With its release in the fall (September 2017) The Good Doctor turned out to be the most watched and the most talked about show in the US. A show that managed to whip out extreme reviews- either outstandingly brilliant or absolutely tasteless, there is no grey-zone here, revolves around a crucial issue, that is- autism and adds its name to the short yet memorable list of medical dramas.

The Good Doctor is an ABC original show starring Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore) as an autistic surgeon with savant syndrome. The story line is quite predictable as every other medical drama-the dose of doctors in the hospital eye each other trying to outrival their colleagues than looking upon their practice as a noble, life-saving profession. At St. Bonaventure hospital one witnesses new patients/victims every day, almost at the threshold of death and holding on to dear life, waiting for some miraculous event to turn their destinies. The doctors vie each other rather than weighing their priorities carefully and treat a patient as any other corporeal entity demanding to be tamed instead of nurtured.

Murphy’s life is shaped by some childhood tragedies that has left eternal imprints in his mind; he has survived the loss of his brother and a pet bunny. The first episode shows how Murphy is coaxed by his parents to behave at the dining table before we see him at the surgical theatre taking all the doctors by surprise with his skill. The grief of loss is what drives him to practice surgery and save lives.

The Good Doctor is all about how autistic people have it tougher or different than others, how it is quite a task to deal with autistic patients. There are several characteristics that are a part and parcel of autism, the common ones being social awkwardness, resistance to eye contacts and various other aspects that muddle the doctor-in-charge and that is as to why the patient needs to be handled delicately. Dr.Murphy exhibits a strikingly unusual level of emotional intelligence in contrast to the other doctors at the hospital. He is more empathetic (this one is an exceptional trait as they lack empathy) and grasps a patient’s body language almost intuitively thus catering to their unvoiced needs or demands better.

Although having picked up a serious issue to narrate; parts of the drama are indubitably clichéd. The medical drama is like every other drama in fictional hospitals- the long-term rivalry and the shady politics that lurks within the premises.  The other strikingly noticeable cliché is the portrayal of autism here. It’s like every other show or drama tries to narrate autism in the same tone. One can argue that all suffering from autism aren’t given an individual recognition and are rather being pigeonholed time and again.

This drama however has a discernible heart-warming element and lot of sentimentality that can make one pour their hearts out in the most unabashed manner. Though The Good Doctor was one of the fastest binge watched show, smashing records of some of the biggest hits so far it also got tagged as a very so-so drama amongst all other medical dramas. Why this show is highly recommended is the story it carries and the powerful message it is seen to be diffusing.

Though there are certain areas that need a total makeover; there are parts of the show that are new, virgin and waiting to seep  through one’s heart for eternity.

The Good Doctor is an ABC Network original drama.