Meanwhile, Claires post-op infection turns out to be from acinetobacter, resistant to antibiotics.
Glassman steps in and, with the team watching on, he starts her IV.
DEADLINE:The two-part finale felt very condensed.
The Good DoctorDisney/Jeff Weddell
Was the storyline in it supposed to be a longer arc?
But it was pretty close to how we planned it.
DEADLINE: Can you reveal what story got consolidated because of the condensed time?
Richard Schiff in ‘The Good Doctor’ finale (Jeff Weddell)Disney/Jeff Weddell
FRIEDMAN:Id rather not.
Its in its perfect form the way it is.
DEADLINE:Did you always envision Glassman to die at the end of the series?
FRIEDMAN:I dont think wed really decided on that.
David, had we?
SHORE:I would certainly not say we always envisioned that.
But we got him very sick at the beginning.
And I think it fit very nicely into that theme.
FRIEDMAN:Weve always tried as the show goes on, every season we give Shaun a new challenge.
I would have loved to have seen that process.
For Shaun to accept that, I thought was such a big step for him.
Thats a great heroic story, and thats who Shaun is.
And it so connects to what Liz was just talking about in terms of accepting loss.
FRIEDMAN:We really liked the idea that there would be two cases in this episode.
FRIEDMAN:No, no, it wasnt meant to be.
Antonia is great, and shes always game for anything.
And yes, she was good to go as always.
SHORE:And we never even thought about saving her arm really, it was important to this.
The speech that that Chukus character gives would have been rendered moot had we saved the arm.
It was again, sacrifice for a greater good.
DEADLINE:Freddie, were you OK with that development?
HIGHMORE:Yes, I think it was also a relief that she survived.
I dont harbor any regrets or feel guilty through my character.
DEADLINE:After years apart, Claire and Kalu reunited and fell back in love.
And then It really felt like a natural…
SHORE:If I can just add two things to that.
In my mind, they were always in love.
So it was a fulfillment of that.
DEADLINE:Speaking of unfinished business, fans probably were hoping to see Hill Harper pop into the finale.
SHORE:(laughs): I dont think thats a typical story, is it?
I guess Im kind of proud of that.
And thats the situation with both Hill and Kal.
SHORE:Yeah, basically.
It was sad to have to say goodbye to Hill, he was a great part of the show.
But they were flashbacks to before the series generally.
And they worked really nicely, and we had really good actors who played young Sean and young Steve.
That wasnt what this story was.
And the scene in the boardroom, we shot that on location.
So I think it really worked nicely personally.
DEADLINE:The flashforward gave us an idea where everybody is in the future.
Shaun and Lea also have a daughter.
You dont address in the finale whether any of his kids have autism.
FRIEDMAN:In my mind, neither of Shauns kids have autism.
The whole theme of the series is we have capabilities and limitations, and we have to embrace both.
These are their children.
They love their children and are wonderful but flawed, whatever the case may be.
DEADLINE:In the flashforward, Shaun is head of surgery.
Who else is with him at St. Bonaventure?
FRIEDMAN:I think Charlie is definitely still there working with him.
Dom went home to start the Family Medical Practice that he and his brother had talked about.
I think those are the main people who were still at St. Bones.
And Reznick and Park are probably still around the hospital, too.
I think Claire had met the challenge in Guatemala and got things; theyre working there quite well.
HIGHMORE:It probably was more than Shaun had spoken ever before.
We didnt actually film that last, we filmed it a week or so before the end.
But I think it was a lovely way of concluding the story.
DEADLINE:What was your final scene and what happened after you finished it?
Everyone was in filming-wise on the last day.
And so everyone had a lovely special moment at the end.
DEADLINE:Liz, David, did you have ideas for another season?
FRIEDMAN:Oh, absolutely.
I still wake up dreaming of Shaun Murphy andGood DoctorIdeas.
So yes, I had an idea what I wanted to do next season.
DEADLINE:Can you share it?
FRIEDMAN:I cant.
I want everyone to be happy with what is there because Im very happy.
SHORE:The nature of TV is, things evolve.
There are always things you wished you did but Im very proud of what we collectively did.
