In Monday’s episode of *The Good Doctor*—the final new episode until spring 2022—Dr. Shaun Murphy reaches his breaking point due to a series of avoidable events.
The episode kicks off with Dr. Glassman’s storyline. During the fall finale, Glassman, the hospital’s president, is seen discussing plans with a realtor to sell his house and move to Montana. However, his plans are disrupted when his ex-wife Ilana (played by Ann Cusack from *The Boys*) arrives, asking him to oversee her current husband’s critical medical case. What was initially believed to be Lewy Body Dementia is discovered to be a tumor pressing on his carotid artery, mimicking those symptoms. After successfully removing the tumor, Glassman and Ilana have a heartfelt conversation about their late daughter Maddie. Ilana, who once felt Glassman had replaced Maddie with Shaun, now understands the profound impact Shaun has had on her ex-husband’s life. She urges Glassman to stay in San Jose to remain close to Shaun, saying, “He makes you better.”
Meanwhile, Lea confronts Shaun about altering his patient satisfaction scores. Despite her apology, Shaun is unwilling to forgive her.
The episode also features a poignant Case of the Week involving a pregnant car accident victim. Due to complications, the baby must be delivered surgically, but an expired medication administered to the preemie leads to the baby’s death. Dr. Lim angrily confronts Salen about the fatal error, which resulted from Ethicure’s cost-cutting measures. Salen advises Lim to exercise “discretion” until a thorough investigation is completed, meaning the baby’s mother will be kept in the dark about the cause of death until she can consult Ethicure’s legal team.
In the final scene, Shaun storms into St. Bonaventure’s pharmacy, smashing vials of expired medication. Despite Lea’s attempts to calm him and assure him that the situation isn’t his fault, Shaun is overwhelmed with anger—not just about the expired medication but also about Lea’s betrayal and Glassman’s departure. Shaun’s frustration culminates in him declaring, “I cannot trust you! And I cannot marry you!” as he crumples their wedding venue contract.
When Glassman arrives, Shaun is hyperventilating and accuses him of being a “bad best man and a terrible mentor,” lamenting that Glassman promised never to abandon him. Shaun believes that if Glassman had been running the hospital, the baby’s death could have been avoided. As Shaun collapses to the ground in distress, Glassman sits beside him, comforting him with the words, “I’m here. I got you.” Shaun accepts his embrace, continuing to cry, while Lea silently picks up the crumpled wedding contract.
*The Good Doctor* will return for Season 5 this spring. In the interim, new drama *Promised Land* will take over the Mondays-at-10/9c time slot starting January 24.
