THE JAILBIRD - PART 44

THE JAILBIRD // 44

Elaine breathes deeply, trying to still the pounding of her heart.

She descends slowly to the living-room where Effe is waiting.

Effe turns from the aquarium she has been staring emptily at, and faces her friend as she comes down the last stairs.

Effe is dressed for the office in a rather beautiful dark-blue suit that enhances her beautiful skin.

Her eyes are dark with pain, and she looks very hurt indeed.

Elaine stops and looks at her best friend warily.

ELAINE
(softly)
You know.

EFFE
(bitterly)
I know, Elaine. Chris told me.

ELAINE
(nodding)
And he told you he didn't rape me, didn't he?

EFFE
(bitterly)
Did he, Elaine? Did he really?

Elaine walks towards Effe, and she stares at her, and a moment later she drops to her knees.

ELAINE
(contrite)
I'm guilty of keeping my relationship with Chris a secret, Effe. I'm very, very sorry, but at the time I didn't want to destroy your happiness when I saw how much you loved him. When I realized it was you he was going to marry, it was too late to tell you. Your happiness was important to me. Effe, I was wrong, but I did it for you. Please forgive me.

Effe turns away from her.
She is hurt, and she fights to keep the tears away.

EFFE
Get up from the floor, Elaine.

Elaine stands up slowly. She walks to Effe and takes her hand in both of hers. She looks shame-faced as she speaks.

ELAINE
(earnestly)
You have to believe me, Effe, please.

EFFE
(tremulously)
I trusted you, Elaine. You were like a sister to me. You were my bridesmaid, not Eyram. But all along as you stood beside me at the altar you were hurting over Chris!

ELAINE
(inhaling to keep the tears away)
I admit I was hurting, yes, but I had to do everything to make your marriage work. That night I promised to bring him to you, the night you found him raping me, he was very high on alcohol and hard drugs. He begged me, telling me he wanted to sleep with me one last time, I refused. I called you from the bathroom, and when I went back to the room he pounced on me, and raped me. That's the truth, Effe, and nothing but the truth!

Effe rubs her forehead. She still stares at Elaine as if she just cant' take it all in.

EFFE
Chris was talking about some conspiracies, Elaine, as if I knew something about what happened. I pressed him, but he said nothing, but for a moment I could see there was more. Something he really wanted to say. Is that all, Elaine, or there's more? This is your chance to come clean, because he also told me about how you used to love violent sex, and how it wasn’t rape at all because that’s exactly how you wanted it. You better come clean now, Elaine. 

ELAINE
(passionately)
We're closer than even twin sisters can ever be, you and eye, and I’m telling you the undiluted truth now, Effe. He tore off my clothes and raped me. If you want, let me confront him in your presence, and listen to what he will say, Effe. Why do you think I hate him so much? He was my former boyfriend, yes, but when I told him I  wasn't going to sleep with him, he should have understood, and not forced himself on me. I couldn't do that to you, Effe. I can never do that!

Elaine takes out a handkerchief and dabs rather unsuccessfully at the tears running down herp face.

EFFE
(softly)
I hope so, Elaine. But know that truth never stays hidden. Don't let me find out there's more to this from somewhere else, okay? If I should ever find out you lied to me now, I’ll never forgive you.

Effe turns and heads quickly for the entrance.

Elaine stares after her, smiling rather sadly.

And there is unbridled profound relief on her face...and a subtle twist of cruelty to her lips. 

JUNIOR'S RESTAURANT

It is a Saturday.
Grand opening of JUNIOR'S.
A month has passed like a whirlwind.

Madam Didi had begged Chris to take on some of her dedicated staff.

Chris has retained three counter girls, four waiters, two waitresses and four chefs.

Eyram had graciously advanced him some money to design the white, blue and red food packs and polythene bags. 

Effe had paid for the huge neon-lit signboard and one-week ingredient supply.

The profiling of JUNIOR'S on HEARTBEAT TELEVISION had made the news spread like fire through a dry prairie.

Other news stations had come on board to do interviews, but Chris has refused to appear in any of them.

Surprisingly, a couple of non-governmental Christian organizations had agreed to provide new interior seats and tables, and also pay for a year's car park rental. 

Chris had been extremely nervous at first, detesting the whole idea of being a chef, but Junior had been with him constantly, and given him the needed strength.

As the time drew nearer to the grand opening Chris had found himself getting caught in the euphoric excitement.

The opening ceremony had been short but colourful.

Some of the most influential people had turned up.

Junior had been allowed to say the prayers, and his passionate appeals to God to let his father succeed had moved many to tears.

Chris went to the kitchen, and supervised every step of the cooking.

He started with four dishes for the day; noodles, banku and okra stew, jollof and potato fries... and of course salads.

There is a CREAMS stand, where iced creams, smoothies, crushers and shakes of different flavours can be had.

He waits anxiously as the orders begin to trickle in.

And then things begin to really heat up!

Suddenly, people that had already eaten are now coming back for 'take-aways', and soon there is pressure at the Drive-Through window.

VICTOR NYENKU, a young chef who is fast beginning to impress Chris, walks up to him as he is pouring raw  fries out of a bag.

VICTOR
(grinning)
I haven't seen such a crowd in all my four years of working here, Boss. I must admit, you have very sweet hands indeed. Look, I had my doubts at first, but now I think the TASTE BUDS restaurant is in serious trouble!

Chris looks at the young man, and they smile, and he nods.

CHRIS
Thank you, Victor. I think I like that.

Suddenly a young waiter enters the kitchen and goes straight to Chris.

WAITER
(nervously)
Sir, please there's a man in the restaurant. He says I should tell you to prepare him a picatonto salad! I tried telling him we don't have it on the menu but he told me you know what it is, so I should tell you.

Chris freezes, and his face suddenly lights up!

The only man who demanded 'picatonto' salad had been Chief Superintendent of Police, Jon Fii.

CHRIS
(excited)
Go and tell him a picatonto salad is coming up pronto, Adamu!

WAITER
(relieved)
Yes, sir!

VICTOR
(intrigued)
Picatonto? What's that, sir?

CHRIS
(smiling gently)
A speciality in prison, boy. Come and learn!

Soon Chris has the salad ready.

He dishes  it in the best salad bowl, and serves the order on a tray.

He picks up the tray.

VICTOR
(alarmed)
Sir! You're not serving yourself, are you? Please, let me take it

CHRIS
(smiling)
This order I serve myself, Victor.

Chris carries the tray to the eatery, and he pauses with sudden shock when he sees that it is tightly packed!

Adamu sees him and utters a cry of shock and fear.

He rushes forward to take the tray, but Chris stops him.

WAITER
Please, sir-

CHRIS
(cutting in)
Where's the gentleman, Adamu.

WAITER
Table nine, please.

CHRIS
(kindly)
Okay, fine. I've got this, Adamu. You can serve another table.

When he walks through the restaurant  he sees people looking at him with something approaching awe. 

He sees children and adults digging in, eating with real relish, and he sees that most plates are completely empty except for bones, and suddenly he feels a certain kind of exhilaration he has never thought he will feel.

Amir, you old dog, thank you very much for forcing me to learn the fine arts of the kitchen!

Jon Fii is sitting at table nine, and he is not alone.

Baaba Brooks is with him.

JAILBIRD continues

December 17, 2017

THE JAILBIRD- PART 43

THE JAILBIRD // 43

A SECLUDED ROAD IN ABLORH-ADJEI

It is deep night, well past midnight.

A police sedan is parked by the roadside.

Parked behind it is a sleek Toyota Tundra.

Three men are standing in the dark shadows.

They are Chief Inspector Danso Cuger, Sergeant Ato McBaiden, and Jonathan Afful.

Afful hands over a huge brown envelope filled with money to Cuger, who hefts it, then passes it on to McBaiden.

CHIEF INSPECTOR CUGER
(coldly)
Thanks, Mr. Afful. You know how to do business.

AFFUL
Cut the crap, Cuger. How is Operation Darlett  coming on?

CHIEF INSPECTOR CUGER
(puffing on a cigar)
Darlett comes out of prison in a month. He's been briefed. The operation will go down as smooth as silk.

AFFUL
You better get Chris, man. He must return to prison.

CHIEF INSPECTOR CUGER
Don't worry, man. I hate that son-of-a-bitch more than anybody. I'm going to get Chris. And he's going in forever this time!

AFFUL
Thank you. Well, I'll be on my way then. Good day, gentlemen.

He turns brusquely and returns to his car. A moment later the powerful engine of the Tundra roars, and then it speeds off.

McBAIDEN
Arrogant little prick. Wish I can break my boot over his face!

ChiEF INSPECTOR CUGER
Me too, pal. But we need him, and he needs me. What's that famous expression... the enemy of my enemy is my friend? It's alright. Can't wait to send Chris back to prison.

MCBAIDEN
That is if Operation Darlett goes well.

CHIEF INSPECTOR CUGER
Oh yes, it will. It certainly will.

In the front seat of the Tundra Afful reaches across and fondles the naked breasts of the topless Chinese  beauty sitting beside him.

In the back seat is Steve Hollison, moaning gutturally as a beautiful prostitute with her face in his groin works on him feverishly.

Afful looks across his shoulder and smiles at Steve.

AFFUL
Smile, bro. Bawa is gone within one month.

Steve smiles and pushes harder into the girl's mouth.

STEVE
I can't wait, bro.

AFFUL
CB byebye! Forever! Next time!

AFFUL RESIDENCE - MORNING
Elaine Boateng stretches and opens her eyes.

She is lying on the gigantic electronic water-bed in the upstairs master bedroom. 

Their house is a magnificent sprawling two-tiered edifice. Located in the heart of East Legon, it is the envy of many. 

It has a design almost similar to a mini castle.

With apertures and glass in the right places, beautiful grass lawns, a breath-taking swimming-pool, a mini golf course, a lawn table tennis court and a basket ball court, it has been described as one of the best homes in the country.

Best, Elaine thinks, but certainly not happiest.

It is huge, but there are no cries of children anywhere. She and Jon had dreamt of filling it with happy kids, but quite unfortunately, after three years of marriage, they still  don't have any children.

She looks across at Jon's side of the bed. It is empty, as usual.

He will come in and claim of business deal closures, but she is sure he has just spent the night with one or two of his stinking Chinese  prostitutes somewhere.

They do his bidding. They allow him to live his perverse sexual fantasies which she finds extremely demeaning and has refused time and again to let him have his way.

She turns on her back and reaches for the remote controller.

The bed has been revolving slowly, and she pushes a button on the remote that centres the bed.

She gets up from the bed, steps out of her negligée and pads naked into the huge bathroom.

She runs a warm bath in the Jacuzzi, pours in essential oils and liquid soaps and fragrances, and climbs into the bath. 

She puts her head back, sets the massager, and enjoys the vibrating joys as the bath performs its magic.

She does not even remember the last time she and Jon had taken a bath together.

An hour later she steps out of the bathroom, refreshed.
She turns on the television which is mounted up high on one wall and then she sits in front of her exquisite golden dressing-table.

The channel is HEARTBEAT TELEVISION, where she works, and the morning show is on, hosted by GABRIEL ALIEFEH, a man Elaine detests with all her being because of his arrogance.

She listens to the newspaper headlines segment, and then loses interest and concentrates on her make-up kits.

She is gently blowing air on her polished nails when she suddenly sees the still image of Chris Bawa Junior on the television, and below it are  the words:

THE KID THAT TAMED THE BEAST.

She quickly picks up the remote and increases the volume of the television because the picture has receded to the background and Michael is about to speak.

ALIEFEH
(happily)
And now, a very inspirational story that has touched our hearts. You remember Mr. Chris Bawa, don't you, the man that is known nowadays as The Beast because of his nefarious role in the accident that took off one leg of Miss Adwoa Timtim a little over five years ago. Well, there have been speculations that he might return to the ring to face the current undisputed GojuFist Champion, Mike Crankson, but this speculation can't be further from the truth. We received a call yesterday from young Chris Bawa Junior. Junior, of course, is the eight-year-old son of The Beast with  his former wife Effe Kedem. It seems Junior does not want his father to step into the ring anymore, and so the little boy bought his father a food joint! It seems our former GojuFist fighter, the dreaded Beast, is going to use his hands again, but this time in an entirely new kind of sport. Kuukua  Siaw has the full story. Watch!

The page screen zooms out, and then the video of the beautiful Kuukua Siaw, the reporter, begins.

She is standing in front of what once used to be the famous DIDI'S RESTAURANT.

KUUKUA SIAW
(excitedly)
Think about Chris Bawa and what comes to mind? He's the young fighter who rose to become the undisputed Grandmaster of GojuFist, and later trained other champions. But you wouldn't really remember him for that, would you? You would definitely remember him as The Beast, the man who almost killed an innocent old man who tried to take a joint of marijuana from him. You would remember him as the man who knocked down a girl and made her lose a limb, and you will also remember him  the man who resisted arrest so violently that he burst one eye of a policeman. Yes, Chris Bawa is The Beast. But it seems those days of mayhem are over. Chris was pardoned for putting up an extremely good behaviour in prison, and was released just after five years in prison. Evidently, he learnt how to cook when he was in prison! And now he is out, and his son has bought him DIDI'S to help him start all over in life. Now, let's listen to the young giant himself!

The video zooms in on Junior and Madam Didi in the background.

Elaine watches the feature, stunned, and then she  begins to get angrier by the second.

She cannot believe her eyes!
She has gone to great lengths to destroy Chris, great lengths to demonize him. He is now known as The Beast, and his acceptance in society has reduced to a zero factor.

What is Gabriel Aliefeh and Kuukua Siaw doing?

Making him a hero? Some sort of a refined criminal?
Gabriel, apart from being the host, also serves as the director of the morning show.

She knows she cannot get him as long as he is on air, and so she begins to dress quickly.

By the time she picks up her handbag the show is over, and the end credits are rolling on the screen.
She takes her phone and calls.

She has to do it several times before he finally picks the call.

ALIEFEH
(laughing happily in the background)
Hello, Elaine.

ELAINE
(furiously)
Why the hell did you do a feature on Chris Bawa, a known rapist and a terrible man who refuses to apologize for knocking a poor girl down and making her lose a leg? What the hell were you thinking?

ALIEFEH
(coldly furious)
And since when were you appointed my supervisor? You now want to tell me what programmes I can run?

ELAINE
(still furious)
Of course not, Gabby, but you have to use your common sense-

ALIEFEH
(cutting in)
Go to hell, Elaine! We're running it as a major headline news today, at all prime times. Don't annoy me, or I swear I'll add all the edited parts about you being Mr .Bawa's former girlfriend to the report! Maybe I should’ve done that in the first place.

Elaine is stunned instantly, and she gives a terrified intake of breath.

She is so shocked that for a moment she feels dizzy.

How did Gabriel know? That relationship is a secret between Chris and her! How did they find out?

Had Gabriel done a private check on her, or the news had come out during the Junior interview?

She has to know! If it came out at the Junior interview then it means Effe might also know by now.

She knows Gabriel Aliefeh hates her. The feeling is mutual; she also detests him, but this is the time to swallow her pride and eat humble pie.

When she speaks again her voice is calmer, and she sounds almost pleading.

ELAINE
That is not totally true, Gabby. How did you know?

ALIEFEH
(coldly)
A journalist never discloses his source, Elaine. You should know that. Goodbye.

He cuts the call.

There is a gentle chime from the gold telephone on the bedside table. It is a house intercom. She glances at it irritably, and ignores it.

It might be the maidservant.
It rings again, and she crosses the room angrily and picks up.

ELAINE
Yes? What is it?

MAIDSERVANT
Please madam, your friend Madam Effe is here.

Elaine's intestines quails. Effe? Here this early? Maybe she is looking for Steve, just as Elaine is also looking for her husband.

But Elaine knows.

This visit is not about Steve.
It is about Elaine and Chris.
Somehow, Effe has found out.

Elaine shuts her eyes as she begins to marshal her thoughts about how she is going to respond to Effe and  defend herself.

JAILBIRD continues

December 17, 2017

THE JAILBIRD - PART 42

THE JAILBIRD // 42

EYRAM'S RESIDENCE

Chris is sitting on the metallic examining bed in Eyram's home consulting room.

She had shaved off a small area in his scalp and stitched the nasty cut the rock had opened.

Now she dresses the pulpy mess in his right temple and expertly winds a bandage around his head.

Finally she gives him three shots of injections, peels off her gloves, washes her hands with detergent under a tap, and then stands back and looks into his sad face.

EYRAM
(shaking her head)
You feel sorry for her, don’t  you?

CHRIS
(crestfallen)
I hurt her. It's my fault. I shouldn't have slept with her.

Eyram looks at him with incredulity.

EYRAM
Your fault? What's wrong with you? I warned you about that girl, didn't I? There's something wrong with her. Her head is not screwed on right.

CHRIS
(sharply)
Stop that, Eyram, please. She was hurt bad. Some people behave like that when they are hurt.

Eyram is close. She puts a hand across his shoulder.

EYRAM
Poor, poor Chris! Always trusting his fellow humans so much. Cut ties with that girl, Chris. She's unstable and unhinged. She can cause you great problems.

He is suddenly disconcerted by how close she is to him.

CHRIS
Thank you, Eyram. I'm really grateful for all that you're doing for me. I can never repay your kindness. But know that this heart would forever be grateful for all your kindness and thoughtfulness.

Her eyes search his face, and he sees that her lips are slightly open.

Suddenly he feels uneasy. He remembers that night, several years ago, when she had had the same look, when they had shared that forbidden kiss.

EYRAM
(softly)
Anyway, you'll have a little headache tomorrow. Apart from that you should be fine.

CHRIS
Thank you once again. I was with Effe and Junior today, Eyram. Junior saw an eatery and he bought it for me with the money in his piggy bank.

EYRAM
(smiling)
Yeah, I know. Effe called earlier and told me about it. Seems you're going to be a famous Chef after all.

CHRIS
Yep. Can you imagine that? Me cooking?

EYRAM
(laughing)
Wouldn't have imagined that in a thousand years. But you know what? I think you'll make it, only if you can stay focused. I believe in you, Chris. More than you know.

The moment she says that everything becomes absolutely awkward.

Suddenly there is an underlying tension in her words, and when she looks at him there is that sudden intense look in her eyes.

He knows and recognizes its danger, and quickly he tries to get off the examining table, but she moves close with a little sound, her other arm going around his neck, and then she presses herself close to him.

CHRIS
(softly)
Eyram. Please.

EYRAM
(her face in his throat)
Just hold me, Chris, please.For a minute.

Chris' jaws work tightly as he puts his arms around her. She presses herself closer, and her arms tighten around his neck. He can feel her shivering.

He tries to push her back, but she holds on.

CHRIS
Eyram. This is very, very dangerous. We can't do this.

EYRAM
(shivering)
Why?

Chris tenses. He gives a tremulous sigh and for a moment he cannot speak.

CHRIS
I saw you kissing that White doctor. I see the way he looks at you, Eyram. He loves you.

EYRAM
I know he does. I thought I loved him too.

She does not complete the sentence, but he knows what she means, and it chills him to the bone.

This time he gets up forcibly, but she still wouldn't let him go.

He holds her hands and gently pulls them down from around his neck, but he does not push her away.

He looks into her eyes, and he sees the tears shimmering in them, and he sees just how sad she looks.

CHRIS
(gently)
I love your sister, Eyram. I love her very much.

EYRAM
She left you. She's now with a man who used to be your best friend. She's never believed in you, Chris. She believes you raped Elaine. I don't.

Chris puts his head to one said and looks at her with dark eyes.

She looks into his eyes, and tears slowly spill down her cheeks.

EYRAM
You don't have to rape any woman, Chris. Most women will gladly have sex with you. If Effe's own sister is confused over you, how much more her best friend?

He turns from her, suddenly feeling incredibly emotional. The atmosphere is so charged, and he knows it has to be diffused very quickly.

CHRIS
I have been very bad, Eyram. I went for prison for it. You don't have to be so damn trusting.

EYRAM
Even before you told me about Elaine I believed in you.  I know that whatever you did, there was a reason for that. I've never blamed you for any of the bad things you've done that make them call you the beast. I've always believed in you, CB.

CHRIS
(explosively)
Believed in what exactly, Eyram? I beat up my mother's brother, my only uncle, an old man, and almost killed him because he tried to take a piece of marijuana from me. I got drunk, and I knocked down a little girl and caused her to lose a limb. I burst the eye of a policeman. I used hard drugs, cocaine to be precise! What's there to believe? They all happened!

She moves close to him, and wordlessly she puts her arms around his waist and presses her cheek against his chest.

EYRAM
Chris, stop torturing yourself! You were just an innocent child when that awful incident with Roland happened, and it has forever put a guilty conscience into your mind! That is directly responsible for what happened that night. You've never forgiven yourself for Roland's death. That's why I've never blamed you. You did those bad things because of that terrible incident.

She can feel him shivering now, and slowly he turns away from her and paces the floor impatiently.

She can see the tension on his face, the sudden uncertainty, his lips are trembling, and so are his hands.

She looks on, horrified, as his iron control breaks, and he looks just like a lost little boy.

He gets to one corner of the room, and he slowly sinks to the floor.

When he looks up at her there are tears in his eyes.

CHRIS
(voice trembling)
Everybody blamed me for Roland's death. My family, my friends... everybody. They say I intentionally locked the door of that tree house and set fire to it, because I was jealous of my brother. Eyram, that's not true. I've never loved any individual more than Roland. He was more than a brother to me. I worshipped the very ground he walked on. But no one believes me! They hate me. My parents hate me, my siblings hate me! Sometimes it hurts, Eyram. It hurts my heart so much. Everything evil is Chris. It really hurts my heart.

Tears slowly  fall  down his cheeks, but his lips are closed.

She goes to him, and silently she sits on the floor besides him. She pulls him into her arms, and rests his head on her breasts.

He holds her tightly, and then his huge body is racked with bitter tears.

She can feel his tears wetting her dress, and as she rubs a hand down his back, she knows that this is the one thing her sister has, and which she is absolutely jealous of.

EYRAM
It's okay, CB. I believe you. I'll never hate you. I love you, Chris.

He raises his head slowly, and he looks into her tear-streaked face.

CHRIS
No, you don't, Eyram. Please, don't say that ever again.

She holds him, desperately, bringing her face close.

EYRAM
And why the hell not, CB? Because you were once married to Effe?

CHRIS
(gently)
Because I love your sister. Because I have a son with her. Because our society frowns on it. Because we can never be together, even if Effe marries Steve!

EYRAM
(tremulously)
If she marries Steve, then she never loved you, Chris. If she marries Steve, and if you're only brave enough, you can have me, Chris.

CHRIS
No. That will never happen. That's unacceptable.

EYRAM
Why, CB? Because she's my sister? I'm a doctor, Chris. I've seen fathers impregnating their own daughters, mothers sleeping with their sons, siblings sleeping with each other. A sister marrying her ex brother-in-law is a far better evil compared to that, don't you think?

CHRIS
Bad is bad, Eyram. Doesn’t matter if other people are doing worse things. We'll never be accepted here. Our customs frown on that. It is an absolutely taboo area, and I can’t do that to Effe.

EYRAM
(desperately)
Then we'll travel out of Ghana, CB. I don't care.

CHRIS
Wherever we go, even to the far reaches of the globe, it'll always follow us. I’m in love with Effe. You have to understand that.

She leans forward quite suddenly, and her lips cover his.

He cringes, but he does not push her away.

Her tongue forces his lips open, and she kisses him desperately, until his head causes him to wince, and she slowly settles down.

He gets up and without another word walks towards the door.

EYRAM
(softly)
Chris.

He stops but does not turn to look at her.

CHRIS
Yeah?

EYRAM
I know for a fact that Effe still loves you. I won't ever try to come on to you again. But if the two of you don't make it work, and she ends up with Steve, nothing can keep me away from you. Do you understand that?

He sighs, but he does not speak. He just opens the door and walks out.

She gets up, quite wobbly-legged, and lies down on the examining bed.

She falls asleep shortly.

There is a smile on her face.

JAILBIRD continues

December 17, 2017

How The Good Doctor Perfected the "Anti-Antihero"

How The Good Doctor Perfected the "Anti-Antihero"
         
         
                 
         
     
     
     
         
                The Good Doctor, ABC's feel-good, inspirational medical drama, is unequivocally the breakout hit of 2017. Before its premiere, it seemed like typical genre fare: photogenic doctors + wise mentor + high-stakes medical situations to keep the adrenaline pumping. But as fans and critics soon found out, the heart of the show, Dr. Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore), a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome, wasn't interested in drama-filled hookups that rival Grey's Anatomy; he was on a much simpler mission: to make it through each day and do some good while he's at it.
Shaun Murphy's core struggle is so universal that the show premiered to shockingly high numbers: 11.22 million viewers and a 2.2 in the adults 18-to-49 demographic. That made it the network's most-watched Monday drama debut since Dangerous Minds 21 years ago and the highest-rated since Castle eight years ago. It was a stellar bow, and one that truly surprised ABC, but it was nothing network executives could fully celebrate just yet.
"We all waited with bated breath for Week 2 [ratings] because Week 1 is really a function of, did enough people hear about the show? Is awareness high enough?" Victoria Dummer, ABC's head of current series programming, tells TV Guide. "Week 2 is, they're with us, they enjoyed it, they're on the ride. They're there for this journey with this character and this show."
In Week 2, The Good Doctor defied expectations again, pulling in 10.93 million and a 2.2, after which it received a full-season pickup for 18 episodes. The retention is especially impressive when considering that there are more than 400 TV shows airing a year now and more ways to watch than ever, making it even more difficult — especially in broadcast — not just to break out from the pack, but to sustain it. "We were just thrilled," Dummer says. "We're breaking a lot of records for ourselves."

 Its third episode, which aired Oct. 9, dethroned The Big Bang Theory as the most-watched show on TV that week, with 18.2 million to Big Bang's 17.9 million.

But, despite the odds that few shows overcome, more than two months later, The Good Doctor is the most-watched drama of the season, eclipsing CBS stalwart NCIS and NBC's This Is Us with an average of 18.08 million viewers, which includes seven-day DVR playback. It's the most-watched 10 o'clock show on television — an hour many use to catch up on other shows or get ready for bed. It routinely adds an average of seven million viewers and a huge 2.0 gain in the all-important demo with a full week of delayed viewing. Its third episode, which aired Oct. 9, dethroned The Big Bang Theory as the most-watched show on TV that week, with 18.2 million to Big Bang's 17.9 million. It's ABC's biggest fall freshman series in 13 years — when Lost and Desperate Housewives delivered a massive one-two punch for the network — and the first major medical hit since ABC's stalwart Grey's Anatomy premiered in spring 2005.
But The Good Doctor's success isn't self-explanatory; the numbers and warm fan reception were forecasted by few, including those behind it.
"It's not like I expected it to die," showrunner and executive producer David Shore says with a laugh. "I was proud of what we had done. It touched me, it touched the people who had seen it beforehand, and so I thought it would touch [a wide audience]. The extent to which that has happened has taken me surprise and it's really gratifying."
 Freddie Highmore, The Good Doctor
Shore's surprise is warranted, especially when one considers the three-year, two-network journey The Good Doctor endured to get on the small screen. Based on a 2013 Korean drama of the same name, The Good Doctor follows Dr. Shaun Murphy at his new job at St. Bonaventure Hospital. The hospital board is wary of his ability to communicate and perform effectively, except for his mentor and hospital director Dr. Aaron Glassman (Richard Schiff), who implores in the pilot, "We should hire him because he is qualified and because he is different. ... We hire Shaun and we make this hospital better for it. We hire Shaun and we are better people for it."
After securing the rights to the award-winning original with his production company 3AD, Hawaii Five-0 star Daniel Dae Kim tried to adapt it for his then-home network CBS and studio CBS Television Studios in 2014. CBS, however, passed on it twice, but Kim refused to throw in the towel.
 "Generally what happens is once a show doesn't proceed, whether it's at the script stage or the pilot stage, it pretty much disappears. But I felt passionately about this project, passionately enough ... that I actually bought the rights back myself from CBS and tried to redevelop it," Kim says. "I'm incredibly grateful to CBS for giving me the opportunity to start a production company. I was really hoping that I could bring something back to my home studio and The Good Doctor was the first project that my company developed, so I was disappointed that it wasn't the right fit for them at the time."
Around the same time, Shore, who knows a thing or two about launching a hit medical drama after the success of House, checked out the Korean series after hearing about it for the umpteenth time. "It was one of those things where I ignored it the first time it was sent to me and then I ignored it the second time it was sent to me. And by the time a third person sends it to you, you go, 'You know what? Maybe there's something here,'" he says. "And it moved me. I wanted to do it. Then I found out Daniel was involved and we had a wonderful discussion [where] we saw this [show] the same way and it's been a great collaboration."
Things moved quickly when the pair teamed up with Sony Pictures Television and the project eventually landed at ABC with a put-pilot commitment, meaning the network would've incurred a financial penalty if it didn't make the pilot. Lauren Stein, Sony's EVP of drama development who'd been involved with the show since Day 1, says Sony was enthusiastic from the second the pitch meeting was done. "It's kind of been a labor of love for everybody involved," she says. "[We] really loved the concept of it and the emotion of it. I think everybody went in with really high expectations and [casting] Freddie really kind of solidified literally everything. ... Everybody really had a similar vision going into it. It was again one of those processes where you wish [everything] went as smoothly as this did. We got lucky."

Expectations were even higher after the pilot tested "through the roof," Stein says, with test audiences taking a particular liking to Shaun's underdog journey and Highmore's carefully modulated portrayal. "People really embraced Shaun as a character and the concept because it is such an emotional show," she says. The results made them all "cautiously optimistic" for the premiere. "We felt good, but testing is one thing."
 Richard Schiff and Freddie Highmore, The Good Doctor
The whole creative team knew that test audiences would mean nothing if the show wasn't well received by the autism community. Shore says everyone was nervous about the impending reaction because "we took on this huge responsibility and incredibly difficult task to be fair and honest in our portrayal of somebody with autism." Shore & Co. knew after copious research — that's still ongoing — the key was to make sure to depict Shaun as just one person with autism and his own unique set of circumstances, and not be representative of everyone on the spectrum. "It's a very tricky role. It's a role that would be easy to not just do mediocrely but to actually actively do badly," Shore acknowledges.
With the understanding that the series needed to connect with a very specific demo before larger numbers could be considered a success, ABC prioritized the show for the fall and poured its resources into marketing over the summer. Massive billboards and buses emblazoned with Highmore's face were as ubiquitous as Starbucks locations; extended previews played in front of every summer blockbuster. "We wanted it to win its time period. When you first look at it, you want it to do better than the show that was there last year [Conviction]," Dummer says. "You want it to build on its lead-in [Dancing with the Stars]. You want a lot of things for it."
Including positive reviews, which were hard to come by. The show currently stands at a 53 on Metacritic and 55 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. (In contrast, its viewer scores are a 7.6 out of 10 and 88 percent, respectively.) "We build promos and those promos have review clips in them and that helps us sell the show. And we were waiting those reviews to come in and we were like, 'Why aren't those reviews coming in? We love this show. This show is fantastic,'" Dummer says. While there was near unanimous praise for Highmore's performance, critics were quick to disparage the show's big-hearted earnestness — a hallmark of K-dramas the series made sure to retain — calling it everything from "overwrought" to "hokey." Even now, as the show's success has left many going, "Huh?", there's still a helping of snark to the coverage.
"I was like, 'I didn't know [sentiment] was bad!'" Shore says. "I believe it has sentiment, but it is not sentimental." Some also likened Shaun to an inverted Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) — another brilliant doctor who has difficulty connecting to people — which Shore finds overly simplistic. "He certainly does ask some of the same questions that House asks, but he comes at it from a very different point of view. [House's] cynicism is closer to my heart but maybe not as healthy."
Kim didn't come across the reviews until after the show's premiere, but it never concerned him that they weren't positive. "To be honest, I never knew they were negative until much later. In fact, I was actually reading Rotten Tomatoes today for the first time about The Good Doctor and we're up to like Episode 9," he reveals. "I didn't read a lot of reviews beforehand. I guess from my experience on television, I find that TV is not so much a critic's medium as is film or even theater. It's really about ratings and what connects culturally with an audience. I knew we had something good."

 "It's a very tricky role. It's a role that would be easy to not just do mediocrely but to actually actively do badly."

And viewers rewarded Shore and Kim's faith in The Good Doctor's unabashed emotion. Since the premiere, the response from the autism community has been overwhelmingly positive. Highmore's nuanced performance has played a huge part; the actor has deftly mastered communicating Shaun's feelings without the obvious and common social, vocal or physical cues neurotypical people use. "When we got to the set on the first day and [Highmore] started working, to a certain extent it was almost instantaneous for [executive producer] Seth Gordon and myself. We were like, 'Oh my god, this is going to work,'" Shore says. "People sometimes think that people with autism don't feel things. Well, just because they don't show it, doesn't mean it's not going on."
In October, the series was honored with The Awareness Award from Autism Speaks at the organization's annual Into the Blue gala. "It has been positive and I find that incredibly gratifying and rewarding and inspiring," Shore says, adding that he hopes the show helps eliminate misconceptions about people with autism. "It's yet another form of discrimination, another prejudice that we have. I think even meeting somebody on TV [helps], so I hope we're part of breaking down that barrier a little bit. That is part of the innate optimism on this show." "We get letters all the time. We get tweets and Facebook posts," Stein says. "People are finally feeling like either they're being represented or their child is or their family member or friend is. It's giving them a voice."
But the autism community isn't the only audience the show show found. It's drawn so many ardent fans without prior personal connection to the material that when it was off the air recently for a CMA special, Dummer says ABC was flooded with messages from confused, upset viewers — "'Where is it?' 'Why can't I find it?' That's a wonderful sign that the show does have legs" — wondering why Luke Bryan was on their screens instead of Dr. Shaun Murphy. It's a rabid devotion that has even taken aback Kim. "I was part of Lost, where the fan reaction was incredibly passionate and I usually associate that with science-fiction, but to have it be a show in the medical genre and widely considered mainstream was something that I didn't expect to this degree," he says. " I love that people love the show and love [Shaun] so much."
In part this can be explained by who Dr. Shaun Murphy is, a throwback to a pure hero, one who is exactly as the title describes: good. More important — and appealing — than his medical skills and intelligence, he's just a decent, kind, warmhearted person trying to save lives and do the right thing. He's what Kim has dubbed the "anti-antihero" — still a complicated, complex character whom Shore has vowed will get things wrong professionally unlike many TV geniuses, but one who doesn't come with reservations.
"I would argue that there's a legitimate place for a character like Shaun, someone who you feel like you can root for with your whole heart and not have to apologize in any way and not have to say, 'Well, he's a great guy, but he's a drug dealer.' 'He's a great guy, but he's a womanizer.' 'He's a great guy, but dot, dot, dot,'" Kim says. "It's nice to say, this is a guy who has circumstances beyond his control and is trying to do the best he can."
Add his innate goodness to the fact that Shaun's underdog status also carries a palpable relatability. He's an outsider and anyone's who's felt underestimated or misunderstood when they have something to offer or because they have certain limitations knows what that feels like. "We all have been unfairly judged and people have underestimated all of us at some point or another in our lives. There is that universal feeling that Shaun represents," Shore says, pointing out why the property drew not only him and Kim, but execs and legions of fans to the project.

 Nicholas Gonzalez, Freddie Highmore, Antonia Thomas, Chuku Modu and Rocky Anderson, The Good Doctor
Taking its cue from its leading man, The Good Doctor is a refreshing departure from the gritty, broody, cynical fare that's defined this TV era since the turn of the century — a tone perhaps American audiences are too used to. The last decade-plus has birthed many iconic antiheroes, including Shore's own misanthropic House and some on ABC in Scandal's Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) and How to Get Away with Murder's Annalise Keating (Viola Davis). Going against the antihero grain, Shore feels, saddled The Good Doctor with a "not cool" label in critics' eyes. "I'm OK with that," he says. "I think certain assumptions are made when you see a broadcast television show and it has this much sentiment, and I don't think it's fair. Dark things happen on the show, but it's not dark or cynical in its nature."
But with real life already dark, bleak and stranger than fiction, perhaps that optimism and sincerity is a perfect, much-needed salve. In that sense, maybe TV and fans wouldn't have been ready for The Good Doctor in 2014, when Breaking Bad was still winning Emmys, and How to Get Away with Murder and The Blacklist entered our lives.
 "People want to feel more so than ever. I think just the climate has kind of opened the door for more emotional programming. People want to escape," Stein says. Dummer believes it's a "response to sort of what we're going through as a country and just the noise out there, the anger, the vitriol that's being spewed."
 The changing tide doesn't necessarily mean the Age of the Antihero is over — just that it should scooch on over to make room for Comfort TV. "I think there's a place for all of this," Shore says. "I love the antihero as well. I don't think one is by nature better than the other." The Good Doctor, much like This Is Us, proves that "you don't necessarily need spectacle to get people to watch TV," Stein says. And given the success of both shows, that might be the niche that broadcast networks can flourish in instead of trying to go toe-to-toe with the deep-pocketed streaming and cable networks, which have the Dark and Edgy Market cornered.

 "I would argue that there's a legitimate place for a character like Shaun, someone who you feel like you can root for with your whole heart and not have to apologize in any way."

"Network television [is] not able to do the same things that cable and streaming can," Kim says. "I think the television landscape is changing for sure. Broadcast networks need to continue to carve out their own identity. No longer are broadcast networks necessarily the de facto choice when people are watching TV at night, so brand identity is very important. If The Good Doctor is part of ABC's new direction and they feel strongly about that, it's an honor in my opinion.""Everyone thinks they need to push the envelope all the time," he continues. "I don't necessarily think you always have to find something new and dark. I think that if you can find a story and tell it well, there's a lot of value in that."
Dummer cannot speak to ABC's development slate, but says the network wants "to make sure we're continuing the momentum of this show" and to piggyback off its success "in other places as well" for next season. "We are all over the spectrum of types of programming for us. There's plenty of opportunity to have a show with an antihero, but there's also lots of opportunity to find a show with maybe a more comedic tone to it and maybe a more light hour, and then doing something that's a little more intense. We're still looking programmatically that we can vary kind of where we go on that."
Though there hasn't been an official renewal yet, The Good Doctor is a shoo-in for a second season, but no one is thinking about that at the moment. They all just want to finally be able to enjoy this.
"It's been a surprise every week. I'm hoping we maintain it for the season," Shore says of the response. "I acknowledge that sooner or later the tide will turn, but I'm hoping not for a long, long time."
The Good Doctor airs Mondays at 10/9c on ABC

December 15, 2017

THE JAILBED - PART 41

THE JAILBIRD// 41

She notices that Chris has gotten down from the motorbike and kicked it up on its stand, and has gotten down but he has made no attempt to climb to the veranda to Baaba.

Baaba has descended the steps and is standing in front of Chris.

Eyram leans on the balustrade of the porch and looks at them, and she is absolutely shocked by how rapidly her heart is beating.

BAABA
(shyly)
Chris. Where have you been? I’ve  been waiting for you for a long time.

CHRIS
(softly)
You could've called my phone.

BAABA
I did. Twice. You didn't pick up.

Chris unclips his phone from his waist and pushes the power button.

The screen lights up and he sees several missed calls. The phone is on silent mode because he had not wanted disturbances during his time with Effe and Junior.

CHRIS
Sorry. Silent mode.

BAABA
That's okay, my love. Would wait for eternity for you. Take me inside, Chris, and make sweet love to me again.

Chris sighs and takes a step closer. He places a hand on her shoulder.

CHRIS
(softly)
I'm sorry, Baaba. I can't do that, not now.

She stiffens, and the joy leaves her face.

She takes a step back slowly so that his hand falls from her shoulder, and she cocks her head to one side and looks at him, and he sees the hurt in the depths of her eyes.

BAABA
(painfully)
What are you talking about, Chris? You told me ...no, you promised me that if you touched me, or made love to me, that meant you'll be ready to take it to the next level. You told me that, and that's why you didn't make love to me in my apartment.  But you made love to me, right there in your room, so we are a couple now. You're the only man I've willingly given my body to, and now what the hell are you telling me?

Chris is evidently bothered. He looks desperately at her and goes closer to her.

CHRIS
I'm sorry, Baaba. You know where my heart is. I have not lied to you about that. That night we made love, I was hurting. I saw Effe and Steve in a way that made me believe everything was over between Effe and me. That was my conviction. I was hurting and I was lonely, I couldn't control myself, I just wanted the pain to go away.

Her face is expressionless, and she watches him with eyes that are soft and impossible to read.

BAABA
So, what changed, Chris? Why are you refusing to sleep with me now?

CHRIS
I was with Effe and my son today, and I learnt that Effe and Steve are not intimate. There's a chance that Effe and I could work things out, Baaba! And I want to take that chance. I’m telling you all this because I care. I don’t want you to settle for less. I can choose to be with you but you will never have my heart. My heart was taken a long time ago. I don’t think that is fair to a kind person like you.

Her jaw tightens, and he sees that her hands  are balled up into very angry fists.

She is breathing hard, and he sees that suddenly her face is full of sweat as if a bucket of water has been poured over her.

It disconcerts him greatly.

BAABA
So, what happens to me? You fuck me and drop me like a used sanitary pad, Chris?

CHRIS
(alarmed)
No, no, no, Baaba! Come on! How could you say such a thing! Something beautiful happened between us. It was at a time I was so vulnerable and lost, yes. But you must understand me. I love Effe. I'll always love her, and until the door is finally closed, I doubt I would be able to love you the way you expect me to, the way you deserve to be loved, Baaba. It's never been my intention to hurt you, please.

BAABA
(bitterly)
Second best, right, Chris? You want me to be your second best? Jesus, do you know just how much I care for you? I'm ready to give you everything! I was with you, day and night, inside that damn prison keeping you alive, encouraging you, motivating you... whilst she was out here fucking your best friend, and she never, not even once, visited you in prison! And you will choose her over me?

CHRIS
(sighing)
This is not about choices, Baaba. You knew all along that I still loved Effe. You were there, you knew. You saw my pain and you supported me. I will forever be grateful for that. I'm really sorry you misunderstood our getting together the other night. I behaved badly, I know, but  I wasn’t looking for a relationship. I’m in no state to think of that right now. I just got out of jail. I’ve lost everything and until I rebuild my life, I can’t commit to anyone else. I’m really sorry. If I have hurt you, please forgive me because it was never my intention to do so.

Baaba relaxes suddenly.

Her fists unclench, and she turns her head slowly, working out the kinks in her neck with her eyes closed.

She finally opens her eyes and smiles at him, a sweet smile that lights up her whole face, making her look as innocent as a child.

She holds out her arms to him.

BAABA
(sweetly)
I'm so sorry, Chris. It's just that I love you so much. I loved the way you made love to me, the way you touched my body. But I understand, love is powerful, and you love Effe. Hmmm, it's okay, darling. I'll just be your friend then.

CHRIS
(sighing with relief)
Thank you, Baaba. Thank you for understanding.

They hug tightly.

Up on the porch Eyram closes her eyes, and wonders why she feels that strange sharp twinge in her heart at the sight of them that close.

Baaba breaks free from Chris and walks past him.

She stumbles suddenly and falls down.

BAABA
(painfully)
Ouch!

Chris approaches her, his face concerned.

CHRIS
(anxiously)
Baaba! Sorry, are you hurt? Let me help you up!

Chris bends to help Baaba up.

She has not really tripped. She had just pretended, and as she sits on the grassy ground her right hand is holding a huge chunk of rock she has seen, and which had been her target for feigning a fall in the first place.

She grips the rock tightly, and as Chris bends to help her up she suddenly gives a blood-curdling scream.

Her face is no longer human. It is twisted into the most hideous of expressions, her eyes bulging, her nose flaring, her mouth open in a frightful snarl.

She brings her right hand round, still clutching the rock, catching Chris totally by surprise.

Baaba slams the rock into his left temple, and a million stars explode in Chris' head.

It is as if he has run into a wall. She is quite a strong girl, and the blow is hefty.

Chris falls with a moan of pain.

On the porch Eyram sees what has happened and she begins to run towards them, her fear lodging in her throat.

EYRAM
(fearfully)
Oh sweet Jesus! Oh dear, oh dear! CB! Oh Chris, oh CB!

Chris drops to one knee, dazed, watching the screaming girl who is now looking like a lunatic.

She is still screaming as she brings the rock down hard on top of Chris' head, cracking his scalp!

Blood spurts down Chris' face immediately, and he holds up a hand weakly.

CHRIS
(slurring)
Nosh, Baabish! Pleasshh, don'tsh do thatsshh! Stopshh itssh pleasshh!

BAABA
(insanely)
I'm going to kill you, Chris Bawa! Fuck me for free? No bloody way, you stupid little asshole! You think I’m your whore, your slut? You’re just like Daddy....you think every pussy can be fucked as long as you have a fucking hard-on. Well this is one holy pussy you’re not screwing for free, Daddy-O!! Not by a long shot, you fucking jailbird! 

She drags up a massive globule of phlegm and spits on his face.

She laughs crazily, then without warning she slaps Chris, and then she tries to kick in his balls but Chris instinctively shifts his legs, and her kick lands painfully on his right thigh.

She screams at her miss, so furious that she drools spittle down her chin.

She chooses a spot on Chris' neck, intending to smash him on the neck and break his neck.

She draws her hand back, still clutching the rock firmly,  and that is when Eyram reaches them.

Eyram throws herself at Baaba, bringing her down heavily.

The rock flies from Baaba's hand.

Like an eel Baaba screams and wriggles out of Eyram's reach, and she gains her feet and looks at Eyram.

BAABA
(snarling)
You're Effe, ain't ya? I'm gonna kill ya right here, you stupid little bitch!

Eyram is scared. She is on her knees, and she knows she is no match for this maddened girl's brute strength.

She hears the strident sounds of an ambulance approaching, one of the hospital ambulances bringing in a case, and suddenly an idea occurs to Eyram.

EYRAM
(desperately)
I called the police, Baaba. They're coming for you!Do you hear the sirens? You're going to be locked up, Baaba!

Baaba's hands are drawn back like claws, and her teeth are out like fangs.

In that instant, she looks absolutely insane.

She fights with her inner devils, deciding whether to tear Eyram to pieces or  flee.

Obviously, she is scared of being caught because she suddenly gives an agonized scream as the wailing sirens of the ambulance grows stronger and closer.

Finally, she turns on her heels and begins to run away.

Eyram's body collapses with the most profound of reliefs.

She gets to her feet and rushes to Chris' side.

His left temple is a mushy map of torn flesh from the first blow. He is bleeding rather profusely from the wound in his scalp.

Eyram takes his arm and tries to raise him to his feet.

EYRAM
(desperately)
Get up, Chris, please. Let me take you inside and take a look at your wounds.

Chris is moaning with pain as he struggles up.

Limping, dazed and bleeding, he moves in step besides Eyram.

JAILBIRD continues

December 15, 2017