Ep 1. The Film Critic

Becker season 3 episode 1, titled "The Film Critic," follows Dr. John Becker (played by Ted Danson) who is a gruff, no-nonsense doctor who runs a small practice in the Bronx. In this episode, Becker is forced to confront his own prejudices and beliefs when he is visited by a film critic who is also an amputee.

The episode begins with Becker having a heated argument with one of his patients, who is overweight and insists that he has a thyroid problem despite having no medical evidence to support his claim. Becker dismisses the man as being lazy and unwilling to take responsibility for his own health.

Later, Becker is visited by a film critic who is wheelchair-bound and missing a leg. The critic, who is there to review a new medical drama, is dismayed by the fact that Becker's office is not wheelchair accessible and is further enraged when Becker tries to make light of the situation. The critic confronts Becker about his ableism and points out that his own struggles with disability have made him more attuned to the prejudices that exist in society.

Becker initially brushes off the critique, but as the episode progresses, he begins to realize that his own biases and beliefs are holding him back from being a better doctor and a better person. He is forced to confront the fact that his own brusque demeanor and reluctance to engage with his patients on a personal level may be contributing to their poor health outcomes.

As the film critic continues to push Becker to examine his own beliefs, he begins to see the value in connecting with his patients on a deeper level and making an effort to understand their unique experiences and needs. His journey to becoming a more empathetic doctor is a slow, difficult one, but by the end of the episode, he is starting to see some progress.

The "Film Critic" is a nuanced exploration of disability, ableism, and the role that doctors play in shaping the health outcomes of their patients. It is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged episode that challenges viewers to examine their own beliefs and biases, as well as the ways in which they interact with others who may be different from themselves.