How Maddie Glassman Dies in 'The Good Doctor' Is Absolutely Tragic

May 2024 · 4 minute read

'The Good Doctor' fans are wondering just how Maddie died in the medical drama starring Freddie Highmore.

Source: ABC

Medical dramas aren't known for pulling punches when it comes to depressing topics. They're often extremely depressing affairs. But what makes them so gratifying to watch is how the characters, while in the face of profound loss and devastation, manage to hold their heads up regardless of what tragedies befall them. That's why fans of The Good Doctor are so concerned with how Maddie died, as well as with how her passing affected her father, Dr. Aaron Glassman.

How did Maddie die in 'The Good Doctor'? An assumed overdose.

Dr. Glassman is haunted by the specter of his daughter, Maddie, who began experimenting with recreational drug use. Frustrated with how to best deal with his daughter's growing addiction, he would bargain with her and threaten to no longer provide for her if she continued using drugs.

Their relationship was a fractured one as Dr. Glassman spent most of his time acting as President of San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital.

One night, when he found Maddie high again, he threw her out of the house, assuming she would spend the night at Jessica Preston's home (the in-house attorney at the hospital who befriended the young girl) or at her Aunt's house, as her mother wasn't home that evening.

Instead, she passed away that evening, presumably from an overdose. Her death haunts Dr. Glassman till this very day.

Source: ABC

Aaron later hallucinates his daughter after he's diagnosed with a brain tumor. After the tumor's resected, he starts to see visions of her and the two have arguments about their relationship and what transpired up until her death. After they get into a verbal altercation, Maddie ultimately tells her father that she loves him. Aaron then passes out and goes to sleep. When he comes to, Maddie is nowhere to be seen.

I know the good doctor is just a show but they are doing an episode about the pandemic and it’s literally breaking my heart that this situation is so real and has taken so many lives and our current president doesnt fucking care. Please, please. Vote tomorrow.

— Veronica (@isntshedelicate) November 3, 2020

Dr. Glassman's guilt over the loss of his daughter could explain why he takes on the patriarchal, father figure of the hospital so well. Prior to Maddie leaving the house, Dr. Glassman's wife suggested they take their daughter to rehab, but Aaron had insisted he was perfectly capable of "fixing" her himself. 

The good doctor season 4 pic.twitter.com/OwcwhlEcn6

— Rap-Rap (@sanjuan_ralph) November 3, 2020

It could be why he so intently watches over the staff so much, including the show's main character, Dr. Shaun Murphy, who has been diagnosed with savant syndrome and autism. Sometimes, Dr. Glassman is a little too overbearing with his affection and watchful eye, to the point where Shaun has to ask him to step back.

The Good Doctor
S04 E01
"Frontline" pic.twitter.com/9lTpbcVFSd

— Best Of Freddie Highmore (@highmorepost) November 4, 2020

The way he lost his daughter and his previous "hands-off" approach to fatherhood could be the reason why he's trying so hard to make amends for being a workaholic and losing his child to an overdose-induced suicide.

Omg Shawn finding out Dr.glassman is dying is the saddest thing ever 🥺🥺😭like I’m boutta cry😭🥺y’all really gotta watch the good doctor ‼️😭

— 🇬🇳🇨🇮💕 (@Bronke_) November 8, 2020

What date/time do new episodes of 'The Good Doctor' come on?

The ABC drama airs new episodes on Monday at 10 p.m. EST. The show is currently on its fourth season, with previous episodes available on Hulu, in case you were in a streaming mood and wanted to catch up on what happened previously. Or rewatch the scene between Aaron and Maddie again so you can feel your heart drop into your stomach.

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