DOC Season 3 Episode 7 Recap: Amy's Past Catches Up With Her in “Heroic Measures”
DOC Season 3 Episode 7, “Heroic Measures,” proves that Amy Larsen's troubles are far from over. Between her medical condition, Ben's artificial heart trial, and a particularly troubling revelation about her past, the doctor who has spent so much time rebuilding her life might have even more explaining to do. Meanwhile, Gina faces an emotional medical case, TJ and Sonya find another reason to clash, and some familiar faces arrive at Westside Hospital.
Amy's Medical Restrictions Could Come Back to Haunt Her
Amy may still be able to diagnose patients, but her medical condition has forced her to stop performing procedures. For someone who has fought so hard to reclaim her place at Westside, it's another frustrating obstacle, especially when there are people around her who might use that information against her.
And speaking of people who aren't exactly on Amy's good side, there's Graham. Amy is still punishing him, and he's clearly not enjoying being on the receiving end of her decisions. He reaches out to Nina, who learns about Amy's condition through a contact. Graham then goes through Amy's cases and notices something interesting: she hasn't been performing procedures.
What exactly does Graham plan to do with that information? It's difficult to imagine him simply filing it away and moving on, especially considering the tension between them. Amy might want to start preparing herself for another uncomfortable confrontation because Graham certainly seems to be gathering ammunition.
Ben's Heart Trial Begins, and the Missicks Arrive
Ben's artificial heart trial is finally underway, and his doctor colleague from New York, Sasha, arrives as the team prepares to move forward. There are three patients involved in the trial, including Sam, played by Dorian Missick, whose wife Marie is portrayed by Simone Missick.
First, can we talk about how nice it is to see Simone Missick on television again? Seeing her alongside her real-life husband is a treat, but this guest role also serves as a reminder that she deserves another leading television series. I still miss All Rise, and Missick is far too talented to remain away from the center of a television drama for long. Hopefully, Hollywood has something substantial lined up for her because we need to see her carrying another show every week.
Back at Westside, Ben encounters a complication when one of his trial patients drops out. Sonya sees an opportunity to help and convinces TJ to present a patient she's grown close to as a possible replacement. Unfortunately, Ben isn't impressed and quickly points out that TJ should have recognized the patient wasn't a suitable candidate in the first place.
It's an embarrassing moment for TJ and yet another source of tension between him and Sonya. These two have been struggling to find their footing, and situations like this certainly aren't helping. Sonya's emotional attachment to her patient is understandable, but Ben's trial requires more than good intentions. TJ ends up taking the criticism, which only adds to the growing strain between the couple.
Gina's Patient Gets a Brief Second Chance
Gina's storyline delivers the episode's emotional punch when a patient awakens after spending four years in a coma. It's the kind of medical miracle that should come with an overwhelmingly happy ending, but DOC has other plans.
The patient gets an opportunity to reconnect with his fiancée, although their reunion ultimately leads to a heartbreaking goodbye. After the two part ways, he signs an advance directive, making his wishes regarding future medical treatment clear. Sadly, his second chance at life doesn't last long, and he dies shortly afterward.
There's something particularly devastating about someone waking up after four years only to have such a short time left. Gina's determination gives him the opportunity to make decisions for himself, but it also means accepting that saving someone doesn't always mean keeping them alive. It's a quieter storyline compared to the complications surrounding Amy and Ben, but it carries plenty of emotional weight.
A Flashback Reveals a Troubling Side of Amy
Just when we thought Amy's present-day problems were complicated enough, the episode's flashbacks reveal something that makes us look at her past a little differently. Amy actually instructed Ben not to report certain monthly findings from the artificial heart trial to the board and the FDA, which is quite a revelation considering everything we know about her.
Excuse me, Amy? For someone whose entire career revolves around practicing medicine and making difficult decisions, suggesting that Ben withhold information from regulatory authorities is a pretty significant ethical lapse. This isn't simply a case of bending a hospital rule or disagreeing over a treatment plan. We're talking about information connected to an experimental medical device, and Amy was apparently willing to cross that line.
It's also a reminder that the Amy we're getting to know isn't necessarily the same person she was before losing her memory. The series has continued peeling back the layers of her former life, and some of those revelations haven't exactly been flattering. She might be working to become a better version of herself now, but the decisions she made before her accident still matter. Depending on what else happened during that trial, this revelation could become an even bigger problem.
Is Sasha Interested in Michael?
As if Westside needed another potential romantic complication, Sasha appears to take an interest in Michael. It's only a look, but it certainly seems like something worth paying attention to, especially with Sasha now involved in Ben's trial.
Whether this develops into anything remains to be seen, but DOC isn't exactly known for keeping its characters' personal lives uncomplicated. We'll have to see whether that look was a passing moment or the beginning of another storyline.
Final Thoughts
“Heroic Measures” is another solid episode of DOC. Gina's storyline provides the emotional center, while Ben's artificial heart trial introduces new professional challenges and brings the welcome addition of Simone and Dorian Missick. TJ and Sonya continue to struggle, and Graham's discovery about Amy creates another potential threat to her future.
That flashback involving Amy and Ben. Amy has spent so much time dealing with the consequences of things she can't remember, but learning that she was once willing to withhold important trial information raises questions about just how far she was prepared to go. We already knew Amy Larsen wasn't perfect, but now we're discovering that her past might be even messier than we realized. And with Graham digging into her current medical limitations, things at Westside could get considerably more uncomfortable.
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Who played Dr. Sasha?