Episode 2 of Season 7 of "Good Doctor" kicks off with Shaun and Lea making their way to the clinic. As they arrive, the doctor greets them with serious news: Steve, their patient, is lagging behind in weight gain, necessitating the introduction of formula to his diet. She hands them a sample of the recommended formula, much to Lea's surprise.
Meanwhile, Glassman and Lim are locked in a tense dance as they attempt to navigate their new roles as co-presidents. Lim is increasingly frustrated with Glassman's decisions, which seem to pile more work onto his shoulders. A prime example is the deal Glassman struck with San Jose Med school, forcing the hospital to take on the teaching of a handful of medical students - Charlene and Dominick, among them.
Throughout the episode, Lim and Glassman engage in a silent battle of wills, each trying to outdo the other until, finally, they call a truce and agree to distribute the workload more evenly.
As for the new students, Charlene, an autistic woman, has a special admiration for Shaun. From the moment they meet, she gushes about him being her hero and strives to win his favor. On the contrary, Dominick, a former football player, harbors aspirations of transforming lives through his newfound career path in medicine. However, his resolve is put to the test when he faints upon seeing blood.
During this episode, Shaun is confronted with a challenging case: a man brought in by his daughter. Joined by Charlene, Allen, and Kalu, Shaun assesses the patient, who is visiting his daughter in town, believing she has achieved great success in the tech industry. Unfortunately, his visit is cut short when he starts coughing violently, eventually falling and hitting his head. Shaun asks Charlene to dress the wound, and to everyone's surprise, she pulls out her phone and proceeds to watch a tutorial on how to do it.
The patient's daughter is visibly displeased with this unconventional approach, and Kalu tries to raise the issue with Shaun. However, Shaun brushes it off, reasoning that Charlene's unconventional method didn't harm the patient and she did a decent job.
As the medical case unfolded, they gradually realized that their patient was suffering from silicosis and urgently needed a lung transplant. The father, however, hesitated to consent to the surgery, fearing the extensive care it would require and his potential to derail his daughter's budding career. Despite his reservations, she was resolute in her commitment to care for him and successfully persuaded him to proceed with the operation.
Unfortunately, Charlene's inadvertent revelation about the daughter's occupation as a sex worker, rather than her claimed tech industry role, placed the patient's life in jeopardy. The revelation deeply shocked the father, who immediately refused the surgery and insisted on returning to Florida.
After much deliberation, Shaun intervened, speaking candidly with the patient. He reassured the father that he had raised his daughter well, praising her kindness and impeccable character. Shaun emphasized that her profession did not define her as a person and that she was exemplary in every aspect of her life. Touched by Shaun's words, the father finally acquiesced to the surgery.
Upon waking, he was relieved and heartened to see his daughter at his bedside. He expressed his desire to remain with her, and they reconciled, their bond strengthened by the ordeal.
Meanwhile, Charlene found herself on the wrong side of Shaun's favor, struggling to redeem herself. Her mistake of contaminating the surgical area led to her exclusion from the operation, and Shaun held her accountable for breaking the daughter's confidence and endangering their patient. As a result, Shaun assigned her menial tasks but remained critical of her performance.
Elsewhere, Parker, Asher, and Dominick were confronted with a challenging case - a gambler with a brain tumor intricately intertwined with his brainstem and cranial nerves. Parker was uncertain about the feasibility of saving the patient given the tumor's precarious location.
Dominick proposed a risky and untested surgical approach, which he openly acknowledged as experimental and unlikely to succeed. Nevertheless, the patient, fueled by a stubborn optimism, was willing to take the gamble, believing that luck was finally on his side.
Parker sought guidance from Lim but was urged to make an independent decision. As an attending doctor, he was now solely responsible for making crucial choices. He poured himself into preparing for the surgery but repeatedly fell short, adding to his already mounting stress.
Finally, Parker sat down with the patient, engaging in a heartfelt conversation. He asked if the man was prepared to turn his life around if given a second chance. The gambler promised to abandon his addictive habits and mend his broken relationships with his family.
Amidst the swirling concerns surrounding the surgery's potential success, Parker steels his nerves and decides to take the plunge. Reznick, ever the stalwart, arrives to offer her unwavering support. The operation turns out to be a triumphant success, yet the patient's stubborn refusal to abide by his promises and continue gambling casts a shadow over the celebration.
On the domestic front, Lea confesses her struggles with the transition from breastfeeding to formula feeding Steve. She feels inadequate, as if she's failing as a mother. Shaun, however, remains oblivious to her angst, assuring her that she's a marvelous mother and the formula is just as nourishing. It's Reznick who comes to his rescue before Lea's frustration boils over.
Later, Reznick reveals that she's grappling with her own challenges. She confesses that without Parker's assistance, she would be overwhelmed. The guilt of not hearing her baby's cries during the night weighs heavily on her, as Parker always takes care of the night feeds. They find a solace in their shared struggles, realizing that motherhood, while challenging, is ultimately rewarding.
Meanwhile, Shaun remains steadfast in his refusal to attend Reznick's celebration for her child, citing his lingering anger towards Glassman and the possibility of his attendance. Glassman, in an attempt to mend fences, offers an apology, but Shaun's anger lingers, stemming from Glassman's failure to meet Steve on his first day. However, a poignant encounter with a patient grappling with his daughter's life choices prompts a change of heart in Shaun. He reconciles with Glassman at the party, declaring that they are still family, despite their differences.
As the day draws to a close, Dominick endeavors to lift Charlene's spirits after a trying shift. They turn to the melodies of Taylor Swift, shaking off the negative vibes. Reassured by the steadfast support of Kalu, Asher, and Allen, who have pledged to stand by them in the future, they find solace in the knowledge that mistakes are a part of the human journey.
