If you're reading this, know that the author may well have forgotten about it. You may have to jog her memory on social media.

12th May 2017 - 6:30am - Hannah's messy room

Hi 21, I'm 18.

First up, happy birthday! Oh my lord we're old. As a newly turned adult, I can't even imagine how you're feeling. Does it feel like there are no more milestones until you're 30? Omg how's the degree, we're in third year waaatt!! I have so many questions but first and foremost I hope we're doing okay. I hope with whatever stresses you're feeling, we still managed to keep writing and playing music, because we know that it's our medicine for the soul. But enough with soppy birthday cheer, on with the questions!

Do you drive? When did we pass? Do you have a car?  Oh my GAWD do you drive a car from the future that's not out in my time yet? CAN IT FLY? No. Obviously not she's only three years older than you shush.

Are you still friends with all the people I am? Most of my friends are already 18 (I joined the adult club yay!) but there are a few exceptions. Friends from shows who are 11 or 12! Hollie's 22. You're 22 next year, woah!

Did we cry on our 20th birthday. I feel like we cried. 20 seems so old I'm not sure I'm ready for it. Ew ageing gross.

Sorry to ask but... How's your love life? Shh, shh, just whisper it... Yep... Mmhhmm... Omg Hannah don't... Why of all people... Oh. Well okay then.

Oh well. We can still just go live in a house full of cats. Sounds like a plan to me.

So, how about life ambitions. I'm going to go ahead and say you have more of an idea than me. Right now, I'm coming to the end of school with absolutely no idea what I'm doing with my life and I'm a lil' bit scared. I'm scared of being an adult. Any advice bigger, better me?

One last thing. Can you tell I'm younger by my writing? Have we *shudders* matured? God I hope not. Go to a park adult freak.

I’m kidding. I guess I look up to you. A version of me I aspire to. Don't laugh 😂 I'm sure if you look to you at 24, you'll see something you want in her. And that idea will guide you through your life. Be the person you want to be in the future. That's aspirational living that is.

Well 21, that's all from 18. Don't get too drunk today, you have finals. But also, 18 year old me has never yet been drunk. I hope you're sticking to our morals!

I'll always be proud of you. Feels like I'm writing to a big sister really. Have a great day. I love you. You've got this.

Lots of love and birthday hugs,

18

P.S: Show me your housemates. I wanna know them!

Remember...

The Basics:

Director: Drew Goddard
Writer: Michael Schur
Release Date: 19th September 2017 (USA)
Number of Episodes: 20
Approx. Runtime per Episode: 22 minutes
Genre: Comedy/Existential Crisis-Inducing Drama Overload
IMDb rating: 7.9/10*
Starring: Kristin Bell, Jameela Jamil, William Jackson-Harper

*as of 7th November 2017

Synopsis:

Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristin Bell) is dead. On arrival, she is told by the neighbourhood Architect, Michael (Ted Danson), that her time on Earth was selfless and fruitful enough to gain her access to the afterlife's paradise - The Good Place. In this place, your wishes are always answered, you can fly, eat frozen yoghurt all day, your house is built just the way you like it and you get matched with your perfect soulmate on Day 1!
But Eleanor realises a terrible secret... she's not supposed to be in The Good Place. So, she enlists help from her "soulmate", Chidi (William Jackson Harper), an ethical mastermind, to learn how to be good and earn her place in paradise. However, things in 'The Good Place' are not all that they seem and Season 2 shows the main characters desperately trying to find out the truth, while 800+ reboots on the afterlife begin to take their toll on the existence of the neighbourhood...

Favourite Moments

Janet. Janet, played by D'Arcy Carden, might just be my favourite character in the whole of the Netflix world. Who knew a robot (sorry Janet) could have such incredible comic timing. Carden is hilarious - she takes on so many personalities throughout the two series, each one as convincing as the last and although she only speaks the truth, she seems to always sound sarcastic... which is HILARIOUS. I find myself wanting her to have more screen time, because in my opinion the funniest moments of the show happen when she's around.

The Downside...

Personally, I think it took AGES to get going. I really wasn't keen for the first few episodes, in fact I found the humour uninteresting and the scripts a little dull. It felt like it took a while to collate and focus ideas, so some moments were sporadic and random - almost like the end goal was in sight but the audience was left in the dark and expected to pick up a half-written story.
Having said that, when it did get going, I found it very addicting; the runtime is just long enough to grab and hold interest, but short enough that I don't feel guilty binge-watching 6 episodes in one sitting. And the end of Season 1 is brilliant, preparing for a much stronger Season 2.

The Final Score...

Placing my rating slightly below IMDb, I rate 'The Good Place' at 6.5/10. For me, it just took too long to collate ideas. The saving grace of the show is the character Janet and Carden's amazing acting. I feel without her, there would be significantly less to keep me watching, although Bell's humour is funny and relatable. The writing picks up half way through the season for a very well-thought-out finale, but dropping hints towards it from Episode 1 made things too hard to follow from the beginning.
To conclude, mildly disappointing, although moments of 'laugh out loud' humour are present. Still worth a watch if you can wait a few episodes to get stuck in.


What shows have you been watching? Let me know on my social medias and remember...