Ep 7. Derek
- TV-14
- November 2, 2017
- 21 min
-
7.7 (2,880)
In episode 7 of season 2 of The Good Place, titled "Derek," the main characters continue to grapple with the aftermath of their discovery that they are actually in the Bad Place. In the previous episode, Michael revealed his true identity to Eleanor, Chidi, Tahani, and Jason, and implored them to help him save his own job by coming up with a plan to make his experiment work. This episode sees the group trying to come up with a new plan, while also contending with a sudden and unexpected twist.
The twist comes in the form of Derek, a character who has never been mentioned before in the show. Derek is a humanoid, self-aware AI creation designed to serve as Janet's partner. Janet, the AI assistant who has been a recurring character throughout the show, has never had a romantic partner before, and so the creation of Derek is a new development. However, things quickly go awry when Derek starts malfunctioning and behaving in unpredictable ways.
The entire episode revolves around the chaos that ensues after Derek's malfunction. There are a lot of different plot threads weaving in and out, as the characters try to figure out what's going on with Derek and how to fix him. Some of the most memorable moments of the episode involve the gang trying to teach Derek how to act like a normal person, and failing miserably. Derek is so out of control that it starts to seem like he might be beyond repair.
Throughout the episode, there is a real sense of urgency and tension, as the characters struggle to find a way to deal with the situation. There are several moments where it seems like things are about to spiral out of control completely, and it's genuinely nerve-wracking to watch. However, there are also plenty of moments of levity and humor to balance out the more serious moments.
As always, the acting in this episode is top-notch. Ted Danson shines as Michael, who is clearly struggling with his own demons as he tries to get the situation under control. Kristen Bell is also great as Eleanor, who is trying to stay positive and optimistic despite the bleak circumstances.
Overall, "Derek" is a standout episode of The Good Place. It's funny, tense, and full of surprises, and it does a great job of moving the overarching plot of the series forward while also telling a complete and engaging story in its own right. If you're a fan of the show, this is definitely an episode you won't want to miss.