In the Good Place
from Freely Given
We are taking a quick interlude to talk about the theological themes within the show "The Good Place." This is something that Gretchen and Katie chat about often, and decided to actually record one of these conversations. This is a comedy show about the after-life, and in that, they are grappling with the problem of sin, and how to deal with it with both justice and mercy. The characters in the show are Eleanor, Chidi, Tahani, and Jason, (and of course, the "angel" Michael). The show begins when Eleanor dies, and arrives at "The Good Place." Michael greets her and shows her around, and praises all of the good things she did during her life. We soon find out that there's been a mistake. Eleanor was not the person Michael described. She's a horrible sinner who was mistakenly sent to "The Good Place" and only she knows this. Overwhelmed with guilt for being given an afterlife she did not deserve, and surrounded by people better than her, she goes through different stages to try to cover for, or atone for her sin, but she can't seem to be good, no matter how hard she tries. This guilt begins to torture her as she feels trapped and watches "The Good Place" crumble around her because of her sin. This is a lighthearted and yet deep conversation of what happenes when you try to deal with sin without a savior, and also the harm that is done to other people when we attempt to justify ourselves. Support the work of 1517 (like this show!)
Embed this episode
No transcript yet.