The Good Doctor Winter Finale Review: Quarantine (Season 2 Episode 10)

The winter finale of The Good Doctor is all about leaving no detail unturned. Each of the smaller details has a bigger impact on the virus outbreak on The Good Doctor Season 2 Episode 10, “Quarantine.”

Let’s take a hard look at what makes this episode truly stand out from all the rest, the attention to detail. More often than not this show lets a few details slide for the sake of what they believe will be a bigger picture. However, the loss of these finer details makes way for a loss in credibility.

That is not the case for “Quarantine.” From the very beginning, we catch small details, such as Melendez seeming more eager about sex with Lim or Shaun hearing a light buzzing when no one else does, that will enhance the plot later.

The moment they are happening their significance isn’t fully realized, but the attention called to them makes it clear that the information will come up later. As the plot moves along it is apparent that those smaller details play into the bigger picture in major ways.

For example, the buzzing light is a consistent problem that becomes increasingly frustrating for Shaun. It is so frustrating that it hinders his ability to properly do the quick, photographic thinking that he is known for.

This frustration ultimately leads to Shaun’s complete shutdown. He freezes up and becomes a slave to his disorder – another detail that is greatly appreciated.

“Quarantine” really solidifies Shaun’s inability to escape all the side-effects of his Autism. While he has made huge strides by becoming the surgeon that he is, there are still parts of him that can’t be changed or ignored.

That may call into question the hospital’s liability of having him on staff. This isn’t the first time he’s had a meltdown in the middle of a major career-related crisis.

His mounting anxiety and stress can be managed, but sometimes there are going to be elements completely out of his control that will hinder his ability to perform his job. Case in point, the quarantine.

Then, there is Melendez. Multiple times throughout the episode he is seen taking a pause from his important life-saving work to check the quarantine monitors for updates on Lim. It distracts him from being the best he can be, which can be argued as leading to his patient’s predicament in the final moments.

His patient signs a DNR and in his thirst to somehow help someone since he clearly can’t help Dr. Lim, he ignores those orders. This is going to spell big trouble for him in the coming season.

If there ends up being no blowback for him because of this I will be thoroughly surprised and a little miffed.

The Good Doctor finally does good on paying heed to the finer details that tell a more unique and authentic story. A step that can only spell good things for them in the not so distant future.

This show keeps working out their kinks and altering their methods to become a better, more put together show. It may miss the mark from time to time, but through it all, they try their best to tell the most accurate story.

Season 2B is bound to astound and please many, if not all, of the fans. After all, we still don’t know what’s going to happen to Dr. Lim.

Further Thoughts:

• Dr. Melendez and Dr. Lim were not where I saw that going. In fact, I was rooting for Claire and Dr. Melendez to get together.
• Dr. Glassman’s tumor is back. This is the final writing on the wall for what I’ve feared since his initial diagnosis: he’s going to die.
• Dr. Park and his son this whole episode is a lesson in how complex and complicated father/son relationships can be. In fact, it’s a true mirror of the case Park is treating.
• Tyler dying is the most heartbreaking moment because it marks the first time Dr. Reznick actually shows any semblance of normal human emotions.
• Finally, if you want a killer final seconds of a finale then play “Silent Night” while chaos ensues. Really brings the severity of the situation up a notch or two.

What did you think of this episode of The Good Doctor? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Be sure to catch up on our review of The Good Doctor Season 2 Episode 9, “Empathy” right here!

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The Good Doctor returns Monday, January 14th at 10/9c on ABC.

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