The Good Doctor Review: Islands, Part 1 (Season 1 Episode 11)

On The Good Doctor, Season 1 Episode 11, “Islands, Part 1,” relationships are a heavy theme. It isn’t just romantic relationships, either. It’s also friend relations and family ones.

Through it all, Dr. Shaun Murphy has to wade uncharted waters, but unlike the title of the episode, he isn’t an island. He isn’t the only one going places never gone before.

Shaun and Glassman

To start it off, we need to talk about the elephant in the room.

On The Good Doctor Season 1 Episode 10, “Sacrifice,”  we saw Dr. Glassman and Dr. Murphy go head to head about therapy. Where did the story pick up? How do these two characters stand in relation to one another?

With Dr. Glassman bursting in, quite literally, at the beginning it is clear that he still cares for Shaun. Despite everything Shaun has thrown at him or simply ignored.

Shaun, on the other hand, would rather hide from his mentor than face him. He doesn’t want therapy and he knows that facing Dr. Glassman will end in a stressful situation. Shaun is afraid.

Spending time with Lea has shown him all that he is capable of doing. Knowledge that seems, to him, to be in constant clash with what Dr. Glassman wants.

It’s clear that while Dr. Glassman wants these issues to resolve themselves quickly they won’t. It slightly bothers me that he’s so pushy. For someone who claims to know and understand Shaun, he doesn’t do a very good job of weighing what he wants versus what is good for Shaun.

Shaun and Lea

This leads to the second major relationship this episode: Lea and Shaun. Lea has been a constant in Shaun’s life since he moved to San Jose. Constants are really important to him because he finds that he can rely on them.

Lea never once questions Shaun; she takes whatever information he gives her and spins it to teach him. She never pushes, merely suggests. She sees Shaun as a whole instead of little parts. To her Shaun is more than just Autism.

Going on a road trip with her is definitely counterproductive for his job. However, it is ultimately productive and educational for Shaun’s personhood. He learns how to be more independent, to survive.

It’s been great watching his trust in Lea expand this season, which is what makes this road trip bittersweet. It’s a mark of his trust in her, and how she is still able to disappoint him too.

Lea: You’re never going to be happy if you live in fear.

Lea can either make or break Shaun. It’ll be interesting to see which one it ends up being.

Lea is a lovable character and it’s my hope that she can, if anything, remain friends with Shaun. It’s clear that she cares about him and wants him to succeed in life.

Dr. Browne

Back in San Jose, Dr. Browne has relationship woes of her own to deal with. On The Good Doctor, Season 1 Episode 10, “Sacrifice,” we see Dr. Browne dealing with sexual harassment from a co-worker, while also dealing with her boyfriend who doesn’t want their relationship to be public.

As a result, her boyfriend thinks it would be a good idea to physically defend her honor. While he thought this would strengthen their relationship, Dr. Browne further pulls away.

On “Islands, Part One,” Dr. Browne finally realizes her strength; she is not alone in her struggles.

I do applaud her for finally saying something directly to Dr. Coyle. However, I don’t approve of what she ultimately says. Threatening him doesn’t do anything to further the women’s movement. Nor does it look good on her. She could end up suffering professionally because of it.

Also, with Dr. Murphy absent, the bond between Dr. Melendez and Dr. Browne is able to shift a bit. She proves to her supervisor that she isn’t “just a woman.” That she can kick it with the big boys.

Their talk about relationships feels so raw and honest. There is an underlying trust and respect to the whole scene.

Dr. Melendez: I can’t imagine living my life without her.

Dr. Browne giving him advice on his love life proves once again that she is a great listener first, a doctor second.

It also shows us that Dr. Melendez isn’t the cold-hearted surgeon we all initially saw. His walls may get in the way of his warmth towards others, but ultimately Shaun and Dr. Browne being who they are is teaching him to open up more.

This episode is all about how we relate to each other. It’s said that no man is an island, and with one episode, The Good Doctor proves that. While all these characters feel alone in their fears, it is their relationships that help them realize they are part of a group.

Other thoughts:

• Shaun and Lea have the potential to be great together. But, I don’t want her to give up her passion in Pennsylvania to stay in San Jose for him. She hates San Jose.
• Dr. Andrews may seem like a team player, but I feel like he is ultimately on one team and one team only: Team Dr. Andrews
• Dr. Kalu, I hope he manages to figure out a way to get reinstated because the SJSB Hospital won’t be the same without him
• Shaun is learning so much about life from Lea, I don’t think he needs a life coach so much as he needs a friend
• What is brewing under the surface with Dr. Glassman? He seems to have something he’s not telling Shaun.

What did you think of this episode of The Good Doctor? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below! Don’t forget to check out our review of The Good Doctor Season 1 Episode 10 as well.

Reviewer Rating:

User Rating:

 

The Good Doctor airs Mondays at 10/9c on ABC.

Follow us on Twitter @telltaleTV_

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

21 TV Dramas We Loved in 2017