I have missed DOC and I am glad that it is back. I’ve missed Amy and Jake, but I am also very thankful that this episode of DOC had us outside of the hospital with Amy, Michael and Katie. It’s just a testament to the family, but also a testament to love always remaining. Also to how good this show is that it has us second guessing every moment that we’ve shipped Jake and Amy.
It’s gotta be a strange thing when your child grows up and is heading off to college. Amy and Michael have one of the most awkward relationships. The two set off to drive Katie to college for orientation. It feels like a lot for them to have to deal with, but they are excited to head off. Katie going to college is a right at passage and them taking her is a right of passage for them.
However being stuck in the car for quite a few hours when you’re both hiding things from each other, that doesn’t sound like a good time. When even your daughter is apprehensive, that seems like a recipe for disaster.
In the car, Katie doesn’t want to speak to anybody. She’s on her social media, messaging friends and scrolling. Michael and Amy are barely speaking, but not because they are mad, but just because there doesn’t seem to be anything to say. It’s just when Amy hooks her phone to the bluetooth, to play a playlist – Katie finds out that her Mom has been dating Jake.
Michael has figured that this was happening – Amy and Jake together. Katie worried her Mom didn’t tell her because she thought she couldn’t take it. But that wasn’t it. Amy wanted something for herself.
Jake is a good guy. But so is Michael. Michael is excited to be with Amy and Katie. He’s never fallen out of love with Amy. This whole trip has to bring back so many memories of time spent together and a life that they wished could have happened.
When Katie wants to retrace a camping trip, there is this sense of excitement that came over her. Seeing her that happy and excited meant the world to her parents, but as a viewer it also made me happy. She’s been through so much and deserves a moment to be free.
It may be cold as all hell in Minnesota, but these three are walking through the forest like nothing is happening. They are enjoying themselves, no matter how cold it is. Amy looks distraught to have to make a stop maybe it’s because she doesn’t remember it. Maybe it’s because she’s afraid she will. Katie seems upset that Amy is dating somebody so it’s pretty good that she gives her this inch so that Katie feels more involved in her mom‘s life.
But with how the show opened with Katie running through the forest I’m a little afraid that this is going to be like a murder situation.
Michael doesn’t mind going on a hike in the dead of winter in Minnesota, but it turns out that it’s actually important that they go. Katie finds a man who is in need of medical help. He’s been knocked out and has a head injury. He’s responsive to pain so they know he’s still alive, but is hypothermic. There are so many things that could be wrong here, but these two are going to make sure that he is okay.
It turns out that the gentleman needs some severe help and they need an ambulance. Katie says that she can go and Michael is a little scared. Amie says that she’ll be fine. I don’t blame him because I’d be too scared she may have a panic attack. She says that she won’t, but she’s never been in such a high stress situation. When somebody’s life hangs in the balance of how fast she can run and she can drive to go get help.
It turns out that the gentleman is diabetic. They can sense this by the smell of alcohol in his breath and when Michael goes into his bag, he finds insulin. Michael and Amy are able to save him and make sure that he gets the help that he needs for the short term.
What I did love about these moments with Michael and Amy is that they do have a conversation about Danny. They’re able to talk about Danny being gone and why they didn’t sell the house. They are able to talk to about how Michael hangs on so tightly to Katie because he doesn’t want her to suffer the same pain. It’s probably one of the sweetest things I’ve seen because Michael is having such a hard time but he loves his kids. Regardless of anything he loves his kids.
I am proud of Katie that she realizes that she took a wrong turn and is able to regulate her panic attack to get up go back to where she was and take the other turn. Katie finding the car, being able to make sure that the ambulances came and guiding them to the cabin was something that she has every right to be proud of. I think it gave her confidence and she needed that.
It turns out that the man they saved, he had his girlfriend out there with him. Michael is out there and saves her.
This whole situation, Michael and Amy needed a moment to remember who they were once were. But the three of them all getting through this and getting people the help they need is a bonding moment. They are all going to be there for each other. I get that and I think they all just needed a moment to remember what they meant to each other.
Family is interesting, but what will be even more interesting is what happens with all of these characters. DOC has done such a great job this season, fleshing out all of its characters in a way that makes them seem as though they are constantly evolving. If you don’t have growth, what do you have?
OTHER THOUGHTS
- Jake not going over at the end – I thought he’d be there waiting for Amy
- I liked things being outside of the hospital
- All that snow looks really cold
- The snow mobile looked mangled. Ouch
- Why is it that every time that I think I ship something this show turns me on my axis?
- Katie telling her parents she’ll always need them made me tear up – but truth
- Jake looks upset that Amy didn’t invite him over, but I think he’s torn
