Season 4, Episode 1, of The Good Doctor delivers a gut-wrenching moment as Shaun Murphy faces the loss of his mentor, Dr. Glassman. Freddie Highmore’s portrayal of Shaun’s grief is hauntingly real, his face a canvas of shock and sorrow. In a quiet hospital room, Shaun processes the unimaginable, his hands fidgeting as he tries to make sense of a world without guidance. Highmore’s subtle shifts—from denial to anguish—capture the depth of Shaun’s bond with Glassman, a father figure who believed in him when no one else did.
When Shaun whispers, “I need you,” the words carry the weight of a son’s heartbreak, and Highmore’s trembling breath pulls us into his pain. This scene is a testament to The Good Doctor’s ability to weave personal loss into its medical drama, and Highmore ensures we mourn alongside Shaun. For Shaun, whose autism amplifies his struggle to process emotions, this loss is a seismic shift, yet Highmore makes his grief universally relatable.
Shaun’s journey through loss is a recurring theme. In Season 1, Episode 18, he faces a patient’s death that mirrors his own past, and Highmore’s quiet devastation reveals Shaun’s growing empathy. By Season 6, Episode 10, Shaun confronts another personal tragedy, and Highmore’s restrained performance conveys a man learning to carry grief while moving forward. Each moment is a step toward resilience, and Highmore’s authenticity makes Shaun’s pain our own. The Good Doctor reminds us that healing is as much about the soul as the body, and Highmore’s performance is a quiet storm that leaves us in awe.
In the finale, Season 7, Episode 10, Shaun reflects on those he’s lost and saved. Highmore’s soft smile conveys a man who’s found peace, making the moment a celebration of endurance. Stream The Good Doctor on Netflix and witness how Shaun’s heartbreak shapes his legacy. Freddie Highmore’s portrayal is a reminder to cherish those who guide us and to find strength in the face of loss.
