The Good Doctor: How does the medical series with Freddie Highmore end?

The doors of St. Bonaventure Hospital are closed forever… This Tuesday, May 21st, ABC aired the final two episodes of the seventh and final season of The Good Doctor. A chance for American viewers to say goodbye to Sean (Freddie Highmore), Glassman (Richard Schiff) and the other doctors in an emotional finale.

Glassman’s cancer returned

The final episode of The Good Doctor picks up right after the cliffhanger of the first episode: Glassman reveals to Sean that his cancer is back and that it’s terminal, and Claire collapses into the arms of Kalu (Chuku Modu).

So Sean begins a race against time to help the two most important people in his life, both of whom are in great danger.

Shawn eventually discovers a treatment that allows Glassman to live another year. But the latter categorically refuses to accept it. He asks his protégé to accept his decision. He actually wants to spend the 3 to 6 months he has left to enjoy himself, Leah (Paige Spara) and baby Steve. Sean eventually retires.

It is clear between life and death

Meanwhile, the doctors discover that Claire’s post-surgery infection is caused by an antibiotic-resistant acinetobacter. Before falling into a coma to help the body fight, the young woman and Kalu confess their love for each other.

In turn, Shawn then develops an unorthodox plan: he wants to fight bacteria using a virus. The idea is to collect multiple bacteriophages to find one that can kill the infection before it kills Claire.

This treatment is a long and arduous process, and Claire’s condition continues to deteriorate to the point where Kalu suggests amputating her hand to save her life, thus ending her career as a surgeon.

Unfortunately, the FDA refuses Sean’s proposed treatment. The latter will then make a radical decision. He reunites Glassman and Leah in the same meeting room where his future at the hospital was decided in the pilot.

Drawing parallels to his original speech, Shawn reveals that he made the decision to treat Claire anyway, which would cost him his medical license. Glassman intervenes, and he eventually gets Claire treated.

Ten years later…

The episode ends with a 10-year time jump. Now chief of surgery at St. Bonaventure, Sean gives a TED talk. Leah, Steve, and her little sister, as well as Claire, Kalu, their daughter, and all the other doctors on the team are in the audience.

We learn that Shawn co-chairs the Aaron Glassman Foundation for Neurodiversity in Medicine with Claire. He ends his speech by reiterating the pilot’s request, noting that he now has “two televisions,” and lots of friends and family.

Season 7 of Good Doctor is due to air on TF1 in the coming months. For the more nostalgic, the first 6 seasons are available on Netflix.