I absolutely adored the first 2 seasons as they came out and wasn’t confident in how the third season would follow up. And tbh, the first half was somewhat underwhelming. The Zava stuff seemed pointless and it kinda felt like it was running on auto-pilot. But man, starting with the Amsterdam episode it was just banger after banger (with special nods to ‘The Strings That Bind Us’ with Sam’s emotional arc and the finale ‘So Long Farwell’ with, well…everything). The last show that made me laugh-cry that much was The Good Place.
I know there’s lots of folks sad about it being done so quickly, but I don’t think I’d want it any other way. Bill Lawrence, Jason Sudeikis, and everyone else on that show made something truly wonderful, not just for tv, but as a heartfelt examination and embrace of the flaws and strengths in all of us. This story about football that’s not really about football (but still really is) will always hold a place in my heart.
slaps ‘Believe!’ poster
Watched two seasons, but struggled with the second alot. The lead character rubs me the wrong way somehow. Have always had a problem with modest self-aggrandizement and maybe it hits a note of that for me. I dropped it and forgot about it. Any time I see the lead actor’s face in a thumbnail I cringe, thinking he’s about to give me some wholesome self-help life lesson.
Maybe theres some subtle transatlantic cultural pandering going on I’m subconciously triggered by as well - being non American and non British. All of that is probably as much my problem as the show’s. First season had me for a bit - the setup and character establishment worked for me. Maybe I’ll give s3 a go when I’m in the right mood.
I can definitely understand people being put-off by the almost aggressive positivity in the show, but I do think it has enough realistic conflict and struggle in it to balance things out, and it handles both well. I can’t comment on outside perspectives on the show like yours, but I will say it doesn’t change a whole lot from the themes that seemed to bother you, so take that for whatever it’s worth. I do hope you’re able to enjoy it, though. There aren’t many shows like it.