But Tahani is still a self-absorbed name-dropper, Jason is still a sweet moron, and Chidi—despite his evident goodness—is still desperately afraid to commit to any course of action. | She nails it, from her screaming matches with Derek to her arrival in front of Jason and Tahani as depression personified. Sign up and add shows to get the latest updates about your favorite shows - Start Now. First Aired: November 2, 2017. Jason and Tahani's relationship remains sweet. What did you think? I would also love to see Eleanor confide her feelings for Chidi to Janet. © 2020 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. I have never been that certain about anything. Since 1957, GQ has inspired men to look sharper and live smarter with its unparalleled coverage of style, culture, and beyond. But in the end, Eleanor’s leap into faith is rewarded. Eleanor is both relieved and surprised to learn she made it into the Good Place, but it doesn't take her long to realize she's there by mistake. Danica Leninsky was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. All rights reserved. From award-winning writing and photography to binge-ready videos to electric live events, GQ meets millions of modern men where they live, creating the moments that create conversations. Speaking of Derek, Jason Mantzoukas is a delightful addition. How did I say... About Us | Copyright Inquiry | Privacy Policy | Contact Us. He’s there because he believes in Michael’s experiment—so much so that he offers Michael a massive promotion so he can expand the Bad Place to an untold number of false "Good Place" neighborhoods. Download the TV Guide app for iPhone, iPad and Android! It’s a remarkable turnaround for Michael, who has credibly transitioned from the gang’s cruel, immortal tormentor to their protector and friend over the course of a single season. Jason's making me watch this horror film about two ex-convicts who try to rob and murder a neglected child. But there’s a catch: Michael will need to shut down his "Good Place" prototype and send his four human victims to a more conventional Bad Place, where their brains will be batted around like beach balls for eternity. Eleanor is both relieved and surprised to learn she made it into the Good Place, but it doesn't take her long to realize she's there by mistake. 2x02 Episode 2; 1x06 Episode 6; ... Tahani's white and yellow floral strapless dress on The Good Place. The scene where Jason teaches Tahani a more fun version of croquet is particularly adorable, and it highlights Tahani's growing ability to let her guard down. [The TV shows the movie Home Alone]. Tahani's blue pleated gown on The Good Place. To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. Eleanor bases her theory on a tossed-off reference Michael makes to Søren Kierkegaard, the philosopher credited with coining the phrase "leap of faith"—which Chidi says is more accurately translated as a "leap into faith.” That might sounds insignificant, but the distinction between a "leap of faith" and a "leap into faith" is actually a pretty significant one. Eleanor's striped sweatshirt with pink sleeves on The Good Place. Sponsored Links. Not only does it feature a fantastic story for Janet and the boyfriend she created on The Good Place Season 2 Episode 7, but it also shows the growth of Jason and Tahani's relationship and heightens the romantic tension between Eleanor and Chidi. Are you eager for Eleanor and Chidi to get together? Eleanor Shellstrop finds out that even in the afterlife, it's never too late to change your ways. © 2020 Condé Nast. Meanwhile, Eleanor lets Chidi in on a secret, and Jason puts Tahani in a difficult position. I have never been that certain about anything. This unexpected development sends Eleanor, Chidi, Tahani, and Jason into yet another desperate scramble to save themselves. Eleanor: I hate to be the bearer of bad news...Jason: Uh, I think you mean Bad News Bear. Though Jason and Tahani's relationship is a central plot point, the developments with Eleanor and Chidi are far more interesting. D'Arcy Carden continues to shine as Janet, and her additional screen time is a welcome addition to the show. What more could you ask? Eleanor, who spent her whole life distrusting and openly spurning anyone who tried to get close to her, is entering an entirely different state of being in the afterlife: A state that relies on healthy trust and co-dependence. It ends with a cliffhanger reminiscent of season one: Michael returns to his office to find Shawn at his desk. One of the most intriguing things about The Good Place is that it posits a world where growth doesn’t stop at death—where the Bad Place, however unintentionally, can ultimately be a crucible for becoming good. Eleanor is both relieved and surprised to learn she made it into the Good Place, but it doesn't take her long to realize she's there by mistake. The Good Place Season 2, Episode 8 Recap: Back with Another Great Twist The NBC sitcom returns with another episode that changes the game for everyone involved. Eleanor Shellstrop finds out that even in the afterlife, it's never too late to change your ways. Janet creates a big problem for Michael. I'm most interested to see how Eleanor will act towards Chidi from now on. Carden and Mantzoukas bring out the best in each other, whether they're shouting about the void or having a brief moment of happiness in which they finish each other's Derek. Eleanor, at least, has clearly been changed by her time in the afterlife. Share your thoughts below, and remember you can always watch The Good Place online here! Eleanor has had significantly more time to process the meaning of the video than Chidi, and the payoff of any future relationship will be more significant if she allows him time to process without becoming defensive of her own feelings toward him. This episode of The Good Place has it all: humor, romance, drama, and a Home Alone reference. Ad Choices, The Good Place Season 2, Episode 8 Recap: Back with Another Great Twist. Michael subjects the victims to a brutal roast in front of every Bad Place employee who was originally assembled to torture them. Mantzoukas brings his signature wildness to the role, and every moment he's on screen is hilarious. The writers have planted the seeds for a relationship between Eleanor and Chidi, but I hope they don't rush it too much. Chidi wants to tell Shawn the truth in return for a reduced sentence, and Tahani wants to flee to the safety of the Medium Place. When Chidi walks in on Eleanor watching the tape of them together, we learn Eleanor watches the video frequently. As she hides in plain sight from the Good Place's architect, Michael, and his all-knowing assistant, Janet, her open-hearted soul mate Chidi and neighbors Tahani and Jason help her shed the her old way of life in hopes of discovering a better one. The power she brought to pre-emotional Janet shouldn't be underestimated. Although she makes it look easy, it takes considerable comedic chops to play Janet in her usual form. Chidi's astonishment at how easily he told Eleanor he loved her bodes well for him either developing feelings for her or realizing he already has them. They trick everyone from the Bad Place into thinking they’ve escaped on a train bound for the Medium Place, and stay behind to rendezvous with Michael, who bursts into apologetic tears. "Leap of faith" implies that faith is something you already possess, just waiting for you to harness and employ it. I'm always game for strong female friendships, and with Eleanor and Tahani not interacting as much this season, Janet and Eleanor's friendship is a welcome addition. It’s a pull-no-punches roast that relies on everything Michael has learned about them—some of it shared in genuine trust and confidence—and the Bad Place employees love it. Eleanor has been giving most of the human advice, so it would be an interesting change of pace to have Janet throw it back at her. Eleanor's green striped boxy top on The Good Place. As she hides in plain sight from the Good Place's architect, Michael, and his all-knowing assistant, Janet, her open-hearted soul mate Chidi and neighbors Tahani and Jason help her shed the her old way of life in hopes of discovering a better one. Janet: We are so in sync we're finishing each other's--Derek: Derek! He mocks Tahani for her insecurity about her sister’s accomplishments, mocks Eleanor for her unrequited love for Chidi, mocks Chidi for dying alone, and—most crushingly of all—mocks Jason’s love for the Jacksonville Jaguars (a joke clearly written and filmed before their playoff-qualifying run). She retired in April of 2018. The midseason finale of The Good Place ended with Michael—in the midst of his own unlikely pivot to goodness—being confronted in his own office by his stern boss, Shawn. Just as the show seems to be edging further backward into familiar territory, it makes a welcome leap forward into the unpredictable. I once even tried to rent socks. But "leap into faith" implies that the faith is something outside of you—an independent risk to which you must willfully surrender. Her slight hesitation and quick cover-up to hide her disappointment are classic Eleanor moves. With a unanimous vote, the houseguest becomes the second-ever, The heartwarming adventures will continue, Here's the latest on how to watch and stream election day coverage. Eleanor’s faith is sorely tested. The Janet we've seen recently, however, gives Carden even more with which to work. And if her fellow members of Team Cockroach are less convinced, they’re willing to go along with her plan and see how everything plays out. Eleanor makes this clear after showing Chidi the tape and asking if he has feelings for her. "I was so scared for you. The two have a heart-to-whatever-Janet-has, and Eleanor's advice helps Janet deal with her newfound human-like feelings. Earlier, I still wasn't invested in their relationship, but my mind is starting to change. On Earth, Eleanor would probably treat him callously and push him away, leaving Chidi to figure out what's wrong. About Us | Copyright Inquiry | Privacy Policy | Contact Us, Watch The Good Place Season 2 Episode 8 Online. The Good Place's William Jackson Harper Plays Would You Rather. Eleanor is both relieved and surprised to learn she made it into the Good Place, but it doesn't take her long to realize she's there by mistake. © 2020 TV Fanatic I hope to see Eleanor's growth in this arc, with her continuing to treat Chidi as her best friend, albeit with some awkwardness thrown in. And with Michael firmly entrenched on the side of good—barring the possibility of a very elaborate long con—it’s the people of The Good Place that remain the biggest question mark for the remainder of season two. By Scott Meslo w Michael and Eleanor are slowly learning that it’s not easy not being mean. I once even tried to rent socks. As William Jackson Harper, who plays Chidi, told me in a recent GQ interview: "If even a demon can change…maybe people can get their acts together.". The two bring out the best in each other: Jason helps Tahani be slightly less selfish, while Tahani brings out Jason's caring and generous nature. This ending is particularly striking after an installment in which the major problem, Derek, is solved, but it left me eager for The Good Place Season 2 Episode 9. Which is why it’s a relief when it turns out that Shawn isn’t there because he wants to shut down Michael’s experiment for good. She correctly deduces that Michael’s "roast" is actually seeded with secret clues for an elaborate plan that will save all of them from an eternity of torture. This episode of The Good Place has it all: humor, romance, drama, and a Home Alone reference.