The Good Doctor
Summary
The Good Doctorhas long helped promote positive ideas about autistic people , but its unexampled storyline could subvert this message if not handled cautiously . The Freddie Highmore - led series has followed autistic doctor Shaun Murphy through life history and personal challenge for the retiring seven years . Shaun was initially a resident who had to prove he could do the job , but he has progressed over the class and is now an attending MD who teaches scholar doctors . The Good Doctorthus has fare full circleby allowing Shaun to be the supervisor who has to apportion with an autistic student .
The serial has also follow Shaun ’s relationship with Lea , who pass from neighbor to girlfriend to wife over the age . The Good Doctoris end after time of year 7 , and the final year has focused on a significant modification for Shaun : he is now a sire . Shaun and Lea have often butted heads over how to bring up baby Steve . A new storyline regard the babe could be one ofThe secure Doctor’smost sinewy , butthere is a risk the serial could accidentally reenforce dangerous trope about autismas it proceeds .
Disney Television Group President Craig Erwich opens up about why The Good Doctor is terminate with time of year 7 and reveals if it has a proper finale .
The Good Doctor Focuses on Autistic Inclusion
The Series Has Worked Hard to Change the Way Autistic People are Depicted on Television
The Good Doctorhas change the television landscape painting for autistic mass . It was not the first primetime series to feature an autistic persona but shows that came before it run to focalise on how hard autism made the spirit of the autistic theatrical role and their family . Shaun was the first non - tragic autistic character in primetime . Rather than being limited by autism , Shaun proved the naysayers ill-timed and succeeded in a ambitious career , push the idea that autistic people could live action lives .
During season 7,The Good Doctorhas taken its commitment to positive autistic representation a step further by adding the graphic symbol of Charlie ( Kayla Comer ) , the first autistic character in a primetime serial to be played by an autistic actress . There have been some stumble with how Charlie has been written , butThe Good Doctorfixed her elusive storyline quicklyand turn her into another good example of an autistic character who has positive contributions to proffer .
Shaun’s Concerns About Steve’s Potential Autism Could Accidentally Reinforce Negative Stereotypes
Steve’s Symptoms Are Not On The List Of Typical Autistic Behaviors For Infants
Shaun ’s concerns stem from learning that Steve did n’t cry when left at daycare at the hospital for the first time . Not responding negatively to alien or being separated from their parent is not one of the symptom Doctor generally notify parents to look out for in sister Steve ’s long time ( viaUCSD School of Medicine).It is important forThe Good Doctorto make it clear-cut that Shaun ’s concern does not match typical medical advice to avoid reward inaccurate stereotypesabout how autistic baby behave .
Shaun has strange medical insight , as well as his live experience as an autistic person , so his concerns are n’t necessarily misplaced . His business organization likely have been brewing for a while and only come in to the aerofoil when he learned that Steve did not act like the other youngster in the daycare centre . If the deeper reasons for Shaun ’s close are explained well , that should negate any potential drop stereotypescaused by the odd reason for his initial suspicion .
The Good Doctor Must Be Careful Not To Shift the Focus Inappropriately During The Steve Storyline
Shaun and Lea Must Demonstrate How Parents Should Handle a Potential Autism Diagnosis
There was always a prospect that Steve would be autistic since his father is , and if handled right , the series could depict Shaun and Lea giving Steve the toleration Shaun never had as a child . In improver , there are early intervention such as speech therapy and occupational therapy that can help autistic child arrive at attainment without attempting to make them neurotypical . The Good Doctorcould help civilize people about how to help autistic childrenthrough this storyline .
Shaun ’s father was abusive toward him because he was autistic , so Shaun and Lea could show that not all parents have to be like that toward autistic nipper .
The Baby Steve storyline could supply a realistic ikon of how families deal with having an autistic child . However , the serial publication must be careful not to accidentally slip back into stereotype about autism being a tragedyfor the family . Shaun has not been very liberal of Charlie ’s autistic traits at work , to say the least , and if he is unaccepting of his boy ’s autism or is distressed that he " ruined " Steve ’s lifetime by passing on autistic genes , that could station the incorrect message .
The Baby Steve storyline could provide a realistic ikon of how family deal with having an autistic child . However , the series must be careful not to incidentally slip back into stereotypes about autism being a tragedyfor the family .
The Good Doctor Must Tell a Nuanced Story In Limited Time
The Series Has Only a Few Episodes Left Before It Ends
It will be more challenging to tell this story by rights because of the modified time left . The Good Doctormust wrap up all of the serial publication ' loose ends while developing this storyand take it to its logical end within May , as the series close will air sometime during the month . This leaves little time for focus on the nuances of dealing with Steve ’s potential autism diagnosis . If this plot line is rush along because of the limited time continue , that increases the chances ofThe Good Doctormaking mistakes that accidentally reward negative stereotypes .
One wayThe Good Doctorcould handle this is by jumping into the future for the finale . If Steve is depicted as a happy , well - adjusted child in the future and Shaun and Lea demonstrate love and acceptance , that could institutionalise a powerful subject matter about the challenges and pleasure inherent in raising an autistic nipper . Alternatively , Shaun could sour through his fears and accept and love Steve for who he is . IfThe Good Doctortakes either of these routes , Steve ’s possible autism could be a strong , confirming final story that strengthens the series ' bequest .
The Good Doctorseason 7 trailerpromises a grievous serial finale , but Steve ’s being autistic should not be a painful story . This raw plot line could explore the challenge of learning that Steve is autistic without dislocate into negative stereotype if done well . The Good Doctortook a risk by including this level , specially with such little prison term leave , and must be careful to write it correctly so that it does n’t by chance cave its bequest of pro - autism messaging .
The Good Doctor is a medical drama television series that tells the story of Dr. Shaun Murphy, a young surgeon who has autism, as he navigates his career and personal life at the fictional San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital. Freddie Highmore plays the title role. The series premiered in 2017 on ABC.
The Good Doctorairs on ABC on Tuesdays and stream on Hulu .
Source : USCD School of Medicine
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Cast
The Good Doctor is a medical drama television series that evidence the story of Dr. Shaun Murphy , a new operating surgeon who has autism , as he sail his career and personal life at the fabricated San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital . Freddie Highmore plays the deed role . The series premiered in 2017 on ABC .
