Mockingbird

YEESSSS! And the audience clearly agrees with the Ruth Carter win.

Whoever sat Chris Evans by the stairs is a genius.

One thing I really love about T-Pain being on this is that it just fits the overall WTF-ness of the show. And I don’t actually think that exposure on this show would be much of a career boost. It just feels like a bit of vindication for him after all of the auto-tune drama. And I appreciated his ability to poke fun at himself in I’m on a Boat (that’s the explicit version and super NSFW). Gladys, of course, is the best singer, and I could listen to her cover contemporary hits forever. I just wish we could hear how this show was pitched/sold to the two of them. I have to imagine Donny was on board pretty immediately.

I’m all in on Monster. ALL IN.

I was so relieved that this had an optimistic ending. I’m a sucker for shows in which flawed people genuinely care about other flawed people and end up making each other a little better and making each others’ lives better. Like The Good Place, Russian Doll flips the “hell is other people” trope. And, sure, that’s Leslie Knope-ish. (Or, actually, Mike Schur-ish.) But it’s also kind of the only way to make it through life. I thought each episode of Russian Doll got progressively better, though now if I ever hear “Gotta Get Up,” it might cause a panic attack.

Everything about this episode was baffling and infuriating, other than Fin telling Carisi to eat a donut.

Clearly none of those judges ever had to watch Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in school.

BVD is the VIP of these (not this time) live musicals.

I wonder if this will lead to networks casting understudies now. Some of these vocals are unfortunately a bit rough. Brandon Victor Dixon excluded, of course, but maybe because he knows you give it your all at dress.

Except this time it’s not just all of humanity at stake. That’s almost too enormous to even comprehend when you’re stealing a key or entering the IHOP. This time, if Michael fails, the four humans he loves are going to spend eternity thinking that he betrayed them, that he takes immense joy out of torturing them. By making the stakes so much smaller in the big scheme of things, I do absolutely believe that this consequence of failure could completely decimate Michael, and it makes me love his character even more.

The Dickinson poem was beautiful and did perfectly encapsulate the finale. And Marc wrapping up a lovely send-off with “eat butt, ya ding-dongs” encapsulates everything I love about this show.

OUCH. The dot on the I in bearimy may have broken Chidi, but Michael’s going away video broke me. Janet IS a great friend. I don’t actually mind one last mind wipe. While each season did end with a mind wipe, I’ve always thought it was more important that each season ended with Eleanor setting the wheels in motion to find Chidi.

Pandemonium is the capital of hell in Paradise Lost. This has to be the most clever, nerdiest writers’ room in existence, and I love them so much. The Wikipedia article on Pandemonium here.

Dammit, Howie. Also, I wish they’d give Terry more to do. He’s too charming to be kept backstage looking shocked for 1.75 hours.

If it’s the magic panda who’s been popping up in the background of scenes, I might lose my mind. Edit: Yes, it’s the season finale.

I think they all improved quite a bit, even if Eleanor was the only one to actually pass her test. (Which would make her the only person to earn a spot in the Good Place in over 500 years...) In that episode, Chidi’s indecision sprang from the concern that choosing the wrong hat would damn his friends to hell; we saw him be SUPER decisive when it came to laying one on Eleanor. Tahani did open one door, but then she forgave her parents, moved on, and was later able to help Kamilah do the same. Jason...well, if Jason isn’t actually some Good Place operative sent to keep everyone safe and on track, he’s shown very little growth. And Michael has made more progress than anyone, which shows that humans aren’t the only redeemable beings in the universe.

I know that I shouldn’t have been so delighted to see Shawn. But I was absolutely delighted to see Shawn.

Eleanor, hug that poor, tortured, reformed demon! Although, I would love to see more of Ted Danson playing Vicki playing Michael. I shrieked in delight at the Niednagel. And I love how the show didn't mess around with needing to win over the Judge. Looking forward to seeing Eleanor taking the reigns in the neighborhood in the next episode (assumedly, since Michael is out of commission), but I hate that it's the season finale.

I guess I’m like Jason and just like to be included in things because I started tearing up when Janet and Tahani were hugging. Also Jason: “Yeah, man, we’re refugees. What kind of messed up place would turn away refugees?”

I don’t understand why this show keeps pushing Joel so hard. He’s the worst in an ensemble of pretty selfish characters. He’s more of a baby than the actual baby (“You left me back!”), and he’s allowed to sleep around but becomes furious when Midge dares to move on with someone who seems to support her career after Joel refused to get back together with Midge after she wouldn’t quit comedy. But, if Midge is perfectly fine with hurting Benjamin, maybe she and Joel deserve each other. I do love the idea of this show ending with Midge in a huge house all alone, just like Sophie, after she’s ostacized everyone who’s ever cared about her, but I feel like the writers want us to see her selfishness as ambition and drive. Rather than overall assholery. Edited to add that I DO really enjoy this show. But that last scene frustrated the hell out of me.

I do have to say though, if you’re not allowed to cuss in the actual Good Place, what’s the forking point?

The fact that “holy motherforking shirtballs, we’re in the Good Place” wasn’t the season finale cliffhanger is just one of the reason why I love this show so much. I don’t know who I was expecting for the head accountant, and I didn’t know I needed it to be Stephen Merchant until he showed up. Also, this episode DEFINITELY made up for the episodes where D’Arcy didn’t have much to do. She was great as all of the characters, but she particularly nailed Jason. I really hope D’Arcy’s on the podcast tomorrow. Loved Michael realizing—with lots of help from Janet—that he has to be the hero in this situation. Loved that one poor accountant’s concern about what Michael was going to do with the paperclip. Loved ChidiJanet saving Eleanor (hi, Monica!) and then worrying about being sexy.

Two Golden Globe nominations for Best Comedy and Best Actress in a Comedy! https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.freep.com/amp/2224470002

I feel like this renewal and the saving of Brooklyn 99 has earned NBC more than enough points to get into the Good Place. I know some people have been disappointed in this season (or at least in the time on earth), but I still love this show dearly and can’t wait to see where Team Cockroach goes next.

The “War in Words” sketch was so much funnier the first time on Maya Rudolph and Martin Short’s variety show. I remember nothing about the whole show other than this sketch. https://www.nbc.com/maya-and-marty/video/the-war-in-words/3044453 Claire Foy was great in the show, though. She felt a little like an afterthought in most sketches, but she nailed everything they gave her.