I’m not sure how often a medical drama can tease an “explosive” episode that…

a) showcases a literal explosion in the OR, that 

b) can be immediately explained by the Afghanistan veteran doctor in the room, which 

c) further serves as a metaphor for the current primary arc of the series (with a metaphoric “explosion” of its own to come later in the episode)?

But that’s what TGD managed to do in the “Shrapnel” episode. Starting again with said “current primary arc,” I’ll give my best shot at analyzing what seems like an increasingly complex storyline (though maybe simpler in some regards). 

My takeaway from all this is that Shaun is as aware of what he needs to do with regards to culpability as anybody is, but he cannot process the need to apologize in a traditional manner. So the only way out of the guilt is to fix what’s wrong… Or as he said at the end, fix “everything.”

The very best part of “Shrapnel,” to me, was the 2 1/2 minute master class served up by Richard Schiff and Freddie Highmore to aspiring actors everywhere… AKA the scene in Shaun’s “new” office (that I hope only lasts another episode or two before returning to the Shark Bowl). I’m not going to post the scene here, but I AM going to break it down line by line, as I’ve done with certain TGD scenes in the past. (It’s easy to find on YouTube if you really want to review it.)

SOME FINAL THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS ARC– AND LIM– TILL NEXT TIME…

A lot of people have pointed out that there are things about this whole situation that aren’t really being addressed, such as Andrews’ decision to give Owen the bypass machine that made his surgery easier when they only had one of them. The decision made Lim’s lifesaving surgery more difficult, and of course that’s what sent Shaun over the edge in the season premiere. Are we sure that’s not what caused her to be paralyzed? They haven’t brought it up regarding the M&M, so I guess not, but the fact that it hasn’t been mentioned by anyone of late makes me wonder if they’re just trying to keep this part of the storyline “simple,” or if it genuinely doesn’t make sense to bring it up. 

Because Lim could put all her energy into seeing that Owen (Villanueva’s ex; the one who attacked her and Villanueva in the first place) pay the maximum penalty for his crimes…Or take issue with Andrews’ decision with that bypass… or be angrier with Glassman (for “protecting” Shaun in the M&M). 

And why stop there? Why not take issue with Jordan for pointing out the need for more glasses during Shaun and Lea’s wedding reception (which prompted Lim heading to the break room)? What about Lim being mad at herself, for going down to said break room rather than sending someone else? Or at herself for allowing Villanueva to stay with her, which may have sent Owen over the edge? Or take the anger all the way back to Villanueva for not being able to take care of her own business when she was a victim of domestic violence? 

The further back it goes, the more ridiculous it gets. Perhaps that’s why they’ve kept Lim in short-hand mode with the blame, pointing it only to the last step, the most direct step, to her being paralyzed.

Lim is the most impacted by all this; it’s her body, it’s her livelihood that she’s being robbed of. I think she hates being at odds with Glassman and Andrews, and I think she truly hates severing friendship ties with Sean. But processing the paralysis is still ongoing. This could be why all the convo that’s going to take next week about reversing her paralysis might be overwhelming. It’s Shaun’s way to try and right what’s wrong, but is it what should be done at this time? For her? 

While we ponder that question, let’s look at the three subplots of “Shrapnel”— in order of importance (Your Mileage May Vary on that one)…

It ended up being a pretty good day after all for Park— surgically speaking, at least. And it was nice to hear him share some solid “don’t give up on love” advice to his young patient with the new, rad profile pic. But at the end of the day— literally— it’s clear now that he’s not over the woman he once described to be ‘like a Disney Princess, except mean.” What to do, what to do…

THE ASHER/COMBAT DANNI PROBLEM

I’ll be honest—- I’m putting this last because I’m not really sure what to do with these two. Combat Danni has now expressed irritation with Asher in two different episodes— both times pertaining to his persistent questions about her military background. The first time around she essentially called him “idiotic,” to which he apologized rather than get defensive… that should speak enough to his sincerity. But this time, his questions eventually got him somewhere (after even more resistance), but where was that exactly? And why? They had Asher apologizing (AGAIN) and claiming his “sheltered upbringing” is what’s prompting the questions, but the whole thing feels a little forced to me. As in… TGD needs to keep Asher busy in a way that doesn’t bring drama to his relationship with Jerome, and it’s way too soon to bring other family stuff into his life, so here— while Jordan’s getting caught up in Handsome Dan’s issues, let’s have Asher get caught up in CD’s in the only way that kind of makes sense.

I’m slightly intrigued by it all, but I also feel like this entire thread of conversation will drop off the radar (without resolution) by mid-November.

What are YOUR thoughts about the current storylines on TGD, triggered by “Shrapnel” or elsewhere? The theories, they are a-circulating… share your own insights in the comments, won’t you?