The Good Place - What We Owe to Each Other - Review: "That's How RiRi Do"

In the most recent installment of The Good Place, Eleanor sets out to distract Michael so he doesn’t discover her secret and can destress. It is subsequently revealed that Architects are not supposed to live in the neighborhoods they create, but Michael had a theory that the adjustment period would be better if the Architect stuck around. If it turns out to be a failure, he will be in big trouble with his bosses, which is why he is so stressed out. Through having a fun day with Eleanor, Michael realizes that the issue in the town is a resident. In the end, Michael announces to the town that he is the problem and is going to leave The Good Place. Meanwhile, Tahani wants to go to a spa to reconnect with Jason/Jianyu, who begs Chidi to tag along. Chidi and Tahani end up bonding over shared artistic and cultural interests.

Let’s start with the main focus of the episode: Eleanor and Michael. The Major Michael Meltdown that I’ve been waiting for finally happened! The writers have been building towards it all season and in this episode he finally went full unshaven, mumbling to himself, obsessed Michael. The pairing of crazy Michael with Eleanor was also especially strong. They had such great chemistry in the opening minutes of the pilot and it was great to see a full episode dedicated to their characters’ relationship. Even though it is a comedy, the strongest scene between them was when Michael had finally given up and, although it could expose her, Eleanor prioritized cheering him up. This was a great moment that illustrates Eleanor’s growth and how much Michael has spiraled from the ridiculously positive and happy Architect we met in the first episode. And the cherry on top of it all was the constant, hilarious Friends references!

The Michael and Eleanor story arc was also tied directly to the show’s ongoing storyline surrounding the crazy things happening in The Good Place. The last few episodes I mentioned how underwhelmed I was by the sinkhole and the cliffhangers it produced. This week, however, I am back to being hooked with the reveal that Michael is going to leave The Good Place. I’m wondering everything from what the emotional fall out is going to be (will Eleanor feel guilty and how will that play out?) to the more plot driven questions (who is going to be the new leader? Who are Michael’s bosses who is he so afraid of?). The writers clearly have some more tricks up their sleeves!

Now, let’s talk Chidi and Tahani. When the “Tahani, Jason/Jianyu, Chidi go to the spa” storyline began, I thought it was going to be a pretty basic B-Story. On the contrary, this episode laid some great groundwork in developing a potential romantic relationship between Chidi and Tahani. I loved seeing them bond over the same interests and was moved when the beautiful painting that Jason/Jianyu gave Tahani was actually Chidi’s idea. After this episode, I would love to see them attempt a romantic relationship, especially after we found out in episode 5 that Chidi is upset that as long as Eleanor is in heaven, he will never have a soulmate. They both are in The Good Place without a true soulmate because Eleanor and Jason/Jianyu aren’t supposed to be there so I like the idea that maybe they were supposed to find each other all along. Okay, now I’m just gushing. But I definitely like the connection that was made between them in this episode and am excited to see where it goes. Hey, who knows, maybe Tahani and Chidi will have to do some secret keeping, just like Eleanor and Jason/Jianyu have to, because their relationship wasn’t predetermined by Michael.

And then there’s Jason/Jianyu. He just makes me laugh so much. I know usually I talk about how I want these characters to get more storylines and development, but I’m pretty okay with him just being a lovable dope for now. He always provides some of the funniest one liners of the show and I love him for it.

Overall Grade:
A. The writers got the story back on track, there is a potential new relationship brewing, and there were so many hilarious lines (mostly related to Friends)!

Favorite Quotes:
Jason/Jianyu: She’s so pretty, like Nala from The Lion King. And she talks so smart… Like Nala from The Lion King.

Michael: Well, since we are becoming friends… like Ross and Phoebe.
Eleanor: Weird combo to pick, but okay.

Brittany: Drop everything you’re doing. Rihanna is performing in Vegas, I got tickets. We are road tripping.
Eleanor: I can’t! I promised I would house sit one more day and I have to feed this stupid dog.
Brittany: I’m sorry, does this dog smoke blunts, topless, on a yacht, like a boss? ‘Cause that’s how RiRi do.

Michael: I feel like Friends in season 8. Out of ideas and forcing Joey and Rachel together even though it made no sense.*
*Interestingly, this is the only season Friends won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series.

What are your thoughts on this Michael centric episode? Let me know in the comments!

About the Author - Doug Greer

Doug Greer is a TV obsessed Leo from the Bay Area. His TV origin story begins in 7th grade, when his friend lent him her Buffy the Vampire Slayer DVDs and 144 episodes (and 9 days) later, he was hooked for life. All time favorites include (but most certaintly not limited to) everything Joss Whedon, Charmed, The 100, Nikita, Battlestar, and anything with a laugh track. More recently, Doug produced and help write a webseries for The CW called CW FanTalk and also produced webseries for actors such as AnnaLynne McCord and John Lehr. For the 2016-2017 season, Doug will be reviewing 2 Broke Girls and The Good Place.

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