It seems very much a trend among the television shows reviewed here at TVRRoundup that plot points opened in the starting thirds of seasons are reaching turning points: recently, Scorpion's initial adjustment period in the Walter and Paige relationship has begun to transition into a more understanding and less frustration-riddled consensus, while in "22 Steps", Dr. Neil Melendez's softening approach to Dr. Murphy finally fully transforms into acceptance.
A significant step in itself, this is furthered by Melendez's defence of Shaun to the parents of an autistic child who refuse to allow Shaun to perform surgery upon him. Admittedly, it takes Melendez a few moments to discern that his hesitation is not professional pride in his refusing to be told how to manage his team, but that moment of pause allows for the excellent "clinching" scene between him and Dr. Glassman. Glassman has pushed Melendez to accept Shaun from the very first day, and he goes in for the kill upon sensing the turning tide; in forcing Melendez to face that he has grown to respect Shaun, Glassman instigates this very critical moment in the overall story.
The prejudice Shaun has faced in his mission to become a surgeon has so far been internal, particularly from Dr. Melendez, and Melendez's acceptance potentially promises a shift in the tide.
And with the obstacle of prejudiced coworkers seemingly removed (like a cancerous abscess in a child's gut), there can now be, as this episode displays, a focus on how the public react to the possibility of an autistic doctor. With this first example, it's interesting but understandable that parents of an autistic child, with their naturally deeper understanding of the limitations of the condition, would be extremely concerned at the prospect of Shaun operating on their son; it will be as interesting to see how other patients and their families respond in future episodes. The show is built to explore the character of Shaun overcoming his limitations - and a wealth of different opinions and scenarios will only serve that goal well.
But the recent strides in balancing the cast with the emphasis required by The Good Doctor's USP means that "22 Steps" isn't the character study it could have been; significant time was spared for Dr. Claire Browne and Dr. Jared Kalu.
Claire's focus is the lesser of these two characters, but no less important. Following her recent mistake that led to the death of a patient, Claire is ordered to therapy by Dr. Glassman and, while it's predictable she would throw herself into work and suppress her pain, it was refreshing that she was not stubborn enough to refuse therapy.
Meanwhile, Chuku Modu is served quite the feast as his Dr. Kalu comes up against a 73-year-old who sabotages his pacemaker in an attempt to end his life; despite imparting some heartbreaking truths about his childhood in order to convince Glen to have life-saving surgery, Kalu ultimately accepts Glen's decision and comforts him through his last moments on Earth.
And, most impressively, both characters' stories in this episode met at the same end: with them both in the locker room ready to leave, but both in considerable pain and in need of a shoulder to cry on. It's not only emotional on a human level, but the way the pair come together beyond their physical relationship suggests there is something more substantial brewing.
Once again, The Good Doctor had me on the verge of tears on multiple occasions, though I maintain that this show had better make me fully cry.
RATING: 8.5/10
POINTS OF NOTE
- The Good Doctor might be an American show, but a British doctor wouldn't be describing a patient using weight in pounds.
- Shaun may be finally getting that television he's been wanting since he was a teenager, and that scene with him and Glassman enjoying American football on a store TV was incredibly uplifting.
- Part of the recent balance in the show has come from the omission of flashbacks to Shaun's childhood, although half the main cast still feel like they're on the periphery.
- Fair play, Melendez. I like you a bit more now.
No comments:
Post a Comment