TikTok did what it does best when it comes to “The Good Doctor” — it made the show viral.
I, like thousands of other teenagers scrolling through TikTok, became invested in the heart-wrenching story of Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore) through short scenes posted online. Finally giving in after I learned the show was on Hulu, I binged and re-binged its six tragic and humorous seasons.
Nine months after the season six finale aired, on Feb. 20, ABC released the first, painfully-beautiful episode of its seventh and final season.
Set two weeks after the season six finale, the first episode follows Dr. Shaun Murphy, an autistic surgeon turned new dad, on his first day back to the hospital. Sean must choose between two babies needing the same donor heart, or figure out how to save them both.
Every character steals the show with their own subplot, but none made me feel for them as much as doctors Morgan Reznick (Fiona Gubelmann) and Alex Park (Will Yun Lee). The couple navigates the struggles of raising their 11-week-old and learning she would need surgery, portraying their characters with the perfect mix of care, sarcasm and worry. Watching the interactions between the two, Shaun and Dr. Audrey Lim (Christina Chang) as they explored possibly-fatal options broke my heart and pieced it back together again.
What surprised me the most was the cinematography. I was skeptical going into the episode because, most of the time, shows stop trying the more seasons they go on. “The Good Doctor” blew those weak expectations away, with many perfectly lined up shots and creative physical jokes.
The first episode continues the repetitive nature of each episode, with one or two major medical issues presented and solved within the 40-minute episodes. Typically, the show splits into two major plots and brief subplots. This episode, while trying to make the season premiere impactful on every character, ABC may have pushed it too far. I hold every cast member close to my heart, but giving them all their own important moments made it feel like their struggles were being shoved down my throat.
Despite packing a little too much of a punch, “The Good Doctor” continues to excel with its heart-wrenching stories, realistic acting and beautiful cinematography. I was a little skeptical of how Shaun would be with his son, but not only is the lead character quite literally “The Good Doctor” — he’s the good dad, too.
