The Good Doctor: 10 Burning Questions Ahead Of Season 5's Return

ABC's The Good Doctor faces a somewhat uncertain future. For the first time, the Freddie Highmore-fronted series has been placed on an indeterminate hiatus, following an abbreviated fall run of just seven episodes.

In the meantime, a new drama — Promised Land — is set to assume medical procedural's long-held Mondays-at-10 pm time slot beginning Jan. 24.

Heading into its extended break, The Good Doctor left audiences with plenty to ponder — including, but not limited to: the future of Shaun and Lea's relationship; Glassman's seemingly shrinking role, both as Shaun's mentor and as president amid Ethicure Medical's takeover; and the fate of St. Bonaventure at the hands of the negligible Salen Morrison.

Scroll down to jog your memory heading into Season 5B, then hit the comments and tell us how you think any of the following storylines will be resolved in the new year.

Shaun demanded that Lea go to her superior and admit that she manipulated his patient satisfaction scores — but such a risky endeavor could result in his (former?) fiancée losing her job.

In a fit of rage, Shaun told Lea that he could no longer marry her, then crumpled up their venue contract.

Assuming Shaun and Lea work things out — and they have to work things out! — who beyond the current crop of series regulars may be in attendance when they exchange their vows? Will Claire (recently departed cast member Antonia Thomas) fly in from Guatemala? And what about Shaun's estranged mother, who he briefly considered inviting earlier in Season 5?

The figurehead prez was strongly considering selling his home and relocating to Montana — that was, before a conservation with ex-wife Ilana who urged him to remain in San Jose to stay close to his surrogate son.

Dr. Reznick was this close to stealing the clinic away from Glassman — and Ethicure's CEO seemed more than willing to make the switch so long as Morgan continues to kiss her you-know-what. (Of course, to believe that Morgan will be put in charge, we have to suspend our disbelief that a fifth-year resident would ever be chosen to succeed the president of the hospital.)

The Nov. 22 episode culminated in the preventable death of a newborn, who had been given an expired medication — a fatal mistake that could have been avoided if not for Ethicure Medical's penny pinching. But when Lim confronted Salen, the chief of surgery was advised that "discretion" was in everyone's best interest until the hospital had conducted a thorough investigation. That meant keeping the cause of death from the baby's mother until Salen had a chance to consult Ethicure's in-house attorneys.

A promo for Episode 8 suggests that the chief of surgery will make attempt to take Salen down — and perhaps be used as a scapegoat for Ethicure Medical once word gets out about the hospital's fatal error.

Power-hungry Andrews went from being chief of surgery, to president of the hospital, then back to attending. And ever since he started sleeping with Salen, he's seemed determined to use their arrangement to his occupational benefit. Should Lim find herself out of a job, Andrews would be the logical choice to replace her — and you know he wouldn't think twice about betraying a friend.

We thought it was a bit soon for the couple to discuss starting a family — after all, they just got comfortable farting in front of each other — but we highly doubt the show would have mentioned Morgan freezing her eggs if the Powers That Be didn't intend to revisit that storyline later this season.

As of press time, ABC has not announced a return date for The Good Doctor Season 5 beyond "Spring 2022." TVLine will keep you posted once a date is confirmed.