Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Good Place!The Good Place's conclusion in season 4.

Not only is the series' premise innovative, but The Good Place covers lots of ground across its 53 episodes. There's no shortage of emotional moments in the show, with The Good Place's true meaning and message being left to the audience's subjective interpretation. The critically acclaimed series is so much more than a simple sitcom, and the intricate narrative is what makes it rank so highly. However, the entire trajectory of the show depended on the success of the season 1 plot twist, which Schur delivered flawlessly.

The Good Place Season 1 Benefits From Keeping Most Of The Main Cast In The Dark

Only Two Cast In The Good Place Knew About Season 1's Huge Twist

The Good Place's defining legacy is season 1's finale, where the core group discovers they have been in the "bad place" all along. When season 1, episode 13, "Michael's Gambit" aired, Eleanor's (Kristen Bell) revelation was a totally unexpected turn of events that ultimately changed the entire course of the following three seasons. With that in mind, the secrecy surrounding the twist makes it all the more compelling. The Good Place character leads, Kristen Bell and Ted Danson, were the only two cast who knew about Mike Schur's plans, while the other four series regulars were kept in the dark.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Mike Schur said: "[The cast's] reactions will tell me whether or not we're going to pull it off. If the people who have been living with the characters every day are genuinely surprised at this move, that's a pretty good indication that the audience will be as well. So when they all were very surprised—and we got that reaction that you see in that video—I was like, 'Okay. This is going to work.'"

The season finale hinges on this premeditated plan, as it's what makes the final moments of the first season so gripping. The collective reactions of William Jackson Harper, Manny Jacinto, Jameela Jamil, and D'Arcy Carden capture their genuine surprise, and more crucially, mirror their respective characters' experiences. It was sheer genius from Schur, and although the show would likely have been successful anyway, it is difficult to say whether The Good Place would have garnered such incredibly high levels of praise and acclaim without his brilliance in the show's monumental season finale.

Why The Good Place's Big Season 1 Reveal Is Still An All-Time Great TV Twist

The Good Place's Season 1 Reveal Doesn't Impact Your Viewing Experience

Few sitcoms, or series, can retain the magic of a first-time viewing, but The Good Place manages to exceed all expectations. In fact, season 1's twist only serves to make any subsequent rewatches all the more entertaining. Knowing that Michael has been deliberately misleading us from the start provides a completely new perspective on the main story, and certain details are more prominent as a result. I immediately realized there are countless hints hidden throughout season 1 of The Good Place that allude to Michael's real plan, and they're glaringly obvious in hindsight.

Needless to say, it's far more rewarding to go into The Good Place without being aware of the plot twist, and the ambitious plan is ultimately what secured its wide viewership. There are subsequent reveals during seasons 2, 3, and 4, too, which would be remiss of me to overlook — and the show evolves far beyond this. The series leads to genuine self-reflection, and its guidance has had a huge impact on me. The Good Place explores themes of morality, friendship, and belonging in great depth, and, along with its consistently strong comedic flair, firmly places it among this generation's best sitcoms.

Ted Danson Spoiled The Good Place's Big Twist For John Krasinski

Both Actors Worked With Michael Schur On Popular Sitcom Shows

And stepping outside the world of the show for a moment, it's interesting to note how the actors involved in the series actually engaged with the material. Ted Danson, the actor who plays Michael and ultimately delivered that spectacular big reveal, has discussed an encounter he had with another actor, John Krasinski, prior to working on the show. Krasinski, having worked with The Good Place creator Michael Schur on The Office, met with Danson after he had accepted the part and read the script.

Obviously, as the main antagonist, Danson was made aware of his status as a double agent, and while speaking to Krasinski, the comedy legend wanted to impress his fellow star. As such, when describing the show, Danson revealed the big twist during their conversation, which apparently took place before filming began, and he was warned to keep it under wraps. Evidently, Danson was excited enough to share this detail, and fortunately Krasinski being in on the secret didn't spoil the surprise for others in the cast.

The Good Place Season 1's Twist Is Actually Better The Second Time Around

The Sitcom Twist Appears To Work Much Better Than In Traditionally Twisty Genres

The Good Place is absolutely one of the most clever sitcoms in recent history. Despite being in the comedy genre, it flawlessly pulled off a huge twist that not only stunned the actors on set, but it cemented the show's reputation for audiences at home. And while some projects end up being in a worse position when the big twist is revealed, The Good Place actually gets better on a rewatch. The difference comes down to the fact that this is a comedy series, and when the audience is in on the secret, they can feel more a part of the prank being pulled on the characters who believe they have arrived in Heaven.

That, in combination with the clues that can be picked up along the way, makes this an incredibly satisfying show to revisit again and again. After all, it's one of the most stunning performances from Ted Danson in his long career, with his iconic turn from the friendly architect of The Good Place to the grinning demon being a moment that deserves all the recognition it got, and more. The Good Place stands out for its innovative twist ending, the intricate characters, and the incredible execution that all come together to make it a series that earns a place as one of the very best sitcoms to come out in the last decade.

Source: Entertainment Weekly