The Good Doctor: Season 6/ Episode 21 “A Beautiful Day” – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)

The aftermath of Shaun landing a deadly blow to Dr. Glassman’s career, puts their relationship into jeopardy

Dr. Glassman (Richard Schiff)

The aftermath of Shaun landing a deadly blow to Dr. Glassman’s career puts their relationship in jeopardy

Aired (ABC) 4/24/2023
Director(s) Steven DePaul
Writer(s) David Hoselton, Peter Blake
Previously Noted Characters
Shaun Freddie Highmore
Dr. Glassman Richard Schiff
Morgan                Fiona Gubelmann
Alex                Will Yun Lee
Nurse Villanueva Elfina Luk
Dr. Andrews Hill Harper
Dr. Lim Christina Chang
Lea Paige Spara

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Recap

Before getting into Shaun ruining Dr. Glassman’s career, it is worth noting Morgan is on maternity leave and struggling a bit. Thankfully, Alex visits and provides help, and he thankfully doesn’t do so in his usual Alex way. There isn’t any “I told you so,” though you could submit he does show off his parenting skills to push the idea that he could be of more help and use than Morgan is asking for. Though, in Alex’s defense, Morgan isn’t the type to ask for help.

Speaking of asking for help, with Nurse Villanueva hinting at the point of the nurses unionizing, Dr. Andrews tries to use their burgeoning relationship as a means to impede that from happening. He starts with proposals to get feelers out there, but once it is clear that he might be using her to union bust, a boundary is drawn for the sake of their relationship.

Dr. Andrews (Hill Harper) and Nurse Villanueva (Elfina Luk)
“Dr. Andrews (Hill Harper) and Nurse Villanueva (Elfina Luk),” The Good Doctor, “A Beautiful Day,” directed by Steven DePaul, 2023, (ABC)

This leads us to Shaun and Dr. Glassman. Shaun snitching on Dr. Glassman leads to Dr. Lim wanting to bench Dr. Glassman, but Dr. Andrews blocks this because of how prestigious Dr. Glassman is and the money he brings to the hospital. Dr. Lim doesn’t appreciate being overruled again, but what can she do? Well, within reason, allow Shaun to continue to poke, prod, and pester until Dr. Andrews has no choice but to follow Dr. Lim’s recommendations.

Unfortunately, while Dr. Lim finds a way to keep Dr. Glassman from suing the hospital and giving in, it is only after Shaun thoroughly embarrasses him in front of everyone. Shaun questions Dr. Glassman’s every move in front of residents, nurses, Dr. Lim, and not only pushes everyone to question Dr. Glassman’s capabilities but also pushes him to the point of questioning his own.

This ultimately leads to what may be the end of Dr. Glassman’s surgical career and certainly is the end of Shaun and Dr. Glassman’s relationship for now, just as Lea goes into labor.

Other Noteworthy Information

  1. Did Nurse Villanueva and Dr. Andrews ever sign that document about them dating and heading to HR?

Things To Note

What Could Happen Next

  1. I don’t believe Dr. Glassman will maintain a cold heart towards Shaun over this. It may take some time, but I think new life could be the bridge for reconciliation. Even if just for Lea’s sake.

Collected Quote(s)

  • The patient said, ‘I didn’t want brain surgery, but the doctor changed my mind.’ – Kurt (John Billingsley)

Review

Notable Performances or Moments

Imagining The Conversations Had As The Residents Watch Shaun Get Into It With People

If you’ve ever seen your boss and other members of management argue, bicker, and call each other out, you can imagine what Jordan and the rest say when they aren’t in the operating room and far away from Shaun and the others. At times, Asher delivers this, but it, unfortunately, isn’t consistent. However, as time goes on, just imagining what is said is a major highlight.

Highlights

Morgan As A Mother

Morgan (Fiona Gubelmann)
“Morgan (Fiona Gubelmann),” The Good Doctor, “A Beautiful Day,” directed by Steven DePaul, 2023, (ABC)

While it sucks that Alex is coming for the ride, at the same time, Morgan and Dr. Glassman aren’t as close as they once were, and the chances of Morgan’s brother or mother popping up again seem nil. I mean, they still haven’t addressed the man she encountered in season 3, episode 3, who she referred to as “Grandpa.” But, considering the show doesn’t have any parents of children who are underage, with them being the primary custodial parent, this could be a nice change for the show. Particularly showing a single mom like Morgan.

The Struggle Of Running a Hospital

Increasingly it appears the show wants to bring back the difficulties of running a hospital. Seemingly not to the point where board members are shown, we see members of the legal department or anything like that, but through Dr. Andrews, we see the struggle to make everyone happy. Whether it is the nurses, who he sure as hell doesn’t want to unionize, going back and forth with Dr. Lim, or figuring out a way to make what is a public necessity remain solvent in the face of rising costs from patient care to keeping people paid.

Thankfully, the show doesn’t go so deep into the subject it can bore you, but it is reminding us what factors go into providing medical care, and it increasingly allows nurses to be injected into the show.

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