Ep 2. Imm-Oral Fixations

Becker season 2 episode 2, Imm-Oral Fixations, sees Dr. John Becker (played by Ted Danson) struggling to deal with his oral fixation. He's been chewing on everything in sight, from pencils to straws, and can't seem to stop. This is causing problems not only at work but also in his personal life, as his girlfriend Reggie (played by Terry Farrell) is getting fed up with his constant chewing.

As the episode begins, Becker is in his office, trying to work on a crossword puzzle, but he can't concentrate because he's so focused on chewing his pencil. Reggie comes in and tries to talk to him, but he's not in the mood to chat. She tells him he needs to do something about his oral fixation, and he brushes her off.

Later, Becker has a patient in his exam room who is also struggling with an oral fixation. She can't stop biting her nails, and it's causing her a lot of distress. Becker tries to help her by talking about his own struggles, but he's not very successful. The patient leaves feeling discouraged.

Meanwhile, Margaret (played by Hattie Winston), the office manager, is having her own problems. Her son has decided to drop out of school and pursue a career as a rapper. Margaret is worried about his future and doesn't know how to convince him to go back to school. Linda (played by Shawnee Smith), Becker's assistant, tries to help Margaret by giving her some tough love advice.

As the episode continues, Becker's chewing becomes more and more of a problem. He chews on a straw during a visit to a restaurant, and the server mistakes him for a child and gives him a kid's menu. Later, he chews on a pen during a staff meeting and accidentally swallows it, leading to a trip to the hospital.

In the end, Becker realizes that he needs to seek professional help for his oral fixation. He enlists the help of Dr. Jack Gallo (played by Dan Hedaya), a therapist who specializes in this type of problem. Dr. Gallo helps Becker uncover the root of his fixation, and they work together to find ways to overcome it.

The episode ends with Margaret and Linda comforting a heartbroken Reggie, who has broken up with Becker due to his inability to deal with his oral fixation. Becker, on the other hand, is feeling optimistic about his progress and is looking forward to a future free from his oral fixation.

Overall, Imm-Oral Fixations is a humorous but insightful look at the challenges of trying to overcome a compulsive behavior. Becker's struggles with chewing are relatable, and his journey to find a solution is both entertaining and inspiring. The episode also touches on the themes of family and friendship, as Becker's loved ones rally around him and offer support.