Traditional television shows have continued to captivate and enthrall their audience over the years, however, when it comes to intense dramas set in hospitals, overprescription is impossible. They do a great job in letting us in on what happens in the medical world as it relates to life and living while entertaining us with a mix of drama, comedy, angst and probably a love triangle even with lives in line. ABC’s The Good Doctor takes on a rather bold storyline, illustrating a level of autism that has an impact not just on life, but in everyday things that most people don’t even give thought to.
The show centers on a talented young medical surgeon, Dr. Shaun Murphy who has both autism and savant syndrome. The series is simply phenomenal and the lead character Shaun rules the show with his unique abilities and disabilities.
Consequent of his disabilities, Murphy’s practice as a lifesaver leaves one thousand and one questions on the mind of viewers including the ability of a doctor who is unable to connect with humanity to save his patients’ lives. The answers can be best gotten when we watch the series but in the meantime, we would give you a sneak preview into the series. It has everything that would make you wanting for more. Many have lauded the show for raising awareness of autism as well as for highlighting the fact that disability should never be a barrier to learning and employability.
The Good Doctor is highly captivating and inspiring and leaves you with mixed emotions through each episode. The direction was very subtle yet very conveying. Sometimes, it makes you want to cry, laugh, gets you angry, and at other times, sympathetic and even emphatic that you cannot help but stay glued to the screen.
Now, the question on everyone’s lip is whether the series is coming back for a third season. If yes, what should one expect? Sit back and enjoy this piece as we provide answers to your quest.
Background Details and Synopsis
The medical drama series is based on the 2013 South-Korean award-winning series of the same name. Despite the initial setbacks faced by the show’s executive producer, David Dae Kim who starred in Lost, including failure in getting CBS network to sign a pilot episode in 2015, the series was able to receive a pilot commitment at ABC and was eventually ordered to series in May 2017. A few months later, in September, it debuted on the network and the following month, the series was picked up for a full season of 18 episodes. The creator and producer of the Fox hit medical drama, House, David Shore serves as the showrunner.
The first season met with rave reviews, especially on Highmore’s performance as well as packed on strong television ratings. Thus, it wasn’t surprising but a huge delight for fans of the show when it was renewed for a sophomore season in March 2018. The season premiered on September 24, 2018.
Set in Vancouver, British Columbia, The Good Doctor follows a disabled young surgeon, Dr. Shaun Murphy played by who defies all odds to follow his dream. Born with autism and diagnosed with savant syndrome, he displayed impressively autistic behaviors such as dislike of touch, literal thinking, and actions. He is dislodged from the rest of the world but had to relocate from the quiet country life to join a prestigious highly competitive hospital, St. Bonaventure Hospital’s surgical unit to pursue his dreams and passion.
Nevertheless, he pulls through all the negative and mean people who stood in his way and uses his extraordinary medical gifts to save lives while challenging the skepticism of his colleagues.
Every episode has a new story and it’s amazing how they show the personal lives of the doctors simultaneously. As the series progresses, it turns into reality as it delves much deeper into themes like disability, human emotions, trauma and what not. The show is about heart and gives hope to people with a limitation that they do have a chance to be and do anything they ever dreamed of. It is indeed something more important than a TV show.
The Good Doctor Season 3 Cast
The Good Doctor has come to stay on our screens, and for a long time too if you would agree with me. As such, it would need an extensive list of cast members, both as main and recurring characters and would also feature plenty of guest appearances. But, anything could change in the coming season.
Although a number of casts left the show after the first season such as Chuku Modu and Jessica Preston, plenty of other cast members were promoted to series regulars in season 2 to balance the scales a bit. Some of them include:
Paige Spara, who plays Murphy’s love interest and neighbor, Lea, Will Yun Lee and Fiona Gubelmann as surgical residents, and Christina Chang. Lisa Edelstein joined the show in season 2 as Dr. Blaize, an oncologist who will help treat Dr. Glassman.
Nevertheless, we all know that Freddie Highmore is going nowhere, yet. He is the life of the show with every other cast member including , Nicholas Gonzalez, Hill Harper, Tamlyn Tomita, and Richard Schiff revolving around him.
While we don’t know who to expect in season 3, in the meantime, let’s take a look at their roles.
Freddie Highmore as Dr. Shaun Murphy
Dr. Murphy is one character that challenges the way we look at life, love, pain, disabilities, as well as friendship. The young savant surgical resident lives with the challenges of autism. His portrayal has, however, received mixed to positive review with a few seeing it as somewhat exaggerated and inaccurate, it nonetheless makes you fall in love with him and the story. Besides his on-screen roles, he also serves as a co-producer on the ABC drama series.
His elite performance was nominated for a Golden Globe for best performance by an actor in a television series, drama.
Antonia Thomas as Dr. Claire Browne
Dr. Brown is one of Shaun’s colleagues, and a fellow surgical resident in Dr. Melendez’s team as well. She is one of those that looks out for the good doctor, Shaun and forms a friendly bond with him. As such, she does her best to help Shaun navigate the ins and outs of the social interactions that don’t come easily to him.
Nicholas Gonzalez as Dr. Neil Melendez
The hunky Gonzalez plays an attending cardiothoracic surgeon who oversees surgical residents. He is no stranger to recurring and guest parts in both dramas and comedies such as the final season of Pretty Little Liars and the drug-trafficking Netflix drama Narcos and brings something special and extraordinary to The Good Doctor.
While he both admires his brilliant younger colleague, Shaun, he expresses sizeable doubts about him and does not mind butting heads with him. The conflicts between them, however, makes for juicy drama which makes the series all the more impressive. That notwithstanding, his character wavers between respect for the diagnostic skills of Murphy and concern that he will be a danger in the operating room (OR).
Hill Harper as Dr. Marcus Andrews
Dr Marcus Andrews played by Harper Hill, a member of the hospital’s board, the chief surgeon as well as an attending plastic surgeon. He was one of Murphy’s detractors. From the beginning, he strongly opposed his joining the staff but began to mellow down and go along with the decision because he has an ambition; to take over the board and advance his career. Only time will tell if his ambitions will see the light.
Richard Schiff as Dr. Aaron Glassman
Compassionate and professional, Dr. Aaron Glassman portrayed by Emmy Award winner Richard Schiff, has held Dr Shaun’s interest and admirations, serving as his mentor and good friend since he was 14. His character resonates with a lot of parents who have autistic children, seeing him as
He served on the hospital’s board as the president, was an attending neurosurgeon and was also responsible for securing Shaun a job at the hospital despite the opposition of other board members. Being in Murphy’s life since teenage and knowing his abilities, he is determined for others to feel the same.
Will Yun Lee as Dr. Alex Park
Will Yun Lee plays a former cop who decided to undergo a major career change to become a doctor. A surgical resident under Dr Lim, he brings his experience on the force, like reading people on to the medical arena. That proves more than useful within the walls of the prestigious hospital.
Tamlyn Tomita as Allegra Aoki
character is a primal position in the hospital who helps to ensure it runs effectively. She serves as the chairman of the hospital board as well as the vice president of the foundation that controls the hospital’s funding. While running the foundation, she has at the top of her mind that the hospital’s purpose is to save lives. As such, she votes to give Shaun a chance despite her concerns about his ability to communicate with patients and doctors.
Episodes
The show began airing on ABC on the 25th of September, 2017. It has received mixed to positive reviews from critics as well as strong television ratings. ABC renewed the series for a second season on March 7, 2018, and it premiered on September 24, 2018. The first two seasons featured 18 episodes with season averaging more than 17 million viewers on the network, beating out This Is Us and NCIS.
The third season could be expected to have the same number of episodes as does its counterparts if it happens.
The Good Doctor Season 3 Release Date and Trailer
With the season 2 still ongoing, there is currently no news about a third season. However, there are no indications about a cancellation and the show is expected to continue past its sophomore season.
Although it hasn’t been confirmed if we’re having a third season, impressive ratings suggest that there’s an appetite for it. With season one having begun in September 2017 and season two in September 2018, season 3 might begin airing on ABC in September 2019 if the network gives it a nod.
Fingers are definitely crossed on what to expect on The Good Doctor season 3 as we can’t really say what the creators will hit us with come 2019. The trailer could have given us a clue though but with the season currently unconfirmed, a trailer is still a long way off.
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