State of the Shea, Pt. 44: “Rationality” vs…
The overriding question looming as this episode started: What kind of hell might Shaun raise about his new status as literal ASD poster boy (poster man), and how would Salen react to it? Or, to jump right to the next step: What would happen when Salen refused to take it down?
Maybe it was just an extension of the “Rationality” that gave the episode its name, but I saw several other battles splintering off throughout the episode. Where did the rationale lie in each situation? Maybe it depends on which side you reside.
I’m leaving the Park & Morgan side of the episode out of my own analysis; in fact, there’s not a lot of #Shea-specific matter to cover this week either (though they’ll still get some time in the blog if you keep reading). The bulk of the “Rationality” episode belonged to Shaun, Glassman, and Salen, in various combinations, so that’s what I’m focusing on this time. I ain’t mad about it by the way; we know Glassman’s issues have been building, and where there’s Glassman there’s Shaun…. At least in some capacity; at least for now. Let’s see where the battles take us--
Shaun vs. Salen/the Billboard
Winner? Both, eventually.
As most of us predicted, Shaun was none too happy with his involuntary billboard appearance.
As most of us predicted, Salen was unapologetic while still treating Shaun with respect (much as she behaved in their previous clash).
What we probably didn’t predict: a revisit-in-48-hours challenge, with the “use reason, not emotion” catch. (which, conveniently, is about the space of time in a typical TGD episode.)
Maybe even more unexpected… that, for all his bullet point-making and TED-talk watching, Shaun would change his mind about the billboard in the end for the sake of his young patient, Holly. So was that change based on reason or emotion? One might argue that if the billboard had a positive impact on just one life (Holly’s) during its entire existence, it was enough rationale to keep it in place. But Shaun was clearly touched by Holly’s belief in him (by way of the billboard), so doesn’t that make his decision an emotional one as well?
Should the billboard stay up or not? Apparently it’s going to, and who can fault Shaun’s reasons for agreeing to it. We pointed out how strongly he felt about being “in the press” for the S3 “Influence” episode in early 2020, but maybe this should be taken as another step in his personal growth?
On the other hand, I’m pissed that Salen did what she did without repercussions… was she really going to re-evaluate her decision, as Shaun asked? I doubt it. Then, next thing you know, she doesn’t even have to pretend she did. Gaaaaaaah! This is why we can’t have Nice Things.
By the way-- I’m assuming that somewhere out there is a study on the fact that an unusually large number of people say “7” when asked to pick a number between 1 and 10. I’m sure said study plays into Salen’s next lines, which was the pull quote we saw from the TGD account this week… “We aren’t nearly as rational as we think we are. Not in the way we see the world; not in the way we think about the world…” But like Shaun, I do not understand what she thinks that proves. (And for the record, I chose the number 3. HA, Salen! Deal with that, you freaky little enigma.)
Shaun vs. Walt, the doctor wannabe
Winner? Both, eventually.
They started out so well; Shaun was instantly impressed when Walt knew how many pediatric papers he’d written (who wouldn’t be?). But Salen’s requirement of them to treat him like medical personnel crossed the line into annoyance and frustration rapidly.
Shaun has enough trouble communicating with the medical professionals he works with all the time-- now he’s required to take his tone with patient family members, and tone with his peers, and assimilate them into one?
Lea told Glassman she thought Salen was “setting Shaun up” by way of the Great Billboard Debate… maybe so, but I kind of think she was doing it here as well. True, Salen didn’t know Walt was a snapper extraordinaire when he needed to concentrate, but she saw first hand how upset Shaun got with the scrubs/soap/hand dryer issue. Why should she expect anything less than an inappropriate outburst when she’s asking a pretty extraordinary thing-- not just of Shaun but of any doctor? Is it part of her campaign to help him handle himself better?
With the billboard issue (and then Glassman) dominating, Salen doesn’t stay involved in Walt’s story for long. So there’s no comment from her camp on Shaun’s getting kicked off the case, and no smiling and nodding in the distance when Shaun realizes the error of his ways (via Holly) and ultimately gives Walt the credit he deserves while simultaneously saving the day… or, better said, Holly’s digestive issues.
And she’s most definitely not involved in the best moment: Shaun telling Holly that while he’s not sure Walt would make the best doctor, he is a very good father… “one of the best I’ve met.” It’s too bad Walt didn’t know just how big a compliment that was, coming from Shaun… but he and Holly seemed to relish it nonetheless.
Shaun vs. Andrews
Winner? Ah, trick question… I think we’ve seen it enough now to know there isn’t a real “Shaun vs. Andrews” battle as much as there’s a pattern: Shaun acts inappropriately, Andrews gets stern and dismisses him, but then he turns to the patient/visiting surgeon/etc. and says some variation of “Shaun’s right, you know.”
I want to call this a variation on the good cop/bad cop thing, except it’s a good doctor/bad doctor thing where Shaun ends up being the “bad” doctor in the scenario…! Holy Irony, Batman!
Glassman vs. Lea
Winner? Ummmmmm….
OK, calling this a “vs.” situation seems dated and unfair. Lea’s in an ever-evolving place now where she surely feels Glassy’s pain from previous years, and in spite of that (or because of that?) she feels his help is necessary to Shaun’s peace of mind.
But what makes this a “vs.” is where Glassman’s head is at this point of the season. Unlike the previous episode (“Measure of Intelligence”), Glassy doesn’t look over the top of his glasses at Lea like she’s irritating him, asking for help he doesn’t feel like giving. This time, she’s asking questions about Glassman that he’s surely asking himself when he’s not getting a garage visit from every character under the TGD sun. She wants basically the same thing as last episode-- Go do what you do, Glassy; go talk to Shaun and follow through accordingly-- but our wonderful, wise Lea changes tactics this time, making it all about Glassman before the scene ends.
With the bulk of the dialogue in their garage scene coming out of Lea’s mouth, I was intrigued by two tells on the situation at hand that had nothing to do with Glassman:
“I think she’s setting him up”-- evidence that however enamored Lea might be with Salen as a big-picture leader, she’s unconvinced as far the Shaun/Salen dynamic is concerned (perhaps thanks to the billboard).
“He can’t keep asking his boss to bend to him”-- evidence that, on the other hand, she sees Shaun’s approach as problematic and unlikely to succeed long-term.
What Lea had NO way of seeing, though, was her own foreshadowing. She saw Shaun and Glassman each struggling in their own way and thought things would get better for both by re-joining forces. But things are different now. Glassman can’t feel “every victory” with Shaun the way he mentioned to Lea last season (the “Parenting” episode) when he’s feeling so defeated in every single way.
But hang on, we’re getting to all that in a minute. My point here is that when Lea asked “Why are you still in town?” she never expected Glassman to seriously say to himself That’s a very good question… and when she turned that old MG into an absolute work of functional art once again (Sorry, I used to have a BIG thing for MGs), she never expected him to pack his bags and drive away. She’s obviously insightful, but she’s not in his shoes. It’s a big difference.
Speaking of foreshadowing— maybe we ALL should have seen this coming when most of Glassman’s scene in the “Measure of Intelligence” episode came out of his garage. Last week, it was a home for woodwork, for painting, for winemaking… this week, there was no sign of those things. In their place—the one thing you expect to find in a garage. But not for long, in this case…
Glassman vs. Salen Part 1
Winner? Glassman… or so he thinks.
Before he saw Salen, though, Glassman caught up with Shaun as Lea requested. Let’s start there.
I thought the key thing Shaun said to Glassman was I keep knowing I’m right, but I can’t change anyone’s mind.
At first I tried to rephrase it for Shaun’s sake: what good is “being right” if I can’t find a way to reach the right people? But then I said scratch that; isn’t this about Glassman feeling the same way Shaun is feeling?
Maybe this is something Shaun and Glassman have in common that we don’t talk about much… that unusually strong need to be “right.” Glassman wanted Shaun to grow a certain way back in S1, wanted Debbie to be a person she wasn’t in S3 and S4, and with Salen… well, I presume he just wants Salen to go the hell away.
Because, among other reasons… Salen is the one person on the show who doesn’t seek Glassman’s approval and/or advice. What she wants from him instead is too mundane for words. Even if he was impressed enough by her professionally to dive in without incentive, it would be unbearable for him. It IS unbearable. Especially when he loses his leverage. So let’s go back to that.
First off, he went to bat for Shaun without telling him he was doing so… noteworthy if only because it was a point of possible contention that the writers chose to scoot past this time.
Thank goodness they at least had Glassy point to the fact that the billboard was “possibly illegal” (somebody had to, right?). But Salen’s reaction (“why are you coddling Shaun?”) was annoyingly cool… as if to say yeah, so what, I’ll manipulate Shaun into agreement by tomorrow so “illegal” will be a moot point.
And I want to further come down on Salen for calling Glassy towards Shaun “patronizing”, then turning around and advising him about the mistakes parents can make with their kids… always a rich thing to point out when you’re not a parent yourself (OK maybe she IS a parent-- we don’t know yet-- but the vibe I’m currently getting is NOT)...
BUT… we further we went in this episode, the more I said Is she right? And Damn, does she have to be right all the time? (to quote another character in the show)
And yet! Glassy moves past any discomfort he feels with Salen’s words and lays down a new deal: I do your interviews; You make Shaun believe that he convinced you (and take the billboard down) and the next thing you know, they have a deal. She’s all about empowering Shaun until it becomes a bargaining chip for what she wants/needs for success, and then it’s “screw it, I’ll say whatever you want”? That’s the brass tacks for her. Business is the bottom line.
And… that’s why round one of this battle went to Glassman.
BONUS QUESTION: Over on Twitter, Reader/Commenter Syl indicated Salen’s pointing out parental shortcomings would be especially egregious if Salen was as aware of Glassman’s history as she is of others at St. B. Do you think Salen knows about Maddie? Honestly, I’m hoping she doesn’t. That would add a layer to her already multi-tiered persona that is very discomforting.
Glassman vs. Salen Part 2
Winner? Salen. (Or so she thinks.)
First of all… you saw this too, right? Glassman tapping at his own chest as he said “You don’t treat Shaun like this!” That’s what I mean when I say it’s not just about his relationship with Shaun, even though it’s the focal point right now. It’s about, as Salen might say, the way he sees the world.
He wants to blame other factors-- Shaun & Lea’s engagement, Salen’s takeover, maybe even Debbie’s need to be her own person-- and then, seeing a common denominator, thinks he’s doing the right thing in taking himself out of the game. First by holing up at home, then by driving off to Anywhere. But who’s the one who can’t deal with change now?! At least Shaun’s resistance is rooted in a disability, and he never gives up the struggle to adapt. Glassman, meanwhile, is older, and stuck in his ways, and stubborn, and… and… well, maybe it’s because it’s simply all too much, all at once. At least for him.
Here’s what I will say for Salen in this scene, though: aside from her initial “Calm down” direction to Glassy (NO ONE who needs to calm down reacts well to being told “Calm down”), there was zero gloating on her part. There could have been plenty. Instead, she almost (big underscore on that word) sounded sorry to break the news. Except she still had her biggest point to make: Shaun solved this on his own, and he’s better off for it.
But she COULD have said Shaun doesn’t need you anymore. She didn’t. Didn’t matter, though, for that’s what Glassman heard.
What about Shaun and Lea in “Rationality”?
For the most part, their job as a unit was very much in the background this time. I like the way their billboard reaction shots were essentially bookends for the episode— it starts with their initial reaction, then (almost) ends with them re-visiting their reactions… maybe, say, 48 hours later?
Otherwise, we got a re-visit to their chat at the start of 5x3: Shaun wanting to come at Salen with the facts as he sees them; Lea pointing out that isn’t what the 48 hours is about. This time Shaun doesn’t get a lot of time to ponder whether this is “good advice” or not, as Mateo interrupts with news about Holly. But that requires him to figure it out on his own…
Which he does, the next time we see them together. It’s mostly a brain dump on Shaun’s part (no wonder he closed Lea’s laptop before he really dove in; a brain dump of Shaun Murphy takes up a LOT of space!), and it’s all Lea can do to keep up-- and OK, she really doesn’t. But no matter, as she is soon treated to the presence of ShaunVision and Shaun’s hasty exit.
I noted on Twitter that this was the first time we witnessed ShaunVision with Lea in the room. It reminded me that, back in early S3, ShaunVision was taking place at their apartment when Lea padded into the kitchen for a late-night snack and sent ShaunVision crashing everywhere (I called this the “Still talking!” scene when I was ranking pre-relationship scenes of theirs at the old blog).
But nowadays, ShaunVision blooms after talking his feelings through with Lea, leading reader/commenter Steven Hamburg to suggest that she’s become his muse. Definitely an idea I can get behind!
By the way, I like how they had Lea agree at the end that Shaun’s image still “looked a little off” in their ending moments. It was as if Shaun was trying to go the extra step in agreeing to the billboard use but she was saying “Nope, you don’t have to give any more than you have already. Hold your ground with the reverse image thing.” And you could see the flash of relief on Shaun’s face as a result. That was cool.
MEANWHILE…
“Oh there’s something in my mind that’s killing me
There’s something that this life’s not giving me
Would you say…
Oh we don’t know if we leave, will we make it home
But we all know if there’s hope, then we’ll be okay”
“We Don’t Know” by The Strumbellas (the music that played over the end of “Rationality”)
As Glassy drives off into the night, and a new page of his personal journey gets underway, I think about a number of un-Glassman related things:
The Salen takeover has drawn several battle lines, many of which were not even seen in this episode: Park’s wariness vs. Morgan’s aiming to please… Lim’s determination to fight vs. Andrews’ apparent determination NOT to… and Wolke and Jordan (who were left out of the episode completely) are coming at this takeover from different POV’s as well. But the one with Glassman is key-- that’s why it’s getting the most attention right now.
How long will it be before all the different little battle lines involving Salen become one big, fat one that unites the St. B staff in ways we haven’t seen before?
OR, how long until Salen reveals a layer that does a much better job of meeting the people where they’re at?
That would be the more rational way to go… wouldn’t it?
