Going “under the knife” means trusting a surgeon. If your surgeon was autistic would that give you pause for thought?
In the The Good Doctor (2017 — present) one such autistic young man, Dr. Shaun Murphy, moves from Wyoming, middle America, to San Jose, in sunny California to pursue his career as a surgeon.
Murphy, played by Freddie Highmore, is an autistic savant. In other words alongside the difficulties of dealing with emotion that come with autism, Murphy has some exceptional abilities. Also known as “savant syndrome”, it is often understood as a lack of emotional abilities giving room for the development of more focus, for example on detail – think Dustin Hoffman memorising cards for Tom Cruise in Rain Man.
The show’s fizz is in the conflict with Murphy’s brilliance at his job and the the lack of acceptance by his colleagues. His fellow surgeons are talented themselves and have enormous responsibility on their backs. They really don’t trust the new kid on the block. Can Murphy win them over?
What adds another layer to the show is the medical information loaded on the audience each episode. Medical dramas have increasingly become more informative and even educational. The Good Doctor is a great example. Maybe you’ll even learn something that will come in handy one day!
This show allows us to view important topics like health, prejudices, friendship and love
Along the way, Murphy’s autism allows us to view important topics like health, prejudices, friendship and love from a different angle.
The show starts by Murphy’s struggle even to begin his new job. Dr. Glassman (Richard Schiff) — the man who raised Murphy after he and his brother, Steve, left their abusive father – hired Murphy to work at their hospital. The Board of Directors set up a meeting to reconsider the decision once they find out about Shaun’s condition. Directors and surgical team alike oppose the hiring, and judge Murphy and his abilities before meeting him.
With the prejudices against Shaun, it takes time for him to be accepted as a surgical resident, where he’s being picked on for the smallest things. However, when he saves lives after lives, the team and the chief of surgery, Dr. Andrews (Hill Harper) in particular, are proven wrong and start to slowly accept him.
Not only does this show make you feel sympathetic towards Shaun, but it also makes you wish you were his friend. Shaun eats alone during lunch breaks and his only friend is Dr. Glassman, who is more like a father figure. He also has a crush on neighbour, Lea, and he spends some time at work with Dr. Claire Browne (Antonia Thomas), who comes from a similar background.
We get a peek into Shaun’s tough childhood through constant flashbacks, and a glimpse into his “brain” whenever he’s trying to save a patient’s life. Additionally, every episode follows new patients, and their stories. We also follow Shaun develop a relationship with the rest of characters, as we get to know them more.
You should especially look forward to the season’s two-part episode called “Islands”, which is a heartwarming and humorous look into Shaun and Lea’s developing relationship, as Shaun skips work. While he’s away, you will wait in anticipation as the hospital is taking care of two conjoined twins, Katie and Jenny, whose lives are at risk as they are being separated.
English actor Freddie Highmore, known for his roles in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Bates Motel, does an incredible job portraying Murphy. As Highmore mentions in an interview with Jimmy Kimmel, his accumulated knowledge is fake and it would be dangerous for him to take part in any surgeries in real life. But, if you start watching the show, you may be convinced he’s a professional surgeon.
This show may be a lot to take in, but it’s worth the watch. And no distractions while you’re watching, every single detail is important!
Genre: Medical Drama
Running time per episode: approx 43 minutes
Available on:
Amazon Prime Video and Sky
Did you know?
The Good Doctor is a remake of a South Korean show, or k-drama, of the same name made in 2013 and currently available to view on Netflix.
Click here to view the Korean original.
