Welcome to the Q&A with TV critic — also known to some TV fans as their “TV therapist” — Matt Roush, who’ll try to address whatever you love, loathe, are confused or frustrated or thrilled by in today’s vast TV landscape. (We know background music is too loud, but there’s always closed-captioning.)
One caution: This is a spoiler-free zone, so we won’t be addressing upcoming storylines or developments here unless it’s already common knowledge. Please send your questions and comments to[emailprotected]. Look for Ask Matt columns on most Tuesdays.
Enchanted by The Good Doctor Finale
Comment: I have never written to you or to anyone about anything else before, but had to comment on the finale of The Good Doctor. Having watched many TV shows throughout the years and therefore many endings, I had to write to commend this show!! While still sorry to see it discontinued, it was such a wonderful, satisfying, and completely rewarding ending! To see how everyone continued on 10 years in the future, while mourning yet accepting the losses they suffered, my husband and I cannot stop talking about it! Any series that must end, for whatever reason, should take note of how this one was handled!! Bravo to all involved! — Harriet S., South Carolina
Matt Roush: Endings are notoriously tough to pull off, especially when they’re rushed like so many were during this strike-shortened season. I also feel that The Good Doctor among all medical dramas still had stories to tell, but under the circ*mstances, they pulled off a fitting finale with the right blend of sadness (RIP, Dr. Glassman) and hope. Flash-forwards are a popular device these days for series finales, and framing this one as a TED talk with Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore) was inspired.
Disenchanted by Grey’s Anatomy Cliffhangers
Comment: So we once again have a Grey’s Anatomy finale where multiple major characters have been fired/resigned/threatened to quit or, in Richard’s case, contemplating retirement again. I’m a fan of the show, but they’ve used the so-and-so is fired storyline, followed by some convoluted way to walk it back, so many times that I just rolled my eyes. We’re really doing this again? How is that supposed to be satisfying storytelling? I know nothing happens without conflict, and I’m not saying the characters’ lives should be a walk in the park. I also know they love to do season finale cliffhangers. That’s fine. But this idea just seems so played out at this point that I’m not sure why I should care.
On the other hand, Station 19 ending with Ben quitting as a firefighter in order to go back to his surgical residency also seems to be a systemic issue. It was ridiculous to take Ben out of Grey’s Anatomy in the first place in order to transition him over to the fire station, but they did it because ABC obviously wanted an established character to be involved in the spinoff. And now that the spinoff has been canceled, they don’t want to lose Ben as a character, so he’ll just go back where he was before like it doesn’t matter. I’m not rooting against Jason George — I’ve been a fan of him since Eli Stone — but the constant ping-ponging and job-switching for his character is just ridiculous and seems more subject to the whims of the network scheduling needs than anything else. Your thoughts here? — Jake
Matt Roush: My biggest issue with the Grey’s Anatomy finale is wondering when the almighty Catherine Fox (Debbie Allen) became such a monster, abruptly deciding the fates of so many gifted surgeons and colleagues with seemingly little regard for the consequences. That just played as silly and vindictive — and, given Grey’s history, probably forgettable in the bigger picture, although given the reporting that cast members will each be seen in fewer episodes next season (as a cost-cutting measure) makes you wonder just who will return and how often. Regarding Ben’s potential return to Grey’s Anatomy: I guess that also remains to be seen, but it makes sense. I never had an issue with him becoming a firefighter and being part of the glue that tied the two shows together—Bailey’s constant fear for Ben was always good for an emotional scene—but my biggest takeaway from the series finale was relief that they didn’t kill off any major characters. I imagine Ben and Carina aren’t the only faces from Station 19 we’ll see around Grey Sloan from time to time. And for an entirely different take on Grey’s finale …
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Will Grey’s Spin Off Again?
Question: The season finale of Grey’s Anatomy did not disappoint. This drama continues to deliver A+ episodes. A fitting end to an excellent Season 20! The series finale of Station 19 featured the most impressive fire scenes I have ever seen on TV, and the drama tied up nicely at the end. I’ll really miss this show. And yes. I shed tears. Seven seasons is a solid run for any drama, especially a spinoff. (I recall Private Practice lasting six seasons.) Do you feel ABC and Shonda Rhimes might order another spinoff from Grey’s? — Fred
Matt Roush: Given the nature of franchising on broadcast TV, I wouldn’t be surprised if they found a way to try to extend the world of Grey’s Anatomy again. Such a development may depend on how successful another power producer, Ryan Murphy, is in the season ahead, with his ship-based Doctor Odyssey paired with 9-1-1 next season on Thursdays. (Also unclear is whether ABC will eventually take 9-1-1: Lone Star from Fox if that network ever drops it like they did with the original series.)
On Blue Bloods and Young Sheldon
Comment: I know there are terrible things happening in real life that I should be upset about and it’s just TV, but I’m sick in my heart about the end of Blue Bloods, which is my second all-time favorite show after Rescue Me. I never missed an episode and thought there was never a bad one. It filled my heart, made me laugh at times and tear up a LOT. I’ll miss those Sunday dinners most of all. Still hoping the powers that be will not cancel it.
And to the person who thought Young Sheldon deserved a double Jeers for its finale … My mama taught me if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. When I was done crying, I thought they did a great job with a death I knew was coming. It still hit me right in the gut. We loved you, George Sr. Kudos to Lance Barber. — M. Weiss
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Matt Roush: Second only to laments over the premature cancellation of So Help Me Todd are calls to CBS to rethink taking Blue Bloods off the air following next fall’s episodes. As we’ve discussed before, this is more a business than a creative decision, and I’m not convinced we’ve heard the last of this story. And regarding Young Sheldon: I’ll cut the complainant some slack, because that reaction was to the shocking announcement of George Sr.’s death the week before the finale. The two-part series finale gave fans time to process, grieve, and fondly move on, as happens in life. Using the adult Sheldon and Amy to look back on the family in the final half-hour was an inspired touch.
Dead But Not Forgotten
Question: I found out that ABC’s Not Dead Yet just got the ax. Yikes, another unique and enjoyable show gone without having the cliffhanger resolved. Would it be too much to ask for networks to order wrap-up episodes prior to cancelation? I hesitate to get attached to any show these days. This method of “ripping off the band-aid” doesn’t ease the pain at all. — Monica
Matt Roush: Once a show’s gone, it’s gone, and unfortunately, it’s very rare for a canceled show to get a do-over to resolve matters left hanging. A better idea would be for a show that’s on the fence to either avoid a cliffhanger twist altogether (always the best choice) or film an alternate ending that avoids this dilemma. The expense involved in bringing the creatives back together for an extra episode or some such is simply too prohibitive.
And Finally …
Question: Why is it even still called 9-1-1? No further explanation needed — Deon C.
Matt Roush: And yet a little elaboration would be nice. I get it, especially toward the end of this season there was precious little time given to answering emergency calls (not counting Bobby and Athena’s house burning down) because the characters were so busy dealing with their own personal business. Part of this could be because they may have blown the budget with the three-part Poseidon Adventure-style season opener, and I imagine the shortened production timeline in this condensed season also was a factor. (Worth noting: 9-1-1: Lone Star didn’t even try, opting to sit out the entire year.)
That’s all for now. We can’t do this without your participation, so please keep sending questions and comments about TV to[emailprotected] or shoot me a line on X (formerly Twitter) @TVGMMattRoush. (Please include a first name with your question.)
