Good Sam Review: The Griffith Technique (Season 1 Episode 12)

In time for the season’s penultimate episode, Good Sam Season 1 Episode 12, “The Griffith Technique,” gets back to one of its greatest assets — Sam and Lex’s friendship.

The tension between the former best friends is always in the background of Good Sam. Usually, it’s more prominent than some characters’ entire existence.

Sam and Lex’s dynamic is one of this show’s greatest pulls when other aspects start to drag it down. 

“The Griffith Technique” places their friendship back under the spotlight — or the microscope — by focusing on Sam and Lex’s desires to make better choices.

Their final scene together during the penultimate episode is touching. It’s everything this season has been leading to for Sam and Lex. However, how this episode gets to that scene is a little odd.

Good Sam sort of acknowledges that when Caleb questions Sam’s eagerness to take Malcolm’s advice to be a ball and not a pin.

Malcolm’s advice is the turning point for Sam after dealing with her dad’s messes to protect his job while also trying to save her mom’s job — for some reason.

It wouldn’t be so strange for Sam to take Malcolm’s advice if Good Sam followed Malcolm’s journey of becoming a ball instead of a pin a little closer.

He takes his mom’s seat on the board during “The Griffith Technique,” a massive professional step for him. It’s the significant change his journey has been building to all season. Still, we learn about it when he tells Sam.

Would it have hurt to sit in on the conversation when he made his case for Lakeshore’s future? What about when he got the call with the good news?

Good Sam doesn’t give us a real opportunity to sit in the joy with Malcolm about such a win because it has to reframe his success to inspire Sam. Sam is the lead of this show, but she isn’t the only character. 

It’s ironic that Good Sam struggles with this concept since it’s actively addressed it multiple times over the season. Sam continually checks some of her selfish behavior, which is reasonable considering how overbearingly narcissistic Griff can be.

Malcolm’s seat on the board could be the catalyst for great internal and external change at Lakeshore because of his influence and big plans, like that clinic he keeps trying to get off the ground.

The clinic is an afterthought to Sam’s wish to help her mom get reinstated as CMO when it doesn’t have to be. The two are dependent on each other, so why can’t Malcolm’s interests come first just once?

To some degree, it’s fascinating for Good Sam to continually place its male characters — other than Griff — secondary to the female characters.

It’s intriguing to watch because it’s such a rare change of pace from the dominant narratives on TV. However, it becomes increasingly frustrating for the surrounding male characters to feel this underdeveloped with one episode left in the season.

That aspect of Good Sam‘s storytelling makes Malcolm’s victory a bit underwhelming when it shouldn’t be. It doesn’t give Isan’s presumably concerning personal day the weight it deserves.

Caleb and (partially) Joey are the exceptions because they are in Good Sam‘s usual orbit far more often. Caleb’s internal struggle with finding a reason to stay when no one (Sam) has given him one is an excellent parallel to the beginning of the season.

It flips Caleb and Sam’s dynamic, demonstrating how they’ve swapped spots in their behavior and emotional availability.

Alternatively, Joey and Tim’s reunion doesn’t feel earned, but at least Good Sam is aware of that in Joey’s initial hesitation.

Ideally, if the show should come back for a second season, the medical drama will give this (former?) couple the on-screen space to work through this betrayal.

Good Sam does a predominately good job showing Lex’s attempt to compartmentalize as she grapples with Griff’s betrayal. She sets clear boundaries at the start of “The Griffith Technique” and sticks to them.

Lex leans into her work as empathetically and professionally as we’ve known her to do despite the break-up. Even more so, it’s energizing to see Lex stand up to Nick when he unfairly benches her.

Skye P. Marshall is so great in that scene. It’s fantastic to see how Lex bends over to maintain Nick’s eye contact because she wants to ensure he hears her and what she needs from her workplace environment.

Nick’s silent response to Lex’s assertion implies no one has ever stood up to him like that before. So, Lex and Griff did break up, but maybe there’s hope for a new ship on Good Sam. It’s always fun to watch a couple who challenges each other.

Until then, Good Sam knows its true love story has always been Sam and Lex.

It tastes a little bitter to hear the pair say Griff — or Barry, as they call him — brings them closer together in the end. Ultimately, he does since Sam comes to Lex’s house because of the break-up. But, that sentiment downplays Griff’s role in their rift.

Nevertheless, this final scene with the pair is a perfect bookend for their journey this season. It parallels when Sam comes to Lex on Good Sam Season 1 Episode 1, “Pilot,” and learns about Lex’s relationship with Griff. But, this time, Griff isn’t there.

It’s just Sam and Lex being with one another after everything — because of everything. There is still one episode left in Good Sam‘s debut season, and a lot remains uncertain.

Lex and Sam, though? They’re a united front again, and that’s a victory within itself.

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

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