The Good Placeis critically acclaimed and adored by sitcom audiences for its innovative play in the genre and one of the greatestplot twists in televisionhistory. Mike Schur, creator of fellow sitcomsParks and RecreationandBrooklyn Nine-Nine, made far bolder decisions with this groundbreaking comedy from its premiere up until the final season.The Good Placeencounters huge unexpected twists throughout the four seasons that leave audiences second-guessing, in addition to its huge character-driven narratives, which all contribute to the show becoming one of the most unique viewing experiences on television in recent years.
The show reaches more profound emotional depths as themes of ethics, friendship, andmain character redemption arcs inThe Good Placeare explored more deeply throughout. Its main cast continuously comes to realize they’re in the Bad Place as their memories are wiped by the reformed demon, Michael (Ted Danson), so the group joins forces to repair a broken afterlife system. The finale is more meaningful for themain characters' flaws inThe Good Placethat are built upon throughout, resonating with its audience. That said,Jason Mendoza is one main character who didn’t get the ending he deserved.
Why Jason’s The Good Place Ending Was The Weakest Out Of All The Main Characters
Jason Is Used As Comic Relief Which Prevents Any Major Development
Jason Mendoza is unequivocally accepted asThe Good Place’s comedic relief. Manny Jacinto’s character is strategically placed in tense scenarios to elevate the gravity of some weighted discussions that contribute toThe Good Place’s true meaning and message. The showraises many philosophical questions concerning morality and the afterlife, but at the very core,The Good Placeis still a sitcom.Jason becomes a crucial element to the show’s main themes, as he often breaks the attention away from these complications, and restores the spirit back to the sitcom format, but his development is rather inconsequential in comparison to his counterparts.
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Jason’s impulsive nature and his disconnection from the surrounding situation tend to mean that he’s more involved in B-line stories while the characters around him handle the primary plotlines. He doesn’t face any similar challenges to Eleanor (Kristen Bell), Michael, or even Chidi (William Jackson Harper). So, while the other main character’s development can be traced back to certain moments in the show where they have to make sacrifices,Jason doesn’t have any one moment where it feels like he’s majorly developed. The DJ’s changes are a lot more incremental throughout the show, making him more one-dimensional than other characters.
At this late point in season 4, episode 13, “Whenever You’re Ready,” it still feels like Jason Mendoza has far more to offer the afterlife.
In reality, Jason’s character arc only comes full circle in the last two episodes ofThe Good Placeseason 4, by which point it almost seems to come out of nowhere. Jason swiftly gains an intense emotional intelligence, which isn’t too much of a stretch, as there are moments during the sitcom where he offers insightful advice to his friends, but wants to end the final stage of his existence and walk through the door seems regretful. At this late point inThe Good Placeseason 4, episode 13, “Whenever You’re Ready,“it still feels like Jason Mendoza has far more to offer the afterlife.
What Jason’s Ending In The Good Place Should Have Been
Jason Should Have Taken Up An Official Role In The Good Place
It must be noted that the finale ofThe Good Placeis exceptional. It is intensely emotional and was among manymoments inThe Good Placethat made fans cry. Jason’s ending is rather poignant because audiences do not necessarily foresee that he would be ready to say goodbye to his friends and his partner, Janet (D’Arcy Carden). However, it is for this exact reason that his ending inThe Good Placeshould have kept Jason in the afterlife a while longer.
Naturally, the transition from life to death would be difficult to navigate, so Jason could have found his purpose helping others adapt to the passage of death.
Granted, Jason did not require as much of a character’s redemption as Eleanor may have, yet his character’s strengths lie greatly in his interpersonal skills. From a particular standpoint,Jason is able to understand people in a way that his friends cannot. For instance, Tahani’s (Jameela Jamil) grandiosity renders her incapable of perceiving individuals similarly, making him far more relatable. As a result of this, Jason has something invaluable to offer the afterlife system. Naturally, the transition from life to death would be difficult to navigate, so Jason could have found his purpose helping others adapt to the passage of death.
Not to mention, remaining in the afterlife would arguably be more fitting for Jason’s character. A large proportion of his role centers around him not fulfilling his potential on earth alongside his best friend, Pillboi, and being unable to “have the life that we deserve,” and discovering his purpose here could have resolved this. Jason’s soulmate, Janet, would have also reaped the benefits, as his time with her before the final episode was increasingly interrupted while they were saving humanity. This would also have been a nice parallel with Tahani, who followed in Michael’s footsteps to become a Good Place architect.
Jason’s Ending Also Affected Janet’s Story In The Good Place
Janet Was Created By The Afterlife System And Unable To Leave
Jason’s ending inThe Good Placesubsequently has massive consequences for Janet. She is “not a girl,” but a Good Place walking database that Michael initially stole to sell the ruse of his fabricated Good Place inThe Good Placeseason 2, episode 7, “Janet and Michael.” Her involvement in the overarching plot ofThe Good Placeincreases vastly, becoming fundamental to the story as the series goes on. As a result of her relationship with the DJ,Janet’s character becomes innately tied to Jason.
Unlike Michael, whose demon form allows him to experience life as a human on Earth, Janet is confined to the afterlife.
Unfortunately, Jason’s decision to move on in the final episode had even more tragic consequences for Janet’s character. Unlike Michael, whose demon form allows him to experience life as a human on Earth,Janet is confined to the afterlife. Being bound to the system that created her means that Janet bids farewell to her best friend, Michael, and both Eleanor and Chidi, who decide to pass through the Last Door. Therefore, Jason’s decision to leave hugely impacts Janet, whose character development comes to a standstill, making Jason’s departure even more painful.
