'Doc' on FOX Review: A TV Writer's Take on 2024's Most Compelling New Medical Drama

FOX’s “Doc” (2024): A Masterclass in Character-Driven Medical Drama

How Memory Loss and Medical Mystery Create Perfect Television

I tend to rewatch the same shows over and over—” Knots Landing,” “The Vampire Diaries,” classic sitcoms from the 50s and 60s and game shows on Buzzr. But my 83-year-old mom? She’s my go-to source for discovering great new television. When she recommended FOX’s new series “Doc,” I knew I had to give it a shot. She’s the one who turned me onto “Fool Me Once,” “High Potential” and “Young Sheldon”—three shows I love—and once again, she was absolutely right.

What Makes “Doc” Different from Other Medical Shows

As someone who’s written for daytime dramas like “The Young and the Restless” and “Guiding Light,” and later executive produced “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” I’m always looking for shows that create deep emotional connections with their characters and stories. “Doc” grabbed me from the very first scene, demonstrating how a strong premise can unlock endless storytelling possibilities.

The series follows Dr. Amy Larsen, a brilliant but difficult Chief of Staff who loses eight years of memories after a car accident. While amnesia might be a familiar television trope, “Doc” turns it on its head to deliver some of the most emotionally authentic storytelling I've seen in years.

Expert Character Development Through Strategic Storytelling

The show’s writers understand something crucial about revealing character and backstory—they know exactly when to show their cards. Take how we meet Michael, Amy’s ex-husband. At first, we only see his arm in flashback. In the present, he’s introduced as her stern boss, warning her that her terrible bedside manner has led to patient complaints and her job is on the line. Amy dismisses his concerns, confident that being the hospital’s best doctor is all that matters. It’s only when Michael walks into her hospital room after her accident that we realize he’s also her ex-husband—a revelation that hits even harder when Amy, having lost eight years of memories, thinks they’re still married. The look on his face when he has to tell her they’re divorced is devastating. This is character development at its finest—where every reveal serves both plot and emotional impact.

How Memory Loss Creates Complex Character Dynamics

But what really sets “Doc” apart is how it uses Amy’s memory loss to explore relationships from fresh angles. Michael ends up fighting to get Amy back into the hospital after her accident (despite the hospital board seeing this as their chance to get rid of her), but we sense there’s more to it. Jake, the colleague who told Amy he loved her right before her accident, has to pretend they’re just coworkers. And then there’s Gina, Amy’s best friend and emotional anchor, trying to help her navigate this new reality. Each relationship is layered with past and present conflicts, creating the kind of rich character dynamics that drive compelling drama.

Medical Drama Meets Personal Journey

The show particularly shines when it explores how Amy’s memory loss affects her medical practice. In the second episode, she shares a hospital room with a woman suffering from mysterious symptoms that even Jake can’t diagnose. The woman’s daughter is wracked with guilt over their strained relationship—something Amy now understands from both sides, having forgotten the eight years that drove her own daughter away. It’s fascinating to watch Amy connect with this young woman in a way that “old Amy” never could have. Her memory loss has inadvertently made her a more empathetic doctor. This is masterful parallel storytelling, where the medical case illuminates character growth.

Character Growth Through Medical Storylines

What truly impresses me as a TV veteran is how the show maintains its emotional complexity while still delivering satisfying medical stories each week. Take the pilot’s central medical case: Amy treats a pregnant woman with mysterious symptoms, making a controversial diagnosis. Her cold bedside manner doesn’t help matters—the expectant parents are understandably worried about her unconventional approach. When a recommended procedure puts the mother in danger, Amy’s judgment comes under fire. But Jake, secretly carrying his feelings for Amy, stands by her medical instincts and advocates for her treatment plan, putting his own reputation on the line with the staff. The eventual success of the treatment not only saves both mother and child but illustrates perfectly how the show weaves medical drama with character development—we see Amy’s brilliant mind at work even as we witness the interpersonal costs of her harsh approach.

Exploring Universal Themes Through Unique Circumstances

That’s what makes “Doc” so compelling—it takes what could be a gimmicky premise and uses it to explore universal themes about identity, loss, and connection. Who are we without our memories? How do we move forward when we can’t remember how we got here? Amy has to grieve losses she doesn’t remember experiencing, including the death of her young son. She has to rebuild relationships without understanding how they broke. And she has to do all this while relearning how to be a doctor—now shadowing the same staff she once ruled over with an iron fist (and who aren’t exactly thrilled to have her back, even in this diminished role).

Complex Relationships Drive Emotional Depth

The complexity of these relationships gives “Doc” its emotional depth. Every character has to navigate their own complicated feelings about Amy’s condition. Michael clearly still has feelings for her, but he’s remarried. Jake has to watch the woman he loves look right through him. Amy’s daughter gets a chance to know her mother as she was before tragedy changed her—but is fearful it won’t last. Even Amy’s former subordinates have to reconcile their resentment of who she was with who she is now.

Why “Doc” Represents the Best of Modern Television

In today’s TV landscape, it’s rare to find a show that trusts its audience this much. “Doc” never over-explains, never rushes its reveals, and never sacrifices emotional truth for easy drama. The writers understand that authentic character development and carefully crafted story arcs are what keep viewers coming back week after week. It’s the kind of show that reminds me why I fell in love with television in the first place—and why I should listen to my mom more often.