As fans prepare to say goodbye to The Good Doctor after seven seasons, it looks like a former attendant at San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital is coming back for an unexpected reason.
Ahead of the ABC drama’s series finale on May 21, fans got a first look at what’s to come with the penultimate episode, titled “Unconditional” and set to air on May 14. In a promo that aired on YouTube on May 7, viewers saw Dr. Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore) get a surprise visitor from none other than Dr. Claire Browne (Antonia Thomas). While she at first seems thrilled to see her former colleague and friend, she’s there for a specific reason: she has breast cancer. As she and Shaun speak with his wife Lea Dilallo (Paige Spara) about an initial negative biopsy of a lump in her breast, further testing confirmed she indeed does have the disease.
“[The biopsy] was wrong,” Shaun states as Claire undergoes additional tests at San Jose St. Bonaventure. “Claire has breast cancer.”
Upon seeing Claire’s return to The Good Doctor, fans couldn’t believe how her new storyline folds into the final season.
“I’m glad Claire is back for the finale. It’s perfect for me. Whatever the problems are, Shaun will save her,” one person wrote on YouTube. “Wow 😮 I hope Claire survives,” another remarked. “I’m [happy] to see Dr. Brown again before the series finale. I’m not ready for this end yet,” a different viewer added.
As fans of the medical drama remember, Claire was an essential part of the San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital team throughout the show’s first four seasons. She later accepted a job in Guatemala, which saw the character exit the series in a regular capacity. While she later appeared for two episodes in season 5, this marks her final turn on the show, just as it wraps up.
So, what can fans expect from the penultimate episode, other than Claire’s breast cancer diagnosis? According to an official press release from ABC, “Unconditional” will also see Dr. Aaron Glassman (Richard Schiff) struggle to assist Hannah (Ruby Kelley) with her addiction to Oxycodone, while Dr. Alex Park (Will Yun Lee) is on the hunt for the perfect wedding venue at the last minute.
