Critic’s Rating: 4.2 / 5.0
4.2
If I felt a modicum of sympathy for Richard Miller for a second, it’s gone.
Screw that terrible little man clinging to his career by a thread. That said, I continue to adore Scott Wolf. Love you, sir! Mean it!
By the end of Doc Season 1 Episode 9, it was difficult to even process the emotions from TJ’s falling out with Amy, Richard’s actions, and, of course, that smoldering, forbidden elevator kiss!
TJ Gets Time to Shine as the Hour Explores His and Amy’s Origin Story
The hour did a fantastic job of spotlighting TJ and his special dynamic with Amy.
If you’ve been following along with our Doc Reviews, you know that the only real criticism we’ve had thus far is wanting to spend more time with the secondary characters.
Fortunately, this hour does wonders regarding TJ, and Patrick Walker does a wonderful job with the material.
It warmed my heart to see how highly TJ regards Amy, but it was even better to understand why.
TJ wasn’t exaggerating when he said Amy saved his life and subsequently became his idol in the process.
Pregnant Amy performing life-saving procedures in the sky as young TJ suffered from the Bends and was in dire need of a hyperbaric chamber was incredible.
You could tell that moment in his life changed everything for him. It seemed he always wanted to go into the military and help people, but Amy inspired him to pursue medicine rather than law enforcement like his father, Randy.
Having the background established between these two made their friction all the more upsetting in the present.
TJ and Amy’s Conflict Sparks Intrigue
TJ valued Amy and always respected her insight and maverick approach to medicine.
But when it hit too close to home, and it genuinely seemed like Amy was contradicting her colleagues because of her own issues she hasn’t worked through, it was easy to see how TJ felt betrayed.
From his perspective, Amy was giving Randy false hope, jeopardizing the sure treatment in favor of a Hail Mary.
One of the most striking scenes is when TJ pleads with his father to listen to him and trust his expertise the way TJ always does for his father, but Randy still sees his little boy and feels he knows better.
It’s such an incredibly frustrating position for TJ that I couldn’t help but sympathize with him.
TJ has been a light and positive character who takes everything in stride. It hurt to see that dimmed by the end of the hour.
As someone who has been one of Amy’s biggest allies and advocates, it’s fascinating to see him at odds with her now, too.
I don’t know where those two stand. But it’s definitely something I’d like to see more of in Doc Season 2.
More Flashbacks Touch On How Long Amy’s Work/Life Balance May Have Impacted Her Family
The flashbacks also illuminated how a pregnant Amy was still a badass doctor no matter what.
But did anyone also notice that young Katie either wanted her mother’s attention or longed for her father even then?
Medicine has always been Amy’s passion, and one of the most compelling aspects of this series is how it explores the complexities of womanhood and identity and challenges what we deem acceptable.
As Doc Season 1 progressed, we learned that Amy’s issues didn’t start with her son’s death or end with her TBI.
So many of these little challenges arose well before that. Katie’s been a daddy’s girl who may have preferred her father, who paid her direct attention, over her mother, who split her passion for her family, that saving lives may have always been a thing.
I genuinely love the series most when they explore those little nuggets more.
Jake’s Case Highlights How Great He Is and His Paternal Instincts
The other medical case of the hour was moving and great for highlighting personal elements for the doctors.
My heart ached for Nikki and Lila because of how easily a good mother who was trying to get back on her feet could’ve gotten derailed and potentially lost her child because of a medical setback.
However, the case highlights Jake’s compassion and shows how fantastic he is with children.
We got to see Jake in Dad Mode even though we haven’t seen him with his actual kid onscreen yet.
Again, Jake is perfect.
I predicted he would pay Nikki’s light bill for her, just like he made sure he brought Amy food because she’d forget to eat, or he checked in with Sonya, and he knew how to take care of Lila and put her at ease.
He even dropped by to thank Michael for his help with the case despite him not really doing much.
Jake’s just the best.
Sonya is So in Love With Jake, Complicating Doc’s Romances Further
Sonya’s first day back since Doc Season 1 Episode 7 made it clear how in love she is with Jake.
It crushed her when she saw that Jake and Amy were back together. I guess the hospital rumor mill isn’t that great.
Doc hasn’t even begun to explore the messiness of these romances, which may explain why I’ve been so wary of Amy and Jake.
The odds have been against them this soon into the game.
Jake can be the perfect boyfriend, but with Sonya longing for him and Amy still having sparks with Michael, nothing can ever be set in stone.
For all of his doting, Jake just missed Amy when it mattered most.
Slimy Richard decided the best course of action after Amy started asking questions and piecing things together was to blame her for Dixon’s death.
Miller is THE WORST!
His desperation came out in sheer cruelty as he used her memory loss against her. She started the hour getting her white jacket back and ended it with Richard telling her a blatant lie that could strip her of her license.
I loathe that man.
Richard’s fingerprints are all over everything, from the nurse who didn’t want to rock the boat to the ME and Julie. There’s no getting from beneath this.
He was insufferable in his final scene with Amy. It’s no wonder she could barely hold it together when leaving his office.
It’s also no wonder she and Michael shared that moment. All he saw was a woman he deeply cared about falling apart, and she saw the man who was the most familiar to her.
The tension between them has been unresolved, so this moment was likely inevitable.
And it’s so messy. Surely, feelings are all across the board after that elevator kiss.
Amy and Michael’s Forbidden Kiss is a Jawdropper Headed into the Season Finale!
I won’t pretend I wasn’t moved by the passion. There’s still just something about those two. I know most of you guys are hardcore shippers for Amy and Jake, and I’m not even opposed to the pairing myself. I love Jake, too!
However, I genuinely enjoy Amy and Michael’s chemistry as well. There’s something alluring about their moments and their unfinished business.
But Jake doesn’t deserve the heartache. We know infidelity ruined his first marriage, and he’s so in love with Amy. This will ruin him. Can they come back from this if Amy tells the truth or he finds out?
Also, Michael is still a married man with a child on the way.
Goodness knows Katie probably won’t know how to process this.
We know from the title of the hour that when everything goes up, it all comes crashing down.
I’m filled with curiosity and trepidation over what’s in store for this finale!
Over to you, Doc Fanatics.
How did you feel about that shocking elevator kiss? Did Richard sink to a new low?
Let’s hear all of your thoughts and reactions below! Pretty please, comments fuel me!
We’ll have an exclusive interview with Patrick Walker tomorrow, so stay tuned!
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