Unraveling the Mysteries of 'The Good Doctor' Series Finale: Discovering the Truth Behind [Spoiler's] Fate

The Good Doctor Series Finale Burning Questions Answered Whats Next for the Show

Freddie Highmore as Dr. Shaun Murphy. ABC/Art Streiber

The series finale of The Good Doctor ended with a touching goodbye to its fans. The team behind the ABC show is now addressing any lingering questions from viewers.

The medical drama, which first aired in 2017, came to an end in the episode that aired on Tuesday, May 21. Fans saw Dr. Shaun Murphy (played by Freddie Highmore) dealing with the news of Dr. Aaron Glassman (Richard Schiff) having cancer again, as well as Dr. Claire Browne (Antonia Thomas) facing her own illness.

Glassy passed away in a time jump, while Claire survived and started a foundation in memory of the late doctor. Shaun is now the chief of surgery at San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital.

During an interview with TVLine, showrunners David Shore and Liz Friedman revealed that making Shaun the chief of surgery was not the original plan. They always wanted him to face challenges, struggle, and eventually succeed. The idea of his new title came about towards the end of the series.

Scroll down for more revelations about the series finale of The Good Doctor:

What Is the Name of Dr. Shaun Murphy’s Daughter?

Shaun’s daughter was named after Glassy’s late daughter, as revealed by Shore and Friedman.

According to Shore, the name of Shaun’s daughter is Maddie, although it is never explicitly mentioned in the script. He mentioned this in an interview with Screen Rant. Shore also shared that he and Friedman joked about Leah not getting to name any of the children.

Friedman added, “Leah hasn’t had quite as much trauma as Shaun, so she defaults on getting to name the children.”

The Good Doctor Series Finale Burning Questions Answered Whats Next for the Show

ABC/Art Streiber

Was it Always the Plan to Kill Off Dr. Aaron Glassman?

Shore explained to TVLine that Glassy's death marking the series ending was not intentional. He mentioned that Liz has discussed this concept extensively, referring to it as "Chekhov's cancer": if you introduce it in season 1, you need to resolve it by season 7.

The Good Doctor Series Finale Burning Questions Answered Whats Next for the Show

ABC/Jeff Weddell

Why Didn’t Dr. Aubrey Lim End Up With Anyone?

Dr. Aubrey Lim (Christina Chang) did not end up in a relationship like most other characters on The Good Doctor. Instead, she joined Surgeons for a Better World at the conclusion of the show.

The show's creator, David Shore, wanted to show the characters moving forward in a positive way. He didn't want the focus to be solely on romantic relationships. While Lim may have someone in her life, it wasn't the defining point for her character at that moment.

Shore noted that it was “important to Lim that her life not be defined by who she is with,” and rather have it be “defined by what she has done.”

Editor's P/S:

The series finale of "The Good Doctor" brought a bittersweet end to the beloved medical drama. The showrunners' decision to make Shaun Murphy the chief of surgery and name his daughter after Glassy's late daughter provided a fitting tribute to the characters' journeys. However, the revelation that Glassy's death was not initially planned raises questions about the show's long-term narrative arc.

The choice to leave Aubrey Lim single also highlights the show's focus on character growth beyond romantic relationships. Lim's decision to join Surgeons for a Better World showcases her dedication to her profession and her desire to make a positive impact on the world. Overall, the series finale of "The Good Doctor" provided a satisfying conclusion while leaving room for future storytelling possibilities.