The Good Place TV Series Review: A Smart Introduction to Living a Good Life... and Moral Philosophy

The Good Place is an American fantasy comedy series created by Michael Schur and one of the most unexpectedly thoughtful TV comedies. 

It looks bright and easygoing at first glance, with Ted Danson and Kristen Bell leading an instantly likable ensemble. 

Beneath that playful exterior, however, the show, to me, is actually a surprisingly accessible introduction to philosophy, ethics, and some of the hardest moral questions humans have ever asked. 

What does it mean to be a good person? Can people really change? And if we could live forever, would that actually be a blessing? 

Plot summary

The story begins when Eleanor Shellstrop dies and wakes up in “the Good Place,” a pleasant afterlife reserved for people who lived exceptionally ethical lives. Eleanor quickly realizes something is wrong. She knows she does not belong there, and she fears being exposed and sent somewhere far worse.

Trying to stay hidden, Eleanor turns to Chidi Anagonye, her assigned soulmate, who happens to be a professor of ethics and moral philosophy. He becomes her guide, whether he wants to be or not, as she attempts to become the kind of person who deserves her good fortune. Overseeing the neighborhood is Michael, the cheerful “architect” responsible for designing their corner of paradise. Rounding out the central group are Tahani Al Jamil, a glamorous philanthropist with a competitive streak, and Jason Mendoza, a sweet, impulsive mess who is also hiding his own big secret.

There is also Janet, the neighborhoods' informational assistant, who can answer questions and provide what residents request. She is played by D’Arcy Carden, and she becomes a key part of the show’s identity and comedy. From there, the series keeps evolving in ways that are best experienced unspoiled. It is enough to say that the show loves bold turns, but it never loses track of character growth.

What works best

The best thing about The Good Place is how it makes philosophy feel human. The show does not simply name drop ideas for cleverness. It uses the characters’ mistakes, fears, and friendships to explore them. Chidi’s lessons introduce viewers to real moral frameworks, but the series keeps asking the practical version of every theory: what do you actually do, day to day, when being good is inconvenient, confusing, or costly?

Just as important, the show tackles the meaning of life on Earth. It suggests that part of what makes life precious is that it ends. When you have deadlines, limits, and consequences, your choices carry weight. The series then pushes into an even harder question: if you could live forever, would that be desirable? Or would eternity flatten joy into sameness, until even paradise starts to feel empty? That is not a small topic for a network comedy, and the show treats it with surprising honesty.

The performances sell everything. Ted Danson gives Michael warmth, charm, and perfect comic timing, while also handling deeper emotional shifts with ease. Kristen Bell is excellent as Eleanor, making her selfishness funny without making her unwatchable, and making her growth feel earned rather than forced. The supporting cast is just as strong, especially D’Arcy Carden, who turns Janet into a scene stealer and an essential part of the show’s heart.

Conclusion and recommendation

The Good Place is funny, fast, and consistently inventive, but its real achievement is emotional and intellectual. 

It encourages viewers to reflect on what goodness looks like in real life, and it asks some genuinely difficult questions about happiness, meaning, and whether “forever” is even something we should want. 

It is a rare show that can make you laugh, then make you pause, then make you feel something, all in the same episode.

Rating: 4.7 out of 5

All views are my own personal thoughts and reflections on movies and books that I read, on my blog Left Hand Column: Book and Film Reviews.