As per the synopsis, Shaun's communication limitations puts lives at risk during a robbery at a grocery mart. While "Apple" certainly pushed the boundaries on how many medical show tropes could be squeezed into one episode, the writers managed to avoid being too predictable. Some ground was retread, but overall, it was a solid offering. (The lead storyline of "Apple" felt eerily similar to the lead storyline of episode #1.7 of "Private Practice." While not everything was a rehash, the main idea definitely was.)
Nonetheless, "Apple" was an yet another exceptional episode of "The Good Doctor," but still fails to best "Point Three Percent."
Another case that felt recycled (for lack of a better word) here was when Claire was faced with a conflict of interest: she had to treat a racist. This was revealed when someone pulls up his shirt, revealing a Swastika tattoo. (See "Grey's Anatomy" #4.10. Same exact storyline.) Claire, although incredibly uncomfortable, is forced by Dr. Lim to treat this patient and remain completely unbiased and impartial. Claire is moved to such an extreme area of discomfort that she questions Dr. Lim in the O.R. This, of course, was to much of Dr. Lim's chagrin. At one point, Dr. Lim almost suggests that Claire is being as biased as the patient was.
I was glad to see some originality added to this storyline. This was evidenced when Claire forced herself to treat the patient, and somewhere along the line, we learn about her mother and how Claire had to pay her way through her education and earn where she is now. The latter was, of course, a part that felt a little reused, as we have seen this many times before . . . but I could appreciate that, aside from the clichés abound, we got to see Claire look beyond her struggles and use that to do good. I can appreciate "The Good Doctor" exploring the more ethical side of medicine, but I hope this doesn't become a norm . . . as that will become extremely annoying. I can appreciate the occasional ethical dilemma, though, and this circumstance was one of them. Should "The Good Doctor" explore this again, though, I hope it is a more original circumstance.
When Claire attempts to eat a huge slice of humble and admit to Dr. Lim that she was wrong, Dr. Lim isn't too forgiving. The main idea here, though, is that Claire wanted to be "less like the men" in that they are unwilling to agree but more willing to dismiss their co-workers . . . especially the women!
These few correspondences did imply that there should have been common ground between Claire and Dr. Lim; however, Dr. Lim found Claire's questions to be disrespectful and perceived them as an act of subordination. Dr. Lim clearly wanted to be treated as an equal to Claire's male superiors, but since they were both female, Claire was hoping to find common ground, but it just wasn't well received for Dr. Lim. On that front, I can appreciate this aspect of the storyline.
It seems more and more apparent that everyone is wanting Shaun to become more independent and accountable for himself. Dr. Glassman is especially pushing this on Shaun when he believes that the consequences of the shooting were, indeed, Shaun's fault. It is obvious, though, that all Dr. Glassman wants is for Shaun to own something. He wants Shaun to admit a wrongdoing and hopefully learn from that, and this here only further drives home the idea that Dr. Glassman is much like a father to Shaun. It does seem, though, that Dr. Glassman was successful in his persistence. Shaun does talk to Lea again and one thing leads to another: he eventually apologizes for not being concerned about Lea in the wake of the drama with their landlord.
Shaun has made unbelievable progress with his social development thus far. I am incredibly impressed. It makes me wonder . . . has Dr. Glassman been holding him back after all this time? Has Shaun just been needing a vote of confidence? A healthy kick in the right direction? Shaun certainly wouldn't be able to admit he was wrong and someone else was right a few weeks back. Compared to the "old Shaun," pigs would fly before he would admit someone else was right . . . but now . . . the "new Shaun" is capable of seeing the difference. I applaud the writers for the excellent character development. Shaun has come a long way in a short amount of time.
Also, I hope no one mind's me saying this, but by this point, I see no true thread with Dr. Andrews and Jessica as characters on the show. Speaking of, where has Dr. Andrews even been? And Jessica . . . I always forget her name and that is something I shouldn't be forgetting this far into the show. (I actually just had to look her up to make sure that was her name.) Her character has no real significance and I hope I am not the only one that feels this way. She needs more of a storyline.
I was surprised to find out that detail with Dr. Glassman. I hope we learn more about his daughter in the future.
If it wasn't for all the retread grounds and repeated storylines, I would give "Apple" a higher rating but I instead give it an 8.6/10. I hope the writers can do without repeating stories from other series next time. The two main storylines felt completely stolen from other shows, but I will let it pass this time.
Nonetheless, "Apple" was an yet another exceptional episode of "The Good Doctor," but still fails to best "Point Three Percent."
Another case that felt recycled (for lack of a better word) here was when Claire was faced with a conflict of interest: she had to treat a racist. This was revealed when someone pulls up his shirt, revealing a Swastika tattoo. (See "Grey's Anatomy" #4.10. Same exact storyline.) Claire, although incredibly uncomfortable, is forced by Dr. Lim to treat this patient and remain completely unbiased and impartial. Claire is moved to such an extreme area of discomfort that she questions Dr. Lim in the O.R. This, of course, was to much of Dr. Lim's chagrin. At one point, Dr. Lim almost suggests that Claire is being as biased as the patient was.
I was glad to see some originality added to this storyline. This was evidenced when Claire forced herself to treat the patient, and somewhere along the line, we learn about her mother and how Claire had to pay her way through her education and earn where she is now. The latter was, of course, a part that felt a little reused, as we have seen this many times before . . . but I could appreciate that, aside from the clichés abound, we got to see Claire look beyond her struggles and use that to do good. I can appreciate "The Good Doctor" exploring the more ethical side of medicine, but I hope this doesn't become a norm . . . as that will become extremely annoying. I can appreciate the occasional ethical dilemma, though, and this circumstance was one of them. Should "The Good Doctor" explore this again, though, I hope it is a more original circumstance.
When Claire attempts to eat a huge slice of humble and admit to Dr. Lim that she was wrong, Dr. Lim isn't too forgiving. The main idea here, though, is that Claire wanted to be "less like the men" in that they are unwilling to agree but more willing to dismiss their co-workers . . . especially the women!
These few correspondences did imply that there should have been common ground between Claire and Dr. Lim; however, Dr. Lim found Claire's questions to be disrespectful and perceived them as an act of subordination. Dr. Lim clearly wanted to be treated as an equal to Claire's male superiors, but since they were both female, Claire was hoping to find common ground, but it just wasn't well received for Dr. Lim. On that front, I can appreciate this aspect of the storyline.
It seems more and more apparent that everyone is wanting Shaun to become more independent and accountable for himself. Dr. Glassman is especially pushing this on Shaun when he believes that the consequences of the shooting were, indeed, Shaun's fault. It is obvious, though, that all Dr. Glassman wants is for Shaun to own something. He wants Shaun to admit a wrongdoing and hopefully learn from that, and this here only further drives home the idea that Dr. Glassman is much like a father to Shaun. It does seem, though, that Dr. Glassman was successful in his persistence. Shaun does talk to Lea again and one thing leads to another: he eventually apologizes for not being concerned about Lea in the wake of the drama with their landlord.
Shaun has made unbelievable progress with his social development thus far. I am incredibly impressed. It makes me wonder . . . has Dr. Glassman been holding him back after all this time? Has Shaun just been needing a vote of confidence? A healthy kick in the right direction? Shaun certainly wouldn't be able to admit he was wrong and someone else was right a few weeks back. Compared to the "old Shaun," pigs would fly before he would admit someone else was right . . . but now . . . the "new Shaun" is capable of seeing the difference. I applaud the writers for the excellent character development. Shaun has come a long way in a short amount of time.
Also, I hope no one mind's me saying this, but by this point, I see no true thread with Dr. Andrews and Jessica as characters on the show. Speaking of, where has Dr. Andrews even been? And Jessica . . . I always forget her name and that is something I shouldn't be forgetting this far into the show. (I actually just had to look her up to make sure that was her name.) Her character has no real significance and I hope I am not the only one that feels this way. She needs more of a storyline.
I was surprised to find out that detail with Dr. Glassman. I hope we learn more about his daughter in the future.
If it wasn't for all the retread grounds and repeated storylines, I would give "Apple" a higher rating but I instead give it an 8.6/10. I hope the writers can do without repeating stories from other series next time. The two main storylines felt completely stolen from other shows, but I will let it pass this time.
