The Good Doctor officially ended with the final episode airing in May 2024, with an incredible run over seven seasons. The Good Doctor first aired on ABC in 2017. The show was adapted from a South Korean series which used the same name and followed a similar storyline about a doctor with autism who possesses an incredible aptitude and insight into medical matters. For an American audience, the series was relocated to the US, and adapted by popular TV writer, David Shore.
While the original show in South Korea ran for a total of 20 episodes, the American version saw great success early on, leading to the show being renewed again and again. After seven seasons and 126 episodes, it’s worth looking back and determining where each season ranked in terms of quality. From humble beginnings as Dr. Shaun Murphy attempted to settle into life at San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital, to the emotional finale which saw the pieces of his life finally falling into place.
Season 6
Beginning with the least well-received season of the pack, by the time the show had reached its sixth season, it suffered the same as many other shows which see a huge ratings drop off over time. The Good Doctor season 6 saw Shaun’s life undergo some pretty significant changes. Between his new role as a resident at the hospital, and Lea becoming pregnant once again, there is a fair amount of drama and conflict to dig into within the season. However, season 6 also has most of the original cast missing from the show.
Shaun’s best friend, Claire Brown, is missing. Neil died at the end of season 3 and is thus missing here, and the show just feels like it loses some of the spark that made it so compelling to start with. Of course, actors come and go, and TV shows have to find clever ways to work around this and explore new narratives with new characters, but the relationships formed by Shaun are central to the story, and season 6 leaning so much into needing to establish new relationships ended up feeling tired and repetitive.
Season 4
The Good Doctor season 4 is a big step up in terms of quality and storytelling from season 6. While Shaun and Lea have flirted with the idea of a relationship for much of the show, they finally commit to one another and begin to explore a relationship. At the same time, th pandemic sweeps over the world, and forces them apart. Outside of Shaun’s love life, work has never been more stressful and complicated, as the hospital suffers from a cyberattack. However, while the drama is high, the stakes do not feel like they accurately reflect it.
With some other medical dramas, either the procedural stories need to be independently compelling week to week, or major plot moments should change the dynamics by the time a show gets to its fourth season. The Good Doctor does manage to effectively do this to some degree, but the series is definitely beginning to lose some of the luster that made it stand out over the first three seasons. Fortunately, the cast and crew are fantastic and dynamic to such a degree that it makes up for struggling and stalling story ideas.
Season 5
While The Good Doctor season 5 did see some characters take a step back from roles on the show, with Claire appearing in a reduced capacity and others leaving, there was a positive shift to focusing on some of the remaining characters, like Lim, Reznick and Park. Shaun and Lea get engaged, and the season is generally more fun and upbeat than some of the others. Season 5 ends with Shaun and Lea getting married, which is hugely satisfying after so many seasons building toward their relationship.
This season also features prominent moments for Dr. Glassman, who is Shaun’s advocate and mentor at the hospital. Part way through the season, Glassman is visited by his ex-wife, and this creates even more conflict that keeps him occupied and unable to aid Shaun as he deals with his own struggles. It can feel repetitive in places, with some of the older dynamics simply being recycled here rather than progressing, with even Shaun and Lea having a brief conflict and breakup, before resolving their issues once again.
Season 7
The final season of The Good Doctor was a mixed bag in terms of content, but it did have some incredibly bright spots that earned it a ranking above the previous three seasons. Much of the season explores dangerous complications for major characters from the show, such as Dr. Glassman and Claire Browne. And while it is great to have Claire back for a guest role, the situation makes it hard to celebrate the moment as it appears she is being brought in more for a shock factor than a proper reunion. However, the final episode is largely a triumph.
