The Good Doctor Series: Medical Dramas and Character Development Quiz

The Good Doctor Series: Exploring Medical Dramas, Surgical Procedures, and Character Development

Introduction

The Good Doctor is an American television series that premiered on ABC in September 2017, starring Freddie Highmore as the main character, Shaun Murphy, a young physician with autism and savant syndrome who faces numerous challenges during his surgical residency training. This show has been praised for its exploration of bioethics in medical situations, the portrayal of autism and professional development, and its balance between medical drama and human storytelling.

In this article, we will delve into the aspects of The Good Doctor that make it an engaging and thought-provoking series. We will discuss how it tackles various ethical issues in medicine through surgical procedures, debate its realistic portrayal of characters with autism, and analyze the character development throughout the seasons.

Medical Dramas and Bioethics

At its core, The Good Doctor is a medical drama that often serves as a platform for exploring complex bioethical principles. As researchers found, many episodes of the first season dealt with bioethical dilemmas under four key principles: beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. These principles are central to the decision-making process in healthcare, and the show effectively illustrates their application in different scenarios, such as informed consent, surgery, and patient care.

One example from episode 1×17 demonstrates the importance of discussing potential risks alongside benefits in surgical procedures:

In a meeting before surgery, where informed consent is requested, Dr. Shaun Murphy questions the risk-benefit ratio of the surgical procedure in front of the young patient to be treated, her father, and the surgeons. He asks what is the need for an elective but risky surgery that only allows the patient to smile: is the possibility to smile more important than the risks of the surgery?

This scene highlights the importance of considering not only the positive outcomes of surgical procedures but also their potential risks and consequences.

Autism Portrayal and Character Development

The show's creators aimed to humanize characters with autism, defying common misconceptions about emotions. Highmore noted that Dr. Murphy's emotional moment during the board room debate was significant because it challenged the stereotype of people with autism being emotionless:

I think there’s a misconception that surrounds people with autism that they are somehow emotionless. Hopefully this scene proves otherwise.

In terms of character development, The Good Doctor has been praised for its portrayal of both professional growth and personal relationships within and outside the hospital setting. Characters like Lim have undergone significant transformations, such as dealing with grief, trauma, and confronting Shaun about his role in her condition. These changes contribute to the balance between medical storylines and interpersonal dynamics, making the series engaging and emotionally resonant.

Season 6 Plotline

Season 6 introduced new challenges for Dr. Lim, who experienced the stages of grief after being paralyzed following an attack. She turned on Shaun, leading to tense interactions and a decline in their relationship. While Lim was initially critical of Shaun's choices, she eventually came back from the brink, showing resilience and determination to overcome her situation. This plotline demonstrates how The Good Doctor skillfully weaves together medical scenarios and character arcs, creating a compelling narrative that keeps viewers invested in the characters' journeys.

Critics and Praises

Some critics argue that The Good Doctor oversimplifies autism by presenting the main character, Dr. Shaun Murphy, as overly robotic and lacking depth compared to real-life individuals with autism. However, others appreciate the show's efforts to shed light on the field's discussions regarding disabilities in medicine and the stigma associated with various conditions. Regardless, the series has been commended for its balance between medical education and character development, making it a standout among other medical dramas in terms of storytelling quality and emotional impact.

Conclusion

The Good Doctor is a medical drama that effectively combines bioethics education, realistic portrayals of characters with autism, and character development to create a captivating and thought-provoking series. Its commitment to exploring complex ethical issues and challenging preconceived notions about people with autism sets it apart from other medical dramas, offering viewers an engaging and educational experience.

Test your knowledge on the medical dramas, bioethical dilemmas, portrayal of autism, and character development in The Good Doctor series. Explore the show's exploration of ethics in medicine, realistic representation of autism, and the growth of characters like Dr. Shaun Murphy and Dr. Lim.