Viewers were left furious after the most recent episode of The Good Doctor killed off a fan-favorite character.
The medical drama, which is currently in its final season, follows Dr. Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore) â an autistic surgeon at a California hospital. While the show has maintained stellar reviews throughout its seven seasons, some fans are now threatening to boycott following the shocking death of Dr. Asher Wolke (Noah Galvin).
Asher has been a series regular since Season 3. His storyline has primarily seen him reconciling his Jewish religion with his sexuality as a gay man. But it all comes to a head in Season 7, Episode 5 â titled “Who at Peace” â when he and a rabbi come across antisemites vandalizing a synagogue.
After asking them to leave, Asher explains that he’s a Jew and gay â and just when it seems like everything is resolved, they come back and fatally strike him over the head. Meanwhile, Asher’s boyfriend Jerome Martel (Giacomo Baessato) is left waiting alone at a restaurant, where he originally intended to propose.
At the end of the episode, a message appears on the screen. “If you or anyone you know has experienced antisemitism, racism, anti-LGBTQ+ related incidents or hate crimes, or if you want to learn more about what you can do to stop hate, please visit splcenter.org,” the statement reads.
Meanwhile, devout fans of the show were angered by Asher’s fate.
“I usually donât like making criticism like this but The Good Doctor killing Asher is horrifying,” one wrote. “Iâm appalled they went with a gay bashing storyline like this as heâs reconciled his religious views. Itâs frustrating this keeps being the narrative for queer characters. Itâs sick.”
Another added, “The Good Doctor just pissed me off so bad,” while a third person echoed, “The Good Doctor episode really just pissed me all the way off. So unnecessary.”
Someone else said, “I cannot believe they really killed Asher off The Good Doctor. 2 times too many did they kill off a favorite character of mine like I donât even want to finish the season.”
Fuck me, I was SO not prepared for the end of the latest episode of the Good Doctor ððð pic.twitter.com/06ZcOeyzin
— //@R!$$@ âï¸ (@eclectic009) April 4, 2024
The Good Doctor â¦. Shame on you. Itâs so exhausting, being queer sometimes.
— Em âï¸ð©ï¸ | #SaveStation19 (@Bishops_Bakery) April 3, 2024
I KNOW THE GOOD DOCTOR DID NOT JUST KILL OFF ASHER BEFORE HE GOT ENGAGED ððððððð WHYYYYYY? @GoodDoctorABC
— ð¦ (@_emilyynicoleee) April 3, 2024
Bro I hated the ending of the new The Good Doctor episode so much. YOU CAN’T JUST KILL OFF A GREAT CHARACTERS LIKE THAT T-T pic.twitter.com/u14G4tIpaU
— Fluffy Jacqui (@fluffy_jacqui) April 4, 2024
Omg. The Good Doctor. I WAS NOT READY ð
— JZ ð« Ï â¯Í (@Cindy_Bunn) April 3, 2024
The Good Doctor did NOT just end an episode like that
— Elocin â¨In my FF Era (@Elocin_712) April 4, 2024
New episodes of The Good Doctor air on Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.
The post ‘The Good Doctor’ Fans Fuming After Show Kills Off Beloved Character: “I Don’t Even Want To Finish The Season” appeared first on Decider.