The Good Doctor Season 7 Episode 9 Review: Unconditional

The Good Doctor Season 7 Episode 9, “Unconditional,” picks up the pace and welcomes back one beloved character but feels a bit cluttered and tonally imbalanced.

The episode sees the return of Antonia Thomas as Dr. Claire Browne, although the delight of her return is dampened by her diagnosis of breast cancer. Meanwhile, Dr. Aaron Glassman struggles to help Hannah while Dr. Alex Park and Dr. Morgan Reznick search for a venue for their last-minute wedding.

Needless to say, there is a lot going on, and it is one emotional rollercoaster of an episode. 

First, it is lovely to catch up with Dr. Browne again. Her kindness towards Dr. Murphy and how she fits back perfectly into San Jose Bonaventure Hospital is refreshing to watch.

However, the show does seem to be rushing her story. It’s dizzying learning of her breast cancer diagnosis and the rapid rekindling of her relationship with Dr. Jared Kalu in such a short time span.

Meanwhile, “Unconditional” ends with Dr. Browne seemingly suffering a medical emergency. One can’t help but wonder if it’s wise to begin a dramatic cancer storyline with this returning character one episode before the finale.

The show easily could’ve given her a happy and satisfactory ending by hinting at her relationship with Dr. Kalu instead of introducing another medical storyline that will take up space in what is already shaping up to be a crammed series finale.

On top of that, the episode hints at some unresolved feelings between Dr. Kalu and Dr. Jordan Allen, although it seems quite late to begin exploring a potential love triangle.

Additionally, Dr. Browne’s medical emergency isn’t the only curveball viewers are thrown. The episode continues Dr. Glassman’s arc with Hannah as he struggles to get through to her.

Viewers may vaguely recall the show briefly mentioning “scans” regarding Dr. Glassman. Given how the scans weren’t mentioned again, it is quite shocking when “Unconditional” drops its final bombshell: Dr. Glassman’s cancer has returned and is terminal.

Again, the tonal shift hits viewers hard. What starts as an inspiring story about Dr. Glassman’s aid to Hannah and Dr. Murphy turns into a devastating revelation.

There are hints that Dr. Glassman will undergo a risky operation in the season finale to potentially save his life. The operation could go either way, leaving viewers uncertain if they’ll get a miracle or a major character death in the finale.

It may end with a devastating loss, which is difficult because it’s the series finale, and there’d be no room left to explore how Dr. Murphy deals with that kind of loss. Without the ability to explore how the doctors grieve and cope with Dr. Glassman’s death, it’d be a questionable event to end with.

At the same time, The Good Doctor is a medical drama, and few events would be as dramatic and emotional as the doctors initiating exceedingly difficult operations on two people with whom they have personal connections.

So, although the storylines are abrupt and concerning, they still have potential for the finale. However, they don’t quite fit with the wedding storyline in “Unconditional.”

Compared to their silly antics in previous episodes, the last-minute wedding of Dr. Reznick and Dr. Park is a bit more serious. Still, it continues to be the weakest story arc, especially when shown alongside the very serious stories of Dr. Browne and Dr. Glassman.

Since the wedding arc isn’t strong enough to be the comedic relief or lighten the mood, it only makes the episode feel tonally imbalanced.

Lastly, the stuffed episode leaves viewers with countless questions. There are so many characters, such as Charlie, Dom, and Dr. Allen, whose stories have largely just tapered off in the latter half of the season, raising concern that they won’t be properly closed in the end.

There are also lingering questions about the state of Dr. Murphy and Lea Dilallo-Murphy’s relationship, Steve’s potential autism diagnosis, and how Jerome Martel is fairing after Dr. Asher Wolke’s passing.

While “Unconditional” is fast-paced and dramatic, its cluttered nature and tonal struggles raise concerns about how well The Good Doctor‘s series finale will wrap things up.

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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