When The Good Doctor premiered, audiences were introduced to a medical drama unlike any other. But what truly set it apart wasn’t just its high-stakes surgeries or complex hospital politics—it was a single scene in the very first episode that resonated so deeply, millions of viewers were left in tears. At the heart of it all was Freddie Highmore’s unforgettable portrayal of Dr. Shaun Murphy, a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome.
The episode begins with a soft-spoken Shaun preparing to leave his small town for a job interview at San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital. But it’s during a layover at the airport that the series delivers a gut-punch of emotion. A young boy is severely injured by a falling glass sign, and panic spreads as airport staff and passengers react in confusion. In the middle of the chaos, Shaun calmly springs into action.
What elevates this moment beyond typical TV heroism is the contrast between society’s assumptions and Shaun’s quiet capability. Onlookers and airport staff look at him with skepticism, some even disdain. “Is he even a doctor?” someone mutters. It’s a painful but accurate reflection of how society often views those who are neurologically different. And yet, Shaun doesn’t flinch. He stays focused, driven by a pure and unwavering desire to save a life. As the boy is taken away by EMTs, Shaun is detained by security, questioned like a criminal for trying to help. It’s in the following boardroom scene that the emotional weight fully lands. Hospital president Dr. Glassman passionately defends Shaun to the skeptical board, revealing his traumatic childhood and the reasons he believes in Shaun.
“He saw his brother die,” Glassman says. “He saw a rabbit get torn apart by a dog. And now he wants to become a surgeon, because he wants to make sure no one else ever dies when they could have been saved.” This backstory is delivered with such sincerity and sorrow that it pierces through the screen. Shaun’s motivation isn’t just about talent. It’s about pain, memory, and the desperate need to do good. That combination of vulnerability and determination is what makes Shaun Murphy one of the most compelling characters on television today.
Freddie Highmore, best known at the time for Bates Motel and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, brings Shaun to life with remarkable restraint. There is no overacting, no clichéd portrayal of autism. Instead, we see micro-expressions, subtle tics, and a highly nuanced internal world that unfolds slowly as the series progresses. In this first episode, we get just a taste—but it’s enough to hook even the most skeptical viewer.
What’s more, this episode sparked a global conversation about autism, inclusion, and representation in media. Viewers from all over the world took to social media to share how the show had moved them. Parents of children on the spectrum thanked the creators for portraying someone who looked and acted like their kids. Medical professionals praised the show’s dedication to accuracy and emotional storytelling. In retrospect, it’s clear that Season 1, Episode 1 of The Good Doctor did more than introduce a new series. It changed lives. It forced viewers to reconsider their biases. And it gave Freddie Highmore a platform to demonstrate some of the finest acting on network television.
