In Doc, Dr. Sonya Maitra (Anya Banerjee) and Dr. Richard Miller (Scott Wolf) challenge Dr. Amy Larsen (Molly Parker) in different ways. Sonya and Amy have a complicated past that influences their tense relationship, while Richard is deeply worried about Amy regaining her lost memories, which could expose a mistake that threatens his career.
In the latest episode, “Secrets and Lies,” the story focuses on Sonya and Richard, revealing their personal challenges. Their past struggles explain why they behave the way they do, making them more than just obstacles in Amy’s journey.
By looking at their backstories, the episode shows that they are not simply rivals or antagonists but individuals with real emotions and inner conflicts. This allows both Banerjee and Wolf to display their acting skills as they portray layered and deeply emotional characters.
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Dr. Sonya Maitra Confronts Her Past Trauma in Episode 7
In this episode, Sonya and Amy must work together on a case involving a patient with severe abdominal pain. As soon as they enter the room, Sonya immediately recognizes the patient as Ravi (Ritesh Rajan), the man who assaulted her after a date. The shock of seeing him again floods her with painful memories, making it difficult for her to remain professional.
Amy notices that something is wrong, but Sonya refuses to share her emotions. In earlier flashbacks, the audience has seen how Amy treated Sonya poorly when she was new in the medical field. Because of this, it is understandable that Sonya does not feel comfortable opening up to her.
Anya Banerjee delivers an incredibly moving performance, capturing Sonya’s inner turmoil with raw emotion. The flashbacks depicting the assault and its aftermath are heartbreaking, making them difficult to watch. However, Banerjee brings authenticity to her performance, portraying Sonya’s pain with honesty and strength.
As the episode progresses, Sonya’s emotions reach a breaking point when she confronts Ravi. His dismissive attitude and refusal to acknowledge the pain he caused push Sonya over the edge. In a moment of uncontrollable rage, she injects air into Ravi’s IV line, nearly causing a fatal air embolism.
Amy acts quickly, stopping the air bubble before it does any harm. She finds herself in a difficult situation, torn between doing what is right and understanding why Sonya reacted the way she did. Instead of reporting Sonya, Amy chooses to protect her, even taking some responsibility for not noticing the warning signs earlier.
This moment marks a huge shift in Amy’s character. The flashbacks reveal that the cruel way she treated Sonya happened right after Sonya’s assault, showing how vulnerable Sonya was at the time. This new perspective explains why Sonya holds so much resentment toward Amy. However, Amy now behaves differently, showing support in a way she never did before.
The most powerful scene happens when Amy comforts Sonya with a heartfelt embrace, showing how much she has changed. Banerjee’s performance in this moment is especially strong, highlighting Sonya’s relief and emotional release. This scene captures the healing power of support and empathy, making it one of the most moving moments of the episode.
By the end of the episode, Ravi is arrested when another survivor comes forward with accusations against him. This moment of justice is both satisfying and rare, offering closure to Sonya and giving the audience a sense of relief. Banerjee’s performance in this episode stands out as one of her finest, showcasing the depth of her character’s pain and resilience.
While Sonya’s storyline is a major focus, the episode also explores Richard’s past, providing insight into his questionable decisions throughout the series.
Dr. Richard Miller’s Hidden Struggles Change the Way We See Him
At the start of the episode, a teenage boy is shown having an outburst of rage. It seems like the usual introduction to a medical case, but the scene takes a surprising turn when Richard enters the room and calms the boy down. This is not a hospital case—this is Richard’s home life.
For the first time, the show shifts its focus to Richard’s personal life, revealing a side of him that has not been seen before. His home life is tense, as he and his wife, Victoria, struggle to handle their son’s emotional and behavioral issues. The stress of balancing his family’s challenges with his work responsibilities is clearly taking a toll on him.
Scott Wolf gives a deeply emotional performance, showing a version of Richard that is vulnerable and filled with inner conflict. Until now, Richard has been seen as someone who lies to protect himself and acts as an obstacle to Amy. However, this episode explains his actions in a way that makes him more human.
Throughout the episode, Richard remains distant and unresponsive when Sonya asks to be taken off Ravi’s case. His avoidance is due to the immense guilt he carries—not just over his own past mistakes, but also for not being there for Sonya when she needed help.
The most heartbreaking moment comes when Richard confesses his biggest secret to his wife. He admits that his focus on their son’s problems caused him to become distracted at work, leading to a fatal mistake that resulted in a patient’s death. His fear that Amy will remember this incident has been the reason behind many of his actions.
This moment provides a clearer understanding of Richard’s behavior. His attempts to cover up the truth and discredit Amy were not just selfish acts—they were desperate attempts to protect himself from the weight of his own guilt. He believes that he does not deserve to be a doctor, and this self-doubt makes his character far more complex than just being an antagonist.
While Amy remains the main character of the show, this episode shifts the focus to the supporting cast in a meaningful way. Anya Banerjee and Scott Wolf rise to the challenge, delivering performances that bring depth and emotion to their characters.
Scott Wolf’s portrayal of Richard captures the character’s struggles in a way that makes him more relatable. He is not simply a villain but a flawed man trying to cope with the consequences of his past actions.
Anya Banerjee’s performance as Sonya is equally compelling. Up until now, her character has been seen as confident and no-nonsense, but this episode reveals a more vulnerable side of her. This adds depth to her role and makes her character feel more real and complete.
This episode serves as a turning point for both Sonya and Richard, setting up intense drama for the rest of the season. Their struggles add layers to the story, making the show more engaging and emotionally powerful.
Doc airs Tuesdays on Fox. The first seven episodes are available to stream on Hulu in the U.S.
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