[8.0/10] This episode had real stakes, despite being a bit of a bottle episode. Not having much happen in terms of major events, but just putting all the characters in a room and having them bounce off one another and deal with this nigh-unprecedented situation in The Good Place is a recipe for letting the performers shine. And other details, like the lie/truth box or Janet’s file/cactus conclusion make for some entertaining comedy alongside it. Hell, Jianyu remaining nonresponsive and Michael extrapolating his action as deep wisdom is consistently amusing bit. But the main event comes with the characters. Michael wanting to find a reason to keep our Eleanor, while also being disappointed with his own mistakes and frustrated with Eleanor’s own transgressions is an interesting side of Michael for Danson to play. Kristen Bell is great as always, reflecting on her terrible deeds in life (“Dress Bitch” being a particularly good fable that just gets worse and worse with every step.) And Tahani being upset and wanting to kick Eleanor out without admitting that’s what she wants is an interesting look at her character too. Plus, holy crap Adam Scott! Who knew he could play such an amusing and convincing douchebag! It’s nice to have a good *Parks and Rec* alum on a Michael Schur show, and he’s hilarious and unexpectedly perfect as the representative of The Bad Place. There’s payoff for Eleanor’s good deeds after he death though. Her thanking Chidi for his help, realizing that Tahani really was a friend, and exchanging hugs is genuinely sweet. And Chidi going to Michael, confessing, but making a case for why Eleanor should stick around is an earned bit of catharsis for all that she’s accomplished and grown with over the past eight episodes. The last second train reprieve works, and as the show has become quite adept at, the final reveal that there’s another Eleanor is quite a tease. Overall, it’s an interesting way for the show to change the status quo, and it gives each member of the main cast a chance to shine and develop a bit.

The entire questionnaire (or the parts of it that we hear) is extremely American-pop-culture-centric… which makes zero sense. Even just this one neighborhood of The Good Place handles people from all over the globe. Also, I considered docking a rating point just for the insult to Hawaiian pizza, but then decided that would be too petty.

CSI, Law and Order, Chicago Fire, etc. all get a ton off spin-offs.... can we get a spin-off for The Bad Place? Please?