The Good Doctor Review: Pain (Season 1 Episode 16)

The winning formula for The Good Doctor is focusing on the beauty of working in the midst of someone who is different from the average doctor.

For The Good Doctor Season 1 Episode 16, “Pain,” that formula comes out in full force. It is refreshing and nice to see Shaun carry on a full conversation about the effects of disability with his patient.

All season, Shaun has chosen to hang back and only interact with his patients in the most clinical of ways. He only occasionally speaks to them about who they are. Lately, there’s been a visual shift in his demeanor and practices which frankly makes for a more engaging and enjoyable story.

“Pain” is especially great at showing how much Shaun has grown. He is taking in the things people say to him in critique and actually applying them in his interactions. He asks more personal questions in an effort to better understand his patients as people instead of just medicine.

Hunter: We waste our time and energy trying to prove we belong.

Hunter’s words speak directly to me because all my life I have struggled with where I belong. Not because of a disability, but because of adoption.

It was really nice to see Shaun’s interrogation tactic have a volley back of equal magnitude. Most people we see Shaun talk to don’t fully know how to interact with him. Hunter does and this really turns the show around merely for the fact that it’s not predictable or common.

Another thing we see this episode is Shaun making connections between lessons learned on the job and how to apply it to his personal life. Past Shaun would take the information Dr. Park finds on Kenny and use it as a reason to push away from a human connection.

Shaun: The surgery isn’t guaranteed to help you walk. Why would you risk losing the one person who accepts you as you are?

Thankfully, Shaun is not the same and that he learns from his work experiences. It shows that despite his Autism he does know how to alter his thinking and behavior in order to be a better doctor and friend. Showing Kenny the benefit of the doubt is a huge step forward for Shaun.

Shaun is also really stepping into his role as a doctor. Sure, he has known the medical part of his job well all along, but the patient care portion has always stumped him. This case is a game changer and it gives me faith in Shaun’s skills even more than before.

No one likes a cold, quiet doctor.

We can’t talk about acceptance of people as they are without mentioning the growth also shown by Claire and Melendez. These two characters have been champions in showing their acceptance of people as they are.

While Claire is always accepting not only her patients but Shaun as well, Melendez has been more hesitant about Shaun. Lately, though it’s been nice to see Melendez stepping up and respecting Shaun as a doctor.

Melendez reveals on “Pain” that he has a sister with traumatic brain injury. While that isn’t autism, it is something that shows us just how much he understands Shaun. I begin to question why he didn’t accept Shaun from the word go.

He knows that limitations don’t define a person. Is it because he was scared for the stability of his job? We may never know, but it is nice to see that he has come around to acceptance.

For Claire, this episode is a huge struggle for her. She has always shown acceptance and understanding towards her patients and colleagues. However, when her mom shows up, it’s as plain as day there is bad blood between them.

While it’s nice to see Claire getting a bit more of a backstory, I don’t appreciate it coming two episodes before the finale. She is a very compelling and inspiring character. Why wait so long to give her even more depth and connection?

Claire: Everyone is dealing with something. We just have to love other people for who they are and hope they love us too.

Claire’s mom shouldn’t be immediately trusted — she knows that. However, a part of Claire, the best part of her in fact, wants to believe that this time things are different. That her mom has changed.

It’s difficult to watch Claire accept that she needs to take her own words to heart and give her mom a chance. My gut tells me that she will only get hurt.

It’ll be interesting to see if Claire’s mom will end up burning her once more or if she will actually come through with the money. I’m confident that if Claire does get betrayed by her mom she will merely pick herself up and keep moving forward.

Stray Thoughts:

• Morgan is becoming a bit bearable. She is still not the most pleasant of people, but she definitely is growing as a person.
• Dr. Andrews’ fertility issues is a nice change of pace of the TV trope of women having fertility issues. Male fertility issues are rarely spoken about.
• As sad as it is to see Kalu seeking employment elsewhere, I am glad he listens to Morgan. He has lost the respect of his colleagues and mentors. Now let’s see what he ends up doing.
• It was horrible how the woman getting plastic surgery only did it because she mistakenly thought her husband didn’t love her anymore. Then she dies because of it. What a tragic way to end.

What did you think of this episode of The Good Doctor? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below! Be sure to check out our review of The Good Doctor Season 1 Episode 15, “Heartfelt” right here.

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

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