Good Sam Review: Keep Talking (Season 1 Episode 8)
Good Sam Season 1 Episode 8, “Keep Talking,” allows its ensemble of characters to shine in its most balanced hour this season.
Plus, this medical drama stages a One Tree Hill reunion for the ages as Sophia Bush, Bethany Joy Lenz, and Hilarie Burton share the small screen for the first time in 13 years.
Long-time fans of the teen drama will know Edwin Hodge also appeared on the show — only in one episode in its later years.
The happy occasion becomes more magical with the realization that “Keep Talking” airs on One Tree Hill Day (3/23).
So, this episode has plenty working in its favor before it even starts. Regardless of the feels that come with an epic crossover like this, “Keep Talking” stands on its own as a strong Good Sam episode.
It cohesively pulls many loose threads together, making the narrative stronger (and emotionally devastating). Plus, it pulls each member of its ensemble to the forefront — if even for a beat.
Most noticeably, Isan’s fear of inadequacy no longer lingers in the background. Instead, it finally feels like Good Sam is ready to leave the lawsuit against Isan in the past to give him something different to do.
Similarly, “Keep Talking” takes Malcolm in a more independent direction from his romantic relationship with Sam.
That divergence creates room for Malcolm to have more characterization and explore the nuances of his dynamics with Byron and Tina.
Plus, Malcolm’s goal to create a clinic that helps underserved communities surrounding Lakeshore could be what Good Sam needs to venture beyond the hospital’s walls more often.
It’s more likely that this adventure will continue to blur the lines between professional and personal for everyone at Lakeshore, especially Malcolm.
Like with Griff and Sam, it’s heartening to see Malcolm and Tina start anew, but there’s always a level of trepidation, too. Good Sam knows how to thread that needle.
For example, it’s nice to see Griff and Sam (and Lex) get along, but it comes at the cost of bold lines they continue to cross and blame each other for crossing.
Sam’s relationship to Griff’s participation in therapy is always a mix of professional and personal — despite there being defined times throughout “Keep Talking” when it should be one over the other.
There’s no way for Good Sam to avoid that overlap unless one or both of them steps down from their position at Lakeshore, removing them from certain professional privileges.
Or, one or both of them should face severe consequences for repeatedly breaking the rules. So, until then, it’s not out of character for Sam to encourage a form of treatment as a medical professional and a concerned daughter.
The problem lies with what Sam does with the information she has as a medical professional and a concerned daughter.
Sam should never apologize to Vivian for not sharing Griff’s symptoms with her. Furthermore, she should never disclose confidential information that arises in a therapy session to someone not present at the said session.
Asher is supposed to be a mental health specialist that Sam and (begrudgingly) Griff trust with the sensitive information regarding their traumatic past.
Sam sidesteps that perception and undermines the work Asher tries to do with Griff (and her) when she shares some of that information with Vivian.
It’s challenging to watch Sam’s decision-making process at times because she can maintain boundaries — occasionally.
For example, she catches Malcolm when he starts asking unethical questions about Griff’s wellbeing. Additionally, Sam doesn’t share any information about the latest therapy session with Lex.
We can view the former example as protecting confidentiality, asserting authority, or both. The latter comes across as neither.
Instead, it feels more like an act of self-preservation. Despite how it seems on the surface, Sam keeps a lot about herself to herself. That’s why she turns to the piano — or Caleb.
There’s a fleeting moment when Sam and Lex almost confide in each other but don’t.
It’s evident that Lex knows Sam needs to talk, and Sam knows Lex is the one person she would be able to be the most honest with about everything. But then Griff and Lex’s relationship lingers between them.
Sam’s honesty with Lex could be detrimental to her best friend’s romantic relationship, which Lex wants to value as she puts herself first more often.
It could also set back the progress Sam’s made with her father if Lex (even accidentally) shares something with Griff.
It’s fascinating to catch the moments when Sam is and isn’t overly self-aware.
Essentially, these characters are complicated in their imperfections, and they’re bonded together for life, probably. That creates an infinite amount of complex and engaging stories when paired with the ever-evolving world of medicine.
It’s pretty poetic for Good Sam‘s most pivotal episode yet to double as a One Tree Hill reunion because “Keep Talking” is indeed a whirlwind of emotions — narratively and otherwise.
Not to mention, it’s entirely too cool to see Sophia Bush, Hilarie Burton, and Bethany Joy Lenz play such different characters together.
It’s easy to get emotional when Amy says she remembers Sam from years ago. It gets better knowing her story is a direct reference to Daneel Ackles’ Rachel Gatina from One Tree Hill.
Ravens, always and forever — even at Lakeshore.
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Good Sam airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on CBS.
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Shelby Elpers
Shelby is a TV enthusiast and pop culture writer. She's an avid podcast listener, green tea drinker, and soccer fan. Her brand can be summarized in rom-coms, superheroes, teen dramas, and workplace comedies.