Why ‘Doc’ Might Be the Best New Medical Drama You Haven’t Watched Yet!

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  • How Doc Shakes Up a Tired Formula

In the realm of TV dramas, is there a genre more overflowing than medical series? I’ve seen an abundance like no other, from the pulse-pounding action of “Chicago Med” and the intellectually stimulating “Brilliant Minds”, to the epic journey of “Doctor Odyssey”. And let’s not forget the trailblazer that started it all, “Grey’s Anatomy”. This list only scratches the surface, considering these are just the current offerings on the major networks. With such a multitude of options, any fresh contender needs to make a mark to stand out from the crowd. Remarkably, some of the newcomers are indeed managing to do so.

One of these is the latest original series, “The Pitt”. It adopts a real-time structure similar to the show “24” for its narrative, with each episode depicting one hour of an emergency room shift at a fictional hospital in Pittsburgh. The unique storyline has received praise from critics, with ER veteran Noah Wyle playing the main character. However, innovative approaches to traditional formats aren’t exclusive to streaming services. Broadcast television is also taking risks, as demonstrated by Fox’s new drama “Doc”. This show follows a talented chief of medicine who lost eight years of her memory after a car accident. Now, she must rebuild her career and family, both of which have moved on without her. Let’s explore why any medical drama enthusiast should consider watching “Doc”.

The Premise of the New Medical Drama, ‘Doc’

The show “Doc” is modeled after the original Italian series “Doc – Nelle tue mani“. This series was based on the actual events surrounding Dr. Pierdante Piccioni, a doctor who lost 12 years of his memory due to a traffic accident. However, Fox’s “Doc” reimagines this story by centering it around Dr. Amy Larsen, portrayed by Molly Parker.

Minor spoilers for Doc to follow.

Dr. Larsen serves as the head of internal medicine at Westside Hospital in Minneapolis. Despite being an exceptional doctor, she is known for having poor interpersonal skills. In truth, she can come across as arrogant and dismissive towards her patients, and tends to be aloof towards most people except a select few. This has led others to regard her with disdain. On a particular evening, while driving, Dr. Larsen glanced at her phone to read a text, resulting in a collision with a stationary truck. At first, she appeared unharmed, but it was later found that she had lost the previous eight years of her memories.

Four years have passed since Larsen’s divorce from her husband, who is the hospital administrator. This was following the heartbreaking loss of their son seven years ago, which drove her into work even more intensely, fostering ambition but reducing empathy. Now, she finds herself with a fresh start and the possibility to mend fences with those she had distanced herself from.

Despite the change, Doc retains numerous characteristics typical of medical dramas that we appreciate. Before an accident occurred, Larsen and her fellow coworker-turned-love interest would steal moments alone in her car during work breaks, only to be interrupted by urgent lab results. Furthermore, there are seasoned doctors with skepticism towards Larsen’s innovative approaches, but eventually, their doubts are dispelled when proven correct.

How Doc Shakes Up a Tired Formula

Medical dramas are so prevalent that it can be challenging to set them apart unless they offer something fresh and unique. That’s exactly what “The Pitt” and “Doc” are doing – they’re introducing distinctive perspectives within the medical genre, even though similar themes have been explored in the past. In the case of “Doc,” the idea of a doctor suffering from amnesia is not entirely new, but imagine a scenario where the doctor, instead of just any character, is afflicted with amnesia.

Initially, it’s challenging to support Larsen due to her harsh demeanor. However, after the accident, she suffers not only a divorce but also the loss of her son, which makes us empathize with her profoundly. This sad situation resonates with many people, as it mirrors the pain of dealing with the memory loss experienced by elderly relatives who seem to be left behind in the progression of life. Consequently, Larsen’s character becomes more sympathetic despite her earlier personality traits, and her struggle with memory loss affects not just her but also those around her, offering a realistic and relatable portrayal for viewers.

In a turn of events, Larsen’s former spouse finds himself in a situation where his ex still believes they are married, while he is preparing for a new baby with another woman. Similarly, Larsen’s boyfriend and colleague face the challenge of her unawareness about their relationship. While Larsen’s friends show support despite her lack of knowledge about them, her other colleagues grapple with their mixed feelings. Once seen as arrogant by her coworkers when she was in a position of authority, Larsen is now experiencing the loss of her family and has an opportunity to change things for the better. The question remains: how will everyone else respond to this new Larsen?

In a refreshing twist for a well-worn genre, it seems like “Doc” could offer an original perspective, boasting characters that audiences can rally behind. Pair this with the innovative approach of “The Pitt”, and we might be entering a new phase in medical dramas. With so much content flooding our screens nowadays, shows need to constantly evolve, making any effort to challenge the norm all the more valuable. Tune into “Doc” every Tuesday on Fox, or catch up the next day on Hulu.

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2025-01-21 03:31