MovieChat Forums > Becker (1998) Discussion > Premise Makes No Sense

Premise Makes No Sense


I know that it makes for a dark and funny show, and you could say "That's the whole point" but why does a Harvard Medical School grad who clearly cares a lot about money, vanity, and success and is a grouch and not a great guy open up a small practice to mostly help disadvantaged people in a rough part of town?

In the show it sounds like he's good at what he does. Wouldn't he have some marketability as a physician where he could make at least $300k?

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Because he really doesn't care about money and success. He might want to care about those thing, but when it comes down to it, his heart is too big.

And yes, it's very clear he could be elsewhere doing better for himself, but his heart won't let him.

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But he does talk about wanting more money a lot. Look when he gets all wide eyed over the Survivor $1 million prize, and gets jeoulous when his ex-wife published with his idea and stuff. Maybe that's the point of character that makes no sense.

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Its more important to him to help people than to make money. He turned down a job at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and doesn't charge those who can't pay. He even paid for a kids tests and treatment at a better facility out of his own pocket




Oh My God! They Killed Kenny!

You bastard!

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Its more important to him to help people than to make money. He turned down a job at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and doesn't charge those who can't pay. He even paid for a kids tests and treatment at a better facility out of his own pocket

Exactly.

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He said that he likes research but it also made him feel so removed. As a GP, he gets to see the patients he helps and it makes him feel good. He stated that he's an 'idiot' for turning down the job in Research at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore... which shows when it comes down to it he would rather choose helping people over money. He also stated in one episode that he bends stupid rules, not big ones, which benefit the community and his patients.

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not sure it was established as being a rough part of town

I think you here "bronx" and see brown people and make that conclusion, which is false

unless theres something I dont remember that was established in the show

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While it may be false, it's pretty much assumed that it's in the rough part of NY.

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Steven Seagal Fan Club President

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A lot of his patients didn't pay. List the other poster said he paid out of his own pocket for one kids Aids treatment.

He didn't purchase an expensive car, because most of his money that he was making was going to patients and Wongs or was it Mings lol

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So I'm guessing you pretty much agree with what I'm saying then? 😃

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Steven Seagal Fan Club President

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He was stuck in the rut and enjoyed complaining, at least on some level, and probably couldn't envision success. There's a song Glad To Be Unhappy and I think it sums his character up. There was an ep where things were going right and he convinced himself it would come crashing down - it did. At the end he looks up to the heavens and says " I love your work". He was definitely in a rut as was all his friends.

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He doesnt really care that much about money ?!? Thats the actual premise of the show.

He tolerates that patients cant pay, or pay in naturals, etc.

He's an idealist and thus fights desillusion by the world.

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A gentleman will not insult me, and no man not a gentleman can insult me.

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