The Good Doctor (4×16) Dr. Ted Review

For our review of the last episode of The Good Doctor, click here.

Synopsis: Shaun struggles with his role as Lea’s partner after complications arise with the pregnancy and his instincts as a medical professional kick in. Meanwhile, Dr. Park, Dr. Andrews and Asher disagree on how to address an elderly patient’s wishes. (IMDb)

The pregnancy saga is finally over in a powerful episode with a fun yet still emotional subplot to break things up where everyone brings it beyond the usual suspects.

Dr. Ted began with Lea being examined by Browne following her incident at the end of the last episode. Everything seemed normal but Murphy was still worried. Park and Wolke were tending to an elderly dancer named Maxine (Veronica Cartwright) who began to flatline and for whom they let pass away as a result of a DNR order on her bracelet but when it looked like she had passed away, she suddenly came back to life.

Maxine had a device implanted in her heart that would act as a pump if her heart were to stop following treatment for lung cancer. As a result, she wanted the device removed which prompted plenty of discussion. Young and naive, it was Wolke who wanted to convince Maxine against it (she reminded him of his grandmother for whom their relationship was cut short).

Glassman checked up on Murphy about his need to relax (giving him a teddy bear which Lea called Dr. Ted hence the episode title). Lea was fine but the baby was in trouble due to an issue with its blood vessels potentially bursting at any moment. Murphy insisted on continuing to be involved with the case, he would need to learn to step back which would prove to be an issue for him. He just needed a distraction which for him was his job (Lea had Dr. Ted but the others also rallied around her and Murphy). Murphy joined Wolke, Park, and Andrews with Maxine and the surgery to remove the device in her heart (and he made sure to let everyone know what his intentions were).

Murphy’s distraction was only temporary as Lea’s situation worsened. Meanwhile, Maxine was adamant on going out on her own terms in the most extravagant way (also refusing further treatment). Nevertheless, Wolke persisted. Murphy was struck by a powerful conversation about time being hope. Now with the news that his baby is likely not to survive due to underdeveloped lungs, he chose to keep the news from Lea to give her more time and hope but it was really a means to protect her from the pain. He eventually told her in a short yet powerful sequence. Once labor was induced so Lea could hold her daughter, Murphy finally let out his emotions and hugged Glassman which was another powerful sequence.

Despite the doctors’ attempts, Maxine wouldn’t die. Wolke slipped her antibiotics but Glassman was onto him but instead of firing him, Glassman tasked Wolke to make it right. It was just a selfish means to keep their relationship alive even if it was for him to help her end things on her terms.

Murphy and Lea’s saga affected everyone as the two went back home to just sit together and reflect.

While Freddie Highmore and Paige Spara were phenomenal here, so was Noah Galvin. Hopefully Wolke’s indiscredition doesn’t prevent Galvin from becoming a series regular come the recently announced Season 5.

If you liked this, please read our other reviews here and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter, follow us on Instagram, and also like us on Facebook.

Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.