The Good Doctor (5×03) Measure of Intelligence Review

For our review of the last episode of The Good Doctor, click here.

Synopsis: Shaun confronts Salen about the many changes she has implemented since coming on at St. Bonaventure, and Glassman is forced to accept his new role at the hospital. (IMDb)

Last week’s episode of The Good Doctor saw Salen start putting her mark on the hospital, forcing doctors and staff to adapt to these changes with Murphy perhaps suffering more than most but he’s evolved as a character over the course of the series so maybe he’ll be better equipped to deal with these overwhelming feelings of change. Suffice it to say that things were going to get worse before they get better though maybe they wouldn’t be as bad as one may think. Considering the kind of person we’re dealing with, Salen’s motivations are clear. Despite her quirky and eccentric personality, her goal at the end of the day was to make money which has not necessarily been compatible with the other doctors and staff of the hospital. With her in charge at least for now, the doctors and staff would need to find a way to deal with her in order to keep providing care for their patients and this convoluted episode mostly revolved around this as the full impact of Salen’s new direction for the hospital was felt. Also a lot of farting for some strange reason.

Measure of Intelligence began with Murphy not sleeping presumably as a result of his discomfort at the end of the last episode and unexpectedly working on RSVP letters for his wedding. Lea later found one addressed to his mother for which he hadn’t spoken to since his father died. This created some awkwardness until he decided that it was okay to not invite her to the wedding.

When it came to the treatment of this episode’s patients, it was all about administering care in the most cost-effective way, one that would be covered by their respective insurance companies and limited the hospital’s liability. This didn’t always lead to the most effective treatment which often put the doctors at odds with Salen. This methodology was also an adjustment period for everyone but especially Osma who was still finding his place at the hospital. Andrews knew how to deal with hospital administrators but the other characters turned to Glassman, often interrupting him as he was in the middle of various midlife crisis activities in order to pass the time. He showed little interest in helping others with their problems beyond simply getting rid of them (except showing interest regarding the letter to Murphy’s mother) though it did not go unnoticed by Salen who strongly believed that what she was doing was right.

It was only a matter of time until the changes led to a blow up by Murphy and that was what he did just before a surgery. He tried to adapt but he just couldn’t make it work. He stormed out and found Salen in a server room with Lea. Against Lea’s advice, Murphy spoke his mind and she was receptive to his views, valuing his unique perspective because of his condition as her ADHD afforded her a unique perspective. With that distraction out of the way, he once against saved the day.

In other odds and ends, Reznick felt some discomfort of her own with concerned about farting etiquette regarding her relationship with Park. She made a big fuss, asking others for advice, but he was more than okay with it. Meanwhile, Allen and Wolke also found themselves at odds with one another over their disagreement about religion for which Lim quashed.

With all the issues seemingly addressed, Murphy and Lea went out for some karaoke with Allen and Wolke for which the latter pair were really having a good time. However, the end of the episode showed how much Salen valued Murphy’s perspective by making him the new face of the hospital in the form a large banner that Murphy will inevitably not be very fond of.

While Salen has definitely put her mark on the hospital, that grip appears to be tenuous at best. When it comes to doing the right thing, the doctors would surely stand up to her if they had to. The season is sure to give her some time at the top but that moment is merely a matter of time.

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Keith Noakes

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.