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The Good Doctor - REVIEW

TVToni
Sep 25, 2017
2 min read

There is no shortage of good doctors on television. Or, medical procedural dramas for that matter. Heck, you can't stream a show or change a channel these days without hearing medial jargon of some sort. But, that does not stop Hollywood from churning them out faster than you can say aortic dissection. The latest to hit prime-time is ABC's drama "The Good Doctor."

(Photo: ABC/Eike Schroter)

The series surrounds Dr. Shaun Murphy, played by Freddie Highmore (Bates Motel, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). The good doc isn't your average MD though - why would he be, we need a hook right? Turns out Dr. Murphy has Savant Syndrome and Autism. Because if one disorder makes for good drama, then two is better, right?

We start the episode with a quiet and sheepish young man making his way from a small town in Wyoming to San Jose, California. Almost immediately he is confronted with an emergency at the airport that would have the life of a small boy in danger. When another doctor steps in to help Murphy challenges the process and in doing so ends up saving the boy. I know, big shock right?

Meanwhile, cut to a conference room in a hospital where we find a group of board members and doctors debating a recent controversial hire. Turns out respected doctor and hospital president Dr. Aaron Glassman (Richard Schiff - "The West Wing", "The Affair") has taken on a new surgical resident who suffers from Autism and Savant Syndrome. Spoiler alert, they are one in the same.

Why, one might ask, would he go out on a limb and risk his career for the less than perfect resident. Glad you asked. They have a past (of course they do). In a series of flashbacks you learn how a fractured young Autistic boy and a doctor would come to cross paths. And let's just say that you will have a hard time looking a bunny rabbit the same way for a long time.

The first episode has what you would expect from a pilot. It's got a everyday hero, flashbacks galore, and a self righteous character who puts his/her own spin on arrogance. The ladder is Dr. Neil Melendez played by Nicholas Gonzalez. It does not hurt that he is hella easy on the eyes either.

(Photos: ABC/Eike Schroter)

It also has everything you would expect from a medical drama. This includes the champion coming in at the last possible moment and saving a life, the phrase "you saved his life," and 'interesting' visuals to aid in the understanding of certain procedures.

In case you are wondering, the board agrees to take on Dr. Murphy But not without some conditions, naturally. I mean, we have to get to episode 2 right?

Overall, it appears that the show takes a universal theme of someone facing an insurmountable obstacle and overcoming it. But "The Good Doctor" gives our lead man a scalpel, a unique way to communicate, and the usual cast of characters that all show promise.

Will the show get a second season? If they can lean on the solid acting from veteran actor Richard Schiff, the good looks of Gonzalez, and the vulnerability of Freddie Highmore, they just might.