20 biggest TV moments of 2018 we’ll never forget
By Sundi Rose
Eleanor lies about passing the test – The Good Place
What happened: As easily watchable as The Good Place is, it’s kind of complicated to explain. Technically, it’s about a group of people waking up in the afterlife, only to discover they might not have landed in the place they thought they would.
The most remarkable Good Place moment comes, naturally, from Kristen Bell’s character, Eleanor. In the second to last episode of the second season, the four after-lifers have to go through a test that will decide their fate: Good Place. In an unexpected show of unity, Eleanor suggests that they take an “all for one” mentality, refusing to go herself if any one of the four is denied. In a twist of expectation for this character, Eleanor passes, while everyone else fails, yet she lies to stay with her friends.
Why it’s important: In the narrative scheme of The Good Place universe, this is an important moment for Eleanor’s character. Over the course of two seasons, we watched as she fought to overcome her past as a terrible person. Revealing that she is the only one who deserves to move on to the good place solidifies Eleanor as our true protagonist, leaving the second season with a bit of a cliffhanger.
As much as it reveals about the character, it also sets up lots of surprises and plot twists for the third season. This show has given us our fair share of surprises, and this was among the best, thanks in large part to Maya Rudolph as the Judge.
How to watch it: Seasons 1 and 2 are on Netflix, and the episode in question, “The Burrito,” is season 2, episode 11. But watch them in order, folks. Don’t ruin it for yourselves.
Roseanne dies – The Conners
What happened: After a brief reboot of the ’90s sitcom classic, Roseanne, the show ran into some trouble after Roseanne Barr said some troubling things on Twitter. The ABC network reacted swiftly, canceling the new version of the show after only one season.
The show came back for a second season as The Conners, and they handled Roseanne’s absence with a character death nobody saw coming. As the show opens for a Roseanne-less second season, the family is mourning the death of their matriarch from a drug overdose. The character grappled with an opioid addiction she developed after a knee injury and couldn’t afford to see a doctor. It was a convenient seed planted before the writers knew that the real Roseanne would go off the deep end.
Why it’s important: Politically speaking, it demonstrates the entertainment industry’s attempts to deal with bigotry and ignorance. Although some fans thought it might have been a bit hypocritical of them, after hiring Roseanne back to the network in the first place, it demonstrates forward strides.
Also, it gives the show a new identity. Sure, nostalgia TV offered Roseanne an initial ratings boost, but it wore off fairly quickly. This newest incarnation offers a fresh look at a familiar family without falling into tired patters and habits.
Where to watch it: Hulu has the latest episodes, and you can watch new episodes on Tuesday or ABC.com. The best and most expository of the reimagined series are the first two of The Conners.