Saw this on Twitter [link]

I think it's an interesting take but don't agree with it. Was wondering what y'all thought

I don't agree either. For one thing, the show already has the kind of friendship the author's looking for in Eleanor and Tahani, or even Eleanor and Michael. There's no need to fart all over Eleanor and Chidi's romantic relationship.

I got to " Chidi and Eleanor simply don't have the kind of swooning chemistry necessary to make the twists in the story of their romance work" and figured I didn't need to read any more because yes they do

I often wish for more platonic male/female friendships rather than romances, but not in this case. Their romance is rooted in friendship and respect, it's never been presented as the only possible relationship they could have. Jason and Eleanor have a purely platonic friendship rooted in shared lowbrow trash-bagginess. Jason and Tehani became platonic friends after having a mostly sexual relationship. Michael and Janet have a beautiful fucking friendship. Michael and Eleanor likewise

Right. In every reboot we saw, as well as on Earth, Eleanor never sought out Chidi because of romantic attraction (and vice versa). They were always friends (or annoying acquaintances) first, and then maybe went on to romance. As far as there being no chemistry, as Mindy would say, they've got it bad for each other.

Speaking of which, Mindy's not in the medium place anymore, is she?

Oh. Huh. Good question! I would think not, seems like she should have the opportunity to become better.

....and it just now occurs to me that Team Cockroach kinda pulled a Mindy on a grander scale, getting into the Good Place on the strength of designing a system that betters the lots of many many people in one fell swoop. Hm.

I wonder what Derek is up to

I don't see the swooning romance between Eleanor and Chidi, either. Eh.

I don't agree either. For one thing, the show already has the kind of friendship the author's looking for in Eleanor and Tahani, or even Eleanor and Michael. There's no need to fart all over Eleanor and Chidi's romantic relationship.

I agree with this, and really with each combination of the gang, that friendship is there.

I got to " Chidi and Eleanor simply don't have the kind of swooning chemistry necessary to make the twists in the story of their romance work" and figured I didn't need to read any more because yes they do

When I read that section, "swooning" made me think of Veronica/Logan on Veronica Mars. The Good Place is a grownup comedy, not angsty YA.

I think a swooning romance would have been out of place, because it's not a rom-com; it's a philosophical comedy. I do think the writer missed a couple of opportunities to punch up the romantic side of their connection when they went back for a second shot at life on earth, but I never needed the series to be that kind of love story.

To me, Eleanor and Chidi are actually soulmates, not simply lovers. They complete each other, because, as that great philosopher Rocky Balboa said, together they "fill gaps." [link]

And really, all together, Team Cockroach is made up of the ultimate soulmates. Together, they fill all the gaps. I guess I'm still hung up on Buffy, but my mind goes back to the Enjoining Spell in "Primeval" (heart, mind, spirit, hand). They each represent a facet of a whole person.

I wonder what Derek is up to

He's got to be up to MAXIMUM DEREK by now. (Sorry. Couldn't resist.)

I wondered, for a second, whether Derek would show up in The Good Place fully matured (or whatever) and sweep Tahani off her feet, but maybe her thirst for a soulmate in the first season was something she had to overcome.

Edited because "swoop" is not "sweep," even when you have the concept of swooning on the brain.

Yeah, Tahani walking into paradise alone while Chidi and Eleanor and Janet and Jason were all coupled up was really striking. I kinda hope Larry makes it back to her eventually.

I don't understand how Chidi reminding Eleanor who she was in Janet(s) or "Jeremy Bearimy, baby... you and I can chill in the dot of the i forever" can be not swoon worthy, but I am can try to accept that people can feel that way I guess

I haven't really felt burning, intense passion from Eleanor and Chidi, but then that's not my preferred model for lasting romantic love. I totally buy that they're in love with each other in a way that grew out of friendship, mutual respect, and literally going through hell together; those are things that don't cool quickly.

I'm also more than fine with Tahani not needing to be paired up with someone romantically to achieve her version of Heaven.

I love all the Team Cockroach relationships, sexual and non.

A friend of mine was on Jameela Jamil's flight to LA yesterday and I just about died of jealousy when she sent me the pics.