The Good Doctor – Friends and Family

By: Ujjyani Banerjee

Shaun (Freddie Highmore) and Dr. Glassman (Richard Schiff) are strolling through a park. Glassman asks Shaun if he’s willing to visit his dying father (Michael Trucco). Though Shaun has got nothing to say to his dad, he is okay with visiting him in case he’s got something to say to him. He wants to a friend to accompany them. Glassman thinks it’s too early with Carly (Jasika Nicole), but as it turns out Shaun was referring to Lea (Paige Spara).

Dr. Melendez (Nicholas Gonzalez) is amused to find a new member at his gym, Claire (Antonia Thomas). She thanks him for supporting her when she broke down in the stairwell the night before. Melendez assures her that he’ll always be there to lend an ear. Both doctors spot an NFL player, Art Kalman (James Earl), at the gym. He is lifting 800lb weights. Claire finds it crazy. Art continues to strain himself and suddenly his back snaps causing his lower half to get paralyzed. Both surgeons rush to his aid.

Shaun and Lea are packing their bags. Glassman asks Lea not to forcefully accompany them if she’s not interested. She admits that she’s busy and is the worst person to give family relationship advice, but she won’t let her good friend down. Glassman doesn’t think her being there would be helpful, but she gets defensive in return. Shaun asks both of them to hurry. As they get to the airport both ask Shaun to inform Carly about his dad and the trip he’s about to go on. Shaun takes his phone out, nonchalantly.

While monitoring Art’s MRI, Morgan (Fiona Gubelmann) is amazed at his sheer size, but Dr. Park (Will Yun Lee) feels that it’s wrong that size matters more than talent in football. Morgan thinks it’s nothing but their talent and hard work that gets them there. Claire, who’s busy blocking her clingy one night stand’s number, argues that these jocks are largely overpaid compared to teachers and doctors. Morgan blames Claire’s edgy mood on her one night stand phase, but as she and Park soon learn Claire is past that now. The residents find complex spinal fractures in Art’s angiogram. They join Melendez to discuss their surgical plan with Art’s surgeon (Peter Bryant). He wishes to take over from here but Morgan wants to try a Hypothermia pre-op treatment on Art as it’ll arrest cord edema and apoptosis prior to surgery. Art’s surgeon cites the associated risks of bradycardia and arrhythmia and continues to insist on taking over, but Melendez stops him right there as it will ultimately be Art’s choice. Both surgeons present their fortes in front of Art. While one has dealt with similar cases with pro-athletes on a yearly basis with specialization in knee and joint surgeries, the other has done 30-40 exactly same procedures on motorcycle accident patients. Art chooses the latter which is the Bonaventure team. While Morgan is thrilled, Park is worried about Claire and advises her to seek help, otherwise remaining in denial would destroy her.

As the car pulls up near his parents’ place Shaun starts to feel uneasy and wants to leave. Lea suggests sitting inside the car. Soon his mom (Joanna Going) comes outside the house and as soon as Shaun sees her, he feels hypertensive and begs Glassman to get him home. Glassman drives them to a motel. After checking in Lea asks Shaun not to blame him or force himself into forgiving his dad as Ethan Murphy’s deathbed doesn’t reverse any of his past wrongdoings. Shaun wants to visit Steve’s tombstone. Lea and Glassman accompany him. Shaun recalls Steve’s funeral and how his 14-years old self (Graham Verchere) decided to leave his parents once and for all. Glassman comforts Shaun who’s staring at the grave by saying how Steve misses him too and that it’s impossible to get over a child’s demise. Shaun is now ready to give his parents a chance. All three visit and Shaun’s mom opens the door. She wants to hug him, but her son isn’t interested.

Art’s surgery is underway. Morgan talks about his rags to riches story and Melendez asks her to focus on the procedure. Suddenly, Art gets bradycardic and the surgeons try atropine and pacer charged at 40mA. They can’t administer a high charge fearing further spinal dislocation. Ultimately, Melendez gets the pulse back by pushing epinephrine in a long needle right through his chest. Art’s surgeon, who is observing the surgery from above, is impressed.

Shaun meets his dad. Ethan reminisces how much he wanted a normal kid whom he could go fishing with, drink beer with and carry around on his shoulders but Shaun was different. This made him angry, not at Shaun but at himself. Today he is remorseful, but at the same time proud of all that his son has achieved. He loves him. However, for Shaun he’ll always be the violent drunk father who killed his rabbit and, indirectly, Steve. He doesn’t care that he is dying.

It’s late. Claire is having coffee and blocking numbers. Park asks her to join him to check up on Art, just like he did ten minutes ago. He comments on her distracting phone usage. Claire gets pissed and dunks her phone right into the coffee to satisfy him. Park calls it stupid and dramatic as people need to be able to page her.

Shaun, Lea and Glassman are at a bar. Shaun’s going through Ethan’s case on his laptop and confirms that there’s no hope. Lea gets tequila shots for everyone, but none drink except for her. She suggests doing something fun like swimming at a nearby lake, but Glassman feels that a cold December night wouldn’t be the best time. Lea doesn’t care. Glassman asks Shaun if he’s ready to talk to his dad and stresses on how it’s the right thing to do, but Shaun prefers Lea’s plan.

Morgan informs Art about his positive prognosis assuring that he could run again, but Art doesn’t want to. He went to the weight room that day and purposefully strained himself hoping to get his knee blown, but his back took the brunt instead. He reveals that his sheer size threw him into the profession even though he never really enjoyed it. His folks depend on him and he feels obligated towards his mother now.

At the lake Lea coaxes Shaun to join her for a dip, but he hates muddy toes. She decides to go alone, but Shaun asks her not to as drowning due to inebriation is common. She goes in anyways and soon the water gets silent. Shaun calls her name repeatedly but there’s no response. Panicking, he starts walking into the water barefooted when Lea surfaces giggling away. Shaun is appalled by her bad joke.

Later at the motel Glassman approaches Lea. He hates how he managed to get Shaun angry at his dad and how the whole trip turned out to be a failure. He hoped that Shaun would’ve shown mercy and wells up as he explains how a parent’s number one duty is to keep their child alive. Even though some mess up, they hope that their one mistake won’t scar them for life. Lea feels bad for him, even though she understands Shaun’s standpoint too. Shaun is in his room staring at his muddy feet. He remembers a childhood incident when his dad took them to a waterfall and toddler Shaun (Winslow Fegley) didn’t want muddy feet. Ethan had packed all of his favorite foods and decided to carry him on his shoulders down to the waters, but Shaun threw a fuss and accidentally scratched his dad’s face. Ultimately, Ethan and Steve (Logan Pierce) made it to the waterfall despite Shaun ruining their trip.

The next day, while all three are having pancakes at Hilltop’s, Glassman lets Shaun know about a return flight available at 11am. Lea looks on. Just then Marcie shows up and wants to talk to her son. They go to a different table. Shaun wonders why his mom stuck with dad all these years. It turns out Marcie loved him and knew what to do with him, unlike with Shaun. This makes him wonder if she loved dad more than him and Steve. Marcie says no. She appreciates how Glassman raised him and understands why Shaun has every right to be mad at them but still hopes to become a family again. She wants to hug him. He lets her. After his mom has left the restaurant Shaun gets back to his table and reveals that he’s ready to talk to his dad.

Shaun meets his dad and admits to have fallen short of being the normal kid that could’ve given him happiness. He tells his father that he forgives him and loves him. Ethan reciprocates the love but soon starts to point out Shaun’s weak and childlike nature and how he is responsible for Steve’s death as his brother died in quest of trying to impress him. Marcie tries to control Ethan as she blames his morphine-induced delirium while Shaun simply stands there shook.

Claire explains to Art how it’s completely fine to retire from football after breaking his back. He is worried about how his mother will react. Claire understands the never-ending need to please one’s own mother despite working hard. She relates to how one is made responsible for all the bad decisions but never the good ones as the latter is considered to be nothing other than pure luck. Her words inspire Art and he soon gathers up the courage to tell his mother about his wish to retire from football.

Shaun is in his room. Glassman comes in to inform him that Ethan passed away thirty minutes prior and asks if he wants to attend the funeral. Shaun does not and wants to go home. Glassman asks if he wants to talk to him or maybe take a silent walk. Shaun says that he’s tired and wants to sleep. Glassman leaves him alone and retires for the night.

Claire has changed her number and her phone. She makes a call to someone and wants to meet up that night. We see her walking up to a lady’s house. Claire apologizes for wanting to meet after hours but it was important.  It turns out the lady is her therapist, Dr. Donna (Kelly-Ruth Mercier), and she happily lets her in.

Shaun is alone in his room. His right foot is shaking violently. He hits it repeatedly trying to control it but is unable to do so. Distraught, he starts to bang his head with both his hands. Lea comes just in time and jumps to embrace him. She manages to calm him down. Shaun lies down curling in and weeping uncontrollably while clutching Lea’s arms around him tightly.