The Good Doctor Review: 36 Hours (Season 2 Episode 3)

As one would think, 36 hours is a lot of time and not a lot of time all in one. As for The Good Doctor Season 2 Episode 3, “36 Hours,” it is plenty of time to learn a thing or two.

In short, 36 hours is just the right amount of time for some to find their voice and for others to find their ears.

Thanks to some spot-on direction from Larry Teng, and beautiful writing from Thomas L Moran, this episode ranks up there as one of The Good Doctor‘s best of all time.

Characters are all woven together in various symbiotic relationships that either correlate or antagonize each other. The focus isn’t mostly on Shaun Murphy for a change and that is a good decision from both Teng and Moran.

Instead, the main focus is on Dr. Lim and Dr. Browne. A move that many approve of because it showcases strong female talent while also highlighting on the stark inequalities for females in hospital workplaces.

There hasn’t been an episode this strong in thematic elements and storytelling since The Good Doctor Season 1 Episode 10, “Sacrifice.” This episode, much like “Sacrifice” focuses on the strength and resolve of one, Dr. Claire Browne.

In a previous episode, Claire was accused of not being assertive enough. “36 Hours” gives Claire the opportunity to prove just how assertive she can be.

Claire: Men ask women to be more assertive and then criticize us for it.

It is met with much resistance from both Drs. Andrews and Melendez. The latter being more of a shock than anticipated.

Since the show’s pilot episode, Dr. Melendez’s character has been slowly evolving into this mentor that any and all can trust and count on. For him to make comments in “36 Hours” that can be perceived as negative towards women is initially seen as sloppy writing.

However, the most redeeming thing comes when Moran writes Melendez a teachable moment. Not from Melendez but for Melendez.

He is given the opportunity to listen to both Claire as well as a female nurse in his OR. This along with his handing over the reins to Claire for the close shows that he isn’t against women, he just made a simple mistake in his words.

It’s as Claire puts it to Shaun:

Claire: Sometimes you have to listen.

Dr. Melendez manages to make up for his lack of couth and respect by listening to those accusing him. By opening his ears he is paving the way for other colleagues who respect him to follow suit.

Who knows? Maybe Dr. Andrews will be next. I understand the guy is an administrator now but, that doesn’t mean he has to demean those below him, especially the women, by not even hearing them out.

On the other side of the same coin is Dr. Lim. She is in traffic court for a speeding charge. She chooses to fight the charge and ends up getting a lesson in when to speak her mind.

While being vocal about yourself isn’t a terrible thing, there is such thing as going too far. Dr. Lim should calm down a bit in response to the judge.

She already got her point across and instead of arguing with the judge on her ruling she should have done what the prosecutor tells her and appeal to another judge.

Still, this is a lesson in standing your ground and fighting for your place in the world around you. She knows her worth and knows that she deserves better from the judicial system.

There is definitely no harm in fighting that. However, there is a right way and a wrong way. Lim chooses the controversial way in between. It isn’t terrible but, it isn’t great either.

Christina Chang is really great at physically showing Dr. Lim’s emotions. It’s in her body movements and her stature. No matter what, Dr. Lim never slouches.

She is a strong female worthy of all the honors she has earned.

Dr. Lim: The only way to tell if Lea would do that is to talk to her.

While it’s true that Shaun isn’t the focus of this episode, that doesn’t mean he is entirely irrelevant. In fact, it is Claire and Dr. Lim who teach him a thing or two about how to handle his Lea situation.

In some situations, Shaun already is a listener and a great ear for complicated situations. However, there are times that his particularities keep him from giving the speaker a real chance to talk.

The strongest showcase of this pigheadedness comes when he finally does confront Lea, or Lea confronts him.

She tries to speak to him and he tells her he is a great friend and a great listener. However, when she starts telling him things that make him uncomfortable he stops her from speaking.

It’s a moment like this when he is no better than Dr. Andrews with Claire. He doesn’t want to hear the confrontation so he tries to stop it.

Fortunately for him, and us, Lea stands her ground and gets angry. Which she has every right to be.

Lea deserves to be angry just as much as Shaun is. They both have done things improperly and now have to face the music of those decisions. It’s not going to be easy, in fact, it’s bound to get even messier before it gets better.

The real mark of success for “36 Hours”‘ will be in the episodes to come. Whether or not they continue to show Claire’s assertive side. Or whether or not they continue to properly explore, through dialogue and physical acting, the new Lea and Shaun dynamic.

Further Thoughts:

• Dr. Morgan just continues to become more and more obnoxious. Can we just get rid of her?
• It’s going to be interesting to see the show explore Dr. Glassman and his daughter
• Despite not liking Dr. Andrews, I can’t deny that it’s because of Hill Harper’s insane talent.

What did you think of this episode of The Good Doctor? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Be sure to catch up with our review of The Good Doctor Season 2 Episode 2, “Middle Ground” right here.

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

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