The Good Doctor (TV Series)

22 Steps (2017)

Nicholas Gonzalez: Dr. Neil Melendez

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Quotes 

• Dr. Neil Melendez : The parents, they won't budge. They don't believe that anyone who has autism is capable of doing surgery.

  Dr. Aaron Glassman : Well, clearly they're irrational, I don't know, shallow-minded people. Who cares? What's the difference? You agree with them, right?

  [Neil doesn't reply] 

  Dr. Aaron Glassman : Do you agree with them?

  Dr. Neil Melendez : It's my team. I don't want anybody telling me who's supposed to be on my team, including the Board.

  Dr. Aaron Glassman : You're not answering my question.

  Dr. Neil Melendez : The question's moot.

  Dr. Aaron Glassman : Moot? No, it's not. If you agree with them, then the only issue is somebody stepping on your poor, little toes. Get over it and go save the kid. If you don't agree, if you think Shaun can handle surgery, then tell them that. Tell them to go screw themselves. Either they agree that Dr. Murphy belongs in that room with you, or you can go find them someplace else to do the surgery.

• Dr. Shaun Murphy : It's not possible.

  Dr. Neil Melendez : That's the first time I've heard you say that.

• Dr. Shaun Murphy : Liam is stimming.

  Dr. Neil Melendez : Stimming?

  Dr. Shaun Murphy : The tics and spasms are a neurological response to stress. If he's doing an MRI, there is stress; if there is stress, he won't keep still; if he won't keep still, we can't do an MRI. Therefore, it is impossible.

  Dr. Neil Melendez : Maybe if you just keep talking to him like that, he'll doze off and it'll all be simple.

• Dr. Neil Melendez : Shaun's different. He also has savant syndrome. He has a remarkable memory.

  Liam's Mother : He has autism, same as our son. Same limitations.

  Liam's Father : You saw what happened to our son in the MRI. He knew he needed to lie still, but he couldn't. Now, what happens if Dr. Murphy breaks down like that while he's standing over my son at an operating table?

  Dr. Neil Melendez : You know your son. I know surgeons. And after working with Dr. Murphy, after challenging him in surgery and everywhere else, probably more than he deserved, I can tell you he has my complete confidence.

  Liam's Father : I'm sorry. He doesn't have ours.