The Big Bang Theory vs The Good Doctor

I like many different genres of television shows and dramas however the two I am going to recommend and explain are The Big Bang Theory and The Good Doctor.

Many people may not see an initial connection between the two shows I recommended being one is a comedy and one being a drama but have no fear I shall give my compelling explanation.

Big Bang Theory is a comedy that is based on a group of highly intelligent friends doing silly things as well as smart things however it’s main character is Sheldon who has OCD and Autism. This show is an amazing show because it portrays someone who has the comorbidity of both disorders in a positive light. It is able to focus on Sheldon’s quirks in a way that it is teaching the world that people with a disability can not only successfully function in society and be successful but also have friendships. It takes away the stigma that people with autism and OCD are incapable of having relationships or achieving great success.

As far as the Good Doctor goes, yes it falls under a different genre that many wouldn’t connect the two shows at first glance; however if looked into more deeply it is a great alternative to recommend to those who love the Big Bang Theory. The Good Doctor is a drama based show revolving heavily around a young Doctor named Shawn. Shawn Is on the autism spectrum and a successful doctor on the show. It shows his struggles with communication and relationships with others, which is common for someone with autism. Yet it also shows how incredibly intelligent he is and how talented he is under pressure even with his difficulty to share feelings and his lack of eye contact. It is a show that truly depicts how someone with autism can achieve their goals and dreams even with a disability.

It’s not often that I would recommend or even compare shows of different genres to people however in this situation my theory is quite compelling and deep. Sometimes, it’s not just a similar genre that makes two shows comparable and recommended to others. Sometimes it is underlying deep connecting stories and plots that make it compelling to recommend the two shows as a pair.

Yes, it’s most easy to compare and recommend two shows that on the surface are in the same genre however it’s more impressive to recommend two shows from two completely different genres to a person with explanation and get them to experience the deep similar storyline each show is trying to portray. Just like the saying “don’t take things at face value,” which implies looking deeper into a situation; the same goes for the two shows I recommended.

I first discovered Big Bang Theory and was instantly fascinated with the show. Its comic nature caught my eye immediately. However, as I really started to get into the show and see each character’s personality unravel is when I really fell in love with the show. It was more than just a comedy but also an outlet to showcase a person with autism and ocd in a positive light.

Years later, I came across The Good Doctor, and loving dramas I was intrigued thud started watching. I was unaware of the underlying plot of the show initially but was aware it was a drama and gave it a deserved shot. The show exceeded my expectations. It definitely fulfilled its drama as a show with doctors, traumas and diagnoses but it made it abundantly clear that while it was a drama based on doctors that it’s main agenda was showcasing a young man on the autism spectrum achieving his dreams as a doctor and showing his success despite his difficulties and deficits in certain areas of life.

Is this the traditional comparison of television shows with commonalities? On the surface, definitely not; however that’s what makes this comparison rare and spectacular in my mind. It takes a deeper plunge into the plots and storylines and makes them quite relatable while seemingly quite different on the surface.

My brother is on the autism spectrum and is quite an intelligent young man and inspired me to get a degree in psychology and work in the autism field. There are often stigmas placed on not just autism but any disability and from life experience I’ve learned that we have to rid the stigmas and get to know the people’s story and plot deeper behind their surface. Working with children and adults on the autism spectrum allowed me the pleasure of watching them succeed and achieve their goals and made my life richer. Having the ability to look beyond the surface and get to see the true person inside is a gift and a blessing. The same theory applies with television shows. At first glance, on the surface, a show may seem to portray one plot where when it’s given the chance it’s real agenda and story will become apparent and deeper than initially expected.

By having these two shows coexist in a diverse world of television, it brings the shows of different genres together in a way that many won’t immediately recognize. That’s what makes my recommendations so unique and special. Sometimes it’s all about going beyond the surface to find out the real story and that’s a beautiful thing. The ability to find commonalities isn’t always immediate or easily apparent but once found, the commonalities are intertwined and become one beautiful story.