DOC Season 2, Episode 13 Review: Fare Well

Sometimes television shows hit hard. The stories that shows present – they are relatable. It could be because you are going through it or you know someone who is. It’s that or they hit you so hard in the feels that you can’t imagine the pain that someone who relates to the storyline is feeling. DOC, Season 2, Episode 13 was one of those episodes of television that smacked me right in the face.

The reason why? Well that’s because one of the patients feels ignored by the health care system. The patient also feels offended because they are telling her that the pain is all in their head. Patients with pain are called pill chasers, when all they want to do is make the pain stop.

Things are changing at Westside and that means that things are changing for the doctors at Westside too.

With Amy and Sonya – they are dealing with trying to secure a future as Chief Resident, but also facing the past that defined and shaped their relationship. It’s complicated, but if there is one thing that this episode taught me is that most of these relationships are complicated.

DOC excels at making a person think twice about situations, relationships and what doctors really do to help their patients.

SONYA & PAIN

Sonya is not my favorite person and a lot of that has to do with how judgemental she is. It doesn’t matter what it is – she seems to think she’s always right. Joan has placed Amy and Sonya on seperate cases – letting them know at the end of the day, they will have to review each others cases with her and critique the others work.

I think that motivates them both in a way, because Amy and Sonya hate each other. It’s Sonya’s case that makes me so mad though.

A patient has pancreatitis and the ER doctor infers that the woman is chasing pills. I have to say that this is so offensive and so wrong. I know that some people do this – but the constant dismissal and then her returning still – something is wrong.

Sonya is dismissive of her also – even gets her a bed in a treatment program. She’s not taking the patient seriously. Not shocked, cause it’s Sonya, but it’s also not right. This woman has had the same issues for six years that have progressively gotten worse.

It’s only when Sonya sees her in pain and then sees her foot purple and swollen that she starts taking her seriously and getting her the help she needs. This poor patient is struggling and come to find out, she’s got a pretty severe issue. Sonya is able to get her the help she needs.

I can’t believe that I am going to say this – but Sonya actually became somewhat likable. She’s able to take a step back and really see that it’s about the doctor she wanted to be – the one that is resilient and will always get up fighting harder for her patients.

The healthcare system in the United States is screwed up. We need doctors that will fight for their patients and not just think the worst. I was happy to see Sonya show that she could be the doctor that fought for her patients.

MICHAEL & HIS PARENTS

Michaels parents are a lot. I don’t take saying that lightly, because one must always respect the parents. However, that being said, you can see that he loves them.

Bringing them into town to meet baby Simon, it had to happen. However, Michael wasn’t prepared for how they would be about Nora moving out with the baby. Parents definitely want the best for their children and when what they see is different than their beliefs – of course there is discourse.

Michael asks his parents to not say anything and make Nora feel uncomfortable when she brings Simon over. It’s a big ask, especially because parents don’t really listen when they think that they can solve things for their kids. They ask Nora when she’s moving back in and make everything uncomfortable.

And later that day, when Michael is working on finding a new job, his Dad lectures him on how to be a better husband. He tells Michael to make things right, to tell Nora he loves her. I was SHOCKED when Michael says that he can’t do that, because he doesn’t love her the way she wants to be loved – the way she deserves.

Michael is complex. We all know he’s been through things, but I also think that we don’t talk about that enough. We push his issues to the side and we just watch him solve others issues and let his stuff go.

AMY & GIVING A MAN A CHANCE

The hard thing about Amy is that we get glimpses of who she was and glimpses of who she is. We expect her to be the person that doesn’t care or the person that is so cut off from feeling. Amy’s world keeps changing and she’s presented with a case that absolutely destroyed me. I am crying as I write this, because the way that she gave a man hope and though it was rough, she had to give the worst news possible to a family.

It was a lot to take.

Amy is harsh, but what I have realized is that she wants to push people, as well as herself. I never thought that I would see a moment where Amy suggests something that will not prolong a patients life, but instead gives him the chance to make a difference. The medication that she gives her patient will put him on a ventilator sooner that the family had thought he’d be on one.

Her patient needs to make his way to city hall, because there is a vote taking place that day – one that he’s been working on for months. Amy sees his passion for it and is there for him. Yet, she’s also there for his family. They needed support as Troy was making a choice to cut his time with them short in order to be there for people who needed him.

It was a heart breaking moment – one that I cried through as he was wheeled into city hall and tried to make his speech, but he couldn’t talk. His son had to give his speech for him in order to get the bill to pass.

This whole storyline made me a wreck.

KATIE NEEDS HELP

If there is one person that I feel horrible for – it is Katie. She’s been through so much and she always tries to remain strong. It’s not that people don’t ask her how she is, but she always seems to feel as though she can’t say anything. Katie doesn’t seem to realize that it isn’t a burden she should have to carry.

When she is at her Dads and it is fight after fight with others around her, she wants to leave. Michael bringing her to Amy’s – I thought it was just an escape for him too. But, I have to admit that I was happy he took her, because Katies panic attack broke me.

The way that it was filmed was absolutely fantastic. I felt like I was seeing myself – as I have panic attacks – and I understood what Katie was going through, I understood her inability to focus, but also screaming for help.

Her parents being there for her is what she needed. So, yes, I am glad that Michael took her. She needs to know her Mama and Dad are there and going to help her through.

OTHER THOUGHTS

Jake and Amy are cute – him making breakfast for her is sweet
Jake checking in at the end of the day, not being upset because Amy has to go to Katie – I am appreciative of that
Michaels parents are a lot
Where did I miss Michael needing a new job?
Joan leaving early – I am assuming its because of her mystery illness
Amy and Sonya reviewing each others cases – didn’t see that teamwork coming
Baby resident Sonya was really trying
Sonya and TJ is a no for me
Noras coldness to Michael is unfair to a point. They are gonna have to talk sooner or later
That ending will haunt me.

New episodes of DOC air Tuesdays on Fox.