For seven seasons, The Good Doctor captivated audiences with its portrayal of Dr. Shaun Murphy, a young surgeon with autism. As the series concluded, many viewers tuned in for The Good Doctor Series Finale, eager to see how Shaun’s story would end. However, for some, particularly within the autistic community, the finale, and indeed the entire series, leaves behind a complex legacy regarding autism representation on television.
From its outset, The Good Doctor aimed to educate and inspire, showcasing a brilliant surgeon navigating the challenges and triumphs of his profession while being autistic. The show quickly became a ratings success, lauded for its heartwarming stories and Freddie Highmore’s compelling performance as Dr. Murphy. Yet, despite its popularity, The Good Doctor has consistently faced criticism for its stereotypical and, at times, inaccurate depiction of autism. This critique resurfaced with renewed intensity as viewers watched The Good Doctor series finale.
One recurring concern has been the absence of autistic voices behind the camera. Without openly autistic writers or cast members for the majority of its run, the show often presented an outsider’s perspective on autism. Dr. Murphy, while endearing to many, sometimes felt like an amalgamation of non-autistic perceptions, fears, and even fantasies about autism, rather than a genuine reflection of the diverse autistic experience. This became particularly apparent in moments that went viral for the wrong reasons, such as the infamous meltdown scene that circulated online, sparking debate and, for many autistic individuals, discomfort.
KAYLA CROMER, CHUKU MODU, FREDDIE HIGHMORE, CHRISTINA CHANG
Kayla Cromer, Chuku Modu, Freddie Highmore, and Christina ChangCourtesy of Disney
While the final season saw the welcome addition of Kayla Cromer, an autistic actress playing the autistic medical student Charlie Lukaitis, many felt this inclusion came too late to significantly shift the show’s established patterns. Charlie’s character, while offering a contrasting autistic perspective, was not always utilized to fully explore the nuances and diversity within the autism spectrum. Even with Charlie’s presence, moments in the final season, such as the comparison of autism support to gastric sleeve surgery, demonstrated a continued disconnect from authentic autistic experiences and priorities.
The Good Doctor series finale, titled “Goodbye,” presented Shaun delivering a TED Talk, reflecting on his journey as a doctor with autism. While intended to be a triumphant and uplifting conclusion, this scene, for some critics, encapsulated the show’s fundamental misunderstanding. The beaming audience, applauding Shaun as if he were performing a trick, reinforced the idea of autistic individuals as objects of inspiration or pity, rather than complex individuals with rich inner lives and valid perspectives.
Furthermore, the finale missed a crucial opportunity to delve into the often-misunderstood experience of autistic grief. Shaun’s reaction to a mentor’s terminal illness, while showing him channeling pain into work, lacked the depth and emotional complexity that might resonate with autistic viewers familiar with navigating grief in a world often ill-equipped to understand their emotional landscape. This absence felt particularly poignant given the potential for the show to educate and foster empathy around autistic emotional experiences.
The Good Doctor series finale arrives at a turning point in television’s portrayal of autism. Following the conclusion of Young Sheldon, another popular series featuring an autistic-coded character, it signals the end of an era where mainstream network television often relied on stereotypical representations of autism. However, this ending also opens doors for potentially more authentic and nuanced stories to emerge.
WILL YUN LEE, WAVYY JONEZ, FIONA GUBELMANN, CHRISTINA CHANG, ELFINA LUK, CHUKU MODU, BRIA SAMONÉ HENDERSON, ANTONIA THOMAS, PAIGE SPARA
An audience enthusiastically responds to Dr. Murphy’s Ted Talk in the series finaleCourtesy of Disney
Looking ahead, there is cautious optimism fueled by the rise of streaming platforms and independently produced series that prioritize authentic representation. Shows like Heartbreak High, A Kind of Spark, and Dinosaur, created by and starring autistic individuals, offer glimpses into the diverse and multifaceted autistic experience, showcasing stories told from within the community.
The Good Doctor series finale may have closed the chapter on Shaun Murphy’s story, but the conversation around autism representation in media is far from over. As awareness grows and more autistic voices gain prominence in the entertainment industry, there is hope for a future where television truly reflects the rich tapestry of autistic lives, moving beyond stereotypes and towards genuine understanding and appreciation. The audience that embraced The Good Doctor for seven seasons has the capacity to embrace these more authentic narratives, fostering a more inclusive and representative media landscape for all.
