The Good Doctor
This #thankyouthursday, I am grateful for The Good Doctor.
It’s just a network TV medical drama, but yesterday it made me cry, and I appreciate that. Low stakes emotional outlets are underrated.
In the years since I became a parent—or more to the point, a parent who typically goes to bed the same time my kid does—I have not watched much television. But in recent weeks I’ve been alone with a newborn at all hours, and I don’t always have the brain bandwidth or eye energy to read a book. Nor do I have the emotional capacity for anything too deep or dark. But I also get frustrated when content is too silly or superficial.
These restrictions rule out a surprising number of entertainment options, which is why I watched The Gilded Age as slowly as possible. But eventually I had to find another show, and I’m thankful my friend suggested The Good Doctor because I doubt I would have discovered it myself.
I like The Good Doctor because there is plenty of plot and conflict, but none of it is mean spirited, and the protagonist is a fascinating and sympathetic character. Plus, since I know little about the practice of medicine, I’m pleased rather than bothered by what I’m sure are copious oversimplifications or improbabilities.
Most of all, I appreciate that The Good Doctor engages me without stressing me out. Like, it’s interesting enough that I care what happens, but it’s also okay if I doze off or zone out. In my current circumstances, that’s TV at it’s finest. 😘👌
Love > fear,
Christina