Ep 17. The Ugly Truth

Becker season 3 episode 17, titled "The Ugly Truth," follows the story of Dr. John Becker, a sarcastic and opinionated doctor who runs a small medical practice in the Bronx. In this particular episode, Becker must confront his own biases and prejudices when he is faced with a patient who challenges his preconceived notions about physical beauty.

The episode opens with Becker and his nurse, Margaret, discussing a new patient named Rachel, who has come in for a routine physical exam. When Rachel enters the exam room, Becker is taken aback by her appearance. Rachel, who has a noticeable facial deformity, is painfully shy and self-conscious about her looks. Becker, unable to hide his discomfort, is dismissive and brusque with Rachel, causing her to become even more withdrawn.

As the episode progresses, Becker is forced to confront his own biases and prejudices as he learns more about Rachel's story. He discovers that Rachel is a successful lawyer who has overcome many obstacles in her life, including discrimination based on her looks. Despite her success, however, Rachel remains deeply unhappy and insecure about her appearance.

Throughout the episode, Becker must wrestle with his own feelings of discomfort and unease as he struggles to treat Rachel with the empathy and compassion she deserves. As he learns more about Rachel's struggles, he begins to realize that his own biases may be preventing him from seeing her as a whole person, rather than just her physical appearance.

Ultimately, the episode ends with Becker showing a newfound compassion and understanding towards Rachel, even as he struggles to come to terms with his own prejudices. As Rachel leaves the clinic, Becker reflects on the difficult lesson he has learned about the importance of seeing people for who they truly are, regardless of how they look on the surface.

Overall, "The Ugly Truth" is a powerful and thought-provoking episode that forces viewers to confront their own prejudices and biases. Through the character of Rachel, the show highlights the importance of treating all patients with kindness and compassion, regardless of their appearance or social status. Whether you're a longtime fan of Becker or just tuning in for the first time, this episode is sure to leave a lasting impact.