World
How ‘The Good Doctor’ Series Finale Handled the Death of [SPOILER] — and Took Shape After a ‘Downsized’ Season 7
![How ‘The Good Doctor’ Series Finale Handled the Death of [SPOILER] — and Took Shape After a ‘Downsized’ Season 7](https://variety.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TheGoodDoctor.MAIN_.jpg?w=1000&h=563&crop=1 "How ‘The Good Doctor’ Series Finale Handled the Death of [SPOILER] — and Took Shape After a ‘Downsized’ Season 7")
Spoiler Alert: The following interview discusses events from “The Good Doctor” series finale “Goodbye,” streaming on Hulu as of May 22.
If you’re looking for the right prescription for a solid series finale consisting of high emotional stakes, happy and sad tearful moments followed by a big dose of hope, then “The Good Doctor” delivered on all of those elements in Tuesday’s series finale, which wrapped up seven seasons on ABC.
The drama, which premiered on September 20, 2017, followed the journey of autistic surgeon Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore) as he grew from surgical resident not only to being a successful doctor at San Jose’s St. Bonaventure Hospital, but also a husband, father and friend to the colleagues he worked with over the years. In the series, created by David Shore and developed from the 2013 South Korean drama “Good Doctor,” Shaun’s autism often saw him face conflicts in which he was torn between logic and emotion with the show’s finale digging deep once again into that arena.
In the episode, Shaun is faced with two of his closest friends – mentor and father figure Dr. Aaron Glassman (Richard Schiff) and returning friend Dr. Claire Browne (Antonia Thomas, who left the series as a regular after its fourth season) – facing life or death situations that Shaun felt the utmost responsibility to solve. This dramatic situation for Shaun drove the show’s final hour, as the last few episodes efficiently locked down happy endings for several cast members like colleagues Dr. Morgan Reznick (Fiona Gubelmann) and Dr. Alex Park (Will Yun Lee) finally being wed in last week’s episode.
Shore and executive producer Liz Friedman helped us dissect the show’s last episode, including how the shortened 10-episode final season impacted its conclusion, why Claire was the past cast member they chose to bring back and how they handled the death of Glassman in the episode — while keeping an upbeat end.
Once you found out the show would be ending after Season 7, did it change the end point you had been thinking about, or did you know this was coming so had time to plan?
Liz Friedman: I had planned for a season ender that either was in the ballpark of something that could wrap it up, or there were certain ideas I had of that if you included this little thread, it could launch into next season. I knew [the show ending] was a possibility. I was trying to keep everyone’s options open for as long as possible. I’m sad the show is ending, but I’m glad that we had enough notice. We were able to adjust, and do a true finale. I’m very happy with how we wrapped up the show.
Were there any adjustments you needed to do just because of the writers strike, with fewer episodes for the season?
Friedman: No, that was not in the planning. I mean, part of going through the writers strike was a repeated calculation of how many episodes we could do if it ended next week. And it was hard, honestly, because even when we came back, we had the ability to do 15 [episodes]. ABC initially said, no, we only want 13 and then that number got reduced to 10. But we figured it out, and downsized our story to make it work for that many episodes.
Did either of you go back and watch the pilot in preparation for this final episode?
David Shore: Yeah, we did. Liz watched right away, and told me I should watch it, too. I was going to watch it anyways, but she just said, “Yeah, it’s really good.”
Friedman: We had also watched it for when we did “The Good Lawyer” spinoff [last year]. There are definitely moments that refer back to [the pilot]. Honestly, it was a bit of an accident, but we came up with the story, and then I took a look at the Season 1 finale, which was really about Shaun learning that Glassman had cancer. And those two stories speak to each other quite a bit in a way that really pleases me. It really gives a very good measure of Shaun’s progress over the course of these seven years.
How much did Freddie Highmore weigh in on the finale and how things wrapped up? Was he involved with a lot of the choices?
Friedman: Freddie’s great in that. Over the past few years, I talked to him as I get the next section of stories and I talk him through what’s coming, and he’s a writer’s dream audience. He says, “Oh, that sounds good,” and then he throws in a, “Oh, that sort of reminds me of this…” He’s such a dream to work with. We would go through every script with him, and he asks us about any things he wants to change. And almost every change he wants to make makes the script better.
As a viewer, the show’s true love story is Shaun and Glassman, especially with how that relationship has unfolded and where it ends up in at the end of Season 7. Has that always been in the forefront of your minds, as well?
Shore: Certainly that relationship has been absolutely essential to the show from day one, and it was the one constant to the show throughout, adding to the sadness at the end. But it’s very much a father-son relationship, and we were aware of that right from the beginning and we wanted to play that out to the end. The role of a father and handing that off, and getting your child ready for the world.
Let’s talk about the finale with this conundrum that Shaun is in with the lives of both Glassman and Claire at precarious points. Can you talk about crafting that story?
Friedman: We found this medical story about microphages, and that seemed like a very interesting one to tell. From there, we had been thinking about the idea of having Claire return, and that we’ll have her come back for a relatively mundane medical procedure in [the May 14 episode] and then it will fan into this great mystery in the second [episode]. That worked very well to have Claire at the center of both a dramatic medical story, but also have her comment on all the change that’s happened in these people she’s known.
The Glassman story that we were going to have his cancer come back had been brewing for a while. What ended up working out really nicely was to be able to have the finale and have the two patients be characters that were a key part of our cast. That really allowed us to just keep the focus on what the audience wants, rather than trying to introduce an outside patient.
There are a lot of people from the show’s past that you could have brought back. Did you consider bringing some other people back, and how did you settle on Claire?
Friedman: There had been talk about bringing another character back that wasn’t possible, and that really sort of set up that it should be clear and we should really focus on Claire. Although, Perez [Brandon Larracuente] does make an appearance at the end.
Shore: But we didn’t want it to just be somebody coming in for a cameo and saying goodbye. We wanted to bring them back and utilize them properly.
It was a nice twist that Glassman steps in to do this unapproved procedure to save Claire so Shaun wouldn’t have to jeopardize his career. But would you say he’s saving Shaun one more time, or is he thanking Shaun for everything he’s done for him? I kept going back and forth on that.
Friedman: How did you see it, David?
Shore: He’s doing one last gesture for Shaun. Shaun cannot give up being a doctor. Shaun deserves to be a doctor. We wanted Shaun to be ready to fully sacrifice himself and we wanted Glassman to recognize, ‘no, I have to sacrifice myself for Shaun.’
How about you, Liz?
Friedman: Yeah, much the same. I think it’s definitely a mitzvah because what Shaun has accomplished is quite amazing and Glassman has been a key part of that. So this was really a sacrifice that allows Shaun to keep utilizing a pretty miraculous gift that he has in terms of his ability as a doctor.
Shore: I should add that, speaking of thanks, there was more dialogue in that scene at one point and it all worked very nicely, but in editing it all just got boiled down to the thank you. Shaun has so much to thank Glassman for, and they’ve reached a point that they had trouble reaching where Shaun is no longer fighting against Glassman. He’s just accepting Glassman.
Friedman: You can tell that David has moved into director mode, because he’s advocating for less words, but I totally agree. In fact, I was the one who said, “I think we should just make it that — that’s all we have to say.”
Was there ever a scenario when you thought you might have more episodes or more time and would actually see Glassman die and you could do the funeral? Or was that never something you wanted to touch?
Friedman: In a different scenario where there are more seasons of the show? Yeah, I would say that’s distinctly a possibility.
Shore: I remember thinking on the day when we were doing that carousel and that moment where Shaun’s alone on the carousel. It was about Glassman dying but the larger thing was about the end of the relationship and that Shaun is going to be OK. We shot at that carousel many seasons ago.
Shaun in the future giving a TED Talk was a great way to start seeing where he and everyone else end up. How did that scenario come to the episode?
Shore: I don’t know where it started from, but I know it wasn’t me. I just heard about it. That’s a good idea.
Friedman: I actually think it came out of when Freddie and I were talking at one point. It was before they had decided that it was going to end at 10 [episodes], but it had started to form in our minds of what would the ending be? And Freddie talked about Shaun standing up and giving a speech and he talked about it in the context of it being a nod to the pilot, that there’s that whole great section in in the boardroom. Glassman gives this great speech, and ultimately Shaun gives his great speech.
From that, I was thinking about speeches and trying to think about a context that suggested where Shaun had landed [in the future] and then I said, “Oh, OK, it’s a TED talk.” What I think is interesting is then independently, David came up with the idea of Shaun going back to the room where he did, in fact, that speech in the pilot, so that all the roads kept connecting to the beginning.
The names that are scrolling as Shaun is giving the TED talk, were those actual patient names from the show, or was there another significance to those names?
Shore: Actual patient names from scripts past. We did 126 episodes, so there’s a theoretically 1500 names on that list.
Friedman: And the first name that comes up, Adam, that’s the boy Shaun saved in the pilot.
In the last moments, after the TED talk and the entire cast has gathered and embracing, was that the last scene you shot for the show?
Shore: I wish it had been, in some ways, but we would have never gotten through the day. So scheduling stuff prevented that, but we were well aware of it as we were shooting it, and it was a rough time in that regard anyways. But it was lovely. It was actually really nice.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
new video loaded: Blinken Discusses Syria’s Future on Unannounced Visit to Iraq
transcript
transcript
Blinken Discusses Syria’s Future on Unannounced Visit to Iraq
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said he talked with Iraq’s prime minister about the situation in Syria, including efforts to encourage Syria to transition to an inclusive, non-sectarian government.
-
We spent time talking about, understandably, the situation in Syria and the conviction of so many countries in the region and beyond, that as Syria transitions from the Assad dictatorship to hopefully a democracy, it does so in a way that of course, protects all of the minorities in Syria, that produces an inclusive, non-sectarian government and does not become in any way a platform for terrorism. We are determined to make sure that Daesh cannot re-emerge. The United States, Iraq together had tremendous success in taking away the territorial caliphate that Daesh had created years ago, and now, having put Daesh back in its box, we can’t let it out. And we’re determined to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Recent episodes in Middle East Crisis
World
Woman arrested for attempting to smuggle 22 pounds of meth wrapped as Christmas gifts in carry-on bag
Observant officers in a New Zealand airport unwrapped $2 million worth of methamphetamine wrapped as Christmas presents that a Canadian woman attempted to conceal.
The woman, 29, arrived at Auckland International Airport in New Zealand on a flight from Vancouver on December 8 carrying the illicit drugs in her carry-on bag, according to a release from the New Zealand Customs Service.
FLORIDA MAN WHO WAS HALF-NAKED, ‘HIGH ON METH’ BREAKS INTO HOME, GRABS CARPET CLEANER
Upon landing, officers questioned the woman and searched her carry-on duffle bag, where they discovered more than 22 pounds of methamphetamine concealed beneath brightly wrapped snowflake wrapping paper.
A Canadian woman was arrested and is facing drug importation and possession charges after she allegedly attempted to smuggle pounds of methamphetamine wrapped as Christmas presents in her carry-on bag. (New Zealand Customs Service)
Officials say the Canadian national’s bag contained the equivalent of more than $2 million U.S. dollars worth of the illicit drug.
MORE THAN $31M OF METH CONCEALED IN SHIPMENT OF PEPPERS SEIZED AT TEXAS-MEXICO BORDER
The woman, 29, arrived at Auckland International Airport in New Zealand on a flight from Vancouver on December 8. (New Zealand Customs Service)
Auckland Airport Manager Paul Williams called the incident a “classic attempt by transnational organized criminal groups” at exploiting the busy travel season.
BRITISH WOMAN BUSTED AT LOS ANGELES AIRPORT WITH METH-SOAKED T-SHIRTS: POLICE
“But a busy airport does not mean Customs is not focused on or paying attention to anyone who may pose a drug risk,” Williams said in a statement. “The airport teams are made up of vigilant officers who are intently focused on catching those trying to bring harm to New Zealand.”
Officials say the bag contained the equivalent of more than $2 million U.S. dollars worth of the drug. (New Zealand Customs Service)
The woman has since appeared in district court on charges of importation and possession for supply of a Class A controlled drug, officers noted.
“More collaborative work is being done with our Canadian partners to disrupt criminal gangs and the importation of drugs, including through the passenger stream,” Williams told Fox News Digital in an email. “As this is part of an ongoing investigation, Customs would not release further information for operational reasons.”
Authorities said the woman has been taken into custody.
Seoul, South Korea – South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol is set to face a second impeachment motion in the National Assembly on Saturday, just a week after a previous attempt by the political opposition fell short.
The stakes are high following Yoon’s controversial declaration of martial law on December 3, which triggered nationwide protests and heightened uncertainty for Asia’s fourth-largest economy.
For the latest impeachment motion to succeed, it must secure at least 200 votes – a two-thirds majority – in South Korea’s 300-seat National Assembly.
The opposition bloc holds 192 seats, leaving it eight votes short of the number required.
However, in recent days, a small yet growing number of legislators from Yoon’s governing People Power Party have openly supported the motion, making impeachment increasingly more likely.
In a defiant televised address on Thursday, Yoon dismissed the idea of voluntary resignation, stressing, “Whether they impeach me or investigate me, I will stand firm.”
What happens if Yoon is impeached?
If the National Assembly passes the impeachment motion, a series of legal and constitutional processes will unfold, starting with the official delivery of the impeachment resolution from the National Assembly to the President’s Office and the Constitutional Court.
From that moment, Yoon’s presidential powers will be suspended. He will still retain the title and some privileges associated with the presidency, including the presidential residence, and continued security protection.
During this period, South Korea’s prime minister will assume the role of acting president under Article 71 of the Constitution.
However, the opposition is also considering impeaching Prime Minister Han Duck-soo in connection with his possible role in the martial law declaration. If Han is impeached, too, the deputy prime minister for the economy would take over as acting president.
The acting president will handle essential duties such as military command, issuing decrees, and managing state matters.
While the Constitution does not clearly limit the scope of an acting president’s authority, precedent suggests powers should be limited to maintaining the status quo rather than initiating major policy changes.
Review at the Constitutional Court
The impeachment process then moves to the Constitutional Court, where justices will review the case to determine whether Yoon’s removal is justified.
At least six out of the nine justices must support the motion for it to be upheld.
However, only six justices currently sit on the bench, meaning Yoon needs just one supportive ruling to survive the impeachment attempt.
The three vacant seats are positions that the National Assembly can nominate. While legislators are now rushing to fill those seats, the president has the final authority to approve the appointments, raising the possibility of delays or rejections.
The court is required to issue its decision within 180 days of receiving the case. The Constitutional Court took 63 days to rule on former President Roh Moo-hyun’s impeachment in 2004 and 91 days for former President Park Geun-hye’s case in 2016.
Yoon’s potential legal defence
Yoon’s speech on Thursday appeared to preview his defence strategy should the case reach the Constitutional Court.
He is likely to argue that declaring martial law was within his constitutional powers and did not constitute an illegal act or an insurrection.
He framed the martial law declaration as a “highly political decision” falling under the president’s powers, which are “not subject to judicial review”.
Yoon insisted that his decision was an “emergency appeal to the public” amid what he described as a severe political crisis, which he blamed on the opposition-controlled National Assembly.
Constitutional Court’s ruling
If the court upholds the impeachment, Yoon will be removed from office.
He will lose privileges afforded to former presidents, such as pensions and personal aides, though he will continue to receive security protection.
A presidential election must then be held within 60 days to elect a new leader.
If the impeachment is rejected, Yoon will be reinstated as president and resume his duties.
Separate investigations
Even if he survives the second impeachment bid, Yoon still faces criminal investigations.
Although a sitting president enjoys immunity from criminal prosecution, this protection does not extend to charges of insurrection.
Multiple investigative agencies, including the police, the prosecution, and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, are investigating senior officials and military commanders on charges of insurrection.
This means that Yoon could potentially be arrested, which would mark the first such case involving a sitting president in South Korea.
N.H. housing crisis: How Governor-elect Kelly Ayotte says she’ll tackle it – The Boston Globe
What we know about the drones spotted in New Jersey and other states
Economic, quantum experts urge New Mexico to lead in quantum advancement
Nick Saban warns Bill Belichick of ‘biggest challenge’ he will face at North Carolina
Obituary for Joseph F. Zahradka at Tollefson Funeral Home
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene was ‘kicked out’ of the Freedom Caucus according to Rep. Buck
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
US swaps prisoners with China, releasing 3 convicted spies
Will South Korea’s President Yoon survive second impeachment motion?
Supreme Court to consider whether Catholic group is exempt from religious taxes
Canadian premier threatens to cut off energy imports to US if Trump imposes tariff on country
Palestinian president meets with Italian counterpart in Rome
-
Technology6 days agoStruggling to hear TV dialogue? Try these simple fixes
-
Business4 days agoOpenAI's controversial Sora is finally launching today. Will it truly disrupt Hollywood?
-
World1 week agoBrussels denies knowledge of Reynders's alleged money laundering
-
Science1 week agoAll raw milk from Fresno dairy farm will be cleared from store shelves; cows have bird flu
-
News1 week agoRead Representative Jerrold Nadler’s Letter
-
Politics1 week agoOklahoma measure seeks to make school district superintendents an elected position
-
Science1 week agoHow the FDA allows companies to add secret ingredients to our food
-
World1 week agoAt least 50 people killed in Israeli strikes on homes, camps in Gaza