The Good Doctor Season 7 Episode 1 Review: Baby, Baby, Baby

The Good Doctor Season 7 Episode 1, “Baby, Baby, Baby,” is a solid start to the long-running medical drama’s final season.

It jumps right back into action as it probes the concept of parenthood. Viewers catch up with Dr. Shaun Murphy and Lea Dilallo-Murphy and their experiences as first-time parents to little Steve Murphy.

However, the episode quickly takes an emotional turn as it introduces two more babies, Eden West and Jack, who are both in need of a new heart.

It may be a difficult episode for parents to watch as it captures a parent’s absolute worst and most unexpected nightmare that their baby may need emergency open-heart surgery to live.

Unfortunately, the hospital learns too late that Eden needs a new heart. With only one donor heart arriving at the hospital, the families and hospital workers face an impossible decision.

However, the episode keeps from being too dark by mixing in a heartwarming glimpse of Dr. Murphy’s family life.

The side plot is light-hearted and relatable as Dr. Murphy struggles with returning to work and copes by micro-managing Steve and Lea’s time with an overwhelming preset schedule.

Initially, Dr. Murphy’s and Lea’s schedule squabble may seem a little insignificant in the face of Eden and Jack’s situation.

However, putting these different parental circumstances parallel to one another helps highlight the validity of the big and small struggles that come with parenting.

Additionally, The Good Doctor is one of very few shows or films that represent neurodivergent parents, and it’s very exciting that the first episode sets the stage for further exploration of Dr. Murphy’s adjustment to parenthood.

As tends to happen in the show, several smaller side stories are also going on, including the lingering hard feelings between Dr. Murphy and Dr. Aaron Glassman and between Dr. Jared Kalu and Dr. Jordan Allen.

However, the episode does a good job of keeping the drama and feuds to a minimum, quickly resolving the issues to focus on the more significant story arcs.

In the end, the episode follows a familiar format where Dr. Murphy finds a solution to Jack and Eden’s situation and gives his patients a happy ending.

It’s questionable how realistic the complicated heart surgery is.

Still, the plot allows for growth as Dr. Reznick progresses in recognizing Dr. Park as Eden’s father, and it highlights a touching act of compassion as the parents agree to their babies sharing a heart instead of demanding a less risky route to save only their child.

Meanwhile, the episode ends on a higher note as Dr. Glassman puts aside his anger at Dr. Murphy and starts acting as a grandpa towards Steve.

Dr. Glassman has always been a father figure to Dr. Murphy, and it is a bit hard to believe that his own pride would stop him from being a grandpa to Dr. Murphy’s son. Fortunately, the show rectifies the issue in its very first episode of the new season.

The Good Doctor‘s Season 7 premiere has some familiar issues with silly subplots and casting doubt on its realism. However, it boasts a solid main story arc, fixes some lingering problems from the last season, and sets things off on a good track.

What did you think of this episode of The Good Doctor? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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The Good Doctor airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on ABC.

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