It has been a while for the reason that stunning occasions of The Good Doctor Season 3 Episode 20, together with Neil Melendez’s premature demise, however the shockwaves and aggravation over the choice haven’t diminished.
It is one thing of which The Good Physician followers, whichever of them stay, shall be discussing for a while. It is one in every of many irritating turns of occasions of this season that do not sit nicely in hindsight.
All of it boils all the way down to this: was Neil’s demise mandatory?
It is a sea of medical dramas on the market to enchantment to everybody, so there’s room for all of them to carve out an identification of their very own and stand in it. Some of the irritating issues about The Good Doctor Season 3 is the way it strayed away from most of the issues we liked concerning the collection and have pulled among the antics of different medical dramas.
We love The Good Physician due to it not being Grey’s Anatomy.
However on a season fueled by love triangles and relationship angst, and a finale that settled on one thing as cliched as a “shock worth” demise, that is exactly how the collection comes throughout.
Hopefully, the collection can flip itself again round and keep true to its origins and why we fell in love with it and its characters within the first place.
As a result of the untimely killing off of a personality like Neil Melendez when there have been a number of tales left to inform, and he had not tapped into his full potential but was asinine.
It is no different strategy to describe it. It was the prime instance of the emotionally manipulative strikes a collection does to get folks speaking, whether or not it is sensible or not.
It was strictly for shock worth. Hey, congratulations! It received folks speaking (and none of it’s nice), and it was stunning (shockingly unhealthy).
The demise of a distinguished character ought to do justice to that particular person. It ought to be as significant as it’s tragic. Nevertheless, it is difficult to really feel grief or disappointment over Neil’s demise when all you may really feel is anger and irritation.
It was one thing that was seemingly within the works for this season, and it was the trusty “artistic alternative,” however even that has develop into a tiresome and unsatisfactory purpose to resort to ripping the tritest web page from the ebook.
To recommend that demise was the one creatively possible path Neil Melendez’s character may go together with such gumption, you’d have to say that Neil was a fully-developed character whose storylines and potential peaked.
It is definitely not the case.
The collection teased a plethora of doable storylines for Neil, however there was no followthrough with a few of them. There are a number of unfastened threads dangling with out decision.
Neil had a sister with Down-Syndrome, and so they seemingly dropped the story. They launched us to this intriguing side of his life we hadn’t beforehand recognized and did nothing with it afterward.
Was it one thing so as to add an additional layer of humanity to the previously prickly physician to make us perceive why he’s the way in which he’s, for a single episode?
It coincided along with his earlier historical past of coming to an deadlock in his first relationship over youngsters. What of that then? The present by no means revisited his ideas about youngsters and his need for a household.
Some of the flagrant examples of the shortage of cohesion of Neil’s narrative was the abrupt breakup between Neil and Lim just for one thing to spark between him and Claire, and the present demolished that as nicely.
The collection constructed Neil and Lim’s relationship up, and so they invested an amazing deal of their love story amidst every little thing else taking place.
They then resorted to a weak plot to drive the 2 of them aside, nevertheless it was by no means any actual closure between them.
Ever since parting methods over hospital politics and energy dynamics, each time Neil and Lim interacted, it was charged with emotion. The implication was that their relationship wasn’t over.
Limlindez was a dangling unfastened thread that petered off into nothingness, in a method that was a disservice to their relationship.
And their transient, candy goodbye scene did not do the couple justice. It was a rushed try to acknowledge the bond between them.
Rushed was the overall sentiment of Neil’s demise, so hackneyed in its execution that it is onerous to consider this was the intent all alongside. It felt like a final minute afterthought.
Claire: You saved my life.
Melendez: No. I simply occurred to be there on the proper time.
For an individual who was a main character for the reason that present’s inception, you’ll assume there can be extra fanfare proper? You’ll assume his demise can be touching and gutwrenching, and it positively would not be so irritatingly ambiguous.
Even the reason for Neil’s demise was infuriating. He died from one thing simply treatable with a dose of antibiotics, and it was another excuse his demise had followers, particularly these with some cursory medical information, screeching.
He did not have a last second with Shaun. The shortage of a Shaun and Neil scene was jarring, given the course of their relationship and the way it developed.
Neil went from one of the crucial reluctant to have Shaun to a supportive mentor. It was one in every of Shaun’s most significant bonds, however in fact, most of these have been positioned on the backburner to discover Shaun’s messy entanglements, however extra on that in a bit.
As an alternative, Neil needed to make peace with the mindless nature of his demise, whereas saying goodbye to his former love, Glassman, whom he by no means had a very distinctive relationship with, making it an odd alternative, and naturally, Claire.
The dissolution of Neil and Lim’s relationship was a disservice, and but, it paled compared to the destruction of Neil and Claire earlier than it may correctly take off.
What was the purpose of coming so near pulling the set off on a relationship that was simmering for a number of seasons solely to go away it incomplete?
The collection spent many of the season creating this relationship and broaching the subject of it turning into one thing extra.
We watched as they turned mentor/mentee, buddies, after which the opportunity of one thing extra. They explored how their relationship affected their work dynamics and the way among the others responded to their undefined closeness.
They had been companions, suitable in a good looking method, after which they ended it abruptly with Neil’s demise. Neil was there to inform Lim that he would have drunk whiskey along with her for his total life, however he additionally admitted, on his demise mattress, that he liked Claire.
And she or he returned the sentiment, giving followers a confession — an admission of what we already suspected, however then, not rather more. It was Claire who received the ultimate moments with Neil.
It was an intimate scene, of her presumably mendacity on him, till he handed away in his sleep, however they could not even punctuate the couple’s love with a kiss.
After which, Claire left his facet by dawn, joined the opposite girl within the final days of Neil’s life, with the promise of friendship, getting drinks, and bonding over dropping the person they liked and misplaced.
Therapist: Wish to inform me what’s in your thoughts?
Claire: Probably not. I feel I am in love with my boss.
Sure, they really talked about getting drinks collectively, and maybe that is why followers had been scratching their heads questioning if the person had truly died resulting from how nonchalant the suggestion and aftermath was.
It was unsettling — as if Neil’s demise needed to convey the 2 girls collectively as some comfort for an in any other case melancholic ordeal. Was it meant to be this grand second of sisterhood and solidarity?
What does it say about these skilled girls when love should elude them to make them one way or the other higher?
Lim had to decide on between her place as chief and her relationship with Neil. As an alternative of Neil and Claire confessing their emotions and pursuing a compelling story the place they found out what it meant for them and if they need to pursue it, they ended it earlier than it may ever be.
It is yet one more verify on the record of how this collection has made Claire the “Charlie Brown” of The Good Physician. Hell, the “Bonnie Bennett” for these accustomed to The Vampire Diaries. Does something ever go nicely for this girl? Can something go nicely for her?
The collection depends closely on Claire going by means of the wringer and not using a payoff, and it is so redundant and disturbing it is truly getting uncomfortable. They rip stability from her at each flip.
It is not even the primary case of somebody she cared about being unceremoniously dumped from the collection, lest we overlook how the collection kicked Jared to the curb for no conceivable purpose too.
However this season took the cake, by introducing us to the tumultuous relationship Claire had along with her mom, solely to kill the lady off in such a disheartening and unsatisfactory method.
As if Claire hasn’t endured sufficient, she witnessed the aftermath of her mom’s accident. Then, for many of the season, her colleagues and buddies, judged or missed her grief.
Neil was her most energetic help all through the expertise. It was the inspiration the collection may use to broaden upon their relationship and take it to new heights, so to undergo such a devasting plot level simply to hurtle into one other is nonsensical and disconcerting.
In any case, should you’re maintaining, Claire has formally misplaced three folks she cared about and liked in one season. It is the literal definition of overkill.
It appears the collection is incapable of giving her something that resembles a wholesome relationship or happiness. Her work is fulfilling for her, and that is positive, nevertheless it should not be the one a part of her life that is profitable.
Sooner or later, what is the message we must always take that her private life can solely be nothing however ache, or that everybody she cares about in that side of her life leaves in some capability?
Why should she endure a lot loss? Why should they beat her down and drive the goodness and softness out of her to make her extra resilient?
The present had a shot of adjusting that narrative with the path they had been taking Melendaire.
Neil was her boss, and their relationship would’ve been inappropriate after their confession. It additionally would’ve been attention-grabbing to observe them navigate that as two individuals who labored nicely professionally and personally.
Claire has come into her personal. It is unfathomable that placing her by means of one other loss was mandatory and preferable over every other various.
They killed off Neil and each potential relationships with Lim and Claire, each completely wholesome and pleasant in their very own proper. Then they left us with Shaun and Lea because the preferable pleased ending. It feels just like the collection was championing some type of toxicity over wholesome relationships.
Was there something remotely pleased concerning the Shaun and Lea union after the lengthy, dragged out, and the harmful path it took to get them collectively?
Here is the factor; the present can do no matter it pleases to pressure the Shaun and Lea romance down our throats, nevertheless it stopped being endearing a very long time in the past.
The window for which they’d have been a good pairing closed round The Good Doctor Season 2. Nonetheless, they spent many of the season “making ready” Shaun for a relationship along with his finest pal, that they imploded past restore earlier than sending them careening towards one another.
The connection in itself turned as poisonous as ever with Shaun embarking on a romantic journey with one other girl, solely to have Lea between them the complete time.
And Shaun realized he needed to inform Lea how he felt solely to have her flat out say she could not presumably date him due to his Autism.
Lea: Shaun? What are you doing?
Shaun: I wish to smash your automobile.
Lea: That feels like a very unhealthy concept.
He was good as a pal and roommate, and sometimes a little bit of a pet venture for Lea, however she could not fathom courting him or viewing him as a romantic companion.
It was hurtful and a number of other different issues, however Lea has lengthy since been a fickle character, so it wasn’t fully stunning both.
Did any of us have to love or agree along with her reasoning behind rejecting her finest pal? No, however her place ought to’ve been revered too.
As an alternative, Shaun turned the “Good Man” who was moderately upset over his finest pal’s bigotry and rejection, but additionally, unacceptably hostile and entitled to her love anyway.
Shaun: Time to get up.
Carly: It is too early. It is nonetheless darkish out.
Shaun: I wish to have intercourse.
Carly: As romantic as that proposition is, it is too early.
Shaun: I’ve calculated it and given our common period, we’ve exactly sufficient time to have intercourse and prepare to go to work on time.
He unleashed such a scathing tirade in opposition to her due to her rejection, and it was a second charged with such violence as he threatened to smash up her automobile, that the concept of the 2 of them remaining buddies after that show ought to’ve been slim.
As an alternative of letting that fester, reuniting Lea and Shaun consisted of a near-death expertise for each of them.
It wasn’t till Lea overheard Vera rightfully telling Shaun to maneuver on and that he deserves higher, and Shaun agreed to just do that for Lea to determine she does need him.
Vera: If we get out of this alive, let’s promise to maneuver on. You are able to do higher than Lea. Not that I’ve any enterprise suggesting that. I am nonetheless hung up on Paul.
Shaun: No, I do not wish to transfer on.
Vera: Shaun, she –
Shaun: I at all times knew I could possibly be physician, however earlier than I met Lea I did not know I may drive a automobile or do tequila pictures or fall in love. I do not wish to cease being the particular person I’m with Lea. She makes me extra. However I do not make her extra. If I did, Lea would wish to be my girlfriend.
It took close to demise, a real concern of dropping him, and a wholesome dose of FOMO for Lea to lastly see him as full-person with company worthy of affection, his autism be damned. And there was no addressing the authentic points between them.
It is not precisely romantic to have her attain this conclusion in any case of this.
Vera instructed that Shaun wasn’t a lot in love with Lea as the concept of her and love itself. Shaun finally accepted that, after which they pushed him into the arms of somebody who did not view him as romantically viable. Why?
Shaun: I made Vera a promise…
[Lea kisses him]
Shaun: I do not know what that was. Was {that a} follow kiss or a pity kiss or….
Lea: It was an I am an fool kiss. I see how a lot you imply to me.
Shaun: Vera lived so the promise doesn’t depend.
How are we purported to consider that Lea desires to be with Shaun due to real love and attraction quite than concern and non permanent trauma after her ordeal?
But, it is bought because the pleased ever after, with none work put into dismantling all of the troubling issues that led to their fallout.
However one of the crucial egregious offenses was bringing in the Jasika Nicole as Carly, getting issues off to a promising begin, after which lowering the character to a stepping stone for Lea and Shaun.
It is not possible to record all of the methods by which that is grossly tone-deaf at finest, however it could’ve been extra compelling if Shaun realized that Lea wasn’t splendid. And perhaps determined to reunite with Carly or no less than be on higher phrases along with her since lots of work was put into the connection.
Opposite to Lea’s accusations (or Lea herself as we realized), Carly did not date Shaun due to his autism. She noticed him for who he was, together with but additionally past that.
She had real emotions for Shaun; she cared about him. She was nothing however affected person with him as he shared each aspect of their relationship with all of his buddies and colleagues.
Carly allowed Shaun to set the tempo of their relationship, particularly when it got here to getting bodily. She took her time, even when she needed to cope with her personal wants not being met the entire time.
Shaun: She stated you’re virtually peeing on my leg.
Lea: You are going to have to offer me context.
Shaun: Morgan. She stated you are attempting to say your dominance over Carly.
Lea: Wow. What a biotch.
Shaun: Is it true?
Lea: Shaun. I promise you that my voice and physique language are saying the identical factor.
She researched methods to enhance their romantic and sexual life. She made herself weak and even subjected herself to rejection and any variety of Shaun’s feelings.
Carly went from having Shaun’s curiosity to spending most of her relationship having Shaun evaluate her to Lea or feeling as if she was on this girl’s shadow. Her insecurity overcame her, however may you blame her?
She one way or the other turned the third wheel in her personal relationship. It was one thing that introduced out some desperation in her, however finally resignation.
It is an understatement to say that Carly’s existence was to “break Shaun in” and make him a reputable romantic lead for another person (Lea).
She was Shaun’s test-run — an opportunity for him to work out all the connection kinks and quirks earlier than the collection paired him with Lea.
Carly was there to “construct him into a greater boyfriend,” or “boyfriend materials” for somebody like Lea who by no means would’ve seen him that method with out that have.
It speaks volumes concerning the Shaun and Lea relationship once you consider it that method, proper?
And if there was any doubt Carly’s sole function was to be a starter girlfriend and a stepping stone, then Shaun searching for her out for recommendation on how you can inform Lea he liked her clenched it.
What sort of insanity is that? It was the final we noticed of Carly, and it was the top of her arc and Jasika Nicole’s tenure on the collection. It is a disgrace, since Carly was a delight as was Nicole even within the face of relentless harassment over the function.
It is sufficient to go away a nasty style in your mouth. However then, hasn’t all of this had that impact?
The powers that be heralded the finale as a comfortable reset for the collection. Park could also be gone, they’ve ruined Morgan’s palms and surgical profession, and Neil is lifeless.
Lim and Claire have each misplaced the person that they love, and Carly was successfully “disappeared.” And Shaun lastly received his Manic Pixie Dreamgirl, Lea.
It makes you surprise, what’s going to subsequent season will seem like now?
And after the incendiary response to the finale, Neil’s demise, and the connection woes, do you propose on returning to search out out? Take our ballot beneath!
For those who missed something or would like to relive the season over again and cherish every of these Melendez scenes, you may watch The Good Doctor online right here by way of TV Fanatic.
And for these of you binging and catching up, remember to take a look at our The Good Doctor Reviews written by senior employees member, Jack Ori!
Over to you, Good Physician Fanatics. Do you will have bittersweet ideas concerning the finale? How do you are feeling about Melendez’s demise? Did it appear untimely and pointless?
Are you cheerful that Shaun and Lea lastly received collectively? Upset? Will you miss Carly? Hit the feedback beneath along with your ideas.
Jasmine Blu is a senior employees author for TV Fanatic. Comply with her on Twitter.