Ep 17. Tough Guys Don't Teach

Doogie Howser, M.D. season 1 episode 17 titled "Tough Guys Don't Teach" follows the story of a young boy named Stevie who has an aggressive behavior problem. He gets into fights with other students in his class and creates a hostile environment for his fellow students. His teacher, Mr. Switzer, who is known for his strict and unconventional methods of teaching, tries to discipline Stevie but his approach only makes things worse.

Mr. Switzer turns to Doogie for help, hoping that his medical knowledge and experience with young people could offer some insight into Stevie's behavior. Doogie soon realizes that Stevie's violent outbursts are due to a deeper emotional issue and not just a simple case of disobedience. However, getting through to Stevie proves to be a challenging task as he has built an impenetrable emotional wall around himself.

During the course of the episode, Doogie makes several attempts to connect with Stevie and attempts to understand the root cause of his behavior problem. He uses his medical knowledge to come up with strategies aimed at helping Stevie overcome his aggression and anger. Doogie also uses his own experiences growing up to connect with Stevie and offer him some helpful advice on how to manage his emotions and deal with his anger in a more constructive way.

As the episode unfolds, we see Doogie and Mr. Switzer working tirelessly to help Stevie overcome his problem. There are moments of tension and frustration as Stevie continues to resist their efforts and lashes out at everyone around him. However, through sheer determination and perseverance, Doogie and Mr. Switzer finally make a breakthrough with Stevie.

The episode ends on a positive note with Stevie starting to make progress in his behavior and starting to show a new level of understanding and maturity. The show highlights the importance of patience, empathy, and understanding when dealing with young people with behavior problems and the critical role that teachers and medical professionals can play in helping them to overcome their challenges.

Overall, "Tough Guys Don't Teach" is a powerful and emotional episode of Doogie Howser, M.D. that deals with some complex social issues such as aggression, bullying, and emotional trauma. It is a testament to the value of strong bonds between teachers and medical professionals in the lives of young people and the pivotal role they can play in helping them to overcome their challenges and reach their full potential.