EXCLUSIVE EPISODE: Villain Therapy: MICHAEL from THE GOOD PLACE
What does it mean to be human? How can an existential crisis be good?
In this Patreon-exclusive episode, licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are doing a villain therapy on Michael from The Good Place. They’re specifically following his character development from the end of season 1 through season 2. They watch as Michael learns how to be a human from the ground up, and they discuss how his journey can be applied to us regular humans.
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Cinema Therapy is:
Written by: Megan Seawright, Jonathan Decker, and Alan Seawright
Produced by: Jonathan Decker, Megan Seawright, Alan Seawright, and Corinne Demyanovich
Edited by: David Sant
Director of Photography: Bradley Olsen
English Transcription by: Anna Preis
Comments (42)
I really want to see you guys do Schitt's Creek. The parents so some real growth but the kids growth is amazing and it's shown in their relationships. David and his relationship is incredible and Alexis' relationship is a model relationship of how you can have all the love and connection in the world and sometimes it just doesn't work out and I think it models really well what a healthy breakup looks like.
Speaking of demons, reacting to Tom Ellis' Lucifer, especially the therapy scenes with Linda, would be amazing
I'd like to submit the movie "Ink" for your consideration. The lessons about shame and how a cure for shame is empathy were very strong take-aways for me. It is my favorite independent movie. Thank you for doing what you do so well.
good place 🩷🩷🩷
Is there a way to watch this on YouTube? I am unable to cast this to my tv from my phone
Michael is definitely my favourite character in The Good Place <3 the journey is so lovely and then getting to see him become human in the finale is so satisfying :) Ted Danson = International treasure <3
I’m SO excited that we are getting so many Good Place episodes!! Thank you!! 💜💜💜
I was watching this series with my grandma and we really enjoyed it. It was so good.
I've never cried as hard over a show as I have over The Good Place. It literally cured my fear of death and got me to a place where I was ready to actually do therapy. And any time I start to feel hopeless with everything going on in the world, I rewatch the show and suddenly I can keep going.
Please review parenting in Long Bright River!!
Late to the game but I would l love to see psychology of a hero Ted Danson Season three
I'd be shocked if someone hasn't brought this up already, but I still feel the need to mention that if you love The Good Place, you should read Michael Schur's book "How to Be Perfect". He gives the full backstory of how he came up with the idea for the show, and it's an amazing mixture of moral philosophy and humor.
Going to suggest a Villain Therapy for season one Rebecca from Ted Lasso.
Ted Danson was just so delightful that when he started his new show Inside Man I ran straight to it just to get more of him making me feel things.
Please do rent
I know this is outside your typical wheelhouse, but you should check out the musical Epic thats Jorge Riverra-Heren’s take on the Odyssey for your next Patreon exclusive. 1) the music is FANTASTIC, 2) there are so many juicy “trolley problems” that come up throughout it, and 3) there are some incredible character arcs that could be used for psychological of a hero(?)/morally grey character/navigating impossible survival scenarios. Plus, the fan-made animatics are so good, it’s basically like watching an animated movie now if you get the right playlist!
Oh that would be amazing, I agree!! I kept seeing it as constant trolley problems too!!
Please do Steven Universe. It's about cartoon that deal with trauma and how to overcome it.
Oh that would be amazing. I feel like Alan would cry so hard (and I would be right there with him).
Can't wait for Syril Karn
I love that The Good Place gives us, as the audience, permission to not know all the answers. Even as an eons-old demon, Michael doesn't know what it means to be human, but that doesn't mean he can't learn. There is always somehow someway to be better if you just try. Also, every time I see the clip of Michael kicking the dog into the sky, my lifespan increases.
Can you do an exclusive directors cut of Free Guy? Is this underrated Ryan Reynolds movie that's similar to ready player one. It's funny, thought provoking, touching.
I keep suggesting it every period. It gets a bunch of votes in Discord, then comes here and falls flat. It makes me so sad haha.
I love The Good Place so much! Glad you guys are covering it :D I'd love to see y'all's take on The Sound of Music! Particularly the approach of Baron von Trapp to his country and coming to terms with leaving it for the sake of his family. Seems like there's a lot to unpack there.
I absolutely love you guys, but every time you say, “We love these Patreon exclusives because we don’t have to talk during the clips,” it pains me. 😅 Much of the time I haven’t seen the movie/show being discussed, so when y’all chat over the clips I can’t hear what the characters are saying, so I just miss a big chunk of the context the clips are meant to provide.
That's an issue with YouTube, unfortunately. They have to talk during the clips because of copyright issues.
I would love to see an episode on Slay! It's a Tubi original movie about drag queens who end up in a conservative biker bar right when a vampire outbreak occurs. The drag queens end up having to find common ground with the bikers, and I honestly just was really impressed by the story. They talk about the importance of consent and living your authentic life, while also finding ways to work together with people from opposite worlds. I really think you guys would enjoy the movie and that it would make for some interesting topics to talk about.
I'm adding Slay to my list of movies to watch because of your description 💙
Ted Danson did such an amazing job in this role. Seriously, his chemistry with all the actors, especially Kristen Bell, is just so amazing 👏. As far as movies I'd love to see you cover? I would be ecstatic for 3:10 to Yuma and Dr. Horrible Sing-Along Blog ❤️.
My two favorite shows both take the concept of a demon/non-human learning what it’s like to BE Human and growing from it. The Good Place…and Lucifer. Still campaigning for an episode on Lucifer himself & his therapy journey from a self-centered fallen angel to a man who loves his found family with a ferocity unmatched.
Oh my gosh YESSSSS. A Lucifer episode would be amazing. Villain Therapy!!
next should be on Chidi
I see the trolley problem as a simple question if you think it's more important that fewer people get hurt or that no one can blame you when people get hurt. And we as a society could probably solve it if we can teach people to not be so terrified of doing something wrong we can't do anything. And as to the fragility of life, I like to imagine a future where there is no more death. When life no longer has a given value because it's finite, what can we do? Decide for ourselves what it means and what it's for, maybe? Is this world just life with training wheels on, maybe? (I have issues with the lack of imagination leading to just reinventing death for the afterlife as a series finale.) I tell you this with all of my heart, and all the wisdom in the universe: Take it sleazy.
Alright, I think I'm gonna go watch the show now. You've convinced me 😂
I'd love an episode ranking all the Brat Pack movies. Oh, or an episode on Donny Darko, or just another David episode where he is your third person reviewing a movie he loves
Can we please get a villain therapy on Sean or all the major demons if you can’t fill a whole show with him. And while I’m thinking about Marc Evan Jackson Brooklyn 99 found family and psych of a hero for Capt. Holt.
Another great episode guys. Thank you. I do like The Good Place, but I think Ted Lasso is closer to my heart. Ever thought about talking about the character of Nate and his journey from rise to fall to redemption?
you ate thats such a good idea
The drop kick of the dog into the sun 🤣
“I can’t, my boots are stuck in the track!” is one of my favorite lines in the show. It tickles my funny bone in a way I can’t explain
Hahaha, same. I think it's the cheerfulness in his voice and the way he's smiling and waving at the trolley speeding towards him 😆
First!!!
