‘Doc’s First Season Just Wrapped Up With a Heartbreaking Cliffhanger, But What Does That Mean for the Show’s Future?

Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for Season 1 of Doc.The season 1 finale of Doc showcased exactly why Fox had so much confidence in the freshman series, renewing it for a second season and granting it the rare 22-episode order. The finale expertly blended all the elements that make the show a standout — an intense and emotional case stemming from a mass casualty event, paired with gripping and emotional personal storylines that kept viewers invested throughout the season. In addition to its thrilling plot, “…Must Come Down” offers fans a satisfying conclusion while simultaneously introducing a host of new questions and challenges heading into Season 2. Stellar performances from the cast, combined with a tight, emotionally resonant script from showrunner Barbie Kligman, solidified the finale as one of the best episodes of the season and a perfect kickoff to what comes next.

After a Traumatic Day at the Hospital, the Truth Finally Comes Out About Bill Dixon’s Death in ‘Doc’

The episode opens with Amy (Molly Parker) distancing herself from the hospital after her confrontation with TJ (Patrick Walker) over his father’s unchanged condition. When news breaks of a mass casualty event after a train hits a parked car on the tracks, the hospital enters triage mode. The triage scene is one of the series’ most intense, with Dr. Richard Miller (Scott Wolf) leading the doctors in a seamless, choreographed effort as they manage a flood of patients. The hospital scenes are shot and edited in such a thrilling and grounded way. Meanwhile, Gina (Amirah Vann) is consumed by guilt when she realizes the man who parked his truck on the tracks was one of her patients, and he had left her a message earlier that day. As she tries to convince the police that he only intended to harm himself, not others, she breaks down, leaning on Michael (Omar Metwally), who offers her comfort in a raw, emotional moment.

After the emotionally draining day at the hospital, Amy struggles at home, carrying the weight of everything that’s happened in the last few episodes. She’s trying to keep up a facade for Katie (Charlotte Fountain-Jardim). But her daughter pushes back, reminding Amy that this was the same pattern she fell into after Danny’s death — becoming cold and distant, shutting out those she loved, including Katie. In a deeply emotional moment, Katie pleads with her not to shut her out again, terrified that she’ll lose her mom for a second time. Finally, Amy hears her and opens up, admitting she made a terrible mistake, alluding to Richard’s lie from the previous episode — that she was responsible for prescribing the medication that killed Bill Dixon. She fears her career, which she’s worked so hard to rebuild since her accident, could be over. But Katie reminds her that doing the right thing and owning up to it is the only way forward.

Amy visits Mrs. Dixon (Deborah Grover), who provides the clarity she desperately needs. Mrs. Dixon confirms that Amy could not have prescribed the medication that led to Bill’s death. Amy finally realizes her initial instinct was correct — it was Richard who made the fatal mistake, not her. As the show has done so elegantly before, the audience sees that day in a flashback, showing Richard receiving a disturbing call about his son, Jacob. Instead of leaving immediately, he continued working on Dixon, ultimately making the mistake that led to his death.

The long-awaited confrontation with Richard over his fatal mistake is truly heartbreaking. It’s made even more complex by the fact that Richard isn’t a straightforward villain — viewers have come to empathize with his difficult family situation. Scott Wolf delivers a powerful performance, conveying raw emotion and grief for both the mistake he made and the lies he told. Amy tells him that, out of anyone, she would have understood his struggles with his son. However, what she cannot forgive is how Richard put her in a difficult position, almost costing her her job, by gaslighting her. Molly Parker also shines in this scene, standing her ground and refusing to be manipulated, delivering a satisfying conclusion to the story arc without it feeling overly dramatic.

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That Cliffhanger Makes Things Complicated for Amy and Jake Ahead of ‘Doc’ Season 2

The scenes between Jake (Jon Ecker) and Amy are brief in the finale, but they’re filled with tension, especially after what happened between Amy and Michael in the previous episode. Jake clearly senses something is off and knows there’s a lot Amy isn’t sharing with him. Throughout the season, Jake has been kind, patient, and steadfast in supporting Amy. He’s the only person she hadn’t pushed away before the accident, but now, in many ways, he’s the furthest from her. This is most evident in the bar scene towards the end, where Sonya (Anya Banerjee) tells him she witnessed a confrontation between Amy and Michael’s wife, Nora (Sarah Allen), suggesting something might be going on between Amy and Michael. Although Jake has been unwavering in his support of Amy, he struggles to believe it, even though a small part of him wonders if it’s true.

In the final moments of the episode, Jake catches Amy and Michael kissing in Michael’s office. Jon Ecker’s performance beautifully captures Jake’s internal struggle throughout the season — trying to remain supportive and understanding while grappling with his own feelings. This moment will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on him and could potentially change his character moving forward. What’s compelling about this love triangle is that it’s not a straightforward case of infidelity. Amy feeling safe with Michael is understandable, but that doesn’t make it any less painful for Jake. It’s heartbreaking for him, as he’s lost something with Amy that he can never fully get back. The complexity of the situation makes it feel real and relatable, avoiding melodrama. On top of that, Sonya clearly cares about Jake, even projecting her own feelings when advising him not to pine over someone who doesn’t feel the same way.

Looking ahead to Season 2, there’s plenty of emotional drama to explore, with a larger episode order providing more space to dive into the characters’ personal lives. The complex dynamic between Amy, Michael, and Jake at the hospital will be a key focus, of course, and hopefully we’ll see more of Jake’s personal life with his ex-wife and daughter, Mia. I also hope this isn’t the last we see of Scott Wolf’s character, Richard, who will likely have his license suspended. We’ve only scratched the surface of his family story, which holds great potential. Since Jacob is still Gina’s patient, Richard’s return to the hospital could lead to reconciliation with Amy, and his potential redemption arc would be a natural continuation of the show’s theme of personal growth, much like Amy’s journey in Season 1. There’s so much to explore, and audiences can’t wait for Doc’s return.

All episodes of Doc are now available to stream on Hulu.

Doc

Release Date

January 7, 2025

Network

FOX