The Good Place Season 3 Episode 1, “Everything is Bonzer!,” is a fantastic premiere and brings our favorite dead people back to life, with Michael having to fix problems along the way to keep them in check.
At the end of Season 2, when it was revealed that our lovely friends would be returning to human life, I got nervous about how bringing people back from the dead would work, but this premiere is the funniest in the whole series.
What I love most about Team Cockroach being on earth and alive is they don’t remember meeting one another, but it doesn’t change the fact that they still need each other.
THE GOOD PLACE — “Everything is Bronzer! Pt. 2” Episode 302 — Pictured: (l-r) Ted Danson as Michael, D’Arcy Carden as Janet — (Photo by: Justin Lubin/NBC)
They can’t become good people entirely on their own because they don’t have the capability, but together they can change anything they put their minds to.
All throughout the hiatus I wondered how it would happen and hoped that Eleanor and Chidi would end up getting together in real life, but I prefer Chidi and Simone together.
Eleanor and Chidi had plenty of simulations in the good place where they weren’t soulmates, and it was okay, so this time around I think he should be trying with someone else.
THE GOOD PLACE — “Everything is Bronzer! Pt. 2” Episode 302 — Pictured: Kristen Bell as Eleanor — (Photo by: Justin Lubin/NBC)
Simone is the same level of smart as Chidi, can handle to be around his inability to make decisions, and genuinely likes him. They make a cute couple, which is why Eleanor is so quick to push them together. She can feel the attraction between them, but Chidi still needs to learn how to speak up for himself, so she takes over to help.
Michael may think that Simone is a distraction for Chidi and gets in the way of his bonding with Eleanor, but I think it’s made them get closer even faster because Eleanor always butts into others’ business.
Also, Chidi begins to make his own decisions in his life after meeting Simone and talking with her. No, he’s not totally cured of everything, but Simone helps him get a grasp on things. She is good for him.
THE GOOD PLACE — “Everything is Bronzer! Pt. 2” Episode 302 — Pictured: Jameela Jamil as Tehani — (Photo by: Justin Lubin/NBC)
Tahani’s personal growth train is my favorite because after she almost died at her sisters’ party, it put perspective in her life, and she willingly moved to a temple to take up a vow of silence. Tahani had a real job, let that sink in. She willingly gave all of her old things away to trade it for a life of simplicity, but you can only go so long before your old ways make a comeback.
I know that it wouldn’t be the Tahani we know if she turned down getting back in the spotlight, but part of me was hoping we’d see her stay at the temple for at least two episodes.
Tahani was doing good, but after the book, her self-involved ego came back out tenfold, which is why Michael shoves her towards Eleanor and Chidi. It became more about what Tahani was doing instead of why, and Michael pushed those buttons to get her to join the ethical study.
THE GOOD PLACE — “Everything is Bronzer! Pt. 2” Episode 302 — Pictured: Jameela Jamil as Tehani — (Photo by: Justin Lubin/NBC)
I think that Tahani has real potential to be a good person when she isn’t around her sister or other famous friends. She’s done it once before and she can do it again.
I’ve put forth the effort and have concluded that I’m probably never going to like Jason as a character. He has some funny lines that I can laugh at, but I can’t deal with stupidity being the whole joke of the character on everything. It seems a little one note for me.
Overall, The Good Place came back to television with a bang and will continue to be one of the funniest shows on the air. This season is going to deliver and I can’t wait to be fed.
Other Thoughts:
I am so happy that Adam Scott is returning for Season 3, even though his character is vile and evil. Trevor, his character, is going to cause so much lowkey drama and devastation in the group and I can’t wait to see how Team Cockroach handles him in real life.
The only thing that would make everything better is if Janet could be on earth as well.
Favorite Quotes:
Eleanor: Eat my farts Benedict Cumberbatch.
Janet: I’ve been running simulations on what their kids will be like. One of them is hot enough to be on the bachelor, and one of them is smart enough to never go on the bacheor.
Tahani: First, I cleansed myself of all the worldly posessions that had been weighing me down like anchors; the dresses, the jewels, I gave them all to good will. That’s what I call Prince William, since he married a commoner I assumed he knew some needy people they could go to.
What did you think of this episode of The Good Place? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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.
