The series finale of ABC’s beloved medical drama, “The Good Doctor,” delivered a powerful and poignant conclusion, leaving viewers emotionally moved by its blend of hope and heartbreak. Dr. Shaun Murphy, portrayed by Freddie Highmore, once again found himself battling to save lives in dramatic fashion, yet the Last Episode Of The Good Doctor also presented him with the stark reality of loss, most notably the passing of his mentor and father figure, Dr. Aaron Glassman.
The episode, a culmination of seven seasons, saw the return of original cast member Antonia Thomas as Dr. Claire Browne, adding another layer of emotional depth as Shaun fought to save her life while simultaneously confronting the inevitable decline of Dr. Glassman, played by Richard Schiff. This juxtaposition of fighting for one life while accepting the loss of another formed the core emotional narrative of the last episode of The Good Doctor.
A Finale of Life and Loss: Setting the Stage
From the outset, the last episode of The Good Doctor established a high-stakes environment. Dr. Claire Browne’s return to San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital wasn’t a celebratory one; she was seeking treatment for a tumor that was revealed to be breast cancer. Simultaneously, the resurgence of Dr. Glassman’s brain cancer, initially diagnosed in Season 1, cast a long shadow over the hospital and especially over Shaun.
This dual storyline immediately placed Shaun in a challenging position – a position where his unwavering determination to save lives would be tested against the unyielding nature of illness and mortality. Executive producer Liz Friedman aptly described this duality: “The finale presented one case where the solution was found due to Shaun’s refusal to give up, and one case where Shaun needed to accept what he couldn’t help.” This perfectly encapsulates the emotional tightrope Shaun had to walk throughout the last episode of The Good Doctor.
The Unsavable Patient: Dr. Glassman’s Heartbreaking Storyline
Dr. Aaron Glassman’s journey has been central to “The Good Doctor” since its inception. He was not only Shaun’s mentor but also his staunchest advocate, fighting for Shaun’s hiring at St. Bonaventure Hospital when others doubted him. Their relationship has been the emotional backbone of the series, and the last episode of The Good Doctor confronted viewers with the heartbreaking reality of saying goodbye to this pivotal character.
Unlike the Season 1 finale, where Shaun’s relentless pursuit of a cure miraculously saved Glassman from his initial cancer diagnosis, the last episode offered no such miracle. Shaun grappled with the medical impossibility of saving Glassman this time, a stark contrast to his usual triumphs. This forced Shaun to confront a different kind of challenge – being present for Glassman emotionally rather than medically. The episode beautifully portrayed Shaun’s struggle to accept this new reality, highlighting his growth from a purely logic-driven surgeon to someone capable of profound emotional connection and acceptance.
A Fight for Life: Claire Browne’s Return and Shaun’s Determination
In contrast to Glassman’s storyline, Claire’s situation in the last episode of The Good Doctor provided the familiar dramatic tension of a medical emergency. Diagnosed with cancer, Claire became the patient Shaun was determined to save. When a promising experimental treatment faced FDA rejection for emergency use, Shaun’s unwavering commitment to his friend took center stage.
In a powerful moment, Shaun declared his intention to administer the treatment regardless of the consequences, even if it meant losing his medical license. “I don’t need to save everyone; I just need to save Claire,” he stated, revealing the depth of his personal connection and his prioritization of individual lives over bureaucratic obstacles. This scene, taking place in the same boardroom where Glassman had championed Shaun in the pilot episode, resonated deeply with the show’s history and the evolution of Shaun’s character.
Echoes of the Past: The Boardroom and the Merry-Go-Round
The last episode of The Good Doctor skillfully used callbacks to previous seasons, enhancing the emotional resonance for long-time viewers. The boardroom scene, as mentioned, was a direct echo of the pilot, underscoring the full circle moment for Shaun and Glassman’s relationship. Similarly, the carousel, a location of significance from Season 1 where Glassman discussed his mortality with Shaun, reappeared in the last episode.
This time, the carousel served as a visual metaphor for Glassman’s passing and Shaun’s journey forward. Images of Shaun riding the carousel with Glassman transitioned to Shaun riding alone, and finally with his wife Lea and their children. This sequence beautifully conveyed the passage of time, the presence of loss, and the continuation of life and love even in the face of grief.
Ten Years Later: Legacy, Love, and Lasting Impact – Shaun’s TED Talk
The last episode of The Good Doctor concluded with a significant time jump, leaping ten years into the future. Shaun, now Chief of Surgery, delivers a TED Talk dedicated to Dr. Glassman. This future setting allowed the show to illustrate the lasting impact of Glassman’s mentorship and Shaun’s continued growth, both professionally and personally.
The TED Talk itself served as a eulogy for Glassman, with Shaun acknowledging his mentor’s profound influence. “He taught me that when you touch one life, you don’t just touch one life,” Shaun declared, “You touch every life that life touches.” The screen behind him displayed names of patients he had saved, culminating with Claire’s name, visually reinforcing Glassman’s legacy through Shaun’s continued success.
The establishment of The Dr. Aaron Glassman Foundation for Neurodiversity in Medicine, run by Shaun and Claire, further solidified Glassman’s enduring impact, extending his advocacy and influence into the future. This element of the last episode of The Good Doctor provided a sense of hope and continuation, suggesting that while Glassman was gone, his spirit and values lived on through Shaun and the hospital community.
Dr. Glassman’s Enduring Influence and The Good Doctor’s Farewell
In its final moments, the last episode of The Good Doctor offered a heartwarming farewell, not just to Dr. Glassman, but to the series itself. Shaun’s closing voiceover, “Because of Dr. Glassman, I have many friends, and I have a family. And I have two televisions,” brought a touch of Shaun’s characteristic humor and simplicity to an otherwise deeply emotional conclusion.
Executive producer Liz Friedman’s sentiment that “Dr. Shaun Murphy is still out there helping people and saving lives” provides a comforting sense of closure. While viewers must say goodbye to the weekly episodes, the finale successfully conveyed that Shaun’s journey, and the impact of “The Good Doctor,” continues beyond the screen. The last episode of The Good Doctor was a fitting and moving farewell, celebrating the show’s core themes of compassion, perseverance, and the profound impact one life can have on many others.
