Fix the Mistake: This Is Us "Songbird Road, Part One"

Last night's episode of This Is Us still has me crying! Here's a recap!

"Songbird Road, Part One" was an episode that had everything from humorist moments down to grabbing the tissues by the end. It was the best new episode of the new year by far and one that I hope that will get recognized for it's writing, directing and even acting from the cast but the one that gave a great performance was Michael Angarano as Nicky Pearson.

Beginning with Kevin and Randall talking with Kate about that Jack's brother isn't dead and heading on a road trip to find him. It's all fun at first but soon it gets pretty serious when they finally get to where Nicky is living, at a trailer home.

Thinking that no one is home, Nicky shows up and is introduced to his niece and nephews. He invites them in his trailer and soon he tells the story of what had happened during that bombing. He tells when he woke up from his high haze, he wakes up with a kid looking at him and started to intimidate the kid with a chocolate bar, but the kid grabs his glasses and the two started laughing and took him fishing.

Using grenades, Nicky drops one in the water and collects the dead fishes for food, but when they moved to another spot, Nick grabs another grenade but couldn't open it. Then the boy tries to help and the grenade is dropped on the boat. Nick screams to the kid to jump but moves to the edge of the boat and Nick jumps and the grenade goes off killing the kid. Jack rushes out and not only saves him but had it with him and sent him away. After that Nicky wanted Kevin, Randall, and Kate to go and leave him be after telling that story.

Meanwhile, in the flashback, we see Jack getting letters from Nicky of Clark Kent. But Jack keeps ignoring them by placing them inside his desk, but when he gets a letter at home he decides to finally see him. On his way there, he gets flashbacks when they were kids making promises of their future.

As Jack gets there, he tells Nicky that he doesn't want any more letters from him at all. Nicky invites him in his trailer and tries to talk to him about the war after showing him photos he's collected But Jack doesn't want to talk about that event as he has put that past him and moved on with his wife and family. And soon leaves Nicky for the last time, but there was a moment at the end where he was thinking about going back for him but instead headed back home and tell Rebecca that he saw a fellow soldier that needed help.

Nicky tells Kevin, Randall, and Kate that their father has two sides, the pre-war and the post-war. But after Kevin, Randall, and Kate left Nicky and stopped at a snack shop, Kevin realized that he needed to do something that he needed to fix his father's mistake and decides to pick up Nicky and take him home. As they get there, they go in and see him with a gun on the table and tells them that he didn't get a chance to explain to him while Kevin puts his hands on his shoulder to comfort him.

This was one of the most powerful episodes of this season since the fall finale. It was strong in the writing, strong character developments, performances from the cast and the directing were amazing. As I said it earlier, Michael Angarano deserves recognition from the performance of the week to Emmy for Guest Actor in a Drama series. I can understand why Jack did what he did but for him to almost go back for his brother and not that would be very cold. It literally gave us another side of Jack that we didn't see.

Overall, I give this episode a 9.5/10.

You can catch This Is Us when they return Tuesday, Feb. 5th at 9/8c on NBC.

Cops and Politicians: Chicago PD "Trust"

The Intelligence Unit might be facing more than just a killer. Here's a recap!

"Trust" is what I would call the door to what we've been waiting for since the beginning of the season. The chance to see what the intelligence unit would face against the Chicago politics of it all that would end with some shocking moments.

When a well-known district attorney is killed, the intelligence unit investigates that divides to what Hank and the team learn that its a connection to a mayoral candidate. Hank and the team find their suspect but his connection to Mayor Candidate Brian Kelton and Kate Brennan too. But only to release him due to his help with Kelton.

Meanwhile, during a chase Atwater gets shot in the shoulder and thought that he was a goner but comes out okay. But we see another memorable moment with Trudy after Atwater is out surgery and doing well. But the moment Hank learns that the Kate is involved with the Mayor on this, it turns into a moment of doing her a favor like she has said at the beginning of the season.

It was an amazing and intense episode. I thought the story was good and even strong in the developments of the characters. There were many moments that I loved in this episode from the Kate and Hank moments, Antonio and Burgess to even Trudy and Atwater at the hospital, which was a Kleenex moment. It also has me concern as if something is gonna happen with Trudy down the season? We've had those moments with her. John C. McGinley was amazing and fits perfect to the character so far in Kelton. Anne Heche's performance was good as well. and her chemistry with Jason Beghe just gives me goosebumps. Overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

You can catch Chicago PD Wednesdays at 10/9c on NBC.

To Trust or Not to Trust: Chicago Med "Who Can You Trust"

It's that one simple question, who can you trust?

"Who can you Trust" was an intense and dramatic episode that puts each character in a situation and divided each one. From Halstead, who still battling his PTSD, is standing by his patient's decision, who's a pregnant surrogate with twins, whether to end one of the baby's life to save the other or putting in a stint in that could save them both. He gets the patient to decide over the parents and soon gets benched by Goodwin for his actions and Will takes it out on Natalie, who she thinks he needs help.

Ethan and April's work relationship is tested when they have a difference of opinion about treating the patient. With Ethan doing all that he can for a former veteran but dies in the end. Ethan confronts April about her ethics and her feelings towards Vicki that soon gets her open about she still has feelings and kisses Ethan in the doctor's lounge, but leaves just before Vicki shows up.

Conner and Ava's relationship seems to be on hyperdrive and for real. He still stands by her story about her encounter with his father. But after treating a patient that needs a liver donation doesn't want her own sister to donate because she killed her daughter years ago.  But in order to save her, Ave does what Conner thinks is unthinkable and does the surgery with the patient's sister with her knowing it. Conner soon visits her father to hear his side of the story.

I'd very much enjoyed the episode from beginning to the end and at times disagreeing with characters that would think know better. I think that it's gonna take time for Will to see that he needs help. I'm sure that Ethan and April's relationship might be over after that kiss. And the bigger question in this episode: who do you trust between Conner's father and Ava? I think there have been times when you could trust Ava but for somehow I think she's telling the truth.

Overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

What do you think of the episode? Who do you trust between Ava and Conner's father?

You can catch Chicago Med Wednesdays at 8/7c on NBC.

"Four Oreo's from Heaven": The Good Place "The Book of Dougs"

Can Michael convince the people of The Good Place that their system is broken? Here's a recap!

Eleanor, Michael, and the gang are in The Good Place as they can't use foul language and can only smell what they would consider being pleasant things; like a cloud of raging teen hormones at a pool or Blake Bortles winning the Super Bowl or even a warm pretzel.

There they meet Gwendolyn, a mail worker, plays along with Michael's story about how they got to this spot of The Good Place. During their time, she tells them that The Good Place is right out the door but they couldn't open it. Michael asked if he could talk with the council but she tells him meeting with them would be breaking the rules; which he did and tries to explain that The Bad Place has tampered with the system, but it didn't go the way he had hoped. After hearing about a waiting period of 400 years to assemble a team and a thousand years to investigate it, Michael had one more way to get this fix to see the judge.

Meanwhile, Chidi helps to calm Eleanor down as she's freaked out for being that close to the good place. Being only four Oreos away from heaven, Chidi becomes a complete opposite of what he has been and calms her down with date dinner to even dressing up as a mailman. But after dressing up like a mailman, Eleanor takes Chidi and had sex in a closet.

Tahani tries to help with Jason and Janet but causes more problems in a way. From trying a death do they part paper to even talking to Janet and getting her to cry, which gave Gwendolyn a clue that they were all lying.

As Michael confesses to Gwendolyn, the portal opens with the doorman telling him that the judge wants to see them at IHOP, which is not a place to enjoy eating pancakes but it stands for Interdimensional Hole of Pancakes. Michael, Eleanor and the gang move into the portal to meet the judge.

"The Book of Dougs" was as good as it could have ever been. The episode really depicts the American Government well in the moments from The Good Place council having to wait over 1400 years to investigate Michael's claims to Jason asking what place would turn down refugees. Nicole Byer, who played Gwendolyn, really stole the episode with her performance. Not to mention William Jackson Harper and Ted Danson were amazing as well. Strong character development and strong writing for this episode. Overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

You can catch The Good Place Thursdays at 9:30/8:30c on NBC.

The Good Place "Chidi Sees the Time-Knife" Episode Preview

Here's a preview of Thursday's new episode of The Good Place titled, "Chidi Sees The Time-Knife.


"Chidi Sees the Time-Knife"
As Michael arranges an important meeting; Janet makes a reconnection.


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You can catch The Good Place Thursdays at 9:30/8:30c on NBC.

Chicago PD "Trust" Episode Preview

Here's a preview of Wednesday's episode of Chicago PD titled, "Trust."

"Trust"

When a defense attorney is murdered after a fundraiser, Intelligence must confront the world of campaign finance, which makes them reconsider their decision to back the current pro-police mayor candidate.


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You can catch Chicago PD Wednesdays at 10/9c on NBC.

Love or Not: Chicago Fire "Inside These Walls"

Chicago Fire returned this week with what looks to be life-changing events that will have you either shocked or not. Here's a recap!

The episode picks up right where we left in the fall finale, Casey's apartment is on fire and gets Namoi out by escaping through the walls. Soon, they start telling the detective about what had happened. As much as they give him the information, the detective believes that it could be someone else that has a grudge against them. After getting word on the investigation, Casey and Namoi take care of things themselves and locate the man that left them the threating voicemail, which they located and questioned him, after he tried to run. But they got who was beyond all of this and nailed them. It not only brought closer to the case but it ended the relationship between Casey and Namoi.

Meanwhile, Stella and Severide are on their separate ways, as Severide takes on refurbishing a classic boat. As for Stella, she's still having fun with her old high school friend that ended up with him trying to kiss her in her apartment. It not only freaked her out, but she realized that Severide was right about him. And after some thinking and working at Molly's, she talks to Severide not only how right he is but what's been going between them is bigger than her friend. That he's been going down a dark hole since losing his father, for which I haven't seen all that much, and decides to end their relationship.

On a lighter note: the firehouse was asked to good educated show about fire safety to the seniors and Boden asked Brett and Foster to do it. They try to come up with stuff from doing cheers (which I would love!) to have an American Ninja Warrior type course and not to mention the food bar.  But when they get things ready, they learn that it's not the seniors from a local high school but seniors from the senior center. Also, after there was a moment where Casey received stuff from everyone at 51 from clothes and etc. And just watching Casey getting that and thanking Herrmann and his wife for doing that was a joyful moment.

"Inside These Wall" was an excellent episode from start to finished. I was surprised to see how Casey and Namoi's relationship ended. I thought that would carry on a bit more. But I guess some of those that didn't like the relationship would be grateful that it ended. I also didn't imagine Kidd ending her relationship with Severide. I would have thought that she would just forgive him and move on from that but I guess she sees more of what he's been doing. Hell, I haven't picked up on what she's been seeing. Refurbishing a boat is a way to not be with someone?  Boy, I can't wait to see how they would be at work.

Overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

You can catch Chicago Fire Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.

Chicago Med "Who Can You Trust" Episode Preview

Here's a preview of next week's episode of Chicago Med titled, "Who Can You Trust."

"Who Can You Trust"

Will adjusts to hospital life in the aftermath of his recent undercover activities. Ethan and April's personal relationship starts to interfere with their working situation. Dr. Charles and Dr. Manning collaborate on a patient suffering from Alzheimer's. Dr. Rhodes and Dr. Bekker have a difference in opinion in dealing with a woman in desperate need of a kidney transplant.

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I'm literally at lost for words with Manstead but even though I had a feeling that they were going to have a rocky relationship when they came back. I understand what Will is doing, but I'm totally on Natalie's side with no gun in the house at all, even if there is a safe case for it. Will don't need a gun, he's got his brother Jay to do that. Hello! Ethan still loves April and it really showed. I wonder if these two will finally say what they feel. Rhodes and Bekker have been a ride this season and I can't wait to see what happens after Conner gave his father a punch to the mouth.

You can catch Chicago Med next Wednesday at 8/7c on NBC.

Chicago Fire "You Choose" Episode Preview

Here's a preview of next week's episode of Chicago Fire titled, "You Choose."

"You Choose"

Severide's side project of fixing the boat for a wealthy acquaintance turns a bit complicated and personal. Meanwhile, his relationship with Kidd is at a crossroads. Brett helps Casey search for a new apartment and Firehouse 51 decides to enter Tuesday in a dog competition.

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Well, after this week's episode, who saw any of that coming? The Casey and Namoi relationship seemed to be coming to an end but Severide and Kidd were ones I didn't see coming. I thought Kidd would apologize and Severide would forgive and move on. But she is right on one thing, he hasn't been right since Benny died. I just wonder since I mention that I thought that Brett and Casey should hook up that maybe it should be a thing, even though she's going out with the Chaplain. But I know it's a long shot to go with but I think of it like I see it.

You can catch Chicago Fire next Wednesday at 9/8c on NBC.

The Good Place "Chapter 37: The Book of Doug" Episode Preview

Here's a preview of this week's all-new episode of The Good Place titled, The Book of Dougs."


The Book Of Dougs"

In the winter premiere, Michael's resolve is put to the test. While Jaso wrestles with his feelings and Chidi surprises Eleanor.

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Oh man, I literally can't wait for the return of this show. As much as I don't want the season to end, I really want to see where we are going after the events in the fall finale, even though they are in the good place the last time we left them. I really hate to predict on a show like this because it's one of those shows to watch, laugh and enjoy the adventure with these rich and well-developed characters.

You can catch The Good Place Thursdays at a new time 9:30/8:30c after the premiere of Brooklyn Nine-Nine on NBC.

Chop Chop Glory: A.P. Bio "Eight Pigs and a Rat"

From Principal Durban trying to show how innervating the school can be to figuring out who squealed about Jack's plan for biology class. It all relays on one student to get through this nightmare.

When Principal Durban is a finalist for the innervating principal of the year award for his school, he gets his teachers to find something innervating so they can do with students and show the superintendent as well. But it turns out that all the teachers were doing the same thing in different subjects all with a volcano. 

With everything not going the way he wanted it, it all relays on Jack and his class. But for Jack, he's dealing with a snitch who told about what he did with the baby pigs for their class experiment. As Jack torched the class to his ability, he finally got the answer from Heather, but when he called his buddy, who had them and was about to shoot them at Devin's place: turns out they exploded in the canon.

But when Heather learns about the baby pigs are gone, she throws a fit and tries to trash his car. She explains that she was looking forward to the experiment and working with Dan, who she has a crush on. The next day, just as Jack brings a dead squirrel, apparently Heather brings a full grown dead pig to class for the experiment. 

When Durban and the rest come to watch, Heather takes over with some amazing set of skills, as she works at her dad's butcher's shop. But Sarika calls upon Jack to talk about one of the pigs organs, for which he calls her bluff and teaches as he really knew biology.

With the superintendent happy, Durban happy with some pork loins, Jack thrilled too but rewards Heather for what she pulled off by cleaning up the room with Dan.

"Eight Pigs and a Rat" was a hilarious episode from start to finish. The cast puts a good performance with character development. From Howerton, Brielle, Oswalt, but mainly Arm puts on her funniest performance of the season so far. Whether it's the teachers pulling the same teaching, volcanoes to Jack torching his students on who sent a message to Durban about given away the pigs away. Probably one of my favorite episodes so far. Overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

You can catch A.P. Bio Thursdays at 8:30/7:30c on NBC. 

Still the Best Show on TV: Superstore Season 3 (Episodes 8-14)

If you're not watching Superstore Thursday nights on NBC, you're missing out on a lot of fun and smart comedy. Here's a catch up of the season so far (mainly episodes 8-14).

Amy has been trying to live in the moment and prove that her post-divorce isn't dragging her down. She tries to prove that it's easy to make a viral video which didn't help Cloud 9 with he many rats that could be seen in one video. Even trying to throw a Golden Globes party but it didn't go well and had to enlist both Dina and Jonah's help when her barbecue doesn't go well.

In the meantime, Glenn and his wife decide to have a baby of their own, but later learn that she can't conceive. So they look for a surrogate and when Glenn discuses with Cheyenne about it, she offered to do it. That changed when Glenn realized that she really was doing it out of kindness but not the right reasons. But in the end Dina agrees to be Glenn's surrogate.

Also, Mateo, who's been dealing with his undocumented status throughout the season, faces his biggest challenge yet when Jeff offers him money in exchange for not suing the store. While things with Cheyenne and her mother have been rocky, they grow closer with the help from Amy.

Kelly and Jonah have been quite the item during this part of the season, making Amy a bit jealous over their relationship. But it turns out that Amy and Jonah's relationship has been growing under the radar for their coworkers and to them as well as Jonah helps Amy secure a copy of a video game that she enjoyed. But when Dina sees what's going between them and keeps it a secret but that secret is out when Dina tries to show a video of the security camera that caught the two at the end of season 2 kissing. 

Season 3 of Superstore has been a home run so far with great ensemble cast performance and the  writing has never been stronger than before. America Ferrera has been amazing this season with her performance as Amy and not to mention got to directed "Video Game Release" was really good. So far he Jonah and Amy relationship has been boiling over to this point and I can't wait to see after last week's episode will take in tonight's new episode. Overall, I give the show so far a 9/10.

You can catch Superstore Thursdays at 8/7c on NBC. 

The Madness in March: Chicago Med "Foile A Deux"

A questionable act of a patient, a father's weird reunion with her daughter and a moment that was slowly building has finally taken off.

When Ethan and April were playing around in his apartment, Ethan gets a call of someone getting stabbed in the stomach in his own apartment. The stabber is of course hurt too and freaking out and its put into question with Dr. Charles when he looks into her mental state. When her friend comes to visit, she gives a strange vibe and says things from having her check and who would drive her to work kind of thing.

Dr. Charles tries to show Jay Halstead that the patient wasn't the one who did it but her so called "friend" and tried to prove it by questioning her. He calls it "Folie A Deux" which stands for "two madness" or when someone's mental state convinces another person of the same mental state like she thinks the guy that she stabbed is a killer.

In the meantime, Natalie treats an infant that presents with whooping cough and goes through all the channels to help the kid survive, even though the baby isn't yet immune yet. But Natalie learns that the baby caught the illness from her son, who isn't vaccinated and gets a word with the husband and father about it. 

Noah treats a patient, who shows signs of a heart attack and gets the approval from the Troll, but when Rhodes and Bekker treat the patient it's a total different story. When Bekker and Rhodes take the patient to surgery, they see that the patient has a bad aortic dissection that requires to chill the patient in order to fix and save.

Bekker was pissed that Noah didn't see it and it really didn't make him feel better, but some guild lines from Rhodes did help. Later, both Rhodes and Bekker accommodated each other with how great of work they did with that patient. But they get word from Latham that he'll be hand picking his team to separate conjoint twins.  And soon after the news, the two talked a bit more and the moment came when they finally kissed.

With Dr. Charles taking care of his patient, he gets a visit from another person, who thought needed help and medication.  But it turns out the patient is actually the father of Dr. Sarah Reese, who wants to connect with her. Soon, Reese gets a letter from her dad, who hasn't seen him in 20 years, that he's in town and wants to see her, she does meet with him and is taking a chance with him. But I'm with Charles as things don't seem right at all with this as he tells him things that even Charles can't say to Reese about.

"Folie A Deux" was another great hour of television of character development, strong writing and kept it really interesting for the whole hour. I don't get too tired of watching Natalie stand up for vaccinations for kids and watching her call the husband/father/brother-in-law an idiot was something cool and such a Halstead move. The stabbing patient case was such an interesting one to watch through this episode and learning about a mental disorder that I've never heard of and not to mention Reese and her father. I thought that Reese's father would be somewhat kind of different but didn't expect a professor as all, but with the stuff he's pulling and saying to Charles, I question it 110 percent. Overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

You can catch Chicago Med when it returns in two week (due to the series premiere of Rise next week) on NBC.

Chicago Med "Folie A Deux" Preview

Here's a preview of a new Chicago Med this Tuesday titled, "Folie A Deux."

After a neighbor is stabbed, Dr. Choi enlists the help of April to figure out who is the real cause of the incident. Dr. Bekker and Rhodes expertise is put to the test when Noah misdiagnoses a patient. Dr. Charles is put in an uncomfortable position when Reese estranged father comes to him as a patient without her knowledge. Meanwhile, Dr. Manning rushes to save a baby with whooping cough.

You can catch Chicago Med Tuesdays at 10/9c on NBC.

Never Lie: Life In Pieces "Goose Friends Auction Fog

From asking to break things off to being jealous of someone's new friend and making a crappy beer, here's a recap of this week's episode of Life in Pieces.

Story One: Jen Gets Goosed

When Clementine returns with Lark, she asks Jen if she could break up the band with Tyler. At first, she didn't, but when she did, she got to fill in for Clementine and played and sang. Jen receives the singing bug once again. But things got weird with Tyler, and she had to face her first time breaking up with a guy.

Story Two: Hello Donna, My New Friend

When Heather meets with Joan's new friend, Donna, things get a bit jealous of how they are acting with each other. So when she pulls someone older to be her friend, it becomes almost like Heather has a second mother.

Story Three: Silent Auction

Tim and Heather are about to prepare for an auction, and Matt wants to put one of his paints up for the silent auction. But Tim doesn't think anyone will bid on it and tells Colleen that he was last year who bid and won the Panting. When the night of the auction comes, Matt brings out his signature painting that's just his signature. As the auction starts, Matt's painting doesn't seem to get any bidders, and that worries Tim until someone bids on it; that bidder happens to be Matt, but Matt learns that Tim bought the painting last year.

Story Four: Beer Buddies

When Greg finished making his beer brew, everyone seemed to like it but John. John, telling the truth instead of lying like the rest of the family, decides to help him out, and when that batch is made, it is worse than before, but John loves it, even though it is still wrong. Greg takes that as an accomplishment because his dad never lied to him.

"Good Friends Auction Fog" was an excellent episode. Three of the four stories in this episode stood out, while the other was a lightweight story. "The fourth story stood out along with the first story. The performances from the cast were good. Overall, I give this episode a 7.5/10.

You can catch Life In Pieces on Thursdays at 9:30/8:30 on CBS.

Welcome to The Bad Place: The Good Place "Chapter 4: Rhonda Diana, Jake and Trent"

As the gang gets to the Bad Place, they must pass as on of their own and get into the portal to see the judge. What could possibility go wrong, right?

As Eleanor, Michael and the gang headed to the Bad Place, Michael tells them the plan of how they'll go and get to the portal to see the judge. But they must wear disguises to look like one of them: Tahani as Rhonda, Eleanor as Diana, Jason as Jake Brotles and Chidi as Trent. As they get there, Michael places them in the museum of the first to go into the bad place so they could wait there while he go get the pins that will get them through the portal. Thinking that no one would be coming in there, think again as a celebration would happen soon and Eleanor and the gang would have to mingle.

Meanwhile, Michael meets with Shaun about his plans to go to the judge, but Shaun denies it and shows him what he has in store for the humans. Going to a board room with other board members, Shaun tells Michael that he send a team to go to middle place to get the humans but instead they find Mindy with Derek having fun. As Shaun finds out that the humans weren't there, Michael sneaks out with some of the board members jackets that has those pens.

As Michael runs back to Eleanor and the gang, they happen to see what the celebration was about: the success of the good place and the four robotic copies of themselves. And just as Michael gets to them, some of the people that recognized them and soon Shaun gets there as well. In a sticky situation, the one man saves them as Jason pulls one of his cocktails that he says works and used it to get away.

As they get to the portals, Michael gives three of the pens to Tahani, Jason and Chidi and as they all went in, Michael couldn't find a forth one. That was until Shaun was coming and decides to pull off the Trolley problem and gave Eleanor his pen and pushes her off into the portal.

"Rhonda, Diana, Jake and Trent" was a fun half hour episode that brought a lot of witty comedy of it's props of the Bad Place from iHop to Axe spray (don't try the new Transformers as it smells sweaty and confused) and not to mention the Bad Place museum. Watching the characters blend in with the folks of the bad place was a step up for Chidi, even though he hates to lie, he really just lied with the truth of what torches someone the best: books.

The episode still holds up to be good and still keeps you guessing thinking that they might all go through the portal. But when they do, a surprise and emotional move from Michael in sacrificing his own pen to give to Eleanor and stay behind.

What happens next? Eleanor seems to be the leader of the group now with the guidance of Janet. Will they move on or go back to save Michael? Will we see Michael again? Many questions to ask and just a couple of weeks left for the season.

Overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

You can catch The Good Place Thursdays at 8:30/7:30c on NBC.