Kantian ethics, the Jacksonville Jaguars, Frozen Yogurt, and Maya Rudolph dancing to classic disco hits in full judge attire. Add all of those seemingly unrelated things together and what do you get? Season four of NBC’s The Good Place. Let’s talk about it.

 Created by Michael Schur in 2016, The Good Place has received critical acclaim and 14 Emmy nominations in its four season run according to iMDB, and rightly so. Combining complex philosophy with relatable quips and cheesy punchlines, The Good Place is simultaneously relatable and high brow. Kristen Bell’s portrayal of Eleanor Shellstrop gives the viewer an imperfect goofball to empathize with.William Jackson Harper’s Chidi Anagonye is a lovable nerd who mirrors the more insecure and obsessive sides of ourselves. Jason Mendoza, played by Manny Jacinto, is a clueless, joyful, and endearing source of unending comic relief. Ted Danson truly shines in his role as Michael, a professional, but increasingly dorky, reformed demon. Tahani Al-Jamil, portrayed by Jameela Jamil, is a posh, stuck up socialite who, over the four seasons, has endeared herself to the viewer and shed her previously pretentious traits to become truly likeable.

Character progression is essentially the main theme of The Good Place and, because season four is its last, we can finally see how each of the lovable main cast members will end up. I will not spoil the plot, but rest assured that each character sees a dynamic arc throughout the season, and their individual plotlines terminate beautifully in the fantastic double length finale titled “Whenever you’re ready.” The show not only delivers passionate and emotional stories but also presents a larger message on human nature and morality. Because it takes place almost entirely in Michael Schur’s imagining of the afterlife, The Good Place is able to confront some of the deepest questions about the universe, using comedy, romance, and other theatrical devices.

One of my personal favorite aspects of The Good Place is its constant, and often comedic, critique of the living world. Its afterlife setting puts all of the characters in a position to make retrospective observations, often in the form of witty humor, on some of the most mundane and often  unconsidered aspects of human life, from podcasts to hockey. This show  stands out in its comedic style, departing from previous Michael Schur hits like The Office and drifting into more clean cut and precise territory. 

Other outstanding performances in the show include Maya Rudolph as The Judge ( a quirky, bumbling, and incredibly relaxed cosmic diviner of right and wrong) and D’Arcy Carden’s Janet (a robotic and matter of fact universal assistant). Every character, side or main, in this show is perfectly written. Superfluous side plots are nowhere to be found, and no person, place, or thing seems to be unnecessary to the story.

The Good Place is one of the best shows of the 2010’s. It perfectly combines complex concepts and emotions with relatable humor, and it lets the viewer feel at home in the bizarre world of the afterlife.