Question: What did you think of the finale of The Good Place? I loved it. Also a nice surprise that Shout Factory has announced a Complete Series Blu-ray release for May. (The first 3 seasons were released on DVD only, so I’m glad I never bought those and will get this one.) It’s so satisfying when a series actually gets the ending right. —Jake
Matt Roush: Isn’t it, though? I tend to be an easy crier, but even so, I had a field day blinking back tears through the finale of this series. It was so wise, so touching, so sweet and spot-on and still funny in its generosity toward its characters. There was also an acknowledgement throughout about “knowing when to leave,” not just as a TV show not overstaying its welcome but in a philosophical understanding that, in Chidi’s (William Jackson Harper) words, “Mortality adds meaning to our lives,” even in the afterlife. [Spoiler Alert] Watching each of the characters decide, except Tahani (Jameela Jamil), who found a new purpose, to go through the door, not knowing what was on the other side, because “the true joy is in the mystery” as “the wave returns to the ocean” was beyond moving. But I was most enraptured by the “Pinocchio”-like twist for Ted Danson’s Michael, who became so enamored by humanity that of course he had to finally become one. Just perfect.
To submit questions to TV Critic Matt Roush, go to: tvinsider.com
