
Dr Shaun Murphy is a fictional character and the protagonist of the American medical drama 'The Good Doctor'. Shaun is a surgical resident at the fictional San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital, where he develops a relationship with Lea Dilallo. In episode 12, titled 'Islands Part Two', Shaun gives his resignation letter to Dr Richard Schiff following his trip with Lea. This comes as a surprise to Richard and Dr Neil Melendez, who is also shocked by Shaun's decision to leave the hospital.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Name | Shaun Robert Murphy |
Occupation | Surgeon |
Hospital | San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital |
Diagnosis | Autism and Savant Syndrome |
Relationship status | In a relationship with Lea Dilallo |
Reason for leaving | Unspecified; possibly to pursue his relationship |
Resignation | Gives his resignation letter to Dr. Richard Schiff (Aaron Glassman) |
What You'll Learn
Dr Shaun Murphy is a fictional character
Dr Murphy is an autistic surgical resident with savant syndrome at the fictional San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital. In the show, Murphy develops a relationship with Lea Dilallo, portrayed by Paige Spara. In one of the show's most memorable scenes, Shaun is able to stabilize an injured child by visualizing the child's body.
Throughout the series, Shaun faces various challenges and obstacles. In one instance, he is assigned to lab work analysis, fired from his position, and then ultimately reinstated as a surgical resident. In another instance, Shaun struggles with the unexpected return of Lea, with whom he has a romantic relationship. Despite caring for her, he fears that she will leave again, leading to difficulties in their relationship.
Shaun's character has polarized audiences, with some praising his portrayal of an autistic individual and others criticizing its accuracy. In a 2019 study, it was found that audiences who watched 'The Good Doctor' gained a greater knowledge of autism than they would have from a college lecture on the subject. However, the founder of Autistic Doctors International, Mary Doherty, described Murphy's portrayal as a "missed opportunity".
Overall, Dr Shaun Murphy is a complex and multifaceted fictional character who has sparked conversations about autism representation in media.
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Murphy has autism and savant syndrome
Dr Shaun Murphy, the central character in the television series The Good Doctor, has autism and savant syndrome. He is a young surgeon with autism who faces significant skepticism from his colleagues, who doubt his ability to function in a high-pressure hospital environment. Throughout the show, Shaun struggles with social interactions, communication difficulties, sensory sensitivities, and understanding emotions. However, he possesses exceptional abilities, including a photographic memory, a talent for visualizing complex medical problems, and a keen attention to detail. These traits help him navigate the challenges of his profession and excel as a surgeon.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that affects communication, behaviour, and social interaction. Savant syndrome is a rare condition in which individuals with developmental disorders, such as autism, exhibit extraordinary abilities in specific areas, such as memory, mathematics, music, or art. While Shaun's savant syndrome allows him to excel in medicine, it's important to note that only a small percentage of individuals with autism also have savant syndrome. The portrayal of Shaun as both autistic and a savant has sparked conversations about autism representation in the media.
In the show, Shaun Murphy is introduced as a talented but unconventional young doctor recruited to work at St. Bonaventure Hospital. He faces challenges in his personal and professional life, including romantic relationships, which are more complicated for him due to his autism. Despite these struggles, Shaun's dedication to saving lives and his exceptional medical skills continually prove his worth as a surgeon. He becomes an attending surgeon and later the Chief of Surgery at the hospital.
Shaun's character has been praised for bringing autism into the spotlight and raising awareness about the impact of autism on an individual's life and their environment. However, there are also criticisms regarding the accuracy of the show's portrayal of autism and savant syndrome. Some argue that the focus on Shaun's savant-like skills may reinforce the misconception that all autistic individuals have exceptional talents, which is not reflective of the wider autism community. It is important to remember that autism is a spectrum, and no single portrayal can represent the experiences of all individuals on it.
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He works at the fictional San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital
Dr Shaun Murphy is a fictional character and the protagonist of the American medical drama The Good Doctor. He works at the fictional San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital, where he is a surgical resident with autism and savant syndrome. Murphy's unique ability to visualize the human body is introduced in the show's pilot episode, "Burnt Food", where he uses this skill to help stabilize an injured child.
Throughout the series, Shaun struggles with his autism and its impact on his ability to communicate with patients and colleagues. In one instance, a convenience store robber tells Murphy to show his hands and hand over his wallet. Murphy replies that the robber "can't see [his] hands" if he reaches for his wallet, resulting in the robber firing a shot and injuring a bystander. This scene has been criticized by some members of the autistic community for its inaccuracy.
Despite these challenges, Shaun excels in his role at the hospital. In one instance, while on his way to San Jose, Shaun witnesses a freak accident that injures a boy, Adam. Shaun immediately instructs a fellow doctor on life-saving measures and makes on-the-spot diagnoses that help save Adam's life. Shaun's skills are recognized by Dr. Claire Browne and Dr. Neil Melendez, who invite him back into the hospital to help diagnose pericardial effusion.
Shaun's personal life also plays a significant role in the series. He develops a relationship with Lea Dilallo, which may have contributed to his decision to resign from his job at the hospital. However, it is unclear whether their relationship will survive in the long run. Shaun also struggles with the unexpected return of Lea to San Jose, as he fears she will leave again. Despite this, the two reconcile and move in together, navigating the challenges of their platonic relationship.
Overall, Shaun Murphy's character at the fictional San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital has been a source of both praise and criticism. While some argue that it has helped increase audiences' understanding of autism, others believe it misses the mark in representing the autistic community accurately.
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Murphy's portrayal has been criticised as a missed opportunity
Dr Shaun Murphy, the main protagonist of The Good Doctor, has autism and savant syndrome. In the show, he works as a surgical resident at St. Bonaventure Hospital.
For example, in one episode, Shaun is travelling to San Jose when he witnesses a freak accident that injures a boy, Adam. Shaun's immediate response is to instruct a fellow doctor on life-saving measures, making on-the-spot diagnoses that ultimately save Adam's life. However, Shaun is initially pegged as obnoxious by one of the residents and is thrown out of the hospital. This portrayal could have been a powerful demonstration of the challenges faced by individuals with autism in communicating and being understood by others. However, the show fails to explore this further and instead focuses on Shaun's medical diagnosis and treatment of the patient.
In another instance, Shaun's relationship with Lea is a potential area where the show could have explored the impact of autism on personal relationships. Shaun struggles with Lea's presence in his life and fears that she will leave again, leading to evasive and distant behaviour. While the show acknowledges these challenges, it does not delve deeper into how autism can affect an individual's ability to form and maintain relationships.
Overall, while the inclusion of a character with autism and savant syndrome in a popular television show is a positive step forward, the portrayal of Dr Shaun Murphy could have been a missed opportunity to raise awareness and promote understanding of these conditions.
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He hands in his resignation in episode 12
In episode 12 of The Good Doctor, Dr Shaun Murphy hands in his resignation to Dr Richard Schiff (Aaron Glassman). This comes as a surprise to Richard, who is taken aback by Shaun's decision to leave his job at the San Jose Bonaventure Hospital. Richard even consults with Dr Neil Melendez, who is also surprised by Shaun's decision. However, Neil is confident that Shaun will go far, regardless of his career path.
Shaun's decision to resign may have been influenced by his relationship with Lea. After all, he had just returned from a trip with her, and their relationship was potentially a factor in his desire for a change. It is unclear whether their relationship will survive in the long run.
Prior to his resignation, Shaun had faced challenges in his career. At one point, he was even fired and had to work hard to regain his status as a surgical resident. Despite these obstacles, Shaun demonstrated his unique abilities, such as visualizing the human body, which helped him stabilize an injured child.
As a fictional character, Shaun Murphy, portrayed by Freddie Highmore, has polarized audiences. Some praised the portrayal, while others criticized its accuracy in representing the autistic community. Nonetheless, a 2019 study found that audiences who watched The Good Doctor gained a greater knowledge of autism than they would have from a college lecture.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, in episode 12, titled "Islands Part Two", Dr Shaun Murphy gives his resignation letter to Dr Richard Schiff (Aaron Glassman).
Dr Shaun Murphy's resignation may have been influenced by his relationship with Lea, as he wanted to pursue their budding romance.
Richard Schiff is taken aback by Shaun Murphy's resignation and consults with Dr Neil Melendez on what to do.
Dr Neil Melendez is also surprised by Shaun Murphy's decision to leave the hospital, but he is confident that Shaun could succeed regardless.