Advertisement

The Good Doctor boss responds to character return in season 4 premiere

Photo credit: Sony - ABC
Photo credit: Sony - ABC

From Digital Spy

The Good Doctor season 4 episode 1 spoilers follow.

The Good Doctor's executive producer has spoken out about the surprise return of one character in the ABC medical drama's fourth season premiere, which explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on San Jose St Bonaventure Hospital.

Dr Neil Melendez (Nicholas Gonzalez) was tragically killed off during the season three finale of the show after he sustained serious injuries in a partial building collapse during an earthquake, dying of septic shock after saying a sad goodbye to Dr Claire Brown (Antonia Thomas).

So fans were surprised to see him again in the season four opener, as grieving Claire heard a voice telling her that "things will be okay" before she turned to see Neil standing in front of her.

Photo credit: ABC
Photo credit: ABC

Related: The Good Doctor announces Dear Evan Hansen star for season 4

Sadly, executive producer David Shore has confirmed to TV Line that Neil really is dead and that his appearance was simply a result of Claire imagining him there at a time when she most needs him.

"Part of these (pandemic) episodes is about the stress – the real-world stress that the last (several months) have put on real doctors out there," he said, adding that the writers had tried to incorporate all aspects of the pandemic.

"Claire's storyline is very much about trying to bring solace to people who have lost somebody (and) doing what you can do. Melendez is one of those people (for Claire), more so than anybody else in our hospital at that moment, given the way we ended last season.

"Of course, we did not anticipate any of this at the end of season three. Liz Friedman, who co-wrote the episode with me, called me up one day and said, 'I think we should see Melendez', and I went, 'That's a good idea'."

Photo credit: ABC
Photo credit: ABC

Related: The Good Doctor stars open up about big Shaun and Lea moment

Shore added that he even told actor Gonzalez last year there was a chance he could return to the show, revealing that he told him: "This is the type of show where even death doesn't stop you from being here."

"I always thought it would be nice to have a moment to bring him back, and bring Melendez's spirit back in some way," he said, adding that Gonzalez was "immediately on board".

"He may have been surprised that it was this soon, but he didn't hesitate. It was wonderful."

The episode also featured a brief cameo by Beau Garrett as St Bonaventure's in-house attorney Jessica Preston, marking her first appearance on the show since season one.

The Good Doctor season 4 airs on ABC in the US. The show airs on Sky Witness and NOW TV in the UK.


Digital Spy has launched its first-ever digital magazine with exclusive features, interviews, and videos. Access the latest edition with a 1-month free trial, only on Apple News+.

Interested in Digital Spy's weekly newsletter? Sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox - and don't forget to join our Watch This Facebook Group for daily TV recommendations and discussions with other readers.

You Might Also Like