‘Good Doctor’ is contagious

Photo+from+abc.com

Photo from abc.com

Story by Emilee Slayton, staff writer

The Good Doctor” first aired on Sept. 25, 2017 with millions of viewers watching on ABC network. The show’s protagonist, Shaun Murphy, copes with his autism in his workplace at the St. Bonaventure Hospital. The events that unfurl show the viewers the emotions Murphy processes throughout the series and gives the viewers a wider understanding on how people cope with their autism, especially, in a stressful and competitive environment.

Episode one displays the issues Murphy has to face in his workplace. While performing a surgery, a doctor doubts Murphy, telling him that his work experience in the hospital “Won’t get any better” and that “You don’t belong here” already encompassing negative vibes. While Murphy struggles with being social and communicating, he stood up for himself, telling the doctor he was arrogant. The moment was fantastic because viewers can laugh at the arrogant doctor and cheer Murphy on.

Murphy’s character is amazing throughout the show. Though he struggles with his autism at moments, he always tries to do his best and help someone in need. Murphy is a role model for other doctors, proving that having a disorder does not make anyone less capable of doing what they love.

In episode five, Murphy develops a friendship with a young boy named Evan who is dying from cancer. Murphy has flashbacks of his childhood,  including his deceased brother, whenever he hangs out with the boy. Their bond evolves into a brotherly friendship. Murphy asks if he could read a book to him, which the boy eagerly awaits. Murphy flips open the novel, “To Kill A MockingBird” and begins reading. This brings closure to Murphy, with his brothers passing, and Evan, knowing he will die, with the acceptance of death.

Though he struggles with his autism at moments, he always tries to do his best and help someone in need. Murphy is a role model for other doctors, proving that having a disorder does not make anyone less capable of doing what they love.

— Emilee Slayton

Though the show contains scenes where you just want to sob into your pillow, it also shows Murphy’s life before he became a doctor. This is such an important aspect of because as we see his flashbacks, us viewers feel more of a connection with Murphy and figure out his past piece by piece.

The most recent episode of “The Good Doctor” called “Sacrifice” which is the show’s mid season finale, starts off at the beginning where Glassman, the President of the San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital and mentor to Murphy, feels as though Murphy needs emotional support. Saying Murphy needs help with his personal life and tells Murphy he should go see a therapist. However, Murphy is uncomfortable with that and insist that he does not need a therapist, telling Glassman he can do it on his own. Murphy does not feel as under pressure with his work, but feels Glassman’s pressure.

The episode is really emotional and has moments that deals with sexual harassment in the workplace, which is a serious issue since sometimes sexual harassment in a workplace can go unnoticed or just not even talked about. The episode leaves us with so many questions and ends the mid season just to where you have to wait until next year to get the questions your whole heart deserves.

The shows ratings now since it is finally mid season have been exceptionally good. IMBD gave the show a 8.5/10, Tv.com gave it a 9/10, however, Rotten Tomatoes gave a poor review of a 55% rating.  

Overall, I’m really enjoying the series. I enjoyed the medical show “House” whenever I was younger and I sensed a really strong vibe off of it since David Shore (the writer and creator) also developed “The Good Doctor.” I don’t have any complaints with the show since the series isn’t completely finished yet. Some episodes were completely different from each other depending on the person of the day coming into the hospital. I enjoy how each episode would contain something new and important, and it wasn’t just surgery constantly throughout the show. So if you haven’t already watched the show, get your scalpel ready and slice into “The Good Doctor.”