[8.1/10] I liked both halves of this. It’s my favorite episode of the season, which is interesting because it’s comparatively tame and normal (at least by The Good Place standards) with pretty standard sitcom storytelling.
For one thing, the comedy game was on point in both stories. I am just incredibly impressed at how well they cast Jason’s dad, who turns out to the much ballyhooed “Donkey Doug.” The way the actor who plays his father manages to match Jason’s mannerisms while putting his own little spin on them is just perfect. The notion of a combination energy drink/body spray is a brillaintly trashy combo, and every little glimpse we got of Jason’s little milieu, repleted with nicknames, expression, and elaborate high fives tickled me.
But the Eleanor/Chidi/Janet section had plenty of laughs too. The quick hit humor of Chidi’s simulations to figure out the best way to break up with Simone was outstanding (especially the puppy bit). Eleanor stepping in for Chidi/Janet to have fun, prank Chidi, and (like all humans apparently) try to turn it into porn was very funny (and kudos to the actress who plays Simone for being able to capture Eleanor’s mannerisms just as well as Jason’s dad captured his). And my god, Janet’s awkward attempts to “bing” and sneak out of the room now that she’s without her powers had me in stitches.
But the episode worked on a dramatic level too. I like Chidi having to be cruel to be kind, not wanting to break up with Simone but needing to do it for her salvation without being able to tell her about it. It’s a weird, this show-specific dilemma, but that makes it unique and The Good Place plays it to the hilt for both humor and pathos. In the same way, I like that Jason fails to get his father work, but maybe earns him some points by giving him an opportunity to screw-up in a way that shields Jason himself. It’s a small story twist that I appreciate, that suggests his dad is not, as he feared, a lost cause. In the same way, I like Jason’s attempt to save pill boy, and the realization that his pill-related expertise is actually an asset at the old folks home.
Overall, this episode has two stores that work both in terms of laughs and drama, while being thoroughly enjoyable on both counts.
I've never been a huge fan of Jason's over-the-top unrealistic low intelligence, so I wasn't super into that family plot (Though Tahani's incredulous reactions were on-point), but I thought Chidi's half of the episode was hilarious. The VR scenario montage was great, and they took full advantage of the possibilities by having Eleanor involve herself on both sides. A sort of sad thing to realize is that, if this Simone recreation was perfectly accurate, then it means she would genuinely have agreed to marry him. I really hope she returns, in just a handful of episodes she feels like such an integral part of the show. Human Janet is amazing and I loved the awkward bing section at the start of the episode.
I can't remember the last time I laughed as hard and suddenly as I did at Pillboi and Jason's tearful, outrageously long handshake. That is the best kind of comedy.
After this show comes to an end (because all good things do), I hope they'll carry on with its legacy in the Afterlife of TV shows with a spin-off based on Jason, Pillboi (it was hilarious to see where his name comes from) and Donkey Doug. Or at least I hope someone will go to Shark Tank with that in mind. Hey, I know it's not an idea as brilliant and prospectively lucrative as body spray combined with an energy drink, but it's got its strong points, too.
It was sad to see Simone go, I understand Chidi's decision, but I liked Simone's character (supported by a great acting by Kirby Howell-Baptiste). But it was a nice and funny episode, I like the direction the show is going.
Love this show but I really don't get the "fun" of Jason's OTT stupidity and level of trashiness, so the part with him and his equally idiotic friends and family had me eyerolling so hard I feared my eyes would get stuck backwards... A little dumb? That can be cute. A few moments of TSTL too. This plunge into the stupidity pool was just WAY too much, for me.
Shout by MarcusBlockedParent2018-10-26T21:04:12Z
eleanor was wonderfully bisexual on this episode and i sign in for her to be even more on subsequent ones. thank you
also, very interesting episode, solved like a normal sitcom/drama but with the typical other-wordly the good place spin, this show really is heading somewhere fantastic and unique