The Good Doctor: Shaun and Lea’s romance teased in trailer
The Good Doctor returned on Monday, November 2, on ABC for the first installation of season four. Dr Shaun Murphy (played by Freddie Highmore) along with the rest of the usual suspects were back for the premiere which was dedicated to exploring the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. There was one face that cropped up that no one expected.
In the series three finale of The Good Doctor, viewers had to say a tearful goodbye to Dr Neil Melendez (Nicholas Gonzalez).
Following the drama of the earthquake, Melendez was struck by rubble and taken to hospital as a precaution.
While laying in the hospital bed, the charming doctor admitted to Dr Claire Browne (Antonia Thomas) that he was in love with her.
Sadly, this was just moments before Melendez died of septic shock, horrifying fans and breaking Claire’s heart.
When Melendez died at the end of season three, it was believed this was going to be the last time actor Gonzalez was seen in the drama.
Little did fans know though that he was going to be brought back for the beginning of series four.
In the episode Frontline Part 1, Claire heard a voice she recognized saying: “things will be okay”.
When the doctor turned around, she saw Melendez standing there, giving Claire the encouragement she needed in that moment.
Unfortunately, Melendez did really die and this was just a figment of Claire’s imagination.
Executive Producer David Shore though believed it was important for the character to get this feeling of support during the pandemic.
Speaking to TV Line, Shore said: “Claire’s storyline is very much about trying to bring solace to people who have lost somebody (and) doing what you can do.
“Melendez is one of those people (for Claire), more than anyone else in our hospital at that moment, given the way we ended last season.”
