Editorials
10 Best Lessons The Good Place Taught Us
For a show focusing on what happens after death, it sure has a lot to teach us about life.
The Good Place was bursting with lessons and teachable moments that were thrown at us in a variety of ways: Eleanor, Chidi, Tahani, and Jason’s experiences in the faux Good Place, Chidi’s philosophy lessons, Michael’s trial-and-error of understanding humanity, and several hundred Janet reboots.
Not all of the lessons were equal but they were equally as important, and we’ll forever be grateful that the show put them on our radar and helped us become better people.
Join us in reflecting on the lessons we’ve learned from the best, smartest, and most well-written show of the 2010s.
Lesson #1 – Whatever you think you know about your life, you’re probably wrong.
Time after time we thought we had The Good Place figured out, only for it to pull the rug out from under us again and again. Take a moment and you’ll notice the same thing tends to happen in our real lives. Did you schedule out your entire week? Too bad an ant colony is planning an invasion on your kitchen Wednesday. Did you finally find the best pizza in the city? Just wait until you find out it’s a drug front. Think your successful friend is trying to help you move up in the office? Sorry, he’s actually an evil demon relentlessly torturing you.
The Good Place taught us that not only are things not always what they seem, but that reality is not even close to what we think. Apples to oranges is really more like apples to your insurance card. So get ready to roll with the punches and stay on your toes – you never know what’s coming next.
Lesson #2 – Change is possible, but it’s work.
Eleanor, Chidi, Tahani, and Jason each had to change themselves if they wanted to earn a spot in the Good Place. It wasn’t easy, though. They had to continually work at improving over 800 years of time, with demons, both personal and literal, trying to drag them down. But they put in the work and time to improve, and most importantly, they didn’t leave each other behind.
They never jumped on each other from slip-ups or told the other they were worthless because they were bad people in the past. They worked hard, both individually and together, to change for the Good. Even Michael, the demon who began the series torturing them, became a force for good, and if Michael can do it, so can you.
NBC/The Good Place
Lesson #3 – Just because you think you’re a good person doesn’t mean you are.
Chidi and Tahani both completely believed they had earned paradise, as did our recent buddy Brent in season 4. Unfortunately for them, they were secretly in the Bad Place all along, proving definitely that just because you think you’re a good person, doesn’t mean anyone else does. Tahani and Brent both need some more self-awareness and a better understanding of what being “good” entails, but Chidi only ever had the best intentions at heart and he still constantly caused pain and dismay to those around him through his indecision. We certainly took a look in the mirror after these revelations, not to make sure we were good people, but to find out what parts of ourselves weren’t good and how we could adjust them.
Lesson #4 – We make our own meaning.
Whether it’s helping other people, partying like there is no tomorrow, or building a relationship, we make our own meaning in life. The humans of the Good Place are perpetually screwed, and yet they continue helping each other, comforting each other, laughing together, and building their bonds. When demons are coming for them, they celebrate. When they’re bound for hell, they spend time trying to save others from the same fate. When they discover soulmates aren’t real, they make them anyway. When everything seems lost in our own lives, we think of The Good Place to remind us that we can find a purpose in all that madness, and be our best selves in the process.
Lesson #5 – Almond milk is bad for the environment.
When Chidi discovers he’s in the Bad Place, he believes he knows the reason: he drank almond milk despite knowing it was bad for the environment. We never knew this, but have totally removed almond milk from our diets ever since. Chidi was initially derided for believing this was the reason he was sent to the Bad Place, but we’ve learned in the back half of the series that small, seemingly inconsequential transgressions (such as drinking almond milk) are contributing to the mass rejection of humans from the Good Place. It’s difficult to be good in a world that has become so complicated that the simple act of drinking almond milk loses you points, and we’ve been on the lookout for the unseen consequences behind our innocent actions ever since.
The Good Place/ NBC
Lesson #6 – Own who you are (even if it’s a Jaguars fan)
While change and betterment were at the core of The Good Place, Eleanor, Chidi, Tahani, and Jason only made progress at becoming better people when they acknowledged and accepted their flaws.
The four humans weren’t bad people, per se, they were simply products of their environment who oftentimes let their insecurities get the best of them. But those qualities also made them unique and valuable. They were just “bad enough” that they could change, but they also needed those qualities in order to change. Change requires acknowledgment of the problem, acceptance of those flaws, and the desire to become better. The humans did all of that and wore their flaws like badges of honor to improve and grow in the afterlife.
Check Out Our The Good Place Gift Guide for All Your Afterlife Swag
However, improvement never required them to become different people. They channeled their flaws and turned them into positives. Even after becoming better, those fundamentals of who they were and what made them the characters we love were still there; Eleanor’s raunchiness, Chidi’s indecisiveness, Jason’s simultaneous dopeness and dopey-ness, and Tahani’s need for approval. Their experiences came in handy many times when dealing with demons and trying to save the world ie. Eleanor’s wit and skepticism were instrumental in continuously cracking the mystery that the Good Place was really the Bad Place. It was because of who they were that they were able to make such strides in the afterlife, flaws and all.
Lesson #7 – Empathy goes a long way
When the series began, Michael was a demon from the Bad Place who enjoyed causing pain to the four humans, but as time went on and he grew closer to the humans, he began to learn and understand what it meant to be human. He became empathetic to their experiences, their struggles, and their desire to change.
The best example of this is when Michael agrees to help them get to the judge so they can present their case of why they deserve to be in the Good Place. When he realized they only had four badges to get through the portal, he told Eleanor that he finally solved “The Trolley Problem” and sacrificed himself by putting his friends first. He understood how hard they’ve worked to become better people and knew they deserved a shot at proving it.
In a similar fashion, Janet, an animatronic guide, also learned to be human. After more than dozens of reboots, she becomes an all-knowing entity that not only knows all the answers to every question in the universe but also starts to understand the human experience. She begins to display human emotions like love (mostly for Jason) she understands feelings of sadness, happiness, and everything in between, and she has the capacity to put herself in someone else’s shoes. Compassion and empathy are at the core of what makes us human.
NBC/ The Good Place
Lesson #8 – Frozen yogurt really is delicious
Michael rebooted his neighborhood many times after it seemed to fail, but one thing that was constant was the frozen yogurt shops. Michael put it in there as a form of torture, but let’s be real, frozen yogurt is hardly torture. As Michael explained, humans excel at “taking something and ruining it a little so you can have more of it,” and it may not be ice cream, but froyo is delicious in its own right (fight me).
In fact, the invention of froyo single-handedly proves humans are geniuses and thus, froyo should be eaten and enjoyed in abundance. If there is an afterlife with an unlimited menu of flavors, that’s enough to convince us to be our best selves every single day. When Eleanor confronts Michael about all the froyo shops, he even admits it by replying, “I’ve come to really like frozen yogurt.”
Lesson # 9 – Know when it’s time to let go and move on
In the second to last episode of the series, Ted Danson’s character Michael realizes that he’s fulfilled his purpose. He went from being a demon who tried to innovate the torture experience for humans sentenced to the Bad Place, befriended them, became a better person, and built a new afterlife system with their help to save all of humanity. Initially, he tries to sabotage Vicki from taking his job but eventually accepts that she’s better at it than he is and hands over the reins, which is a key lesson.
Related: The Best Episode of The Good Place Is… “Best Self”
It’s imperative that one understands when their path has run its course, when it’s time to walk away from something that no longer serves them, or when it’s time to find something new and challenging. Now, Michael is walking into the unknown and not knowing what waits for him on the proverbial other side, which is scary, but it’s also a necessary part of life. As humans, we are constantly reinventing ourselves and searching for our next journey. Sometimes, there’s magic with accepting and “going with the flow.”
Lesson #10 – If it’s meant to be, it’ll be
No, I’m not singing the Florida Georgia Line and Bebe Rexha song, although, it is fitting. I’m talking about trusting that whatever is meant for you will find you. Soulmates don’t exist in the afterlife, but that never stopped Eleanor and Chidi from falling in love and finding each other over and over again after almost 800 reboots. They were meant to be, it was written in the stars, call it whatever you want, but they always found a way back to each other, even if they didn’t have their memories.
At one point, the only thing Chidi was ever sure of was his love for Eleanor. When he made the sacrifice to get rebooted to save all of humanity, it’s because they both believed that they would be reunited again. It’s the very simple idea of trusting what the universe has planned for us and not trying to control your destiny. When Michael was trying to succeed with his neighborhood, he did everything in his power to prevent Chidi and Eleanor from meeting and finding each other and somehow, they always did. Okay, cue the FGL + Bebe song, baby.
Catch up on all episodes of The Good Place now
Written by: Tommy Czerpak and Lizzy Buczak
Jesse Lee Soffer, who brilliantly brought detective Jay Halstead to life for 10 seasons on Chicago PD, was written out of the series on Chicago PD Season 10 Episode 3, which aired on Wednesday, Oct. 5. You can read the review here!
The following post was written before Season 10 Episode 3 aired:
Halstead has been with the franchise from the beginning, making several appearances on PD’s sister shows, Chicago Fire and Chicago Med, so his departure is an emotional one for fans. Many viewers have long felt that he’s the glue holding Intelligence together, and he’s definitely the heart of the team, ensuring that Voight (Jason Beghe) stays in line. Some even thought he would be the one to take the reins from Voight upon his retirement, so Soffer’s decision to leave has come as quite a shock.
Naturally, fans want to know how he’s going to leave the team, the series, and his wife Hailey Upton (Tracy Spiridakos), along with when it’s going to happen. We’d rather plan accordingly than be blindsided!
While there’s not much information about the events surrounding his departure, the series is building up to it with the season 10 premiere setting up a conflict between Halstead and Upton, which bled into the second episode of the season. The way things are between them this season isn’t what fans are used to from this couple; it’s not “us” as Upton pointed out. And it’s not like Halstead to lie to Upton or buddy up with Voight.
Voight made sure to underscore that their personal feelings cannot affect the job anymore in the premiere, noting, “If it ever shows up on the job again, the three of us, we’re not working together anymore, understood?” as Upton informed him that if he keeps up his rogue behavior, he’s going to lose Jay.
CHICAGO P.D. — “A Good Man” Episode 1003 — Pictured: Jesse Lee Soffer as Jay Halstead — (Photo by: Lori Allen/NBC)
However, one could argue that Halstead’s loyalty to Voight also makes sense as he previously asked his sergeant to be upfront with him about any rogue decisions before they happen so he can help out. Maybe that’s what’s happening here, and Halstead is lying to Upton to protect her so that she’s not dragged into it again.
Some fans have suggested that it’s possible Voight is trying to help Halstead get a new job, though, I’m not convinced that he would just choose to leave his wife to pursue a different life path without her input.
And while Halstead’s motives may seem questionable for now, showrunner Gwen Sigan assured TV Insider that “it’s going to make sense to the fans when they see the episode that is his exit. We wanted it to be really a showcase for Halstead and who he is and what Jesse has meant to this show,” adding that Soffer’s performance is “one of his best.”
It seems like it’s a real possibility that Chicago PD Season 10 Episode 3 airing on Wednesday, Oct. 5, might be the end of the road for our loyal detective, if not a clear sign that it’s the beginning of the end.
The promo for the episode starts off with menacing music as Halstead, in civilian clothes, explains, “I’m here to tell the truth.”
“One bad act doesn’t make you a bad person,” he continues, sounding pretty guilty about something from his past. It’s also possible he’s vouching for Voight, who he’s been supportive of since Anna died.
Halstead has always been the voice of reason who sometimes has to do bad and immoral things to protect the ones he loves. The line of duty comes at a cost, and maybe it’s one he’s no longer willing to pay.
The teaser attempts to keep things suspenseful with the text overlay reading, “For Someone, This Is the End,” which points right to Jay as we all know he’s leaving. And the ending, which shows Hailey in tears as she looks at Jay in disbelief, seems to seal the deal.
This could very well be Jay’s final episode. It’s possible he confessed to everything and there’s no going back to Intelligence. Maybe he took the blame for what went down with Anna to further protect Upton and his team and clear his conscience?
If you’re not ready to say goodbye just yet, there is a glimmer of hope still as a few fans pointed out that Soffer was spotted filming recent episodes, and since he’s departing sometime in the fall, it would likely put his exit at possibly episode 8 or 9 of the season, and in that case, something major must happen in episode 3 that likely puts Halstead on a path that he’s going to realize he can no longer walk on.
And, as one fan pointed out, his exit, whatever it may be, will bring his character-arc full circle because he’s about to do to Hailey what Erin did to him all those years ago.
Sagan suggested that Halstead’s exit will throw Upton for a loop, which does kind of sound like there’s a falling out between the couple. Or maybe Halstead has just realized that he needs to start putting himself first for a change.
Either way, it’s hard on Upton: “Upton is going to have some fallout, yeah. It’s a tough place for her to be in. She is just so connected to Halstead who not only is her husband but also her partner. They are so so threaded together in their lives and so to see her on her own and have to navigate that—she certainly gets into some really interesting territory this season as she’s trying to navigate that. She’s someone that’s not necessarily the best at dealing with her emotions. She likes to be in control and likes to feel like she has control of her headspace,” Sagan clarified.
Hopefully, as they wrap up Halstead’s storyline and do his character justice, they’ll also give fans one more Halstead brothers moment with Will on Med. We deserve it!
Only time will tell what Halstead’s exit will truly look like, but one thing is for certain—it will be devastating to longtime fans nonetheless.
This is Halloween… so be ready for a fright.
The best way to celebrate spooky season (aside from with a pumpkin spice latte in hand) is with bone-chilling movies and TV shows. Thankfully, there are plenty coming at you this year ahead of Halloween.
From family-friendly choices to new installments of beloved classics, here’s a list of all the Halloween movies and TV shows of 2022:
Halloween Ends – Theaters/ Paramount+
Laurie Strode and Michael Myers face off one last time in the final installment of the Halloween franchise. See how it all goes down when the film hits theaters on October 14. It will also be available for streaming on Peacock.
Chucky (Season 2) – Syfy
Fans were absolutely taken with the first season of Chucky on Syfy, making a second season a guarantee. And after that jaw-dropping cliffhanger, you’re going to want to see what happens next when the murderous doll returns for more mayhem on October 5.
Wednesday – Netflix
Fans of the Addams family can enjoy a reimagining that focuses on Wednesday Addams played by Jenna Ortega, who truly embodies the Burton-esque essence of the character. The Netflix series also stars Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzmán as Morticia and Gomez Addams. No premiere date has been announced just yet, but expect it to arrive sometime in the fall.
Hocus Pocus 2 – Disney Plus
Sisstaaaaas! It’ll be a glorious morning when the Sanderson sisters (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy) rise again to reign terror on a new lot of children that light the Black Flame candle in Salem. The sequel to the beloved 1993 original has been a long time coming, which makes it that much more exciting.
Cabinet of Curiosities – Netflix
Step aside, American Horror Story. The new horror anthology comes from the mind of Guillermo del Toro and features a star-studded cast including Andrew Lincoln, Sebastian Roché, Rupert Grint and more. It’s based on a short story of the same name and features eight unique live-action stories meant to challenge our traditional notions of horror. Start streaming on October 25.
The Midnight Club – Netflix
The horror mystery-thriller hails from the minds of Mike Flanagan and Trevor Macy, the duo that gave you The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor, so you know it’s legit. It follows a group of eight terminally ill teens living in hospice that entertain each other with life-like horror stories and make a pact that the first person to die will come back and haunt them. It arrives on October 7.
Ghosts (Season 2) – CBS
There’s nothing creepy about Ghosts, the 20-minute sitcom comedy about a young couple who inherits a mansion and realizes it houses the ghosts of all those who have died on the property. However, it’s a fun concept that definitely taps into the “after-life.” Come season 2, we’ll see all the antics that come with Sam and Jay officially opening the B&B. The new season returns on September 29.
Jeepers Creepers: Reborn – Theaters
The film will serve as a reboot of the 2021 cult classic, though, it’s not connected to the original in any way. Sydney Craven’s Laine premonitions and visions of the Creeper are timed perfectly to when the town begins to prepare for its first horror fest. The film will have a limited theatrical run from September 19 through September 25.
Interview with a Vampire – AMC
The upcoming American gothic horror drama is a small-screen adaptation of Anne Rice’s 1976 novel of the same name. It will sink its fangs into Louis de Pointe’s (Jacob Anderson) epic story of “love, blood, and the perils of immortality” with Vampire Lestat (Sam Reid). It premieres on October 2.
The Curse of Bridge Hollow – Netflix
The Halloween comedy teams Marlon Wayans with Stranger Things star Priah Ferguson as a father-daughter unit forced to save their town after an ancient and mischievous spirit causes the decorations to come to life. Also starring Kelly Rowland, it hits the streamer on October 14.
Credit Netflix
Spirit Halloween: The Movie
We’ve all shopped at a Spirit Halloween store, but what if we got trapped in one overnight? That’s what the new film explores, but unfortunately for the kids hoping to enjoy a night of mischief and adventure, they end up haunted by an “angry evil spirit” (Back to the Future’s Christopher Lloyd) who is possessing all the toys inside the store. You can start streaming on your favorite VOD platform on October 11.
Bonus:
The Imperfects – Netflix
Since the series premieres on September 8, we’re adding it as a bonus. The fantasy horror finds a group of teens hunting down a scientist, whose experiments gave them monstrous side effects.
With the end of summer comes the start of the new school season. (And new TV season, but we’re not really diving into that right now!)
As plenty of students groan at the idea of returning to the classroom, parents are likely finding themselves breathing a sigh of relief that the teachers will be taking over from 9-5. And these teachers deserve the world for cultivating young minds with all the necessary skills and education to survive in the real world and thrive!
Ahead of the 2022-2023 school season, we’re nominating some of our favorite and most-memorable teachers that we know are bound to make any school year more exciting.
To be honest, we’re just jealous they weren’t our teachers in real life, but we’re glad these TV shows—both new and old— are allowing us to attend their class anyway!
Abbott Elementary Staff
The teachers at Abbott Elementary are hands-down the most caring and inspirational. They don’t have much, but they pour themselves into the school and its children. They are passionate about the work that they do, they navigate every roadblock that comes their way, and they show up day in and day out with creative ideas and new approaches to help ensure that students are getting the most out of their school day. Janine, Gregory, Melissa, Barbara, and Jacob are the best of the bunch.
Credit: ABC/ Abbott Elementary
Mr. Feeny – Boy Meets World
’90s kids know there was no better teacher—on TV or in real life— than Mr. Feeney. William Daniels brought so much care and wisdom to the role. He was a role model, a mentor, and a friend that guided Cory Matthews and his friends throughout every single moment of their adolescence. We’ve all applied the teachings and advice of Mr. Feeny to our everyday lives, including his most important lesson: “do good.”
Cory Matthews – Girl Meets World
Mr. Feeny was so inspirational that when Cory became an adult, he followed in his footsteps. In Girl Meets World, the follow-up to Boy Meets World, Cory becomes a history teacher in hopes of guiding another generation using the same world-life lessons and mentorship that he received from Mr. Feeny.
Credit: Disney Channel
Jessica Day – New Girl
Zooey Deschanel’s character was largely defined by her quirky behavior, but it’s also what made her such a promising middle school teacher at Coolidge Middle School. She was creative, sang a ton of songs, and really nailed the teacher aesthetic. She was also meant to be a nurturer as she later takes on other roles within the education system like substitute teacher and principal.
Credit: New Girl
Liz Ortecho – Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell, NM — “Steal My Sunshine” — Image Number: ROS401-784r — Pictured (L – R): Jeanine Mason as Liz Ortecho — Photo: John Golden Britt / The CW — © 2022 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Lily Aldrin – How I Met Your Mother
Lily’s kindergarten stories are relatable, not to mention they make for some funny moments throughout the series, including how she attempted to pick a baby name not connected to any of the bad students in her class. But overall, Lily’s quirkiness, energy, and motherly presence would make her a teacher we’d want to have.
Credit: How I Met Your Mother
Alaric Saltzman – The Vampire Diaries/Legacies
Legacies — “We All Knew This Day Was Coming” — Image Number: LGC319b_0510r — Pictured (L-R): Kaylee Bryant as Josie Saltzman, Matthew Davis as Alaric Saltzman, and Jenny Boyd as Lizzie Saltzman — Photo: Tom Griscom/The CW — © 2021 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Haley – One Tree Hill
Credit: WB/One Tree Hill
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