If you would like to read my review of the last episode, click here.
Synopsis: Members of the hospital’s surgical team are initially impressed with a charming young doctor, but his true character puts one of them in an awkward position at work. Meanwhile, Dr. Glassman feels Dr. Shaun Murphy needs a little more support with his personal life and suggests he meet with a therapist. However, Shaun is determined to show him that he can do it on his own. (IMDB)
Writer: Lloyd Gilyard Jr.
Director: Michael Patrick Jann
Rating: TV-14
Running Time: 41mins
This episode was probably the most intense so far this season but it did not get there gracefully. This included the scene that was shown in the preview for this episode, however, let us start at the beginning.
Murphy has been unravelling for a while now. Not only has he had to work hard to earn the acceptance of his coworkers, he’s also had to prove to Glassman that he could take care of himself. Glassman didn’t seem to think he was capable so he wanted him to see a therapist that he had found. Murphy reluctantly agreed but made no attempt to meet with her, choosing to stay at the hospital instead of going home, despite Glassman’s bribe of a surround sound system.
These feelings may have been there but they didn’t interfere with the case of the episode where Murphy and Kalu assisted Melendez and Andrews with an elbow reconstruction of a pro gamer named Bobby Otto (Manny Jacinto). Meanwhile, Browne was to assist Dr. Matt Coyle (Eric Winter) with a double leg fasciotomy.
During the consult, Otto laid down the gamer talk a little too thick as he noticed that the other doctors weren’t respecting Murphy. They had been more and more willing to entertain his ideas but in this case, they didn’t seem to want to listen to him here. Of course we know what will ultimately happen though it felt odd here. Seeing how other doctors in the hospital operated has helped us to understand Melendez a little more. Coyle was willing to let Browne take a more proactive role with their patient which he may or may not had a motive to do so.
The other doctor’s ignorance continued during Otto’s surgery. They asked for Kalu’s input while letting him operate while Murphy watched. During Browne’s surgery, Coyle had a more layback approach that Browne was definitely not used to. She was getting uncomfortable so she asked Murphy and Kalu if they wanted to switch patients with Kalu dismissing Coyle’s motives for simply trying to create a rapport.
After Otto’s surgery, he seemed disappointed with the lack of Murphy’s involvement in his surgery. Murphy then threw out another idea which was again dismissed but they went for it after Kalu brought it up. Otto gave him some more advice which was to do whatever he wanted to do. Once they evaluated his MRI results, they learned that Otto had cancer. Otto told them that he set it aside because it was a distraction from his gaming career.
In a time where sexual harassment has been a big issue, Browne’s case touched both her and her patient who had overworked herself just to make her look more desirable to male venture capitalists. During Otto’s full body scan, they found a mass on his brain stem in an inoperable area. Otto seemed to be at ease. Coyle got defensive when Browne rejected his advances. Browne confronted Kalu for not believing her earlier and he felt bad but there was little she can do about it. Otto was presented with a solution that would make him paralyzed on his left side but he was willing to do it.
Kalu’s response was to shove Coyle against some lockers. Browne’s patient heard her earlier conflict and commended her for her bravery. Otto’s brain surgery had complications due to the anesthesia, however, they were ultimately successful and his prognosis wouldn’t be as dire as they first thought. He told Murphy to not let anyone tell him what he can and can’t do. Browne went to Andrews to talk to him about Coyle but he wanted to talk to her about him.
Murphy took Otto’s advice which led to the scene from the previews near the end of the episode where Murphy called out Glassman for his motives in interfering in his life and refused to let him take him to see a therapist. Murphy then hit Glassman before running away. When Browne confronted Kalu about his actions, Kalu told her that he was fired. Glassman went to his apartment but Murphy wasn’t there and he believed that Murphy wasn’t coming back.
Overall, this was another good episode featuring the biggest developments for Murphy so far with him finally unravelling due to the pressure around him. Highmore was excellent once again with his scenes both at the beginning and at the end of the episode being the best. What went on in the middle wasn’t as great with the doctor’s treatment of Murphy, the heavy handed advice from Otto, the sexual harassment subplot, and Melendez and Preston’s relationship problems. The other characters have improved but they aren’t quite on the same level as Murphy and Glassman. Kalu may be fired, however, it’d be a surprise if he didn’t come back sooner rather than later. This show has been hitting its stride so it’s a shame that we have to wait until next year for it to come back.
Score: 8.5/10
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The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.