What I’m Watching: The Good Place

The Good Place: Season 2, Episode 8 “Derek” (B+)

I’m not sure how we got here already, but this is officially considered a fall finale, which means we won’t see the show again until sometime in 2018. Fortunately, it was a great installment, and one that ended with a major cliffhanger that suggests that things are about to change in a big way. Jason Mantzoukas was truly terrific as Derek, conveying such incredible enthusiasm by shouting “Derek!” when Janet said that they were so in sync that they were finishing each’s other’s [sentences] and holding up a sign that says, “Help! I can’t stop saying Jason!” I think he’s pretty much gone now, but he was helpful in allowing Janet to come back to a place of self-realization of her feelings towards Jason. After teaching Tahani a less gentle version of croquet, Jason proposes in a relatively non-romantic but completely honest way, and though it wasn’t what Tahani ever imagined, it was sort of sweet. I don’t know what comes next for them since, as everyone keeps pointing out, it wouldn’t be a good idea to just reboot them all again since they obviously retain some lingering emotions from the memories that get wiped. Eleanor showing Chidi the video of them saying I love you to each other was a cool development, and I’m intrigued to see what comes next as they prepare for the inevitability of this connection. As much as Chidi serves as the fun-killing ethics police, both Michael and Eleanor have inadvertently developed a tendency to consider the ethics of their actions. I’m not sure how that will help Michael in the wake of Sean’s surprise visit, and I can’t wait until next year to find out!