5 favorites]


I too loved Disco Janet but am wondering where the root of it is -- was she mentioned in an earlier episode?

From the season premiere:
Michael: "[Linda] makes Neutral Janet look like Disco Janet. Disco Janet was around for awhile, years ago. She was great. I mean, she was a lot, but she was fun."
posted by Etrigan at 9:43 AM on November 15, 2019 [34 favorites]


Rock on Bell for a great directing debut!

I've thought about this a lot since Stephanie Beatriz and Melissa Fumero got their directing debuts on B99 last season, and how that's great but, you know, starring in a long-running series shouldn't be the only way for more women to get in that chair, which is true, but...

The most important skills for a director are 1.) Knowing how to get the best out of performers, 2.) Understanding the material, and 3.) Respecting the talents of the crew and everyone else enough to trust them but also give informed input. If starring on a long-running series doesn't give you those three skills then you're probably a problem performer, obviously.

All that said, again, CRAZY GOOD DEBUT, KRISTEN!
posted by Navelgazer at 10:43 AM on November 15, 2019 [10 favorites]


starring in a long-running series shouldn't be the only way for more women to get in that chair

I realize you weren't taking a shot at the show here, but I will point out for the record that Beth McCarthy-Miller directed the third episode of the series, and is the second-most-prolific director of Goods Place, with six episodes over the series (so far). However, less than a third of episodes have been directed by women.
posted by Etrigan at 11:06 AM on November 15, 2019 [5 favorites]


Can marbleized Janets be reconstituted? I can't recall, and the rules of this universe are sort of...fluid. I still have this feeling that the Janets will somehow be vital to whatever this place ends up being, but marbleization is definitely a serious flaw. I sort of hated Gen a little for doing that, which is a bummer because I love her.
posted by kitten kaboodle at 11:34 AM on November 15, 2019 [2 favorites]


Our Janet was marbleized by Bad Janet a few episodes ago, and she got better.
posted by bigge at 11:39 AM on November 15, 2019 [10 favorites]


Where is the Florida of Canada?

Buffalo is the Florda of Canada. In yet further proof of Canadian superiority, they pushed that shit right across the border.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 11:43 AM on November 15, 2019 [21 favorites]


I wonder if Derek will have anything to say if his Janet gets marbleized.
posted by ZeusHumms at 11:48 AM on November 15, 2019 [1 favorite]


I have watched too much Steven Universe and keep thinking "all the Janets should merge into one SUPER MEGA JANET!!!"

Disco Janet would become some extra-sparkly disco ball earrings on Mega-Janet's ears.
posted by emjaybee at 12:01 PM on November 15, 2019 [11 favorites]


Fo a second, I read that as "MAGA JANET" which was just too horrible to bear.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:13 PM on November 15, 2019 [4 favorites]


As a Janet who once carried an orange "DISCO" lunchbox... do I even need to finish the sentence...? OF COURSE I LOVE DISCO JANET ♥
posted by tomboko at 12:30 PM on November 15, 2019 [15 favorites]


Just when you think they couldn't top the sparkliness of Magician's Assistant Janet, here comes ACTUALLY DISCO ACTUALLY JANET! What it is, what it is.

Also the Janet who sends otter pics to the Janet text chat was the best. What do Janets do? Janets help. Otter pictures are helping!
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 12:44 PM on November 15, 2019 [14 favorites]


I want to know - WHO was Bad Janet texting all the time? They only just made a Janet group text, so...

What the hell is the 80s Glamour shot in the bathroom from which they are trying to retrieve Chidi?

Why don't the Janets come up with a plan? Chidi's great but he's no army of Janets.

Also, here's a universe fusion theory: Kevin, Holt's husband on Brooklyn 99 (played by Marc Evan Jackson), first got into the drama of the Halloween heist last season, where he threatened to peel someone's skin off or something like that. The Heist slowly drew him deeper into darkness until when he died he was so evil he qualified to become Shawn. And Jeremy Bearimy so it doesn't matter when that happened!
posted by Emmy Rae at 1:13 PM on November 15, 2019 [6 favorites]


Also, Shawn trying to walk back that he knew how to pronounce Zendaya's name...flail. The singing of Crossroads reminded me of the Brooklyn 99 cold open with I Want It That Way, which is to say, perfect.

A lot of my frustration with past episodes was completely ameliorated by this one.
posted by kitten kaboodle at 1:14 PM on November 15, 2019 [5 favorites]


"I don't poop because I have to; I poop because I choose to."
posted by DirtyOldTown at 1:15 PM on November 15, 2019 [14 favorites]


Also, Shawn trying to walk back that he knew how to pronounce Zendaya's name...flail.

You know that half of Shawn's open tabs are countdown timers to when various Disney actresses turn 18.
posted by Etrigan at 1:26 PM on November 15, 2019 [11 favorites]


This was my favorite episode of the season but I really hate the cliffhanger it kinda ended on of whether or whether not to bring Chidi back, like "REALLY? Are they going to take one of the main characters out of stasis for their most important challenge to date? I WONDER."

It's just like the GLOW season 3 finale where

[SPOILERS]

the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling disband and separate. Now I have to watch a whole episode, maybe even TWO for the inevitable reunion of the full group? I just want all my TV friends together where they're at their best!
posted by elr at 1:48 PM on November 15, 2019 [2 favorites]


Now I'm wondering what happened with Derek and the Janet-babies (ooooh, new band name!). Did the Janet-babies get violently eaten like Janet said she had to do once the experiment was over?

If not and they still exist... do Derek and the Janet-babies get a say in this rebellion, because their mother-girlfriend is leading the charge? Derek has his own feeble yet Janet-like powers after all his reboots -- does that mean all the Janet-babies could be given a plunger and rebooted a million times as well? Can Derek and the Janet-babies still exist if their mother-girlfriend Janet is marbleized (which we pray on Stone-Cold-Steve-Austin's-head-on-Tahani's-body that such marbling will never happen)? Can the rebooted-for-millions-of-times Bad Janet make Bad-Janet-babies to continue to fight in this rebellion and protect the Earth reboot key? Will all of humanity move to Mindy's house, guarded by all the Janet-babies, for afterlife safekeeping in a forever Medium Place?

The judge knows everything so she should know about Derek and the Janet-babies, but... does she really know about Derek (does anyone, even Derek?).

I mean, we all are hoping that humanity can be saved thanks to Chidi, but what if it all comes down to MAXIMUM DEREK?
posted by paisley sheep at 2:04 PM on November 15, 2019 [6 favorites]


Do the non-rebooted Janets understand what's going on? Do they inherit all of Our Janet's upgrades?
posted by bleep at 2:05 PM on November 15, 2019


All this crazy Douglas Adams stuff is what I live for on this show and I couldn't be happier.
posted by kittens for breakfast at 4:00 PM on November 15, 2019 [6 favorites]


I literally cackled at:

"I mostly send GIFs of otters!"
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:33 PM on November 15, 2019 [9 favorites]


I want the Janets to kill God.
posted by Don.Kinsayder at 4:37 PM on November 15, 2019 [23 favorites]


The Chidi as savior storyline is too sappy. I love Chidi, but come on, let’s see Janet with a flaming sword, striking down the Creator herself.
posted by Don.Kinsayder at 4:41 PM on November 15, 2019 [7 favorites]


Yeahhhhh, but... The idea that a trashbag person's love and faith in someone who tries hard to be good ends up unlocking redemption for all of humankind is pretty solid, and right on brand for this show.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 5:31 PM on November 15, 2019 [15 favorites]


I think that, canonically, the idea that Our Janet was marblized was speculative, rather than real? I feel like the scene where it was shown was meant to be a depiction of how it would have been, rather than how it necessarily actually was.

Also, Jason’s speech impediment line took me a beat for it to land but it may be one of my favorite lines of the season.
posted by DoctorFedora at 5:33 PM on November 15, 2019 [10 favorites]


I want to know - WHO was Bad Janet texting all the time?

Jeff Winger?
posted by synecdoche at 5:49 PM on November 15, 2019 [32 favorites]


I want to know - WHO was Bad Janet texting all the time?

She's only pretending to text to have an excuse to ignore everyone. Alternately: other Bad Janets.
posted by dinty_moore at 6:00 PM on November 15, 2019 [4 favorites]


I think that, canonically, the idea that Our Janet was marblized was speculative, rather than real?

When Bad Janet said that she marbleized Good Janet, wasn't that actually Good Janet pretending to be Bad Janet, suggesting that it was actually Bad Janet who was marbelized by Good Janet before pretending to be Bad Janet?
posted by ActingTheGoat at 6:04 PM on November 15, 2019 [5 favorites]


She's only pretending to text to have an excuse to ignore everyone.

You know what, she was probably shitposting on Twitter. And doing that just kept making her badder.
posted by Emmy Rae at 6:08 PM on November 15, 2019 [9 favorites]


One thing I loved about the podcast this week is Josh Siegel talking about The Five Stages of Jacksonville Grief.

I think that step three was "tattoo fight" but I don't remember what that really is.

(There's also a bit where he says "I can't say anything about this but in three years I would love to have a beer and talk about it and I kinda want to put a reminder in my calendar to take him up on that offer.)
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 6:32 PM on November 15, 2019 [8 favorites]


When Bad Janet said that she marbleized Good Janet, wasn't that actually Good Janet pretending to be Bad Janet, suggesting that it was actually Bad Janet who was marbelized by Good Janet before pretending to be Bad Janet?

Yes. Our Janet has never been marbleized.
posted by tzikeh at 6:51 PM on November 15, 2019 [1 favorite]


I legit cried when all of the Janet's came pouring into the room. I love Janet/D'arcy <3

You know what, she was probably shitposting on Twitter. And doing that just kept making her badder.


I was thinking maybe she's the one who runs Trump's twitter, but then I was like NO, she's not that evil.
posted by littlesq at 7:25 PM on November 15, 2019 [1 favorite]


Bad Janet is dril
posted by bleep at 7:27 PM on November 15, 2019 [22 favorites]


I love Disco Janet and I love that all of you love Disco Janet too.
posted by Monochrome at 8:02 PM on November 15, 2019 [8 favorites]


I hereby request that there be a Ya Dead banner at my funeral.
posted by rewil at 8:07 PM on November 15, 2019 [22 favorites]


I want to know - WHO was Bad Janet texting all the time?

Jeff Winger?
posted by synecdoche at 5:49 PM on November 15
[9 favorites −] Favorite added! [!]


This very excellent deep cut joke is made all the better by the fact that after watching the Good Place, Hulu always queues up episode 1 of Community for me. C’mon, Hulu, you of all not-a-persons should know I’ve watched that plenty of times already.

Anyway, the funeral scenes were peak Good Place. As much as I love the weird fantasy aspects and philosophy lessons, the way the characters are so fully realized and inhabited to the point that the relationships between them are also so real and unique is what makes this a truly special show. Every shot of the “deceased” reacting to the lovely things their friends were saying while still pretending to be dead made my heart grow three sizes. (Props to Kristen Bell’s direction!)

One complaint: I wish they hadn’t explained why Chidi was jacked; it was funnier when it was inexplicable!

Oh, another complaint: WHERE IS MINDY ST. CLAIR. They’re in her house, she needs to be in more episodes! Maybe when she’s not onscreen the other characters should be asking, “Where’s Mindy?”
posted by ejs at 8:39 PM on November 15, 2019 [13 favorites]


Well, we finally got an official answer re: Jacked Chidi

Janet was very interested in watching Jason do a handstand.

Ya DEAD

Nice that Eleanor finally got that eulogy for Chidi out, even if it was after they left his funeral.
posted by ckape at 9:06 PM on November 15, 2019 [9 favorites]


In Chidi's funeral scene, all of his books appear to be straight-up philosophy texts except for one to the left of his head, which has ANNE RICE on the spine. Can't see the title, unfortunately, but I wonder how it fits into his world.
posted by mumkin at 9:26 PM on November 15, 2019 [8 favorites]


The Queen of the Damned Almond Milk.
posted by ActingTheGoat at 9:35 PM on November 15, 2019 [20 favorites]


The actress that plays Mindy St Claire was pregnant last year and may be taking time off to be around her kid? Rank speculation on my part -
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 12:03 AM on November 16, 2019 [3 favorites]


I want a Dead AF t shirt.
posted by AlexiaSky at 1:11 AM on November 16, 2019 [13 favorites]


The Five Stages of Jacksonville Grief:
Graffiti a red lobster
ATV race
Tattoo fight
Prank call the morgue
Graffiti the morgue

I didn’t get the Tahani speech impediment joke (being British myself) until this thread!
posted by ellieBOA at 5:49 AM on November 16, 2019 [15 favorites]


Every once in a while I check r/TheGoodPlace, and then I am reminded why I mostly stick to fanfare? Dudes are melting dooooown about Pewdiepie being canonically bad.

I keep hoping this show is helping to prevent a few Brents.
posted by schadenfrau at 5:59 AM on November 16, 2019 [34 favorites]


The actress that plays Mindy St Claire was pregnant last year and may be taking time off to be around her kid?

She’s on Bob Hearts Abishola full-time.
posted by Etrigan at 6:10 AM on November 16, 2019 [3 favorites]


Every once in a while I check r/TheGoodPlace, and then I am reminded why I mostly stick to fanfare? Dudes are melting dooooown about Pewdiepie being canonically bad.

They are getting downvoted hard. Maybe they need to fuck of to r/TheBadPlace?
posted by nathan_teske at 7:48 AM on November 16, 2019 [5 favorites]


I think Our Janet has been marbleized once.

A brief history of marbleization:

We learn about it in the Season 2 episode "Janet and Michael," where she calls it "set me to self-destruct." In that episode and for the next season-ish, it's not explicitly said to be permanent but we're never given a reason to think it's not. The marbles are intended to be eaten or shot into space and it's treated as kind of the Janet version of Michael's "retirement." It's the threat that hangs over Janet's head as they're on the lam during Season 3.

In the Season 2 episode "The Burrito," we think we hear Bad Janet claim to have marbleized Our Janet, but later we find out that was Our Janet in disguise. Of the marble she says "that was a trick!" We have no reason to believe she marbleized another Janet rather than simply conjuring a marble with her own face on it.

In the Season 3 episode "Janet(s)" Janet tells Michael to "marbelize me, get us somewhere safe, and bring me back," implying marbleization is not in fact permanent.

In the Season 4 episode "Tinker, Tailor, Demon, Spy" we see a speculative flashback as Glenn theorizes how the Michaels might have been switched out. Glenn knows there was a plan but wasn't privy to it, and his theory was that the Michaels switched behind Our Janet's back on the train. Later the unveiled Bad Janet reveals that she herself marbleized Our Janet on the train and we see the equivalent flashback, showing her slip Our Janet's marble to Chris to take back to the Bad Place. While it's hard to call Bad Janet a reliable narrator, that scene isn't presented as speculative like Glenn's. It's presented as the explanation of what happened.

So if that's right, Our Janet was marbleized once and quickly brought back to corporeal form in the Bad Place so that Vicky could practice her Michael impression on her. Neither her marbleization nor her removal from the Medium Place had a big effect on Derek or her other babies as long as there was a Bad Janet present to take over as the neighborhood mainframe.
posted by lampoil at 9:33 AM on November 16, 2019 [19 favorites]


William Jackson Harper works out because D'Arcy Carden ruthlessly drags him to brunch all the time

Am confuse. Why in the world would anyone have to be dragged to brunch with D’Arcy Carden?
posted by Thorzdad at 9:58 AM on November 16, 2019 [16 favorites]


Because she’s dragging him to the Cowboy Skyscraper Buffet?
posted by ejs at 2:08 PM on November 16, 2019 [1 favorite]


There are SIX MORE EPISODES I'm not sure my heart can take any more ratcheting-up of the stakes!
posted by curious nu at 7:54 PM on November 16, 2019 [1 favorite]


Tahani's sweat pants do indeed have Skank Army printed across the bottom.
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 10:11 AM on November 17, 2019 [6 favorites]


(Where is the Florida of Canada?)

Well, Trailer Park Boys has extremely strong Florida Energy, and it's filmed in Nova Scotia, so I'm going to go with that. It's even got a similar-ish shape.
posted by tobascodagama at 11:21 AM on November 17, 2019 [1 favorite]


Where is the Florida of Canada?

Letterkenny.
posted by tzikeh at 12:28 PM on November 17, 2019 [9 favorites]


Prediction:. The judge won't find the button because it's hidden in Derek's void (which looks more like a Chuck E Cheese).
posted by benzenedream at 1:24 PM on November 17, 2019 [7 favorites]


Also, Manny Jacinto isn't an American doing a Floridian impression, he's a Canadian doing an American impression. It all makes sense now.
posted by benzenedream at 1:27 PM on November 17, 2019 [5 favorites]


Every character in Trailer Park Boys is Florida Man.
posted by secret about box at 4:43 PM on November 17, 2019 [1 favorite]


Re: Canadian Florida;

As per the trailer park boys observation I can attest that Sackville is pretty... all that.

As far as things Florida might be known for (retirees, some sorta coast line and weather) the Canadian equivalent is probably Florida. Hah; ok I'm going with White Rock. *Cough* "South Surrey".

On a different topic.... "Queen of the Damned Almond Milk" - sounds like a Janet "Who Wants To Speak To the Manager." Moar Janets please.
posted by mce at 7:12 PM on November 17, 2019


Where is the Florida of Canada?

The actual answer is a corridor along Ontario King's Highway 26, from Barrie to Wasaga Beach.


My favourite Janet was the one who said "I post Otter gifs" in the Janet group chat.

Glad the Experiment That Made No Sense is over. But it also made no sense for Gen to say she'd just blink all humans out of existence. Like, nothing in the TGP universe would have indicated that she has that kind of power or that it's an option. And her explanation for doing it was lazy writing. It wasn't an earned moment of tension at all. The writing for this season continues to be lazy af, with the exception of finally firing the Chekovian Gun of the summary Michael and Janet wrote last season.

I think needing Chidi to design a new system is a very good payoff for his character. But the way they got there is one big shrug emoji.
posted by dry white toast at 7:32 PM on November 17, 2019 [4 favorites]


I felt like the whole Gen snapping her fingers thing was lazy/the easy way to get us to Chidi helping. It was a nice emotional payoff moment with Eleanor finally spitting out words about Chidi but it felt like we got there in a quick and dirty way that was lacking?

However, since there are only six episodes left I understand why the need to get it back over to the main six.

Jason's song for Eleanor killed me + Tahani's speech about feeling seen.
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 3:01 AM on November 18, 2019 [3 favorites]


Like, nothing in the TGP universe would have indicated that she has that kind of power or that it's an option.

She turned back time to let Michael save the lives of the main four. She’s only slightly younger than the entire universe. She’s as close to God as they’re willing to cast on a mainstream American network television show.
posted by Etrigan at 4:00 AM on November 18, 2019 [14 favorites]


Also, somebody mentioned it previously but they are really forking up on merchandise for this show. If Skank Army sweatpants and Ya Dead shirts were officially available immediately after this aired that would have been great.
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 4:37 AM on November 18, 2019 [8 favorites]


Also, Gen doesn't unilaterally have that power. She needs the device, which Janet was able to snatch away and hide from her. It's like the plunger, but for Earth instead of Janet.
posted by overglow at 7:25 AM on November 18, 2019 [7 favorites]


If Skank Army sweatpants and Ya Dead shirts were officially available immediately after this aired that would have been great.

Just to be clear, Ya Dead is the banner. Eleanor's shirt says "Dead AF", which I'd argue is even better.
posted by Ragged Richard at 7:45 AM on November 18, 2019 [7 favorites]


You are correct about the shirt! And that's what I wanted on a shirt. lol. I had just read the Ya Dead comment so that was stuck in my noodle.
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 11:05 AM on November 18, 2019


I don't think all the Janets banding together could devise an appropriate solution to the afterlife. Obviously with all her reboots, she's become *more* human, but I think she still doesn't fully understand humans. In (I think) S4S2, Michael tells Eleanor that he can't be the Architect of this experimental version of The Good Place because he doesn't fully understand humans but she does. We need Chidi's knowledge of ethics and philosophy, Eleanor's boldness, resilience and heart, Tahani's understanding of human connection and relationships, and Jason's tidbits of advanced wisdom that show up every now and then that drive the other characters to rethink their perspectives on a problem. Janet helps with building and iteration/prototyping, and Michael's belief in human potential, knowledge of The System and willingness to question it will contribute to The New System as well.
posted by emkelley at 11:09 AM on November 18, 2019 [8 favorites]


Jason's tidbits of advanced wisdom that show up every now and then that drive the other characters to rethink their perspectives on a problem.

I would argue that Jason's contribution lies in literal foolproofing. In every organization, you want to have someone who is so dumb and/or so evil that they find the weak points in any system.
posted by Etrigan at 11:20 AM on November 18, 2019 [9 favorites]


Also, somebody mentioned it previously but they are really forking up on merchandise for this show.

It's nice to see that among all the terrible catchphrase-based merchandise, they do finally sell Chidi's "Who What When Where... Wine!" tee, though not in the right colorway.
posted by mumkin at 11:20 AM on November 18, 2019 [5 favorites]


after watching the Good Place, Hulu always queues up episode 1 of Community for me.

That is so logical. They always want me to watch The Handmaid's Tale.
posted by chaiminda at 3:17 PM on November 18, 2019


after watching the Good Place, Hulu always queues up episode 1 of Community for me.

That is so logical. They always want me to watch The Handmaid's Tale.


Let me tell you... hulu drops me right into Golden Girls episodes, which for some reason they have not tracked me finishing. So it's usually the last 4 minutes of some episode or other. And since I often wash dishes when watching "TV" I usually just let it play and hum the credits.
posted by Emmy Rae at 7:21 PM on November 18, 2019 [2 favorites]


What is wrong with me that Hulu queues up Saved By The Bell?!?
posted by cottoncandybeard at 5:58 AM on November 19, 2019 [2 favorites]


Given Jeremy Bearimy, one of the things I am wondering is if we have seen some things out of order. For instance: what if the earth we’ve seen back towards the start of the series was a new version? How much time on earth has passed since Team Cockroach died, if any? (We never saw their bodies, right? So they’re not TV dead, right?) What if “our” earth *is* the rebooted version?

What I am saying is that based on what we’ve seen, I can’t help but wonder how significant a role time is going to play in this earth reboot.
posted by hijinx at 6:24 AM on November 19, 2019 [1 favorite]


after watching the Good Place, Hulu always queues up episode 1 of Community for me

I will raise your S1e1 of community to s2e1 of community, and specifically the exact moment when 18 yr old Annie confronts 35 yr old Jeff Winger about their kiss and Winger says, in the most condescendingly gross voice imaginable, “Remember our talk about discretion?” And then they try to make a joke out of it.

My best guess is that’s where I noped out of it last time, and Hulu is just...not getting the hint.
posted by schadenfrau at 6:54 AM on November 19, 2019 [5 favorites]


It's nice to see that among all the terrible catchphrase-based merchandise, they do finally sell Chidi's "Who What When Where... Wine!" tee, though not in the right colorway.

They sell it in pink in the "women's" cut!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:14 AM on November 19, 2019


What is wrong with me that Hulu queues up Saved By The Bell?!?

Well, you are watching a show about Humanity getting (hopefully) saved by the (Kristen) Bell (and others whose contributions should not be minimized except in service of terrible puns).
posted by ckape at 10:36 AM on November 19, 2019 [9 favorites]


I'm seriously considering DIYing both the skank army sweatpants and the dead af shirt. I have the technology and the craft store coupons.
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 11:08 AM on November 19, 2019 [8 favorites]


I keep getting The Last Man On Earth, myself.
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:10 AM on November 19, 2019


Pen15 for our house.
posted by solotoro at 11:48 AM on November 19, 2019


The idea that Gen's rebooted all of creation untold millions of times -- that our heroes keep coming back to this moment over and over and will for eternity -- ...yikes.
posted by kittens for breakfast at 4:20 PM on November 19, 2019 [9 favorites]


That'd be a good montage.
posted by bleep at 4:41 PM on November 19, 2019 [3 favorites]


Hmmm...If multiple reboots of the planet repeatedly lead to humans -- much less the same humans -- blowing up the experiment again and again, that has the nasty stench of fate. (Or the Matrix sequels.)

Also, I'm not entirely with Team Cockroach. If I were under the domain of one of the hot dog torture departments, oblivion would sound pretty good.

I remember aughts fashion too well to want skank army pants, but I might get/make DEAD AF for next Halloween.
posted by grandiloquiet at 8:32 AM on November 20, 2019


Also, somebody mentioned it previously but they are really forking up on merchandise for this show.

I've been waiting for an official Bad Place thumbs-down lapel pin since season 2.
posted by tzikeh at 10:13 PM on November 21, 2019 [2 favorites]


> I've been waiting for an official Bad Place thumbs-down lapel pin since season 2.

Good news, everyone! They gave some out at NYCC, and while they aren't in the store, you can find them on eBay, though they're alongside replicas - check the descriptions carefully.
posted by Pronoiac at 12:54 AM on November 22, 2019 [1 favorite]


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