The Good Doctor is a medical drama that has been on ABC since 2017. It follows the story of Dr. Shaun Murphy, a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome, as he navigates his new life in a prestigious hospital's surgical unit. The show has been a hit on ABC, with 7 seasons and counting. If you’re looking for the best episodes of The Good Doctor, here are some episodes that have been ranked by fans.
One of the best episodes of The Good Doctor according to fans is the season 2 finale called "Heartfelt". In this episode, Shaun and Lea are tasked with repairing a young girl's heart. However, the surgery proves to be a challenge and Shaun is forced to make a difficult decision. This episode is a gripping, emotional finale that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
Another great episode of The Good Doctor is season 5 episode 8, titled "Facing the Music". In this episode, Shaun and the rest of the team are forced to confront the consequences of their past decisions. As the team deals with the repercussions, Shaun must confront his own guilt and learn to accept responsibility for his actions. This episode is a powerful exploration of human emotion and the importance of accountability.
Written by Sophie and last updated on apr 10, 2024.
PS: The following content contains spoilers!
PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!
After Dr. Shaun Murphy treats a patient who is a social influencer, he deals with unwanted attention. Meanwhile, the team treats a woman who is in abdominal distress after an at-home fecal transplant; and Dr. Carly Lever’s efforts to separate Shaun from Lea are challenged.
The episode was rated 7.74 from 1437 votes.
While performing his first solo surgery, Dr. Shaun Murphy alienates a nurse, which puts his residency in jeopardy. Dr. Neil Melendez disagrees with Dr. Audrey Lim on a risky surgery. Dr. Claire Brown spirals into self-destructive behaviors, causing negative ramifications in the workplace.
The episode was rated 7.75 from 1569 votes.
Dr. Shaun Murphy proposes a radical surgery to save a woman's life after what he believes was a disastrous first date with Carly. Meanwhile, after the new chief of surgery, Dr. Audrey Lim, announces that the residents can lead surgeries, Dr. Morgan Reznick and Dr. Alex Park compete for the chance to operate on an elderly patient who has been diagnosed with cancer.
The episode was rated 7.78 from 1863 votes.
Following his father's death, Shaun must deal with the effects his intimacy with Lea will have on his relationship with Carly; the team operates on a patient who is refusing all anesthesia during surgery for fear of relapsing.
The episode was rated 7.78 from 1479 votes.
The Good Doctor's episode "Sex and Death" follows a terminal cancer patient who is determined to live his remaining few months without inhibition. This includes seeking honest sex advice from his co-worker and friend, Shaun. Meanwhile, Dr. Reznik must confront her relationship with her mother who comes to the hospital for a third opinion from Dr. Glassman.
The episode had a funny tone, and included a big parade for Carly, one of Shaun's co-workers and friends. The support that Shaun and the other co-workers had for one another was evident, and it was heartwarming to see that Shaun was willing to be honest with the patient about sex. The episode ended with a silent happiness, leaving viewers with a feeling of joy.
The episode was rated 7.78 from 1413 votes.
The Good Doctor episode Unsaid was full of drama and emotion, with the team treating a young boy born without a fully formed trachea and unable to speak. Shaun is hopeful that Carly is truly fine with his friendship with Lea, despite everyone else’s doubts. However, some viewers found this episode too full of drama and felt that the show should return to its medical roots.
The episode also revealed that there were two different complaints leveled at Dr. Melendez, something which surprised some viewers. It became increasingly clear that Shaun had a strong connection with Lea, something that Carly was very patient and understanding of. Despite this, many viewers felt that Lea and Shaun were a better match, and some viewers were sad for Carly.
The episode was rated 7.80 from 1388 votes.
In this episode of The Good Doctor, Claire and Shaun treat a patient with a rare form of dwarfism, while Reznick, Lim and Park treat a young man who had both arms torn off in a previous farming accident. Shaun's reaction to an emotional situation caused by the latter situation leaves fans divided.
Many viewers are sympathetic towards Shaun and feel that his approach to life makes it challenging for him to handle any kind of emotional relationship. They also feel sympathy for Lea, who hasn't done anything to deserve the blame that Carly has placed on her. Fans also commend Freddie Highmore's powerful performance, noting that it really grabs the viewers.
On the other hand, some viewers feel that Shaun's attitude is unacceptable and that any person, autistic or not, who would behave like him would be fired right away. They are thinking of dropping the show after this season unless there is some drastic improvement in the last couple of episodes.
The episode was rated 7.81 from 1390 votes.
In the episode Mutations of the medical drama The Good Doctor, the hospital staff must treat a 25-year-old runner suffering from severe swelling. Additionally, two 16-year-old cancer patients are dating and the doctors must help them navigate their relationship. Dr. Shaun Murphy and Dr. Carly Lever also work towards intimacy.
The episode was well-received by viewers with many commenting on the mack daddy that is Shaun. They also found the prom set up in the hospital very sweet, despite the sad ending of one of the cancer patients. Viewers were also amused by the joy on Shaun's face after he lost his virginity. While some were skeptical of the hospitals allowing a prom in the hospital, others acknowledged that hospitals do not usually take into consideration personal problems.
The episode was rated 7.81 from 1433 votes.
The episode begins with Shaun's emotional confession to Lea, which may not have the outcome he had hoped for. Lea's response to his confession is a difficult one for Shaun to accept, as it reveals her own wants and needs in a relationship. Despite the fact that Shaun is autistic, Lea is not obligated to give up her own wants and needs just to please him. Both parties deserve happiness and comfortability in a relationship, and if Lea does not want to compromise in order to make Shaun happy, it is entirely understandable.
At the same time, Shaun's obsession with performing an autopsy on a Jane Doe challenges his relationships with the hospital staff. His insistence on performing the autopsy tests the patience of his colleagues, and his refusal to give up on the case shows his determination and commitment to his profession. Despite the difficulties he faces, Shaun perseveres and is ultimately successful.
The episode was rated 7.82 from 1407 votes.
In episode one of The Good Doctor, titled "First Case, Second Base," Dr. Shaun Murphy is assigned his first surgery by Dr. Audrey Lim, but Dr. Marcus Andrews questions whether he is really ready. Meanwhile, as Dr. Claire Brown continues to avoid her complicated emotions about her mother, she and Dr. Morgan Reznick have a patient whose diagnosis has them doubting his story.
The episode ends with a memorable exchange between Dr. Shaun Murphy and Dr. Glassman. In response to Dr. Glassman's worries about having a gun in his house, Shaun ask if Debbie has let him touch her breast and then tells him not to worry about anything else. This conversation gets mixed reactions from viewers, some of whom find it too unstable, while others find it adorable. Additionally, some viewers feel that Claire needs to get laid in order to move on from her complicated emotions.
The episode was rated 7.82 from 1656 votes.
In this episode of The Good Doctor, Dr. Marcus Andrews is determined to help a good Samaritan who was injured while stopping a sexual assault. Meanwhile, Dr. Audrey Lim is faced with a difficult choice when the parents of a young patient suspect that Dr. Neil Melendez made a mistake. Dr. Shaun Murphy is also taking advice following his disastrous date with Dr. Carly Lever, and Dr. Claire Browne gets an unexpected visit from her mother.
The episode offers a comedic moment when Shaun takes Dr. Glassman's suggestion of a casual date literally by bringing Carly a bag of chips and a couch. While it may not have been the most romantic of dates, it goes to show that you don't need to spend a lot to have a good time.
The episode was rated 7.88 from 1770 votes.
In the episode "Friends and Family" of The Good Doctor, Shaun visits his father on his deathbed and the family reunion reveals unexpected results. On the other hand, Melendez, Park, Reznick and Claire treat an injured star NFL player with severe spinal damage. In addition, Claire addresses her mental health.
Overall, viewers of the show have commented on the episode being an emotional one, with many of them feeling closure. They have also praised the brilliant acting from everyone and brought attention to the fact that they can't show medical miracles but need to have plotlines. Moreover, some viewers have speculated that Shaun might be more connected with Lea than with Carly.
The episode was rated 7.89 from 1529 votes.
The Good Doctor's episode “Claire” follows Dr. Claire Brown as she faces both personal and professional challenges. As she prepares to lead her first surgery, the staff is faced with a unique challenge when a sports fisherman is injured but his prized catch must be saved. This episode has been praised as the best one of the season, with a memorable ending that some found lacking in impact.
The episode follows a roller coaster of emotion, with the surprise introduction of Dr. Wilson being a welcome one. Claire's mother's relapse is meant to be a reaction to the good things that happen in Claire's life, but some viewers felt the event lacked impact and came across as a cop-out. Despite this, the episode is still a fantastic effort from everyone involved and is sure to be remembered for a long time.
The episode was rated 7.90 from 1728 votes.
In the episode "Hurt" from The Good Doctor, the city of San Jose is thrown into chaos as a massive earthquake strikes, testing the resilience of the staff at St. Bonaventure Hospital. With the ground trembling beneath their feet, the doctors and nurses must swiftly evaluate the extent of the damage and ensure the safety of everyone within the hospital walls. The gripping intensity of the situation keeps viewers on the edge of their seats as the race against time unfolds.
As Dr. Neil Melendez and Dr. Aaron Glassman find themselves at a charity event when the earthquake hits, their lives are suddenly in jeopardy. The unexpected turn of events not only puts their own lives at risk but also adds a layer of tension to an already dire situation. The intertwining of personal and professional challenges creates a compelling narrative that keeps the audience engaged throughout the episode.
Amidst the chaos and uncertainty caused by the earthquake, viewers are left hanging on a nail-biting cliffhanger that leaves them eager for the next installment. The unexpected twists and emotional stakes make this episode a standout, showcasing the resilience and bravery of the characters in the face of adversity. With a mix of heart-pounding moments and poignant storytelling, "Hurt" delivers a gripping narrative that resonates with audiences, especially during times of real-world challenges.
The episode was rated 7.98 from 1425 votes.
The second episode of The Good Doctor, titled "I Love You (2)," is a heart-wrenching episode that shows the staff of St. Bonaventure Hospital working against time and their own safety to save the lives of those around them. Fans are left reeling from the heartbreaking death of Neil, who was thought to be the potential love interest of Claire. Dr. Park is shown to be incredibly compassionate and wise, and Morgan is shown to be a worthy surgeon. Shaunie and Leeya finally get together after a long time.
The episode is an emotional rollercoaster ride, filled with both good and sad moments. After Melendez's death, viewers are left to wonder what will happen next season when new characters are sure to be added. The episode leaves viewers feeling a wide range of emotions and is considered one of the best episodes of the series.
The episode was rated 8.18 from 1464 votes.
