Episode five is the episode we’ve all been waiting for. In the pilot episode of Good Sam, we watched Griff get shot, fall into a coma, and eventually wake up. However, we never saw what exactly happened during those months when he was unconscious.
While we didn’t see everything that unfolded during that time, we did get a glimpse of a few key moments. This episode provided the backstory that I’m sure we were all craving. It also marked a turning point and left us in a palace where things seem to be looking up for everyone.
However, this is a medical drama and I’m sure things will go awry very soon. But for now, I’m just going to enjoy the bliss of Joey’s engagement, the rebuilding of a father and daughter relationship, and the potential of a refreshed romance.
Don’t Let Me Die
While Griff was the one who was shot, he wasn’t the only one who faced ramifications that day. The shooting was a traumatic event for all the doctors involved, and this episode showed just how much of an impact it had on everyone.
Caleb, for instance, hit rock bottom that day. Feeling helpless and not really knowing what to do while his girlfriend’s father was bleeding to death, he opted to drink away his feelings. This led him to finally realize that he had a problem with alcohol which ultimately made him realize he needed to get help. He also took a big step in his road to recovery by telling Sam the truth about what happened that day.
Perhaps it’s because we didn’t get Malcolm and Sam interactions this episode, but I’m finding myself really enjoying the dynamic between Sam and Caleb. It could end up being romantic again, or maybe they will remain just friends. Either way, I like how these two lean on one another and I hope it stays that way regardless of the direction their relationship takes.
The man who definitely faced the most impact from the shooting was, of course, the man who was shot. It can be easy to forget – and it seems like everyone has – that Griff went through a very traumatic event and I can only imagine how triggering it must be for him to then see another man face what he did and not survive.
It will take time for him to really recover from what happened. He may even never fully recover at all. That’s why people need to understand and support him, not just brush off what we endured.
I will say that I don’t think that choosing your current husband to lead therapy with your daughter and ex-husband is the way to go.
See Me
This week’s theme was appreciation. Many felt as though they were ignored by their loved ones and weren’t given the proper attention that they deserved.
For example, Joey tends to put his walls up around everyone. A man gets shot and all Joey can think about is whether or not he’ll be able to scrub in for surgery. To his friends, it appears that Joey is calm, cool, and collected. However, in the eyes of his boyfriend, Tim, that’s far from the truth.
Despite Joey’s bravado he presents to his colleagues, he’s actually just as anxious as the rest of us. And Tim is tired of being the only one that knows it. The problem is Joey doesn’t really know how to use his words to convey what he’s feeling. So instead, to prove just how much Tim means to him, Joey gets down on one knee.
It’s nice to see these two lovebirds continue to work through their issues and show us what a healthy relationship can look like. Alternatively, Griff and Lex have decided to give their relationship another shot. And while their relationship was kind of toxic before, here’s hoping that this fresh start gives their relationship new meaning.
Let’s also hope that secrets will not be part of this growing love.
We learn that Lex often has felt like she comes in second when it comes to Sam. And because of that, her relationship and mental health took a toll. Keeping the secret of her relationship with Lex ended up hurting more than just her friendship with Sam, but her wellbeing.
Lex being honest with Sam will hopefully promote less lying and judgment in the future. While Lex should never have lied about her relationship to her best friend, Sam also has to learn not to judge Lex’s decision. After all, they’re both grown adults capable of making their own choices.
Replaceable
One of the most gut-punching moments of the episode is when Sam reveals to Griff and Vivan that she, in fact, had Griff’s DNR the entire time. In fact, Sam revealed to her comatose father that she never even wanted the job of chief.
But Griff is the type of person that unless there is undeniable proof in front of him, he will never believe it. And honestly, after this episode, I started to understand the reason behind some of Griff’s recent actions. Yes, he should stop being an asshole to everyone, but I’m starting to get where he is coming from.
He walked into his place of work one day and his life changed. In an instant, his whole world was different and everyone expected him to just deal with it. I’ll tell you what, if I woke up six months from now and everything that I knew was completely different, I’d be a little frustrated as well. It really does show how replaceable and forgotten we all can become.
However, in his daughter’s mind, he was never replaceable. He was her father and she loves him deeply.
Now that Griff knows the truth of what happened when he was in a coma, he can finally learn to accept his fate. I may or may not have teared up a bit when Griff went to Sam to make amends. I was also as surprised as Sam with his suggestion to get breakfast. But I am just thrilled to see their relationship come out of the darkness and find some light.
Catch Good Sam on CBS on Wednesdays at 10/9c.
