The Worst Episodes of The Good Doctor
Every episode of The Good Doctor ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of The Good Doctor!
Shaun Murphy, a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome, relocates from a quiet country life to join a prestigious hospital's surgical unit. Unable to personally connect with those around him, Shaun uses his extraordinary medical gifts to save lives and challenge the skepticism of his colleagues.
Lowest Rated Episodes Summary
The worst episode of "The Good Doctor" is "Irresponsible Salad Bar Practices", rated 5.2/10 from 2350 user votes. It was directed by Felipe Rodriguez and written by Liz Friedman, Sam Chanse. "Irresponsible Salad Bar Practices" aired on 2/15/2021 and is rated 1.5 point(s) lower than the second lowest rated, "Dry Spell".
5.2/10 2,350 votes#1 - Irresponsible Salad Bar Practices
Season 4 Episode 9 - Aired 2/15/2021
Lim is challenged by the unique circumstances surrounding a pregnant patient with an aggressive tumor. Elsewhere, after misdiagnosing a patient, Claire makes a disconcerting discovery about certain practices at the hospital.
Director: Felipe Rodriguez
Writer: Liz Friedman, Sam Chanse
6.7/10 764 votes#2 - Dry Spell
Season 5 Episode 12 - Aired 3/28/2022
Drs. Lim, Park and Wolke treat a woman with Valley fever and discover a secret she has been hiding from her fiancé. Meanwhile, Drs. Murphy, Allen and Andrews treat a 45-year-old virgin and help her make a big decision about her life.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.0/10 1,199 votes#3 - Newbies
Season 4 Episode 3 - Aired 11/16/2020
With several candidates vying for residency at St. Bonaventure, Chief of Surgery Dr. Audrey Lim tasks Dr. Shaun Murphy, Dr. Claire Browne and Dr. Alex Park with mentoring the top first-year resident contenders. As their mentees shadow them for the day, Shaun and Park meet with Andrews to discuss a difficult surgery scheduled for a minor. Later, Shaun inadvertently insults Lea while discussing the pros and cons of the controversial surgery. And elsewhere, Dr. Morgan Reznick seeks out Claire and Lim’s help on a consult.
Director: David Straiton
Writer: David Renaud
7.1/10 2,848 votes#4 - She
Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 2/5/2018
Dr. Shaun Murphy is surprised to learn that his young cancer patient identifies as a girl while being biologically male. Shaun must quickly learn to understand his patient, her medical needs and how to work with her family, who all feel they know what is best for her.
Director: Seth Gordon
Writer: Simran Baidwan
7.1/10 673 votes#5 - My Way
Season 5 Episode 15 - Aired 4/18/2022
While Doctor Andrews treats a foster kid for injuries sustained at his group home, Shaun and team look to Lea's expertise with cars and auto repair to help a patient whose iron lung has broken. Meanwhile, the patient's niece, a documentarian, takes an interest in Shaun.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.2/10 811 votes#6 - Forgive or Forget
Season 4 Episode 18 - Aired 5/24/2021
Shaun and Lea go on a camping trip to distract themselves from their grief over their miscarriage. Meanwhile, Morgan and Park argue about the best course of treatment for their patient.
Director: Lee Friedlander
Writer: Thomas L. Moran, David Renaud
7.2/10 451 votes#7 - Who at Peace
Season 7 Episode 5 - Aired 4/2/2024
Asher's views on the construct of marriage complicate his future with Jerome. Meanwhile, Asher also briefly revisits his religious past to aid a patient's conversion to Judaism for his fiancée.
Director: Dinh Thai
Writer: Adam Scott Weissman, Peter Blake
7.3/10 1,997 votes#8 - Heartfelt
Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 2/26/2018
Dr. Shaun Murphy's teenage patient has been confined to her home her entire life due to a rare heart condition. Despite her condition, she has cultivated a large group of friends online and hopes that the surgical team can find a way to give her the life she has always dreamed of having. Meanwhile, a young patient's perfectly matched organ donor is causing a moral dilemma for the parents and the patient.
Director: Regina King
Writer: Thomas L. Moran, Johanna Lee
7.3/10 1,586 votes#9 - Frontline (1)
Season 4 Episode 1 - Aired 11/2/2020
Dr. Murphy treats a patient who has an illness that is not only unpredictable in nature, but also unlike anything he or the team has seen before. Dr. Claire Brown continues to work through her grief, still reeling from Dr. Neil Melendez's death.
Director: Mike Listo
Writer: David Shore, Liz Friedman
7.3/10 1,036 votes#10 - Lim
Season 4 Episode 6 - Aired 1/11/2021
As Chief of Surgery Dr. Audrey Lim struggles to cope with the residual emotional trauma of COVID-19, she encounters a young war veteran fighting debilitating PTSD. After discussing his case with the team, Dr. Claire Browne suggests a radical treatment to help him. Meanwhile, still reeling from the recent loss of his mentee’s patient, Dr. Shaun Murphy declares he doesn’t want to teach the new residents anymore. And elsewhere, an eccentric patient keeps the team entertained.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.3/10 870 votes#11 - Spilled Milk
Season 4 Episode 13 - Aired 3/29/2021
Claire is blindsided when her absentee father shows up at her door. Meanwhile, Shaun feels disconnected from Lea, causing tension in their relationship.
Director: Sarah Wayne Callies
Writer: Tracy Taylor, Jessica Grasl
7.3/10 627 votes#12 - Growing Pains
Season 5 Episode 13 - Aired 4/4/2022
While Drs. Lim, Murphy and Wolke help a teenage “biohacker” whose self- experiments begin to compromise his health, Drs. Morgan, Park, Jordan and Glassman treat a young woman who wants a controversial surgery to treat her depression and chronic pain. Additionally, Dr. Reznick looks to take the next step in her relationship with Dr. Park.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.3/10 607 votes#13 - The Lea Show
Season 5 Episode 17 - Aired 5/9/2022
Sophie takes Lea out for a day full of luxurious wedding planning. And after a near fatal oversight, Dr. Lim senses an underlying issue is behind nurse Villanueva's unprofessional behavior.
Director: Steven Paul
Writer: David Hoselton, David Renaud
7.4/10 2,631 votes#14 - Seven Reasons
Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 1/22/2018
Dr. Shaun Murphy suspects his patient is lying about the reason for her injury and makes a controversial assumption about her motives. Meanwhile, Dr. Neil Melendez’s personal life could be affecting his work and, ultimately, his patients lives.
Director: Mike Listo
Writer: David Shore, David Hoselton
7.4/10 1,283 votes#15 - Frontline (2)
Season 4 Episode 2 - Aired 11/9/2020
Shaun has a hard time balancing his fears and concerns about potentially jeopardizing Lea's health and wanting to be with the woman he loves. Claire looks for a way to grieve Melendez's death. Park and Mia discuss their future together.
Director: Mike Listo
Writer: David Shore, Liz Friedman
7.4/10 984 votes#16 - Not the Same
Season 4 Episode 4 - Aired 11/23/2020
Dr. Morgan Reznik and Dr. Shaun Murphy's pregnant patient with twins is having pain and they are forced to grapple with a decision no one wants to make. Meanwhile, Shaun asks Lea to move back in despite her reservations
Director: Sarah Wayne Callies
Writer: David Hoselton, Adam Scott Weissman
7.4/10 944 votes#17 - The Uncertainty Principle
Season 4 Episode 7 - Aired 1/18/2021
Dr. Morgan Reznick discovers her patient’s wealth and obsession with extending his life is a dangerous mix that could end up costing more than he can afford.
Director: Gary Hawes
Writer: Doris Egan
7.4/10 987 votes#18 - Decrypt
Season 4 Episode 10 - Aired 2/22/2021
When the hospital is hit with a cyberattack threatening to shut down life-saving machines, Lea rises to the challenge and looks to outsmart the hackers to prove herself. Meanwhile, the team treats an inspirational cancer survivor-turned-successful-philanthropist who harbors a dark secret.
Director: Freddie Highmore
Writer: Thomas L. Moran, Adam Scott Weissman
7.4/10 917 votes#19 - Gender Reveal
Season 4 Episode 14 - Aired 4/19/2021
After finding out the gender of their unborn child, Lea's enthusiasm prompts Shaun to make an effort to be a more supportive partner. Meanwhile, the team treats a navy pilot whose previous doctor's misdiagnosis compromises her chances at a full recovery.
Director: Tim Southam
Writer: Debbie Ezer
7.4/10 677 votes#20 - Crazytown
Season 5 Episode 5 - Aired 11/1/2021
Dr. Park and Dr. Murphy treat an elderly Asian man brought to St. Bonaventure by his daughter after being the victim of a hate crime. In addition, Lea goes behind Shaun’s back to help raise his negative patient satisfaction scores.
Director: Rebecca Moline
Writer: Jessica Grasl, Sam Chanse
7.4/10 651 votes#21 - Rebellion
Season 5 Episode 8 - Aired 2/28/2022
Now that Shaun has called off the wedding, he is forced to confront Lea about their relationship and determine what he really means to her. Meanwhile, the team debate their opinions on plastic surgery and Dr. Audrey Lim hopes to expose Salen’s cover-up over an infant’s death to take her down before it is too late.
Director: Gary Hawes
Writer: Thomas L. Moran
7.4/10 685 votes#22 - Potluck
Season 5 Episode 14 - Aired 4/11/2022
When someone mistakenly brings a hallucinogen-laced dish to the hospital's company potluck, much of the hospital staff and doctors are incapacitated -- leaving doctors Murphy, Glassman and Allen forced to take on all the hospital's cases, further exacerbating Dr. Murphy and Dr. Glassman's conflicting work styles.
Director: Rebecca Moline
Writer: Mark Rozeman
7.4/10 467 votes#23 - Second Chances and Past Regrets
Season 6 Episode 17 - Aired 3/20/2023
Dr. Shaun Murphy must learn how to work with Dr. Jared Kalu again and remind him that he must start all over at St. Bonaventure. Meanwhile, Dr. Murphy treats a teenager suffering from neurological problems with a very high-risk procedure.
Director: Mina Shum
Writer: Tracy Taylor, Jeff Qiu
7.5/10 1,117 votes#24 - Incomplete
Season 3 Episode 9 - Aired 11/25/2019
Shaun is ready for the next step in his relationship with Carly; however, he continues to struggle as they grow closer and more intimate, and is dealt some troubling news about a deeply personal issue. Meanwhile, a young patient must decide on a treatment that could save her life or possibly destroy her marriage.
Director: Marisol Adler
Writer: Brian Shin
7.5/10 983 votes#25 - Fault
Season 4 Episode 5 - Aired 11/30/2020
Dr. Shaun Murphy questions his decision to give the new residents autonomy when one of his intern's misdiagnosis of a patient has dire consequences. Meanwhile, Dr. Claire Browne, Dr. Alex Park and Dr. Jordan Allen treat a patient with a ruptured cyst affecting key functions of her brain. And elsewhere, Dr. Morgan Reznick and Park bond over failed relationships.
Director: Vanessa Parise
Writer: Mark Rozeman, Peter Blake