Ep 18. I Never Sold Shower Heads for My Father

Doogie Howser, M.D. season 1 episode 18, titled "I Never Sold Shower Heads for My Father," is a heartwarming and emotional episode that focuses on family dynamics and the importance of honesty and communication. The episode begins with Doogie's father, David, visiting the hospital to ask for Doogie's help in his plumbing business. David is struggling to find new customers since many people in their community know him as a used car salesman and not a plumber. Despite feeling hesitant and embarrassed about working for his father's plumbing business, Doogie agrees to help out.

Meanwhile, Doogie's patient of the day is a young girl named Becky who is undergoing chemotherapy for leukemia. Becky's parents are constantly arguing and bickering, which puts a strain on Becky's emotional and mental well-being. Doogie tries his best to provide comfort and support to his young patient, but he can't help but see parallels between Becky's family relationships and his own turbulent dynamic with his father.

Back at home, Doogie is struggling to balance his job as a doctor with his responsibilities at his father's plumbing business. He's often late to work and misses important rounds at the hospital due to his schedule conflicts. His best friend and colleague, Vinnie, warns him about the dangers of overworking himself and advises him to take some time off to prioritize his own needs.

As the episode progresses, it becomes clear that Doogie's reluctance to work for his father's plumbing business stems from deeper underlying issues in their relationship. David is disappointed that his son is not following in his footsteps and is instead pursuing a career in medicine, while Doogie is struggling to assert his independence and establish himself as an adult outside of his father's shadow.

In the end, a challenging medical emergency brings Doogie and David closer together. As they work together to solve the problem, they both learn to appreciate each other's strengths and weaknesses. Through their shared experience, they are able to communicate their feelings more openly and honestly, and ultimately strengthen their father-son bond.

"I Never Sold Shower Heads for My Father" is a touching and relatable episode that will resonate with anyone who has experienced family conflict or struggled with the challenges of work-life balance. The episode features strong performances from the cast, particularly Neil Patrick Harris as Doogie and Max Wright as his father David. Viewers will appreciate the show's ability to tackle complex emotional issues without losing its lighthearted, humorous tone.