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The Good Doctor

I've watched the show since the beginning. It's a good show, though I wish they had not made him a savant. A gimmick for a Neurotypical audience, but it doesn't help with stereotypes.

Though one recent episode was quite good. Not about autism per se, but rather the lawyer who defended Dr. Shaun Murphy in a malpractice suit. She had OCD, and it was the best presentation of OCD I've seen in television.
 
I've watched it from the beginning and I like it.
It holds my attention.
Can't wait for the return season. :)
 
I watched it a couple of times suspect it is based on a savant years ago. 35 to 40 who passed the medical exams
caused a real issue at the time I believe they denied him his license I show came across too artificial. like the show bones better, or even house, all are exaggerations of who we are.
 
I didn't watch the american version, because it's too long; over 100 episodes and still going...

But the show is based on the Korean drama of the same name: 굿 닥터 = "Good Doctor," and the whole show it's only 20 episodes.

The series was widely popular in korean, and there have been multiple adaptation. The most well-known is the american version, but there's also japanese, turkish, and hong-kong (hong-kong-ese?) adaptations.

The only thing I don't like, is that autistic characters on tv are almost always savants.
 
Trophonius said:
The only thing I don't like, is that autistic characters on tv are almost always savants.
Click to expand...
I find it more of a "double-edged sword". On the one hand, I have had a few people say to me after learning about my autism, "Ohhh, so that's why you're so smart." In part, because of what you said here, that autistic characters are often portrayed as savants. I think I would rather have autism be associated with "high intelligence" rather than a lack of it. On the other hand, as we know, savants often have significant deficits in other areas, so, like you suggested, it may not be an accurate stereotype of someone with an autism condition. I am no savant, that's for sure.
 
It seems that the two mainstays of portraying autism on TV are (1) eccentric prosody / robotic speech; (2) Rainman-type gazes. I feel these are too exaggerated in 'The Good Doctor'.

What I think is done well in 'The Good Doctor' is the drawing back from physical contact, some stimming with hands, and focusing on aspects of the picture either other people aren't or that others don't expect him to be focusing on e.g., 'Lea ate my apple this morning' - the same morning there was a stick up at the convenience store; the patient who resembles his dead brother not fazing him; fully competent to focus on surgery the same day he was held up at gunpoint. Telling the truth factually and bluntly is also conveyed well, and how this ruffles feathers.
 
All academic now....as the series finale was a few months back. Whatever role Freddie Highmore may have in the near future will likely be far removed from Dr. Shaun Murphy.

Though who knows? Producer/actor Daniel Dae Kim may still have another plan for an autistic character to drive another tv series or film.
 
Judge said:
Though who knows? Producer/actor Daniel Dae Kim may still have another plan for an autistic character to drive another tv series or film.
Click to expand...

I had no idea he produced this. I'm not a Good Doctor fan, but I still think that's cool. Daniel Dae Kim seems like a nice, interesting guy.
 
Trophonius said:
The only thing I don't like, is that autistic characters on tv are almost always savants.
Click to expand...

Do you think they do this because they feel autism needs a 'redeeming feature' or something to give the person coolness or zhoosh? If so, what does that convey about the value of autistic people of average intelligence or those without some specialisation or area of expertise?

I'd be interested to know what tropes bother @velociraptor the most, and what aspects @WhitewaterWoman found most painful to watch? Painful because it was accurate or too stereotyped or distorted?
 
I have watched and read reviews from both Autistic and non Autistic people and I am not convinced. It seems like something created by some NT to get political brownie points just hecause the MC is stated to be Autistic, and it is very obvious that it was made by Allistics that haven't talked to many Autistic people.
 
I went and watched a trailer on it. I might try an episode or two and see if I like or not.
 
FayetheAspie said:
I went and watched a trailer on it. I might try an episode or two and see if I like or not.
Click to expand...
I might summarise it as hit and miss - some things seem exaggerated or stereotyped, but there are also brilliant moments that show the thought patterns of autism and its effects on people. A highlight for me was the staff party when Shaun Murphy debated whether to come in an expensive bespoke tuxedo or rent one. I'd need to check but I'm guessing that's about episode 10 or so.
 
Why do people have a problem with the existence of "stereotyped" characters, when the stereotypes exist because some of us really have those mannerisms, facial expressions, ect? For example, I am not a "savant" as such but such individuals do exist so what is wrong with having shows that include such characters.
 
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