The Good Doctor – Heartfelt

By starrymag | March 4, 2018

By: Jessica Wolff

 

 

On a crowded bus, Dr. Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore) listens to a song sent by Lea. Arriving at the hospital, he sees people moving stuff inside and a Security Guard (Michael Sangha) explains that they are setting up for a party. Dr. Claire Browne (Antonia Thomas) explains that the party is a black tie fundraiser for the hospital. Shaun declares that he doesn’t like parties, but Dr. Neil Melendez (Nicholas Gonzalez) tells him that all residents are expected to attend.

 

Melendez introduces another of Coyle’s residents, Alex Park (Will Yun Lee). As Park talks to Dr. Morgan Reznick (Fiona Gubelmann), Shaun asks him how old he is. Park replies that he’s 45 and Melendez explains that Shaun’s autism sometimes causes him to ask inappropriate questions. After commenting that inappropriate questions can be revealing, Morgan explains that Park was a cop before retiring to pursue medicine.

 

Spirit Garcia (Lexi Underwood) records herself from her hospital bed, giving the details of her stay to her online friends, despite Ramona Garcia’s (Ese Atawo) protests. After introducing Dr. Lim (Christina Chang), Spirit turns the camera to Shaun and Morgan and has them introduce themselves. Luis Garcia (Tim Perez) tells Spirit to put the phone away and she says goodbye before ending her streaming. Shaun questions why her condition wasn’t fixed as an infant, and Morgan explains that it was impossible. Spirit stands up, revealing that her heart is located on her abdomen.

 

Shaun is fascinated by Spirit’s heart, and Spirit admits that she’s used to curious people. Morgan comments that she must be looking forward to people no longer being curious, but Spirit confesses that she’s looking forward to crowds. She explains that she doesn’t get to interact with people as a health precaution and all her friends are online. Spirit tells them that she plans to bring her friends to a concert and hug people. Morgan is surprised that she hasn’t hugged anyone before, but she explains that hugs are too risky.

 

Claire, Dr. Jared Kalu (Chuku Modu), Park, and Melendez check on their patient, Eric Bertrand (Nicholas Sean Johnny), and tell his parents, Wallace and Jacey Bertrand (Pasha Ebrahimi and Medina Hahn) that Eric is rejecting the liver from the previous transplant. Outside, Melendez tells Claire, Jared, and Park that they need to find Eric a new liver quickly. They point out how difficult it will be because of his blood type, but Melendez tells them that it’s the only way to keep him alive.

 

Allegra Aoki (Tamlyn Tomita) informs Dr. Aaron Glassman (Richard Schiff) that she needs to find a new keynote speaker for the fundraiser. Glassman doesn’t take it seriously, but Aoki asks him to get her a meeting with Aidan Coulter (Kelly Blatz). He insists that he only met Aidan once, but Allegra reminds him that Aidan owes him a favor and Glassman agrees to contact him.

 

Jared attempts to assure Eric as he begins to run a test on him, but he is scared of the pain. Park tells him that NBA players listen to music to help them focus solely on the game, and gives Eric headphones to listen the song that Steph Curry, his favorite player, listens to before each game as Jared runs the test. Jared asks Park how he knew that Eric liked basketball, and Park tells him that he searched Eric’s backpack. Jared is disturbed, but Park insists that his search was useful.

 

As Shaun and Morgan put Spirit into the machine, Morgan asks Shaun if he plans to buy or rent a tuxedo for the fundraiser. Shaun insists that he has a suit, but Morgan insists that he need a tuxedo that costs a minimum of $2000. Morgan explains that he should use the event to network, and Shaun notices that Spirit’s heart is enlarged. Claire tells Melendez that she found a liver for Eric outside of the registry. Park questions what the catch is, and Claire tells them that the donor is in prison for seven murders.

 

Jessica Preston (Beau Garrett), Dr. Marcus Andrews (Hill Harper), Aoki, Glassman, and Melendez debate the prospect of having the convict, Sergey Tirayan (Joris Jarsky) be the donor. Melendez insists that he is trying to redeem himself by offering to be a donor, but Jessica argues that there is a ton of liability. Andrews argues that everyone should have a chance to turn their life around, and Aoki argues that Tirayan has a debt to society.

 

Park is adamant that Tirayan will use the hospital as a way to escape prison, but Jared and Claire argue in his favor. Melendez informs them that they have approval, and tells Park that it is necessary to save Eric’s life despite the risks. Shaun and Morgan inform Spirit of the enlarged heart, and Lim tells her they can’t try the surgery until she’s 18.  Spirit insists that she can’t wait any longer, and breaks down as she throws her phone, explaining that she wants to be touched. She begs them to perform the surgery, but Lim tells her they can’t.

 

As they prepare for Tirayan’s arrival, Park demands that they take every piece of furniture out of the room to help prevent an escape attempt. Jared and Claire question his demands, but Park insists that anything can be made into a weapon. When they are alone, Jared asks Claire to go to fundraiser with him and make their relationship public. Claire agrees before they get notification of a problem with Eric. They check on him and find that he is refusing to accept the liver of an evil man. Claire tells him it’s his only option, but Eric continues to refuse.

 

The team discusses their options, and Claire argues that they only need the parents’ approval to perform the surgery. Park points out that Tirayan isn’t a perfect match, but Melendez points out that Eric’s body already rejected a perfect match. Claire reminds him they have no other option, and Melendez tells them to get more restraints. As Morgan suggests an experimental procedure to Lim, Shaun uses his textbook memories to point out that the procedure is irreversible. Morgan makes a comment about his autism and suggests that he didn’t understand Spirit’s breakdown. Shaun comments on her competitiveness and asks if she’s trying to undermine him. She replies that she’s trying to help, and Lim decides to attempt the procedure.

 

As he plays virtual golf, Aidan asks Aoki why she wants him to speak at the fundraiser. She argues that he’s a good fit due to his commitment to the San Jose area. He tells her he doesn’t like giving speeches, but she tells him to tell a story instead of giving a speech like he has previously. Aidan admits that he planned to say yes all along, and compliments her persuasive methods. Tirayan is escorted into the hospital, and Park insists he’s right about him being dangerous. Claire asks Tirayan about his family history as Park tightens his restraints and Jared examines him. Tirayan tells them that he hasn’t seen his family in years, but they were healthy enough to abuse him.

 

Aoki tells Andrews that she felt a spark with Aidan and asks for advice on whether she should pursue him. Andrews advises against dating a potential donor, as it would look bad for her image. Eric fights against the sedative, refusing to accept the liver. Park holds him down and orders him not to move, allowing Jared to administer the shot. Shaun compliments Andrews’ wardrobe and questions if people like him better because of his style. Andrews replies that looking good helps him feel good. Shaun asks if it helps him make friends, and Andrews replies that feeling good helps everything. After asking where he can buy a tuxedo, Shaun explains that Morgan advised him to buy an expensive one for the fundraiser. Andrews replies that his ability as a surgeon will impress donors and recommends that he rent a cheaper tuxedo.

 

As the surgeons administer the anesthesia, Tirayan has an allergic reaction and they are forced to stop the transplant. Claire informs him of the reaction and that it means they can’t use his liver for the transplant. Tirayan demands they try again, but they refuse. He fights against his restraints, but stops when he sees the reaction of the surgeons and guards. He breaks down, upset that nothing seems to work out for him. Melendez promises Eric’s parents that they will look for a new donor, but admits that Eric might only have a day left.

 

During surgery, Morgan mocks Andrews’ tuxedo advice when Shaun tells her about it. She implies that Andrews doesn’t respect Shaun to give him good advice, and Shaun asks if she respects him. Morgan replies that she doesn’t despite his intelligence. Lim comments that Morgan seems to care a lot about Shaun wears despite not respecting him, and Morgan insists that Shaun uses his autism as a crutch. Lim leads the surgery, and determines that it is a success.

 

Park sees something wrong with Tirayan’s cuffs, and Tirayan grabs a guard, holding him at gunpoint. Park attempts to take control of the situation, and Claire tells Tirayan he shouldn’t ruin his good deed. Tirayan replies that he accomplished nothing, and Park and tries to calm him down. However, Tirayan insists that he has nothing to live for. Claire tells him not to do it, but Park tells him it’s his choice. Tirayan points the gun to his head and kills himself. Park and Claire wheel Tirayan’s corpse into the operating room, telling Jared that they plan to harvest every organ from him.

 

Aidan and Aoki approach each other at the fundraiser, and she compliments his speech. He thanks her for helping him change his reputation of all work and no play. She asks him to play real golf, and he agrees before asking her to dance. Claire goes to prep Eric for surgery, informing them they can use Tirayan’s liver. Eric protests, and Claire tells him that Tirayan sacrificed his life so that he could live. After Claire suggests that they honor his attempt to make amends, Eric agrees to the transplant. Lim tells Spirit that the surgery went well and her mother embraces her after she tells her parents that she wants a hug.

 

Shaun walks into the fundraiser and Jessica compliments his tuxedo. He tells her that he bought the suit for $2,368 before asking her how much her dress cost. She advises him not to ask questions like that, and asks him if he wants a drink. Shaun replies that he doesn’t like tequila since it makes him vomit, and turns down the offer. Jessica walks away to talk to an attendee and Shaun wanders through the party feeling uncomfortable. Morgan approaches him and compliments his tuxedo before suggesting he mingle.

 

Claire suggests to Park that Tirayan is a changed man, but Park refuses to believe it. She criticizes him for encouraging Tirayan to kill himself, but Park is furious that everyone now considers Tirayan a hero. Melendez tells Eric and his parents the surgery was a success, and Eric asks if he can write Tirayan’s parents a letter telling them about their son’s good deed. Claire and Jared enter the fundraiser together, and Jared asks her to dance. Shaun stands around awkwardly as people mingle around him, and leaves the party. Jessica watches as Melendez and Lim laugh together and Glassman approaches her, commenting that she’ll get over him eventually. She asks how she can move on, and Glassman admits that he would have done it if he knew how before asking her to dance.

 

Shaun walks through the hospital and watches as Spirit talks with and hugs her friends. As Claire and Jared dance, the song changes and Jared asks if she remembers this song. She questions if she should, and he tells her that this song was playing when they kissed for the first time. Claire apologizes, but Jared believes that her not remembering means that she doesn’t love him as much as he loves her. Realizing that things will never change, Jared says goodbye and walks away. Shaun returns to the party and attempts to mingle. The conversation is awkward, but Andrews comes over and jokes about Shaun not taking his tuxedo advice. He tells him the tuxedo was worth it and helps facilitate the conversation with the donors.