The Good Place: The Book of Dougs (3x11)

Chidi and Eleanor are so cute I might scream.

Cons:

This isn't, like, a big or serious complaint, but I do want to point out that the counsel of people from the Good Place being really slow about helping is just stolen directly from the Ent Moot in The Lord of the Rings. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I wish there had been maybe something a bit more creative going on there.

Also, I'm confused about something. See, either I've caught a plot hole, or I'm being too hasty and I just don't understand the full picture yet. Doug Forcett is Michael's reason for thinking that the points system is corrupt, because he lives a totally selfless life and is still not making it in to the Good Place. But one of the big elements this season was about the Soul Squad, doing good for just the sake of doing good, without expecting reward. In fact, explicitly, the fact that the gang knows about the afterlife means that their motivations are impure and they can never gain points. If Doug Forcett is behaving the way he does because he believes that he needs points to go to the Good Place, doesn't that invalidate his candidacy anyway? Michael comes to a totally different conclusion in this episode, related to the fact that the world is complicated, and that even making a nice gesture can involve polluting the planet during transport, using an unethical corporation to buy someone a gift, etc. But I thought this was all building to something to do with intent, and now it seems like that's not what's going on. Usually, when I'm confused by this show, it's a good thing, because it means I can't see the full picture. But here... I'm genuinely a bit concerned that they're missing a piece of their own world-building.

Pros:

So many things to talk about here. First off, I loved the person in the Good Place reception area. She was so cheerful and happy and she physically and mentally couldn't bring herself to be mistrustful or angry. It was funny in a way different from the way Janet is funny, because she's not a construct, she's just... happy and trusting, eternally. I loved the moment when she tried to shake her fist at Michael, and she just couldn't bring herself to do it. Every moment when Michael asks really suspicious questions, but she just answers them honestly with no hint of wonder, was really funny and great.

Tahani tries to help Jason and Janet navigate a difficult emotional situation, as Jason tells Janet that he saw her video screen in her void, and knows that she is in love with him. Janet is very embarrassed, and Tahani's attempts to help keep falling flat. There were so many moments to love in this plot thread, but I think the thing I liked the best was the fact that Tahani really tried to do the right thing, and we can see how much she's changed throughout the show based on how she tries to help. She liked making people feel good back when we first met her, but that was all selfishly motivated, and she honestly just wanted more attention on herself. But here, she works to give Jason good advice, comfort Janet, and then, most importantly, works to remove herself from the situation as gently as possible to clear the way for Janet and Jason's complicated relationship. She even acknowledges that she knows her fake marriage to Jason isn't the main obstacle. This isn't about her, and she really does just want to help them.

Also, Janet is... so funny. I know I talk about her a lot, but she's just the greatest and I can't help myself. She's worried about being embarrassed if her emotions come pouring out, and I imagine this is confusing for so many reasons. She's new to having so many feelings, and everyone has just been in her void, which is a pretty intense thing for a being like Janet, and she's having to pretend to be a neutral Janet for the sake of Michael's ruse. What a confusing day. D'arcy Carden kills it once again. She's adorable.

Chidi and Eleanor are so in love, and it makes my heart soar! Now they've confessed their feelings, shared a kiss, and reached some sort of equilibrium. Maybe. Chidi is suddenly the calm one, and Eleanor is the one who's confused and doubting. That's the perfect direction for things to go at this point. Chidi isn't going to suddenly transform into a totally decisive person, as evidenced by his uncertainty as to whether or not Eleanor was suggesting sex. But he's confident in this one thing. He knows he loves Eleanor and he knows she feels the same way. Eleanor is the one who has avoided real love and relationships her whole life, and so it makes sense that when the walls finally come down, she'd be really scared of what's next.

I also liked the comedy of Eleanor and Chidi each being somewhat astonished at their new relationship. Partly it's cute, as they're both feeling so in love and lucky, but partly it's funny because they can't understand why on earth they would be attracted to each other. Chidi at one point just says "why?" when looking at Eleanor, completely bewildered as to why his own feelings would land him in this situation.

As we look forward to the last two episodes of this season, the new setup is that Michael has turned himself over voluntarily to the judge, because he's worked out what the real problem is with the points system. He's struck some sort of a deal, but we don't know what that is at this point. I'm beyond excited to find out!

9/10