Warning: spoilers for The Good Place.

Few plot twists survive a rewatch, but the one in The Good Place season 1 is even better when revisiting the show. The 2010s saw some great comedy TV shows with different tones and themes, among them The Good Place. Created by Michael Schur, The Good Place premiered on NBC in 2016 and ended in 2020 after four seasons. The Good Place was a critical success, with praise for its themes (including the use of ethics and philosophy), story, setting, the performances of the main cast, and originality, and received nominations for a variety of awards.

The Good Place takes the audience to the afterlife, where the deceased are sent either to “the Good Place” or “the Bad Place”, depending on the morality score they get in life. The show follows Eleanor (Kristen Bell), a small-time criminal who ends up in the Good Place, and because she’s aware that her actions in life weren’t the best, she’s convinced that she’s in the wrong place. Eleanor meets her assigned soulmate Chidi (William Jackson Harper), socialite Tahani (Jameela Jamil), and Jason (Manny Jacinto), and together they make a huge discovery in season 1 that gets better when rewatching the show.

The Good Place’s Michael Twist Doesn’t Ruin Season 1 (It Makes It Better)

Michael’s Twist Was Key To The Good Place

Eleanor spends season 1 doing her best to adapt to life in the Good Place despite knowing well that she doesn’t belong there. During a big fight with Chidi, Tahani, and Jason in front of Michael (Ted Danson) and Shawn (Marc Evan Jackson), Eleanor finally understands it all: they’re not in the Good Place, they’re actually in the Bad Place, and Michael had been testing a new Bad Place design with them. Michael begs Shawn (who is actually his boss) for a second chance with his Bad Place, and so the memories of Eleanor and the rest are wiped.

The Bad Place twist in The Good Place comes in the finale of season 1, but even though it’s a huge reveal that changes the whole season, it doesn’t ruin the experience of rewatching the show – in fact, it makes it better. Knowing that Eleanor has been in the Bad Place from the beginning makes you look at every line, action, decision, interaction, and place in Michael’s hell from a completely different perspective, and can bring out details and hints that weren’t noticeable the first time.

The twist at the end of The Good Place season 1 gives the season a new meaning when rewatching it, making it one of the few cases where knowing the big twist doesn’t ruin the experience of watching the show – and can even make revisiting the other seasons a lot more enjoyable.

The Good Place Season 1 Is Great Even If You Already Know The Twist

Knowing The Twist Makes Rewatching The Good Place Season 1 Better

Seven years have passed since the season finale of The Good Place season 1 aired and the show ended four years ago – at this point, many know what happens with Michael and the so-called Good Place even if they haven’t watched the show. While it’s obviously a spoiler as it reveals a key secret from the season that completely changes it, it doesn’t ruin the show at all for those who haven’t watched it. The Good Place is a lot more than its Michael twist in season 1, even if that’s the moment that sets up the rest of the show.

The Good Place takes many more turns in its subsequent seasons, such as Michael teaming up with Eleanor, Chidi, Tahani, and Jason to fool his boss and get them a spot in the real Good Place, Michael changing his ideas about humans and redemption, the group learning some morals and values, and the reveal of the real Good Place, among many others. The Good Place covers a lot more than the differences between the Bad Place and the Good one, as there are also themes of philosophy, humanity, morality, love, and more.

Going Blind Into The Good Place Season 1 Is Still The Better Experience

The Good Place Season 1 Is Better Enjoyed Without Knowing The Big Twist

Although knowing the twist at the end of The Good Place season 1 doesn’t ruin the show, it’s still better to go blind into it. While it’s not the only twist and big reveal in the show, the Michael/Bad Place twist in season 1 is what boosts the rest of the show, and the audience realizing the truth along with Eleanor is a unique experience. The Good Place is one of few comedy shows that can be enjoyed without knowing the biggest twist and when aware of it, further proving how good the show truly was.