Source
r/TheGoodPlace•
Scriptorius

Dreamlike feel to the show

First of all, this is not a theory about how everything in the show might be someone's dream/coma. I'd hate it if that was the big reveal at the end.

Anyone else get an almost dream-like feel from the show? I don't mean dreamy in a poetic sense, but more in a pseudo-absurd, surreal sense. It's something with the bright, highly saturated colors, spontaneous bizarre events, the ability to conjure things as you think of them (thanks to Janet) and the ability to give even the strangest thing the benefit of the doubt.

To sum it up, remembering bits of the show often feels like remembering bits of last night's dream.

Again, I'm not suggesting that the whole show is taking place inside someone's head. I'm more curious whether other people get a similar vibe from the show. Maybe it's even an intentional artistic choice the show is making. Or maybe it's just me and I have weird dreams.

Posted Feb 25, 2018, 2:31 AM UTC

3711
tiandra25•

Definitely get the surreal vibe from it.

16
UnagiSquirrel•

For sure. The visual style is definitely striking, and always reminds me of a short-lived cult classic show called Pushing Daisies. Look it up if you enjoy this sort of thing.

13
ashkenaziMermaid•

Omg yes!! I couldn’t put my finger on it, absolutely loved that show. If it came out now instead of the early-beginning reality tv boom, it would have got more love and seasons.

3
ricecakesandtequila•

I thought of Pushing Daisies (which I loved the look and feel of) too!

1
Lixa123•

it feels like it came straight out of the early 00s. every episode i watch feels simultaneously new/fresh, and like a nostalgic daydream trip down memory lane. it's definitely dreamlike - the world seems to run on a completely different logic, there's almost comical evil and good sides (that are breaking down) ... it's great

6
seattlechunny•

I'd recommend checking out this interview with the costume director of The Good Place - she describes these intentional artistic choices!

https://www.gq.com/story/why-the-costume-design-on-the-good-place-is-so-forking-great

6
Costco1L•

That was a good read.

2
Harleye•

I absolutely feel that way and have even said the exact same thing...well I've thought it. I haven't actually talked to anyone about the show before now. But I've thought to myself that the sensation I have after watching an episode is similar to how I feel after I've just woken up from a cool dream. The show has that same surreal, off-center, slightly magical vibe that really good dreams have. It's one of the reasons that I enjoy watching it so much. I also agree with you that it isn't actually supposed to be someone's dream. I think that Elinor and the other characters really are deceased and are experiencing a form of the afterlife. The dreamlike quality is simply the feeling that the show imparts to me.

3
LurkingGotBoringLady•

The court scene definitely looked weird/surreal, but a big reveal of it-was-all-a-dream is usually writers' lazy way out...I highly doubt on a show as thoughtful as this they would use that cliche

2
ScriptoriusOP•

Like I mentioned in the post, I don't think there's a dream reveal coming. Rather I think it's more of a stylistic choice.

4
pacachii•

I get the dreamy vibe from when Eleanor opens her eyes and sees "Welcome! Everything is fine", in one of the resets where Eleanor and Michael are surrounded by cacti, also Michael in general (that detached Stepford vibe I'm getting from him), the frozen yogurt joke, just to name a few...

2