Ep 1. Point of Contact

Dr. John Becker, played by Ted Danson, is back with his eclectic group of friends and colleagues in season 2 of Becker. In this first episode, titled "Point of Contact," the grumpy doctor finds himself maneuvering through some unique situations.

The episode starts out with John Becker's primitive answering machine, which has been filling up with messages. One message is from Rita, the neighbor who works at the diner below his office. She's asking Becker to come down and talk to the new waitress, Maria, who doesn't speak English.

John is clearly not interested in "being a translator" but feels pressured to help his friend Rita. When he gets to the diner, he struggles to communicate with Maria, whose English is indeed limited. Frustrated, Becker returns to his office, but, to his surprise, Maria shows up there later, seeking his help with an issue very different from her language barrier.

Meanwhile, Linda, Becker's nurse practitioner, is dealing with her own predicament. Her husband has left her, and now she's struggling to balance her personal life and her work life. Jake, the blind newsstand owner, tries to console her, but Linda is unresponsive. It's clear that this episode is delving into Linda's emotional state and how it's impacting her relationships.

Back to Becker, who has discovered that Maria's problem is that she can't afford a doctor's appointment to get a refill on her medication. The medication is for anxiety, and Becker is unsympathetic. However, he changes his tune when he realizes that Maria is an undocumented immigrant working menial jobs to make ends meet. Becker is shocked to learn how much Maria is struggling in New York City and decides to help her out.

At the same time, Reggie, the diner owner, is forced to buy a television set to attract customers. Becker is annoyed by the noise level of the TV, but eventually finds comfort in a basketball game that's airing. It's clear that the chaos at the diner serves as a minor distraction from his own personal problems.

Another issue arises when a patient, Mr. Santini, accuses Linda of giving him the wrong prescription. The patient demands to see Dr. Becker, but Linda stands up for herself and her capabilities as a nurse practitioner. The confrontation results in a heated argument between Linda and John, which shows some underlying tensions in their professional relationship.

The episode ends with a resolution for all the characters, bringing together all the different situations that have been unfolding throughout. Becker finds a way to get Maria to a doctor and makes a connection with her, leading to a moment of unexpected emotional vulnerability from the doctor. Linda makes up with Jake, and they rekindle their friendship. And by the end of the episode, it's clear that Linda is feeling more optimistic about her future.

Overall, "Point of Contact" provides a glimpse into various storylines woven throughout Becker's life and career. It showcases the connections he has with his friends and colleagues, while also shedding light on the struggles faced by people in New York City. With its mix of humor, personal drama, and social commentary, this episode sets up an engaging and thought-provoking second season for the series.