‘The Good Doctor’s [Spoiler] Dies: ‘Everyone Expects All These Amazing Medical Miracles’
Finale
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for the Season 3 finale of The Good Doctor, “I Love You.”]
Going into The Good Doctor Season 3 finale, we knew that not everyone would survive. And as the episode’s title suggested, those three important words played a role.
But as the hour revealed, that was true for more than one pair of characters. After Shaun (Freddie Highmore) went searching for Lea (Paige Spara) through the debris, he ended up saving the life of a woman trapped. All his best friend could do was listen and hope that he’d make it out alive as water came rushing in over his and his patient’s heads. Both made it out, and Lea greeted Shaun with a kiss and a declaration of love.
Elsewhere, Melendez (Nicholas Gonzalez) and Claire (Antonia Thomas) also said “I love you,” but in a much more heartbreaking situation — as he was dying, due to the injuries he suffered in the earthquake. Despite his surgeons Claire and Lim’s (Christina Chang) best efforts, there was nothing they could do.
Here, Gonzalez discusses his character’s emotional farewell, which he’d known was coming for about five or six episodes.
I kept expecting and hoping for some last-minute miracle save.
Nicholas Gonzalez: It didn’t come, did it?
(ABC/Darko Sikman)
How did you feel when you found out how Melendez would be leaving? That was quite the emotional episode.
It’s sad because we’ve created this show where everyone expects all these amazing medical miracles, especially when it’s Shaun or it’s Melendez or something one of the residents has cooked up, and now something that seems so basic, seems so avoidable is almost a little more heartbreaking. It’s tough.
I don’t think anything would have ever felt right for me, but the writing that David Shore and David Hoselton and Liz Friedman put in the episode prior to this one, really I thought was a beautiful tribute. But it all seems to pale when you think of the possibilities for the character, too, so it’s a tough one.
This was one of those situations where being a doctor was a bad thing because he knew as soon as Lim and Claire started talking after his surgery that this was it. We saw Lim trying to come up with another solution, but he accepted his fate.
It’s someone who just really knows all the facts, and you’re right, him being a doctor, that really changed his acceptance of it. Because knowing that even at best, even with all things that could have happened right with the surgeries that they were proposing, he still would have ended up not in a state [that] would have been livable. He would have lost his ability to do surgery, possibly paralyzed or in a vegetative state. There were a lot of things that were minuses going on there. But having a life cut short when you have so much you feel your life is filled with would be tough for anyone.
There was such potential for Melendez and Claire, but there was also a sense of them being doomed; we saw an issue arise just from their friendship as they sort of danced around each other. And then we got that heartbreaking goodbye with the “I love you” from both of them.
I’ve always wondered — if that relationship would ever be fulfilled and how we could do that while still keeping this noble moral character with Melendez and knowing that it wouldn’t be fair to everyone else — about how that would ever be handled, and I didn’t expect this. It almost needed to be that way.
But there were earlier versions of the script initially where the idea of me telling her that I loved her was almost, I didn’t want to, because for me, it would be a few minutes of bliss, but for her it would be something she’d have to live with after I’m gone. So I never wanted it to be something selfish, but I think what we came to ultimately in the script and what you’ll hopefully see on screen is a way where it makes sense that those “I love yous,” it was a beautiful moment shared, a finite moment that both understood was finite. That way it was okay to indulge in something like this, just meaning not wanting to be selfish knowing I’m not going to be around.
It’s hard also for the praise for him to be under that as well. You saw the same with Glassman when he comes in, a man who isn’t known to give praise, that when he starts giving that to me, it’s hard and the subject needs to change.
(ABC/Jack Rowand)
I’m not sure how the Lim scene came out yet because I haven’t been able to see it yet, so I’m curious what was there. But that was an important one for us as well, as actors and as these characters to honor the love and the friendship that had such a long history for Dr. Audrey Lim and Dr. Neil Melendez. I’m hoping that came out, too, in trying to treat that in a way to know there’s people that we’ll always love in our life.
Melendez and Lim’s goodbye had “I could’ve spent a lifetime drinking whiskey with you,” which was so heartbreaking. Glassman called him the best he’s worked with. How much did Melendez and Claire, Lim, and Glassman need those moments because they knew this was it?
They all needed it. If you would’ve asked Melendez, in the middle of this crisis, he would’ve wanted all his people out there doing their best, saving people, which they were, and in those times where they were able to come and talk to him, it helped bring a lot together. It’s only all the more sad and bittersweet because everything’s okay and everyone loves each other and can we move on from this point? The fact that it’s doomed is a really bittersweet moment.
What would Melendez’s conversations with the others have been like if he’d gotten the chance to speak with them?
I don’t know. It was almost fitting. It did occur to me that there was no goodbye with Shaun, which would have been interesting, but everyone would’ve been so caught up with him trying to come up with some Hail Mary miracle surgery that would’ve saved everything. There was a little bit of irony in that, too, in the circumstance that he was literally kept from being a part of that. Maybe everything would’ve been wrapped up around that. I would’ve loved to see something between mentor and mentee, both ways. He taught me as much as I hopefully taught him, but there were bigger things at work.
We got that great scene between Melendez and Shaun a couple episodes ago when Shaun was dealing with his heartbreak. Can you talk about the growth we’ve seen in that relationship?
Melendez has always treated all his residents the same, and he treats them as unknowns until he knows how they react in different situations, what knowledge they have close at hand, what they’re good at, what they’re bad at, and for Shaun, there’s just a lot going against him. After being in the trenches together, they both realized they both have a lot to teach other, not just emotionally, but even medically. Melendez really envied some of the tools that Shaun has at his disposal because of how his mind works, the same way that Shaun envies the experience and the exactitude that Melendez works on.
Did Melendez die with any regrets, professionally or personally?
Personally, he knows he could’ve made it work with Lim a lot earlier on. These are people that are so married to what they’re doing. It’s what they love as well. But I think they could have afforded to allow themselves a little bit more love in their lives.
(ABC/Jack Rowand)
Looking back on the past three seasons, what moments stand out for you for your character and as an actor?
One of the things that always stands out with me and the character is he’s always right. It’s one of the best feelings ever. If anything, it’s each day going to work and seeing those smiling faces, whether it’s the crew or my fellow cast members, and laughing in between scenes. It’s the camaraderie on the set.
The Good Doctor, Season 4, Coming Soon, ABC
Conversation24 Comments
Please read the TV Insider Community Guidelines.
Comments are closed on this story.
-
R
Of course we know that it's a medical show and not everyone can always live -- how insulting that the writers don't give us more credit -- I guess they don't realize that once we get attached to some integral characters we continue to tune in .. but we can (and in this case I will) tune out if the writer takes those characters away......I stopped watching Grey's Anatomy years ago when she killed off all the characters I loved (the last straw being Dr. McDreamy)....I'm done with this show. And another thing -- Shaun was so much better (and the chemistry is more interesting) with Claire.... so the Lea union did not make up for taking of a beloved character........ugh another show off my list.
18
-
C
I don’t think I will be watching the good doctor without melendez
15 1
-
O
Melendez was one of my favorites. I was so hoping that he would not die. I wanted to see the future with him and Claire.
He was a tremendous actor for the show. Hope he gets on something else, so I can see him again.
10 1
-
O
Still crying and now the other male doctor is leaving too( sadly can’t remember his name right now) what the hell. This was a tough one for sure!!!!!!!!
9
-
B
I have been a fan of the Good Doctor from day one. But am done watching and will not be tuning in for another season. I feel it was a fatal mistake to kill off Dr Mendenez. Wrong move, we all wanted Shaun to make it back with the solution that would save his life. Don’t even care about the Leah and Shaun thing. Good bye
9 1
-
O
The Good Doctor was on the top of my list. With Nicholas Gonzalez leaving it failed out ot the top 1000. If anyone should be leaving it should be Lea. Thank you for a good show. I will not watch The Good Doctor after this season
10 2
-
C
I don’t understand why Dr. Melendez was axed from the show. He was one of the best actors on the show. He was family to your viewers. Bring him back... maybe he went into a coma... we never did officially see his dead body.
5
-
P
I am sad that Melendez was killed off! To me he was one of the best of the doctors. I loved the relationship between him and Claire. That storyline had so much potential. Don't care if Carley is on or not. She was too pushy with Shaun. If they got rid of one of the other females I think it should have written out, it should have been the blonde girl-Morgan. My opinion only. She is harsh and pushy and has an overall bad attitude. I hate that Park is going. He was another favorite of mine. Poor Claire-she just found a good man after losing her mom this season as well. Sad! Not too onboard with Shaun with Lea. She's a flake. Maybe they could write her better. But, I sure did not want him to end up with Carley either.
1
-
-
C
I was extremely saddened with the way the show ended last night. I feel, like most people on this feed, that I won't be watching the show next season. To kill off Melendez and then to hint that Dr. Alex Park also will be leaving was just too much! I feel the writers took too much out of the story for me to care about what will go on with this show. Big mistake!
6 1
-
C
It SUCKED! I ugly-cried for an hour!! Saddest episode ever!
5
-
R
Well, I love this show and am sad Nicholas died. However, I’m willing to give it another chance if Dr Mendenez returns. If the writers really needed to cut a character they should’ve picked someone that was not building all of that chemistry with Dr. Brown. Big mistake. Time to fix this before the next season starts or I won’t be back
3
-
B
I'm furious and greatly disappointed! They need to write in one of those things where his heart miraculously starts beating again and he ends up winning a fight for his life. Been waiting for several seasons for those two to get together, and they killed him off! Dang those writers!!
4 2
-
O
Will not be watching anymore without Melendez. Lea should have been the one leaving. In my opinion she was just a fringe character.
4 2
-
R
I was so disappointed with the ending. I love Dr. Melendez. I was hoping to see Claire with him. I do love Shawn and Lea together. I see the love he has for her and at the end Lea realized how she really felt. Please just have Melendez go into a coma and not be dead. He's a beloved character and needed on the show. You could have killed off someone else. I am very disappointed in the writers for doing this. Not sure I can keep watching just to have my heart broken again by you guys killing off another character I love.
1
-
G
They wrecked the show!
2 1
-
C
Same with me. Lia should be gone. Someone like her would not be good for Shaun. Killing off Melendez is it for me. I wanted to see Claire and him finally together.
Use to really like the show. Bad writing on this episode. Sorry we are done!!
1
-
G
So....disappointed. Finally a positive Hispanic male role and now he’s gone!!! Won’t watch anymore
-
P
Disappointing describes how I feel about how it ended. The previous episode ended with Lea crying while listening to Shaun expressed how he felt about her to someone else. I thought PERFECT!! Lea felt it was best to run away so she doesn't hurt Shaun anymore. Shaun would then have just enough time to get back to the hospital to find a solution to save Melendez. Finally getting to see Melendez and Brown together. It would be interesting to see the two grow together. Then I watched the finale end leaving me "disappointed". Melendez is one of the anchors of the show. Between his righteous demeanor and strict code of conduct, Melendez captured everyone's attention effortlessly. With Park possibly leaving the show screams "Bad Juju". Public service announcement for the Writers: YOU MUST BE DEAD FROM THE NECK UP. ITS THE ONLY PLAUSIBLE EXPLANATION WHY YOU WOULD KILL MELENDEZ AND PUSH PARK OUT. WAKE UP BEFORE ITS TOO LATE AND BECOME DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PREMATURE DEATH OF A GREAT SHOW. WAKE UP AND FIX YOUR MESS. Melendez and Park are integral to the success of the show. You are only as good as the last thing you wrote and it smells like the end. You still have time to rectify the situation and save the show. Oh and stop doing drugs because!! This is the end of your public services announcement,
-
P
Come on people! Enjoy the ride! See what's up next season.
-
O
So disappointed. Did not see it coming with someone in such a major role. Grrr
-
C
I will tune in to see what happens. I will not write this show off. Sad some are leaving but will wait to see a new beginning.
-
C
I am hugely disappointed in the way this season ended. Melendez was an integral part of this show for many reasons not just the Claire thing. So you keep the other guy and axe Melendez? What the hell? Lea and Shaun was actually a disappointment. There was so much to look forward to before. Now I don’t even know if I’ll watch this anymore. I feel like the cast had been gutted.
-
O
I feel the same way as other fans. Big mistake to kill dr. MELENDEZ, he was one of the main reasons I would tune in. He had so much more to add a d improve the hospital, his doctors and the atmosphere. 5h3 connection between Lea and shawn is fake. It's not showing the chemistry it had with claire. And now my other favorite doctor is leaving too. What are you thinking. I hope you have a better plan. I see your rati gs taking a plunge here. 😣
1 1
-
B
It seems like anytime there is a good show on tv . They always ruin it by getting rid of the characters. If not broke don’t fix it. Not sure if I will continue to watch.
1
Watchlist Easy access to only the shows you care about — all in one simple place
Alerts Only important notifications — when a show is returning, when it becomes available to stream, and more.
Special Offers Exclusive products we release related to your favorite shows and streaming services