It’s the penultimate episode of Good Sam and it was truly a wild ride.
We saw some relationships grow, fall apart and find their footing again after some previous issues. Additionally, with a lot unfolding in the previous episode, we saw a lot of repercussions from past actions.
With the season one finale next week, this episode did a great job of setting the stage for what I imagine to be a finale full of twists and turns. Who will become chief? Will Caleb leave Lakeshore? Are Griff’s relationships with everyone he cares about doomed?
I doubt we’ll get answers to all of these questions next week, but hopefully, we get some. Either way, let’s discuss what happened in Good Sam 1×12: “The Griffith Technique” and where we left off heading into the finale.
Consequences
It didn’t take long for the actions of Vivian and Griff from last week’s episode (aka doing the nasty despite both of them being in committed relationships) to bite them in the ass.
While Lex had the unfortunate fate of actually seeing it for herself, Asher just had to do a little deductive reasoning to figure it out himself.
I will say, despite what Griff did, for the residents to refuse to work alongside him because of it is a tad absurd. This is a workplace, people! This is why dating your colleagues and having family members work together never leads to anything good as personal feelings just get way too entangled.
Seems like Vega is the only one with his head screwed on straight. Fighting in the ER when you have dying patients all around crosses the line.
While it doesn’t make sense for the doctors to not want to work with Griff because he had an affair, it is justified if they don’t want Griff as Chief because they don’t think he’s the best person for the job. With all this character growth we’ve seen from Griff, it’s easy to forget the kind of man and boss he used to be. Before the shooting, he was incredibly problematic and essentially created a hostile work environment. And with the doctors fearing that Griff may go back to his old ways, I can see why they don’t want to just sit back and let it happen.
Now, I understand why Sam is a little blinded by this as she has a lot going on. But she was so quick to concede the race for the chief that I don’t think she understood what she gave up.
I don’t necessarily believe that Sam is the best person for the job. I’ve said this before but I think they should take a fair pool of candidates and find the best doctor for the position. Making the race just strictly between a father and a daughter just seems absurd. Honestly, they can throw Ronda in the race and that would make things somewhat more reasonable.
A person shouldn’t get the job just because they had it before, was temporarily placed in it, etc. They need to earn it. All this fighting and drama within the Griffith family points to them not being a great fit. Did we ever stop to think that maybe Vivian shouldn’t actually be CMO?
Maybe she should, maybe we shouldn’t. But there has got to be some objectivity somewhere.
Stop Being a Pin
I can’t believe that after admitting to a DUI, Griff got completely off the hook. But sure, blame his wife, not the man who actually committed the crime. Granted, what Vivan did was by no means okay, but it’s a double standard to not punish Griff for his 20-year-old crime but fire Vivian.
But you know who got what they deserved? Tina Kingsley.
I am so happy that Malcolm is no longer wrapped around her finger and can finally accomplish everything he wants to. Taking her seat on the board really did put a pep in his step and it also seems to reinvigorate his relationship with Sam. Every time he sees her he just beams and I think his feelings for her have only continued to grow.
Taking her out to bowl as a way to relieve stress was honestly the highlight of Good Sam 1×12: “The Griffith Technique.” And the advice he gave her was also spot on.
All Sam does is fix other people’s messes whether that be her mother, her father, or the hospital itself. She never puts herself first. Instead of fixing things all the time she should do things that will make permanent and good changes so that these issues never happen again.
Take this wild medical surgery, for example. Griff wouldn’t shut up about this hypothetical technique he created that might save the patient even though he had failed it multiple times in a simulator. Sam just listened but never once shared her idea. But when push came to shove, it was her technique that saved the patient. So perhaps it’s her ideas that can make the hospital even better.
However, we seem to have erased all the progress that’s been made as the war between Griff and Sam is back on. Sam seeing how bitter and careless Griff can be has led her to decide to not back down and try to become the permanent chief.
Next week is the season one finale and we’ll finally learn who gets that nice corner office. I have a feeling some relationships won’t be the same after the finale.
Other Thoughts
- Sam sure does perform a lot of medical procedures with her hair down. Doesn’t that get in the way?
- Good for Caleb for taking a leap and interviewing for this job. We all know that he won’t actually leave but I hope it at least makes him realize that he deserves a lot better.
- Sam accomplishing the technique Griff thought of but couldn’t pull off himself and saving the patient literally gave me goosebumps.
- Lex realizing that the real loss from this cheating scandal was her best friend was heartbreaking.
- Malcolm and Sam need to get back together and Lex and Vega need to hook up already. I said what I said.
- I’ve never understood the vibe between Vivan and Asher. Is it just me, or do they have no chemistry whatsoever?
- I know Tim and Joey still have a lot to work through but I felt like they made some progress.