Danielle Solzman
The Good Place begins the final round of goodbyes when the fourth season premiere of the ethics-teaching series airs tonight on NBC.
There’s no easy way to discuss this comedy series without fear of spoilers. It’s also a series that you honestly need to start from the beginning. There’s no up and jumping into the fourth season or you’ll be very lost. Honestly, I feel that The Selection digital series will enhance the new season, too.
At the end of season three, Mike Schur and company found a way to reinvent the wheel yet again. Just when you think that they can’t possibly do it, they find a way to top themselves. In this case, the honor goes to Shawn (Marc Evan Jackson) and the demons to select the new four subjects to be housed in the neighborhood. This is all you need to know because everything else will only lead into spoiler territory.
Here’s a quick primer to catch you up though. At the end of season three, Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell) took over Architect duties from Michael (Ted Danson). Chidi (William Jackson Harper) decided to have his memories erased. This decision will have lasting ramifications on the entire season but it’s not like this wouldn’t have been expected. Tahani Al-Jamil (Jameela Jamil) and Jason Mendoza (Manny Jacinto) are also hoping to be redeemed following the third season. As usual, Janet (D’Arcy Carden) comes to everyone’s aid.
Kristen Bell and Ted Danson have great chemistry together but this goes without saying. What I want to do is give actress D’Arcy Carden (soon to be seen in the upcoming Greener Grass) her due. Last season, the actress turned in an Emmy-worthy performance “Janet(s)”. The actress is solidly reliable and a strong reason for why The Good Place works so well. This season should be no different.
My cap is off to the cast and crew as we begin the long goodbye. Many shows are lucky to get the back nine ordered let alone last beyond the first season. While I’ll be one of many people to miss the show when it ends, The Good Place creator Mike Schur is ending it on his terms. This isn’t going to be a case of a series that goes past its expiration. This happened with The Office but not so much the case with fan favorite Parks and Recreation. Maybe we’ll get a crossover with the latter but this is just wishful thinking.
The Good Place is the best series about ethics in the history of television. Enjoy the long goodbye because there might never be the likes of The Good Place again.
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Michael Schur, David Miner, Morgan Sackett, Drew Goddard
CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Dylan Morgan, Josh Siegal, Joe Mande, Megan Amram, Jen Statsky, Aisha Muharrar, Dave King
PRODUCER: David Hyman
CONSULTING PRODUCER: Matt Murray
CO-PRODUCERS: Frank Sackett, Daniel Schofield, Andrew Law, Cord Jefferson, Kassia Miller, Doug Smith, Matthew Quezada
CAST: Kristen Bell, William Jackson Harper, Jameela Jamil, D’Arcy Carden, Manny Jacinto, and Ted Danson
