Neil Melendez (Nicholas Gonzalez), whodied in the season 3 finale.
Thankfully, the season doesn’t stay in this mode for too long.
In episode 3, the ABC drama turns its attention to some of the season’s major storylines.
Credit: Jeff Weddell/ABC; Inset: Archuleta/FilmMagic
So, that’s exciting,“The Good Doctorshowrunner David Shore tells EW.
I think we’ve got some really interesting characters there.
I think they’re very real people that the audience will find compelling and enjoy spending time with.”
What was it like to write this episode and engage with the current situation?
Was it hard to navigate those emotions?
Then it sort of comes back and hits when you’re watching it.
We were just trying to be honest.
So yes, we felt an added weight in that regard.
I think the wordis"visceral."
Which moment hit you in a way that you weren’t expecting when you watched it?
But then when you watch it and go, “Oh God, it’s all about separation.
It’s all about not being together.
It’s all about the frustration that comes with that, the challenges that come with that.”
As you mentioned, the medicine is constantly changing.
Did this episode go through more rewrites or updates than usual because of that?
We tried to avoid stuff that might change day-to-day, but yes, there was a fear of that.
The doctors got better at protecting themselves and protecting their patients.
When we wrote it, we thought it’d be over by now, but it obviously isn’t.
AtNew York Comic-Con, you said that the pandemic isn’t taking over the bulk of the season.
Do you view this two-part episode as a prologue to the new season?
Is episode 3 where the new storylines really get going?
These two episodes largely stand on their own, not completely.
We will definitely carry stuff forward.
The impact of these two episodes on our characters personally will be carried forward.
We are filming, but boy we’re taking precautions on the set: Testing, masks, distancing.
Everything is going well so far.
Last season explored Shaun’s first experience with romance.
What do you hope to explore through Shaun and Lea’s long-awaited pairing this season?
What excites you about these two finally being together?
Yes, finally is the keyword there, I think.
I view this more of as Shaun in a relationship.
This is not about first date, second date, third date.
This is about living your life with somebody.
We’ll have wonderful moments and challenging moments.
What lessons did you learn or take from writing that season and apply to this one?
[Laughs] We’re not going to be playing the same [game].
It’s less about that.
The first episode is a little about that.
So I look forward to doing that with Dr. Murphy and these new people.
right from the beginning.
We played a little bit of that, [like] “Can he survive?
Can he meet this challenge?”
So, he’s no longer a first-year resident.
He has proven he can do that.
He’s got some weaknesses as we all do and he has some great strengths.
But now it’s about a new challenge for him, which is supervising.
Can he be a leader?
Park and Claire are also going to have those challenges.
So yes, all of those things are happening.
How is Claire handling losing Melendez when the season begins?
We’re still exploring that.
We’re going forward with that.
Claire lost somebody very important.
We see the impact on her in episodes 1 and 2, and beyond.
Let’s not forget Lim.
She lost somebody who was important to her, too.
The two of them go through hell in the beginning.
We want to explore their relationship.
How are they there for each other and support each other through this challenge?
News broke thatMelendez’s ex Jessica (Beau Garrett)will appear in the premiere.
What can you tease about her return?
She will be there, but I don’t want to over-promise on that.
What is Andrews facing this year?
The Good Doctorreturns Monday at 10 p.m. on ABC.
