The Good Place Roundtable: Somewhere Else

The Good Place Season 2 Episode 13, “Somewhere Else,” is the cherry on top to a fantastic season.

The humans of Team Cockroach are given a second chance at life, this time with a little help from Michael and Janet to make sure they get into the good place.

Tell-Tale TV writers Ali Hanford, Janelle McCammack, Christina Cerutti, and Cade Taylor discuss this episode below.

The Good Place – Season 2 — THE GOOD PLACE — “Somewhere Else” Episode 213 — Pictured: Maya Rudolph as Judge — (Photo by: Colleen Hayes/NBC)

1. Would you have taken the option to go to the medium place while the judge, Michael, and Janet figure out a way to get you in the Good Place?

Ali: No way! Being all alone is its own kind of torture. Getting sent back to Earth for a second shot at life is a way better option.

Christina: No, I don’t think I would have taken the option to go to the medium place. I would’ve been by myself, and while I do cherish my alone time, I would’ve been too alone. Also, who knows how long I would be stuck in the medium place, I would probably go crazy.

Janelle: That would be a very challenging call. The Trolley Problem pales in comparison to this purgatory-esque conundrum. If I were Eleanor and had just had a hot-diggity-dog moment, I would hold out for a more hopeful future.

Cade: I don’t think that I would. Being by myself for eternity doesn’t sound like too much fun when you could be alive again.

2. What was your reaction when Chidi finally kissed Eleanor?

Ali: The second he decided to kiss her I knew they were going to get separated. So, it was that “Finally!” followed by concern.

Christina: I gasped and had the biggest grin on my face. The way he cups her face and she just falls into him. Plus, he made a decision, and he didn’t overthink it-he just followed his heart.

Janelle: Yas Chidi! I was so proud and happy for my favorite hem-and-hawing philosopher. He was finally able to see what Eleanor has seen for a long time – they are in love. And he took action! I feel like Chidi should have been able to get a do-over with the good place test.

He’s ready to make decisions of the heart and hat. All that being said, I actually ship Eleanor and Tahani as much as I ship Eleanor and Chidi. I think she’s in love with both!

Cade: Finally!!! Waiting for Chidi to realize his feelings for Eleanor has been torturous. My only hope is that those same feelings will be there in real life when Eleanor confronts him.

3. With Eleanor and Chidi both alive again do you think their love will re-kindle in present time?

Ali: Eleanor and Chidi are clearly the shows central couple, so they’re obviously going to get back together. However, I think there will be way more obstacles in the real world.

Christina: I’d like to think so because they are, in my opinion, meant to be. They weren’t supposed to be soulmates, but they always find their way back to each other. Granted, it’s unclear what actually lies in The Good Place because their Good Place was an illusion so who’s to say they’re not soulmates?

The fake Good Place rebooted over 800 times and through each reboot, Eleanor and Chidi found their way back to each other – why should this life on earth do-over test be any different?

Janelle: Absolutely. I think we already saw that with Eleanor traveling all the way to Chidi’s office to talk about ethics. Chidi had mentioned that as a romantic scenario in an earlier episode. These Russian doll references make me very sure that the entire Team Cockroach is meant to be and will find a way to be together for eternity.

Cade: I sure do hope so. It’s cruel to finally give us this pairing only to rip it away moments later, but they are made for each other, so I have all hope that nothing will stop them from being together.

4. What was your favorite Michael moment?

Ali: I loved seeing Michael’s Sam Malone moment. The bartender scene provided a great display of Michael’s affection for Eleanor and was a really great nod to Cheers.

Christina: I liked seeing Michael as the bartender. Little did Eleanor know this man has become her friends and he cares greatly for her and wants the best for her. It also felt like a little nod to Cheers which, was really cute.

Janelle: I adore the chemistry between Michael and Eleanor. They are my favorite pairing on the show! Michael connecting with Eleanor in the most human of consequences, at a bar as the bartender/therapist, was absolute heaven. That it also served as a Cheers call back, only sweetened the moment.

Cade: Michael and Eleanor have become my favorite things about The Good Place. The way Michael risks going out in the real world only to give Eleanor a push in the right direction is so heart-warming.

5. Sum up the last 5 minutes in 5 words and one gif.

Ali: They make each other better.

Christina: My babies found each other.

Janelle: Holy mother forking shirt balls.

Cade: Aww, soulmates really do exist.

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What did you think of this episode of The Good Place? Respond to our roundtable questions with your own answers in the comments below! You can also catch up with our review of “Somewhere Else,” right here.

The Good Place will return sometime in 2018 on NBC.

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Cade Taylor

Cade Taylor is a television and film critic living in St. Louis, Missouri. He is a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV. His love for television developed at a young age, with a concentration on queer stories, sitcoms, teen dramas, and science fiction thrillers. In addition, he works full-time as a news producer, telling the stories of Missourians and helming "Produced in the Bi-State," a segment spotlighting actors, musicians, and entertainers from the St. Louis area. He can be reached by email at cade@telltaletv.com.