“22 Steps,” an episode from the compelling first season of The Good Doctor, delivers powerful storylines centered around Dr. Claire Browne and Dr. Jared Kalu as they grapple with complex emotional and ethical dilemmas. Following the Thanksgiving holiday, this episode dives deep into the aftermath of loss and the profound impact of empathy in medicine.
Claire is visibly struggling to regain her footing after the tragic accidental death of Jenna in the preceding episode, “Not Fake.” She throws herself into work, seeking solace in the routine of hospital life, yet her internal turmoil is evident. In a telling scene, Dr. Glassman, with his keen observational skills, notices Claire’s barely contained impatience as she interacts with a slow computer. Recognizing that a colleague-to-colleague approach won’t suffice, Dr. Glassman utilizes his authority as hospital president to mandate that Claire confront her emotional state. He schedules an appointment with the hospital’s grief counselor, Dr. Mohan, making it clear that Claire’s return to surgery hinges on the counselor’s assessment.
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Dr. Claire Browne portrayed by Antonia Thomas in The Good Doctor Season 1 episode “22 Steps”, showcasing her internal struggle and focus on work.
While awaiting her counseling session, Claire attempts to maintain her professional facade, immersing herself in the surgical team’s latest case. Dr. Melendez is at Glen’s bedside, a patient portrayed by Paul Dooley, known for his role in Sixteen Candles, discussing the residents on how to address Glen’s severe bradycardia. The situation escalates when Glen begins to convulse. Dr. Melendez directs Shaun to expedite the procurement of a bi-pacer from the cath lab and instructs Claire to prepare Glen for a temporary pacemaker via the jugular vein. Here, Claire’s internal conflict manifests physically; her scalpel hand trembles. She hesitates, attributing it to excessive coffee intake, before finally making the incision. Once the temporary pacemaker is in place, she shifts focus to assisting Shaun with another patient, Liam, leaving Glen’s care to Jared.
Jared’s storyline unfolds with a patient grappling with his own mortality. He informs Glen, who is recovering, that he suffered a heart attack and was found by his neighbor’s gardener. Glen, dismissive of the life-saving intervention, immediately focuses on whether the new pacemaker will alleviate his pain. Jared, taken aback by Glen’s lack of gratitude and underlying despair, offers a silent, empathetic nod before exiting the room, sensing something deeper amiss.
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Dr. Jared Kalu, played by Chuku Modu, connecting with his patient Glen in a poignant scene from “The Good Doctor” season 1.
Returning to Glen’s room, Jared discovers an empty bed and bathroom, initiating a search that leads him to a dusty, neglected basement storage area. He finds Glen lying on the floor, having attempted suicide by damaging his pacemaker. This revelation provides a heartbreaking context for Glen’s earlier curt demeanor. Paul Dooley’s subtle yet powerful performance shines in these scenes, conveying Glen’s emotional exhaustion and resignation through nuanced expressions and his characteristically gruff voice.
Instead of immediately seeking help, Jared stays with Glen in the basement. He engages with Glen, trying to understand the root of his despair. Hours pass as Jared patiently listens, eventually learning about Glen’s long and arduous life, and his desire to hasten his death. When Jared claims to understand, Glen, skeptical, challenges him, asking, “you’ve had some hard times, too, 28?”
Jared’s response is surprisingly vulnerable and revealing. He shares a poignant story of neglect, detailing how his parents were emotionally absent, leaving his upbringing to staff while they traveled. He recounts being left behind at boarding school when his parents moved without informing him, leading to a period of homelessness and the struggles of working multiple jobs to finance his medical education. This raw honesty and shared vulnerability resonate with Glen, who finally agrees to undergo the surgery and returns upstairs with Jared.
Meanwhile, Claire attends her appointment with Dr. Mohan. She acknowledges a change in her concentration since Jenna’s death, carefully omitting the physical manifestation of her trauma – the trembling hands. Dr. Mohan, sensing Claire’s guardedness and recognizing she doesn’t meet the criteria for formal treatment or leave, clears her for surgery. However, she wisely advises Claire to seek someone else to confide in, acknowledging Claire’s reluctance to fully open up to her.
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A reflective moment for Dr. Claire Browne in “The Good Doctor” season 1 episode “22 Steps”, highlighting her emotional journey.
Glen, in another attempt to control his fate, escapes his room again during Liam’s surgery and makes his way to the hospital roof. Jared intervenes just in time, preventing him from jumping. This time, Jared abandons bedside manner and delivers a stark, unflinching description of the painful death Glen will face without the bi-pacer. This tactic, however, only irritates Glen. Seeing no other way to offer Glen dignity and control, Jared makes a compassionate choice. He agrees to help Glen die on his own terms, ensuring he is not alone in his final moments. He administers morphine, silences the monitors, and stays with Glen until his heart ceases to beat.
Glen’s tragic passing, paradoxically, serves as a catalyst for connection between Claire and Jared. When Claire inquires about the duration of Glen’s bi-pacer insertion, Jared openly shares the story of Glen’s death. This prompts Claire, after a significant pause, to finally confess that she too “lost a patient,” acknowledging her culpability in Jenna’s death. This shared vulnerability and confession mark a turning point in their relationship, adding layers of complexity to their casual dynamic and revealing a profoundly human moment of shared grief and understanding. “22 Steps” from The Good Doctor Season 1 masterfully portrays the emotional burdens carried by doctors, the weight of their decisions, and the unexpected connections forged in the face of life and loss.
