A brief clip from the ABC series The Good Doctor has taken the internet by storm by providing its new trending meme. Leading actor Freddie Highmore, who portrays a fictional surgeon with autism named Dr. Shaun Murphy, brought an emotional force to this performance that is circulating across social media. The clip features Highmore’s character stating several times to his supervisor Dr. Han that he is, in fact, a surgeon. The outburst delivered by Highmore has become the latest joke of the internet for how its delivery appears without context, and has increased criticism from those who feel the show inadequately handles its portrayal of autism.
Several versions of the clip feature SpongeBob-inspired edits that poke fun at Highmore’s intensity in the scene, especially alongside Dr. Han’s relative lack of emotion in his reaction.
The joke essentially makes fun of the repetitive use of the “I am a surgeon” line, as Highmore’s extreme commitment to the scene is found to be humorous by some when taken out of context. The internet has also combined this clip with several others from The Good Doctor that essentially highlight Dr. Shaun Murphy’s questionable practices and antics. Through this lens, The Good Doctor can seem ridiculous and even reductive.
The Good Doctor’s ‘I Am A Surgeon’ Meme Is Taken Out Of Context
The now-viral clip from The Good Doctor appears in season 2, episode 17 which aired on ABC back in 2019. The scene depicts a heated situation between Dr. Shaun Murphy (Highman) and Dr. Han (Daniel Dae Kim) regarding his capability as a legitimate surgeon. Dr. Han suspects that Dr. Murphy’s social awkwardness will interfere with his ability to perform as a trusted surgeon. Dr. Han aims to take responsibility away from Dr. Murphy, which provokes the emotional outburst in response that has become the viral meme.
In The Good Doctor, the scene is meant to demonstrate Dr. Murphy’s passion for his job and how devastating it would be for him to lose it. The irony arises from the completely unprofessional reaction Dr. Murphy has after receiving the news from Dr. Han. At one point in the scene, Dr. Murphy refuses to lower his voice and nearly threatens Dr. Han to the point where security almost has to intervene. The Good Doctor is known for being somewhat soapy. This moment, especially taken out of content, adds to its melodramatic tone.
The ‘I Am A Surgeon’ Scene Is Part Of A Wider Good Doctor Trend
“I am a surgeon!” is not the only clip from The Good Doctor that the internet has discovered. Other scenes that have led some to question Dr. Murphy’s behaviors include one where he demonstrates an initial lack of understanding of gender identity, and a trending clip of Dr. Murphy losing his composure during a patient’s operation. These trending scenes combine to yet worsen how those who only know the character from clips perceive him.
However, despite what the internet thinks of Dr. Murphy, ABC has renewed The Good Doctor season 7. Indeed, while the memes largely serve to lambaste the show, their popularity may serve to garner the series new viewers, if only through sheer intrigue. The Good Doctor remains one of the most popular active network dramas on television, and even has a spin-off series in production called The Good Lawyer.
