The Good Doctor Season 1 Episode 3 Review: Oliver
Kaitlynn Smith
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During the action-packed and dramatic third episode of The Good Doctor, viewers finally get a glimpse of the other doctors' humanity.
The Good Doctor Season 1 Episode 3 follows Dr. Shaun Murphy as he travels to San Francisco with Dr. Claire Browne to get a liver for one of their patients. Claire struggles to communicate with Shaun, but she finally realizes that he will talk to her if she does not ask questions.
The Good Doctor Season 1 Episode 2 was a huge improvement over the show's lackluster pilot, but the third episode is even better.
In the first two episodes of the series, I struggled to connect with some of the show's secondary characters: Dr. Marcus Andrews, Dr. Neil Melendez, and Dr. Jared Kalu. They seemed completely heartless, making their scenes annoying to watch.
In this episode, though, all three show some of the humanity I've been craving from them. I needed a reason to root for them, too, even if they are still uncomfortable with Shaun's employment at the hospital.
As Drs. Melendez and Kalu fought for their patient Chuck to receive the liver, it was difficult not to be swept up into the emotion of it all. For the first time, I was truly rooting for them to win and was heartbroken when they did not in the end.
Dr. Andrews still has a long way to go, but it was nice to see him let his guard down a bit as well. He was able to put his ego aside and work with Dr. Melendez.
In the other two episodes, Marcus has behaved like an immature boy, but this made him feel like an adult who is actually capable of running a hospital.
These three doctors all have serious God complexes, and I certainly don't expect that to go away anytime soon.
Seeing a shred of humanity in them, though, makes me want to keep watching. It gives viewers a glimpse at their potential development.
This is also giving the actors time to showcase their talent. In the previous episodes, Hill Harper, Nicholas Gonzalez, and Chuku Modu were all overshadowed by the talents of Freddie Highmore and Richard Schiff.
However, because the audience finally wants to watch the scenes with these characters, Harper, Gonzalez, and Modu can shine a bit more. It makes the cast feel like an actual ensemble, which is necessary for a medical show to truly work.
On the registry, all of us wait in line together. I see these people here waiting, I know their faces, even their names. They all have stories. We’re in it together, and I broke the rules.
Chuck
Claire and Shaun are also developing a nice relationship. It was great to see Claire finally understand something about Shaun. He needs someone else on his side besides Dr. Glassman.
Claire is starting to realize that Shaun can give the doctors a unique perspective on the patients. Throughout the episode, Shaun wants to know the donor patient's name, and he is quick to remind Claire that they still saved a life by getting the liver.
Claire's new connection with Dr. Murphy gives us a compelling relationship to watch unfold. Claire could be a great teammate and cheerleader for Shaun, and I'm excited to see where this relationship goes in the future.
It was a good day. We saved a life, just not Chuck’s.
Dr. Shaun Murphy
The hour featured strong writing, and the action kept me engaged entirely. It was wonderful feeling a strong connection to the main patient, something the previous outing lacked.
I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see if the liver would make it to the hospital in time, and I was heartbroken when Chuck tocouldn't receive the liver at the end.
It still feels melodramatic and highly unrealistic, but I'm more willing to suspend my disbelief now than while watching the pilot. I finally have secondary characters to root for, and I'm not getting bored or distracted by other things while watching.
I do want to learn more about board member Jessica Preston, played by Beau Garrett.
It's still unclear to me if we're supposed to root for her and Melendez as a couple. Right now, their relationship feels artificial, and I'm wondering why they were introduced as engaged from the onset.
It feels like a strange decision as expecting more interaction between the takes me out of whatever action is happening.
You didn’t get the email blast. Rich people aren’t allowed to die in this hospital.
Dr. Aaron Glassman
I know all my questions cannot be answered so soon, but that relationship is now the one thing that I still find painful to watch.
I knew The Good Doctor had tremendous potential, and I'm so happy to say I was wrong about it being the fall's biggest disappointment so quickly after watching the pilot.
Now I look forward to Monday nights so I can see more!
What did you think?
Do you love the show, or are you giving up on it?
You can watch The Good Doctor online and tell us your thoughts in the comments!
Kaitlynn Smith was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. She retired in May of 2018.
