#michael's gambit

Eleanor is the only main character on The Good Place who has never had an episode with her name in the title. 

The third episode of the show is named after Tahani.

The fourth is named after Jason.

Chidi’s name appears in two titles: “Chidi’s Choice” in season one and “Chidi Sees the Time Knife!” in season three.

Janet’s name also appears in two titles: season two’s “Michael and Janet” and season three’s “Janet(s)”.

Michael’s name also appears in two titles: the aforementioned “Michael and Janet” and the season one finale, “Michael’s Gambit”. 

There are obviously episodes that reference Eleanor in the title--”A Girl From Arizona” seems a clear reference to her. But there is no episode that directly uses her name in the title.

As she’s (conceivably) the protagonist, this is a little weird. Even looking at Mike Schur’s other shows, there were multiple episodes that used the protagonist’s name in the title. For Parks and Rec, the first two that come to mind are “Leslie and Ben” and “Leslie and Ron”, and scrolling through iMDB, I notice at least five more. For Brooklyn Nine Nine, I think immediately of “Jake and Amy”, and iMDB reminded me of “Jake and Sophia”. I have yet to watch The Office, but scrolling again through iMDB, I saw several that contained the name “Michael”.

Does it pass the Bechdel Test?

Yes, three times.

How many female characters (with names and lines) are there?

Six (40% of cast).

How many male characters (with names and lines) are there?

Nine.

Positive Content Rating:

Three.

General Episode Quality:

A delight!

MORE INFO (and potential spoilers) UNDER THE CUT:

ELEANOR SHELLSTROP

An only child, Arizona born and bred

Petty and selfish

Lacks empathy

CHIDI ANAGONYE

Professor of Ethics

Wracked by indecision, paralyzed by choice

Wrote endless, confusing manuscript that he believes is brilliant

TAHANI AL-JAMIL

International socialite

Mega fundraiser

Major family issues

JASON MENDOZA

Drug dealing DJ from Florida

Below average intelligence

Zero impulse control

Eleanor will cause Chidi to live in an eternal ethical dilemma.

Chidi will point out Eleanor’s mistakes and [???????????] how much she needs to [???????????] (which will never happen).

Eleanor will frustrate Jason by trying to hold him back and control his behavior.

Jason will cause Eleanor to live in fear that his impending public admission will send her to The Bad Place.

Tahani will heighten Jason’s paranoia by throwing [????] parties at their home and parading him around.

Jason will make Tahani miserable by never talking or giving her the attention she craves.

Tahani will [?????] Chidi with the [?????] of a third option [????????????????] the other two Eleanors.

Chidi will cause feelings of unrequited love for Tahani.

Chidi represents all the things Jason [despises?]: intelligent [nerds?] and the educational [????] at large.

Jason will torment Chidi by being his exact opposite: stupid, impulsive, and inconsiderate.

Eleanor will get the attention that Tahani craves, both from Jason/Chidi and in public.

Tahani will seem perfect and flawless to Eleanor, causing her to feel inadequate.

@soulsuckingisaacnewton