Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for ‘Doc’ Episode 4.In Episode 4 of Doc, Dr. Amy Larsen (Molly Parker) continues to struggle with the aftermath of a car accident that left her with retrograde amnesia, erasing the last eight years of her life. One of the most devastating and life-altering events that she can’t remember from that time is the death of her young son, Danny (Taj Levey). Since the beginning of the series, there’s been some mystery about what exactly happened to Danny, but “One Small Step” sheds more light on that heartbreaking day, answering questions about what happened to Amy and Michael’s (Omar Metwally) marriage after the tragedy that rocked their family. This episode is the most emotionally charged so far this season, driven by powerful performances from both Parker and Metwally.
Amy Learns That She Blamed Michael for Danny’s Death in Episode 4 of ‘Doc’
In Episode 4, Amy uncovers a disturbing video from her past that shows her cold and distant behavior towards her then-husband, Michael. During a birthday party for their daughter, Katie, Amy lashes out at him behind the camera, claiming that nothing goes right unless she handles it herself, starting an argument. Gina (Amirah Vann) steps in, reminding the tense couple that Katie’s birthday cannot be about Danny. Horrified by her behavior and confused about why she was so angry at him, Amy goes to Michael in the hopes of gaining some clarity about what was going on between them.
When Amy presses him for answers, Michael, who remembers everything, isn’t willing to revisit the pain and trauma surrounding Danny’s death. In a flashback, the audience learns that Amy had asked Michael to take her place as a chaperon on the school trip where Danny collapsed and died and that she blamed him afterward for not keeping a better eye on him. Michael has worked hard to get past the guilt that Amy caused him, but of course, her predicament forces him to relive that time. Although Michael struggles with going back to that traumatic time, he ultimately decides that Amy deserves to know the truth about what happened that day.
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Revisiting the Grief Leads to Healing for Amy and Michael in Episode 4 of ‘Doc’
In the most heart-wrenching scene of the episode, Michael takes Amy to the museum where Danny collapsed and, in painful detail, recounts the steps he took to try and save their son. The heartbreaking truth comes when Michael, in tears, explains that Amy’s blame kept him from grieving the way he needed to. This moment is particularly emotional as Amy realizes that her unresolved pain didn’t allow her to be there for her husband, which ultimately ended their marriage. Michael also confesses that even though he hated Amy for blaming him, deep down he believed she was right. He believes that if Amy had been on the field trip with Danny like she was supposed to, she would have done the right thing and their son would still be alive.
This confession reveals the deeply rooted guilt that they both carried after Danny’s death. Amy projected hers onto Michael, while he internalized it and suffered alone. As Michael points out earlier in the episode, most couples don’t survive the loss of a child, but rarely do they get to go back and do things over again. Now, with the truth finally out, Amy acknowledges how much Michael had always been there for her, but she didn’t show up for him in the same manner. This causes him to break down in a cathartic way, signaling a major turning point in their journey towards healing. While they may not be on a path to getting together, it will only make them better co-workers and parents to their daughter, Katie (Charlotte Fountain-Jardim).
The raw and emotional performances from both Molly Parker and Omar Metwally solidify “One Small Step” as one of the best episodes of the season so far. While there may still be more to learn about that tragic day, this moment will likely lead to a shift in Amy and Michael’s relationship. There’s also a poignant scene that Amy has with Katie where she apologizes for putting up walls between them. It’s another emotionally charged moment that further leans into the themes of forgiveness and second chances that have made Doc such a unique show, as Amy continues to reckon with her past and seek redemption for her mistakes.
Doc airs Tuesdays on Fox. The first four episodes are available to stream on Hulu.
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Doc
- Release Date
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January 7, 2025
- Network
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FOX
