The Good Doctor: Season 6/ Episode 19 “Half Measures” – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)
As Dr. Lim and Dr. Andrews butt heads, Shaun continues to find faults in Dr. Glassman, and Morgan finds herself becoming a child advocate.
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As Dr. Lim and Dr. Andrews butt heads, Shaun continues to find faults in Dr. Glassman, and Morgan finds herself becoming a child advocate.
| Aired (ABC) | April 10, 2023 |
| Director(s) | Freddie Highmore |
| Writer(s) | David Renaud |
| Previously Noted Characters | |
| Shaun | Freddie Highmore |
| Alex | Will Yun Lee |
| Morgan | Fiona Gubelmann |
| Dr. Glassman | Richard Schiff |
| Dr. Lim | Christina Chang |
| Dr. Andrews | Hill Harper |
| Jared | Chuku Modu |
| Danny | Brandon Larracuente |
| Asher | Noah Galvin |
| Jordan | Bria Henderson |
| Nurse Villanueva | Elfina Luk |
Recap
This content contains pertinent spoilers.
What Are You Willing To Sacrifice? – Shaun, Alex, Morgan, Dr. Glassman
As Shaun gets closer and closer to having a child, he finds himself questioning how he will prioritize? Dr. Glassman is an example of so much regret for putting his career before his daughter. Then, between Alex and Morgan, the pull between family or else professional opportunities lead to the two being their usual opposing ends of a debate.
But, ultimately, Shaun chooses family and the opportunity to invest in his kid over moments that could advance or enrich his career. And as he makes that choice, Morgan makes a choice where she may end up foregoing getting pregnant and having a baby and instead adopting a recently orphaned child.
Does Dr. Glassman Have Cancer? – Shaun, Dr. Glassman
So, Dr. Glassman doesn’t have cancer, but something is wrong. Shaun doesn’t know what it is, but with Dr. Glassman not including two screws in a crib he and Dr. Glassman brought, he questions his decision-making to the point of damn near calling Dr. Glassman an idiot.
Either Trust Me Or Fire Me – Dr. Lim, Dr. Andrews, Jared, Danny, Asher, Jordan
It has been said many times that Dr. Lim has a renowned residency program that many competitively have tried to get into. Yet, despite the prestige Dr. Lim brings to the hospital, and her experience, Dr. Andrews questions her procedures and publicly overrules her in the ER when it comes to an especially tough surgery.
He notes it is because of the pressure he is under regarding the board, but the insult still stings. Particularly since he insults her in front of the nurses and ER staff and her choices of residents. Now, as Dr. Andrews notes, two are on probation, and one did return from being fired. But, questioning her decisions, overruling her, and playing down what she is hired to do doesn’t set up the potential of Dr. Lim quitting, but definitely becomes another reason for the hospital’s board to question Dr. Andrews’ leadership.
And as all that happens, Danny decides to squash the potential of a Jordan and Jared love triangle by nothing Jared is available and ready, and while he might be in his feelings, he just wants what is best for her. Also, despite Asher and Jared getting off on the wrong foot, because he does the work and proves that his network or money isn’t why he got a second chance, Asher joins Jared in his favorite pastime – karaoke.
Things To Note
Question(s) Left Unanswered
- How good was that man’s insurance for one part of the surgery to cost $100,000?
- Why is the hospital board being so hard on Dr. Andrews? Is it strictly budget issues, or is morale also a sticking point?
- Is Morgan going to adopt the baby, Eden, and if so, how much focus will that storyline get?
What Could Happen Next
- Shaun pushing Dr. Glassman away by not giving him grace
- Alex continuing to be in Morgan’s business, especially if she adopts Eden
- The full extent of what Dr. Andrews is going through still being a relative mystery, considering we haven’t seen Allegra in forever, they cut having legal talk about procedures in season 2, and I don’t think we’ve seen a single board member in years.
- Jordan and Jared ultimately not working out
- I feel like a time jump could happen in season 7
Review
Notable Performances or Moments
Morgan Bonding With Eden
Morgan has long softened and become a bit mushy while occasionally showing she still has an edge. But, having a child brings a whole new side of her, and with the possible switch of her adopting vs. biologically having a child, it will be interesting to see what that does for her. The mother is dead, and the father is unknown, so there shouldn’t be a paternity/ custody battle. But can “The Good Doctor” juggle having two storylines of people with young children and give them both the time and effort they deserve?
Dr. Lim v. Dr. Andrews
Dr. Lim has never been much for authority, but she can usually respect someone’s title. Dr. Andrews, on the other hand, we’ve seen many times he’ll speak and do first and ask for forgiveness once emotions have died down. That doesn’t sit right with Dr. Lim and with her dedicating her life to her job and training residents, for Dr. Andrews to question her, embarrass her, and give a meek apology privately, despite what he said publicly? It should be interesting to see how their relationship moves forward.
Never mind Nurse Villanueva saw it all happen and with Dr. Andrews insulting two women, in two different positions, this could spark an accusation of him being misogynistic. Add in it was against women of color, Asian women to be specific, and it could even become a race issue – which isn’t something “The Good Doctor” touches upon often, but the possibility is there.
Highlights
Danny Potentially Tapping Out Of the Love Triangle
Love triangles have rarely been good for any story. There is usually one person or being who seems out of place and has nothing going on besides their futile attempt to insert themselves, and it is honestly a disservice to them, and the person trapped in the middle expected to manage both characters. Never mind, be interesting enough to justify two interested parties and your investment in what could be.
Now, to be honest, Jordan and Jared, like Jordan with Danny, isn’t a relationship I’m clamoring for since I don’t see the chemistry or find them cute together. But, to be frank, “The Good Doctor” is pretty mediocre when it comes to anyone being in a relationship beyond Shaun, and even him and Lea have had a very rocky road to get to this point. I’d even say, I more so accept Shaun and Lea as a couple than root for them or think of them as what the show should aim to create for others.
But that aside, I can only hope, considering Danny’s journey with sobriety, faith, and redeeming himself, stepping away from pursuing Jordan, and bowing to Jared, doesn’t mean we just watch him sulk in the background or pick fights.
On The Fence
Shaun’s Protectiveness Over His Feelings At The Detriment Of Dr. Glassman’s
Shaun’s emotions are at an all-time high, and it’s understandable. He is going to be a first-time father, has no biological family to support him, has a demanding career, doesn’t want to be a bad dad like his biological father, and also wants to be a more present dad than the man who partly raised him. Add in all the anxiety that comes from all the advice and conversations he has been part of or overhead, and you can see his autism fixating on problems is only natural.
The problem is that his fixation on Dr. Glassman’s mistakes, or not living up to what Shaun wants, needs, or expects, will drive a wedge. Now, already the show has faked us out with a potential cancer diagnosis, so Shaun harping on with there being something wrong, if it doesn’t lead to anything, it will feel like a cruel tease. Yet, if there is something wrong, that path isn’t much better than the tease considering how much of a rock Dr. Glassman is for Shaun that Lea still uses Dr. Glassman as a middleman.
So we’re left hoping for the best when it comes to this storyline, but also we’re expecting the worse no matter which way this goes.
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