With 7 seasons under its belt, The Good Doctor has had its fair share of wild storylines. While the show may be well-intentioned by centering on autistic surgeon Dr. Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore), it also doesn’t always boast the best representation. Nonetheless, the hugely popular TV series has cemented its place as a beloved medical drama — even if it has jumped the shark in more than one instance. As mentioned, The Good Doctor follows Dr. Shaun Murphy, who relocates from his rural home to San Jose, California’s prestigious St. Bonaventure Hospital.
Shaun’s mentor, Dr. Aaron Glassman (Richard Schiff), serves as a strong support system, though the young doctor-in-training eventually makes friends with his colleagues, namely Dr. Claire Browne (Antonia Thomas). Despite his abusive childhood, Shaun becomes a promising surgeon. Moreover, although he doesn’t always connect with people in ways they might expect, Shaun learns to navigate life, love, and work, all while challenging the at-times ableist people around him. Again, The Good Doctor might have great intentions — and some solid moments of representation — but the show also features some unbelievably weird and wild moments.
Melendez Dies Of Internal Bleeding After Getting The All-Clear
Season 3, Episode 20, “I Love You”
While The Good Doctor’s legacy will be cemented by other elements of the series, there’s no denying that Dr. Neil Melendez’s (Nicholas Gonzalez) season-three death marked a turning point for the show’s overall quality. One of the most upsetting moments in the series’ history, Melendez is injured during an earthquake. After getting the all-clear, the surgeon’s health suddenly tanks.
Shaun Steals A Box Cutter From TSA & Performs Surgery At An Airport
Season 1, Episode 1, “Burnt Food”
In its pilot episode, The Good Doctor goes all in on a truly wild storyline to illustrate Shaun’s inventive surgical approach. After a young boy, Adam, suffers an accident at the San Jose airport, St. Bonaventure Hospital’s newest surgical resident gets to work. Realizing that Adam’s lung is in distress, Shaun searches for a sharp object.
Shaun’s Father Kills His Pet Rabbit In A Needless Act Of Violence
Season 1, Episode 1, “Burnt Food”
ABC’s The Good Doctor features many emotional character endings, but it also started off at an emotional high point. In the very first episode of the show, Shaun Murphy experiences a harrowing flashback to his childhood. His abusive father, Ethan, berates him for being “different” from the other kids at school.
A Sober Patient Comes Into The Hospital Intoxicated
Season 3, Episode 5, “First Case, Second Base”
In one of season 3’s episodes, The Good Doctor tackles a wild medical case when Morgan and Claire treat a sober patient named Curtis. Despite maintaining his sobriety for six years, Curtis shows up intoxicated at St. Bonaventure Hospital.
A Marlin Gets Stuck In A Patient
Season 3, Episode 3, “Claire”
In another season 3 episode of The Good Doctor, a fishing accident leaves a patient with a marlin sticking out of his leg. To make matters more complicated, the fisherman doesn’t want St. Bon’s surgeons to damage his prize catch. Shamus O’Malley, the man impaled by the marlin, ends up in the fish’s debt.
One Good Doctor Patient Almost Drowns In His Own Fluids
Season 3, Episode 12, “Mutations”
In yet another season 3 outing, several of St. Bon’s surgeons — Shaun, Morgan, Andrews, and Lim — are assigned to treat James, a patient who’s navigating a rare genetic mutation. Unfortunately, James is also suffering from swelling, but his condition makes it nearly impossible to treat the issue
The Good Doctor’s Biohacker Patient
Season 5, Episode 13, “Growing Pains”
In season 5 of The Good Doctor, a teenager named Trent winds up in Asher and Shaun’s care after an infection crops up in one of his fingers. While that’s not wild, the cause is more than a bit cutting-edge: Trent’s infection stems from his many biohacking implants — a kind of body modification process.
Lim & Villanueva Are Stabbed In The Good Doctor Season 5 Finale
Season 5, Episode 18, “Sons”
In The Good Doctor season 5 finale, Shaun and Lea finally tie the knot. In true St. Bon’s fashion, the couple get married on the hospital’s roof, surrounded by their colleagues and coworkers. After the couple exchange vows, The Good Doctor plays a touching montage, accompanied by a speech from Glassman.
In a wild tonal shift, the show then cuts to Lim, who’s walking through the locker room. Soon enough, she comes across nurse Dalisay Villanueva’s body; he’s bleeding on the floor. Lim’s ex-boyfriend appears and stabs her too, leaving Lim and Villanueva bleeding out while everyone else celebrates in The Good Doctor season 5 finale.
