The Good Lawyer

Episode 16, titled "The Good Lawyer," introduces a unique crossover with another potential spinoff as Shaun is thrust into a legal battle. When Shaun is sued for malpractice after a high-risk surgery goes wrong, he is forced to rely on a brilliant but quirky lawyer who has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The episode explores the parallels between Shaun's autism and the lawyer's OCD, highlighting how both characters struggle to navigate a world that often misunderstands them. The courtroom drama adds a new dimension to the show, with legal jargon and ethical debates taking the place of medical diagnoses and surgeries.

Kennedy McMann guest-stars as Joni DeGroot, the lawyer with OCD, and delivers a compelling performance that challenges the stereotypical portrayal of mental health conditions on television. McMann's portrayal of Joni is both fierce and vulnerable, capturing the inner turmoil of someone who is brilliant yet crippled by her own mind. Freddie Highmore's interactions with McMann are nuanced, as Shaun, who has often been on the receiving end of misunderstanding, finds himself connecting with someone who faces similar challenges. The chemistry between the two characters adds a fresh dynamic to the episode, offering a new kind of intellectual and emotional tension.

The direction of "The Good Lawyer" is crisp, with the courtroom scenes shot in a way that highlights the high stakes of the legal battle. The cinematography is sharp and precise, mirroring the structured, rule-bound world of the legal system, while the editing is tight and fast-paced, maintaining the tension throughout. While the medical subplot is less prominent in this episode, the shift in focus allows for a refreshing change of pace. The episode raises important questions about mental health, competence, and how society defines normalcy, making it a thought-provoking installment in the series.

The pilot for The Good Lawyer. Every show has to have a gimmick & this show's is the lawyer has OCD. As a court-room drama, it fails on every level. It was not compelling nor suspenseful in any way.

The main character's OCD is played off in an annoying way. As dialogue continues, it is muffled & we get to stare at her face as she stares like a deer in the headlights. Something has to happen 3 times for her to move again, otherwise she's as stiff as a statue.

No one thinks anything is wrong as she stands there, staring at a chair. If her fellow lawyer didn't know she had OCD & snap her out of it, she'd still be there.

I'm sure it's supposed to show how annoying OCD is. But who wants to be annoyed watching a show? Not me.

I was about to give up on this series. The shows have been repetitious, boring, and almost meaningless, with only a few exceptions. Too many lists, advice from Dr. Allen, deep inner stories of the main cast, and indecisiveness from Dr. Resnick. I had my fill! Then, this golden nugget sprang out! A refreshing, interesting story of someone trying to make it to the top of their career, despite her disability.

Too bad the Good Lawyer show never got a chance, but I could see why after having experienced the Good Doctor for so long. This should was casted perfectly, great acting, great story, and fantastic ending.

The Good Doctor, as a television program, brings a lens to one of the many disabilities that make our society more interesting and humane.

Tonight's episode, The Good Lawyer, carries that gift forward by sharing the power of community. The acting was remarkable, as was the writing and direction. I hope to see more of this collaboration in the future. These shows help us to better understand who we are.

They also remind us that similarities often bring comfort. And differences, sometimes uncomfortable, bring depth to this world and together make us better as individuals and inhabitants sharing this earth.

At the time of viewing, I was unaware that this was a pilot episode, until afterwards I researched more. At the time of viewing I thought if this is not a pilot for a new series, then it should be.

Everything about it was awesome. The story was extremely well told. Joni's disability was delicately portrayed, and modern day often unwitting discrimination was portrayed with skill, both by the script writers and the actors.

I like the way that Joni's first appearance was almost dismissed as a chance encounter. The dialogue between Shaun and Jodi is intellectually thought provoking.

Janet too is an interesting character, though if I were to adversely criticise, character development may have been a little too quick.

As someone who is hooked on legal dramas, probably more-so than medical dramas. I hope this will be the beginning of multiple seasons. I can't wait for the season to start.