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‘The Worst Possible Use Of Free Will’ – The Good Place season 3 episode 7 review

The Good Place begins to meander a bit but still hits a few high points along the way

SPOILER ALERT!
Serial

“You guys are either always sleeping or chewing something.” Sometimes it feels like Michael’s been spying on me. This week finds Michael and Eleanor holed up in the one place that’s guaranteed to be abandoned: a public library in Arizona. At the end of last week’s episode, Michael dropped the bombshell on Eleanor that she fell in love with Chidi in one of the hundreds of reboots of his neighbourhood, something that runs against Eleanor’s belief that she can’t fall in love. So, with the help of a banana, a roll of kitchen paper and an empty Tupperware container, Michael sets about showing Eleanor the events that led to her falling for Chidi.

Eleanor embarks on a tricky exploration of free will and tarantula squid

It’s nice to be back in the Good Place again, even if it feels like the show doesn’t quite make the most of it. The ‘Pick-a-Pet’ idea feels like a missed opportunity, especially as it plays out almost exactly as you’d imagine it would – although the obviousness of Jason’s pet being a penguin in a Jaguars shirt is adorable. The blossoming romance between Chidi and Eleanor also feels a tiny bit saccharine and out of character, which seems to be a recurring weakness in Schur’s shows. Once Ben and Leslie and Jim and Pam got together (in Parks And Recreation and The Office, respectively), their characters became a little grating and it would be a shame if Eleanor and Chidi were to suffer the same fate. Also, let’s not forget about Simone! My reaction throughout the whole thing was along the same as Michael’s fart noise when Eleanor says the word “soulmates”.

“I’m not saying the towels don’t suit you, they just clash a little with my dress.”

What’s far more interesting is how Michael is so reticent to let Eleanor see how the reboot in question ends. I’m still to be convinced that this return to the land off the living is all Michael claims it is. I can’t help but study every grimace, every grin, every word he says, looking for a clue. Instead it’s Eleanor who drops the clue: “Maybe there’s a mega demon and he built a torture chamber for demons and this whole thing is just him torturing you.” You might be on to something there Eleanor!

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