Ep 22. Crosstalk

Becker season 2 episode 22, titled "Crosstalk", depicts the life of John Becker, a misanthropic doctor who runs a small medical practice in The Bronx. In this episode, patients wait in Becker's office as he is stuck in the elevator with a deaf maintenance man. Meanwhile, Jake is thrilled by the purchase of his new cell phone, but it is interfering with his hearing aid.

As the story progresses, Becker attempts to communicate with the deaf maintenance man, but their communication is hindered by his lack of knowledge in sign language. The situation causes Becker to feel frustrated and helpless as he struggles to convey his message. Meanwhile, Jake's enthusiasm for his new cell phone causes him to overlook the fact that it is causing interference with his hearing aid. His attempts to ignore his hearing problems eventually leads to a serious mishap.

With the elevator constantly malfunctioning, several patients are waiting impatiently in Becker's office. As time drags on, tensions rise, and patients resort to arguing as they struggle to get to work on time. Upon realizing that he may be stuck in the elevator for a prolonged period, Becker decides to communicate with the deaf maintenance man using pen and paper. Despite their difficulties in communication, the two eventually form a bond and learn to understand each other through their differences.

Meanwhile, Jake finds himself in trouble as his new cell phone pulls him away from regular conversations with Becker's patients, leading him to misunderstand their medical conditions. Jake's refusal to seek help results in a disastrous outcome as he prescribes the wrong medication to an unsuspecting patient. With his mishap causing a severe reaction in the patient, Jake is forced to seek the help of Becker, who is still stuck in the elevator.

In this episode, viewers witness the importance of communication and the consequences of failing to understand each other. While Becker struggles to communicate with the deaf maintenance man, Jake's overreliance on technology makes him overlook the importance of human interaction. Becker's encounter with the maintenance man not only enlightens him about the deaf culture but also teaches him the value of compassion.

Overall, Becker season 2 episode 22, Crosstalk, is an emotional episode that depicts the daily struggles of a misanthropic doctor trying to understand the world around him. With its heartwarming message of understanding and tolerance, the episode offers viewers a lesson in empathy and compassion.