One of my favorite shows of all time is NBC’s The Good Place. I have binge-watched this show multiple times on Netflix, and I never get bored of these 53 perfectly crafted episodes.
Premiering in 2016 and concluding in 2020, this program follows Eleanor Shellstrop, a character who dies and goes to the “afterlife”, also known as the Good Place. At first, she is pleasantly surprised to see where she has ended up due to her selfish actions and beliefs. However, the relief she feels disappears after speaking to the head of the Good Place, Michael, and finding that another woman with her same name should be sitting in her place. This means that the other woman has accidentally been sent to the Bad Place, which is where Eleanor is supposed to be. As she attempts to hide this error from Michael, she consults her assigned soulmate, former philosophy professor Chidi Anagonye, to help her change her selfish ways. Over the course of the show, Eleanor learns that it is never too late to become a better person.
While I love this show for its amazing characters, unique locations, and engaging plotlines, I also appreciate how this piece of media focuses on moral and ethical questions. Chidi educates Eleanor on philosophical concepts such as the trolley problem thought experiment and principles proposed by Aristotle. Every idea that Eleanor encounters is also applicable to the viewers, therefore those watching the show can judge the impact of their actions and how the world functions through these various philosophical perspectives. The Good Place encourages self-reflection both on internal, personal factors, as well as external, uncontrollable aspects.
Even though this task might seem overwhelming on paper, the show’s tone and general-purpose are centered on creating a positive experience for those watching. It allows for a sense of escape, as well as a greater appreciation for life itself. Death and what comes after can be terrifying for one to consider. But this program, despite taking place in a setting that isn’t within reach of humans that are alive, is grounded in ideas familiar to humans like kindness for oneself and others. If you have the time, I highly recommend checking out The Good Place. You won’t regret it.