Good Sam Review: Wake Up (Season 1 Episode 5)

In its best episode yet, Good Sam Season 1 Episode 5, “Wake Up,” looks backward to finally move most of its characters forward.

This episode has so many great performances that it’s challenging to pick one as a standout. Therefore, “Wake Up” is worth a re-watch just to catch this cast’s excellence again.

Sophia Bush, Skye P. Marshall, and Jason Isaacs are incredibly fantastic, but Michael Stahl-David and Davi Santos shouldn’t be counted out.

It’s a sight to watch this cast show up for each other on-screen, and their supportive presence adds extra emotional gravitas to most scenes. This tactic is particularly effective for Griff.

Griff essentially treads water during the first four episodes as he adjusts to a new normal. Frequently, that results in a frustrating viewing experience because we want to see him move forward in some way — even if it is a small step.

“Wake Up” begins to unpack Griff’s internalized frustration with that process in a believable way that’s quite moving because of Isaacs’ nuanced performance. The moment he realizes Sam always had his DNR is quite memorable in that regard. 

One of the most touching scenes is when Griff’s vulnerability peaks through his assertive front when he speaks to Carl, the patient with the gun-shot wound.

Griff’s rash actions and misplaced emotions start to come across less as a means to undermine Sam and more of a man externally reacting to his trauma. 

The show holds Griff accountable for how his actions effect others, but it doesn’t entirely discount his experiences. Sometimes, shows don’t realize both truths are simultaneously eligible to explore, not Good Sam — it knows.

Furthermore, Good Sam is smart to focus on Griff’s trauma, but it doesn’t single him out because the shooting impacts everyone differently.

Skye P. Marshall’s performance in the flashbacks and the present is raw and honest. It’s heartbreaking to watch Lex fall into a panic attack after seeing a man she obviously cares about nearly die, and, still, Sam is at the forefront of her mind.

Regardless of whether Lex and Griff make a good couple, it’s empowering to watch Lex take a stand for herself by the end of “Wake Up.” 

The flashbacks put her point of view into perspective, making Good Sam shift away from its namesake in a beneficial way.

Additionally, it creates an opportunity to reiterate the importance of boundaries as an act of self-love. The past episodes follow Sam’s journey in that regard, but it’s true — Lex gets lost in that.

The storyline’s refreshing nature elevates tenfold because of Sam’s reaction to Lex’s assertion. Sam doesn’t get defensive; she’s remorseful and vows to be and do better.

Sam and Lex’s friendship is flawed, but its foundation is built on fierce love and respect. Their friendship’s complexities make it one of the best to watch right now. After all, there can never be enough dynamic female friendships on TV.

Not to mention, Lex’s flashbacks retroactively give Sendhil Ramamurthy more to work with than Good Sam Season 1 Episode 3, “Butt of the Joke.”

His presence and profession open up the door for Good Sam to explore therapy as a viable way to look after mental health in the future. Ideally, that storyline would allow the show to examine Asher’s character more personally, too.

“Wake Up” opens the floodgates for the internal battles these characters are fighting, and this show’s dedication to exploring them in due time is effective.

It doesn’t race through acknowledging and healing their traumas because that’s not realistic. Even in the realm of fiction, something like that would feel disingenuous. So instead, Good Sam lets us sit in the range of emotions with the characters.

It does so with most of the characters, as the show needs to give Isan more depth moving forward. However, there’s no doubt Good Sam can do so, especially now that it looks to be closing the most contentious chapter between Sam and Griff.

For example, “Wake Up” does a great job peeling back Joey’s layers — even Tim’s layers. If it can make us root for that relationship in such a short amount of time, then it can turn things around for Isan, too.

It’s almost impossible this episode manages to turn things around between Sam and Griff by the end. Nevertheless, it’s exciting to think about Sophia Bush and Jason Isaacs stretching different acting muscles as their characters’ dynamic evolves.

That said, this episode is such an everlasting reminder of Bush’s compelling talent and why it’s such a treat to have her back on TV in a leading role. She is a force on the small screen, and this cast keeps finding new ways to show how they are, too.

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Good Sam airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on CBS.

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