THE GOOD DOCTOR 1x04 "Pipes"

The Good Doctor has proved itself exceptionally consistent regarding the growth of its characters over the prior 3 episodes, and this level of consistency was maintained in "Pipes", which I would argue is its most balanced, emotional episode yet. Specifically, I find this to be a result of minimising the flashbacks, which allows for a more even spread of the cast (in "Pipes", we were shown only two very short flashbacks, which meant that even Jessica Preston, board member and Dr. Melendez's girlfriend who has so far had a couple of short scenes at most each episode, had a fair amount of runtime, which was wisely utilised to showcase the previously undefined depth of her relationship with Melendez).

   While on the subject of Melendez, it's key to point out that the distaste felt for his character for his treatment of Shaun in the first 2 episodes, which had eased slightly in episode 3 due to their characters being separated by plot, returned in episode 4. He continued to punish Shaun for tardiness that was no fault of his own and separated Dr. Browne on the unfair basis that she is able to communicate with Shaun. (I do, however, find it interesting that in another medical show I might find an Attending chastising a doctor for his/her tardiness an acceptable thing, yet in the case of Shaun I find it particularly distasteful and ignorant. Is Melendez indeed persecuting Shaun, as we may infer from the scene, or do I as an audience member expect Shaun to be treated differently because he has autism? It's a very challenging and engaging question that, as an audience member, I enjoy being asked.)

   If Melendez's relationship with Preston was revisited then so was Browne and Kalu's, and it provides a great balance when compared with the two hospital higher-ups: Melendez and Preston are clearly in a committed relationship where they frankly discuss their hopes for children in the future; Browne rarely opens up to Kalu about herself and continues to insist their relationship is purely physical. The contrast in the two scenes - in which Preston and Melendez openly speak of their future while Kalu makes a milestone of Browne's sharing - was excellent, and the different dynamics created by the relationships is extremely intriguing.

A prospective mother elects for life-threatening
surgery to save her baby's life.
Image: ABC

   Intriguing and different are also words I would use to describe the two patients in this episode. The first is an 18-year-old pornstar with a tumour on a nerve that nearly causes her to lose feeling in her genitals; the second, a couple desperate for their baby to survive in a case that is set back by so many complications that the ethical and moral ramifications of any surgery form a significant portion of the episode's talking points. Both were unusual and unique cases (I don't think I've seen a more at-risk patient than the wannabe mother in this episode), their stories packed with The Good Doctor's trademark emotional gut-punches - but I think the best part of the pregnant mother's plot was actually the political backdrop. I've mentioned before this is a side of hospital life that hasn't been a prominent and consistent feature of other medical shows I've watched, and consistency on this is helping with The Good Doctor's excellent opening run.

   Lastly, there's a little to discuss about the episode's structure. I found the breaking up of the story at critical points by resetting to a new day an impressive way to leave the audience lingering on the unpleasant possibilities of a negative outcome, all the while interspersed with interesting pillow talk and a window into Shaun's solitary home life. Although, I'm still certain the writers are setting Lea up to be Shaun's first girlfriend. I'm actually excited for that moment to come.

RATING: 9.5/10

POINTS OF NOTE

• When Lea, Shaun's neighbour, was giving him a ride home I heard a siren go off in the background and half-expected the police to flag down her car for some unknown reason. Since that didn't occur, I'm a little frustrated that its inclusion distracted me from the scene to prepare for something that never came.
• That second flashback to Shaun being embarrassed by a pretty girl in front of loads of other kids was heartbreaking. We saw it coming a mile off, but it didn't hurt any less when the hysterics began. Kids can be cruel.
• Dr. Glassman being a little frustrated by Shaun was a good move. It can't be easy. Also, I'm loving their lunchtime chats.
• "Would you rather lose feeling in your thigh or genitals?"

THE GOOD DOCTOR 1x05 "Point Three Per Cent" PROMO