Rent The Good Doctor: Series 1 (2017)

Woke and Soapy Medical Drama from the Creator of 'House' - The Good Doctor: Series 1 review by PV

I rented this because I really like Freddie Highmore, especially in the 5 series of BATES MOTEL.

This series is not as good as that; and it is not as good as 'House' either, though the writer/director of that. David Shore, developed this too. Each episode follows the same template really - a 'genius' medic sees an issue no-one else can see. In this case, the Freddie Highmore character Shaun Murphy, has autism too, which ticks a good few more diversity boxes which goes down well these days.

I deeply disliked the soapy aspects of this, but hated the woke pc box-ticking diversity aspects more. Literally, the only main white male character is the one played by Freddie Highmore, and he has autism so ticks a box as well. Every single other main character is female and/or 'of colour'.

And the issues are ticked too: Racism - TICK. Sexism - TICK. Sexual harassment - TICK. Domestic violence (but only against women by men, not then 40% done against men mostly by women) - TICK. Some episodes spread the woke pc putty on with a trowel and are cringe-worthy. Some episodes are better (episode 15 was great).

The MeToo BLM agenda is here everywhere and that, I suggest, is why it won awards. If all future TV dramas are like this, I have to say I shall be looking back at the archives. Why is racism and sexism against white men in casting seen as good? It isn't.

So-so then. But not sure I'll be renting series 2. So 3 stars.

I hope Alfred Highmore does more and better in future, for sure.