Note: This story contains spoilers from “Doc” Season 2, Episode 3.
“Doc” has found its new head of internal medicine in Dr. Joan Ridley, and she’s not afraid to ruffle feathers to achieve greatness.
After first introducing the surgeon played by “Deepat Housewives” alum Felicity Huffman, the latest episode — titled “New Blood” — followed as Joan made a big impression on her first day in charge at Westside Hospital. That included kicking off a two-month trial period for each employee in which she will determine who is good enough to stay on the payroll.
“This hospital continues to stumble and not be as excellent as it could be,” Huffman told Thewrap. “It’s about turning to your team and saying, ‘We’re going to the Super Bowl…if you’re ready, great.’ If you’re not, go play on another team. “”
Episode 3 also brought a new layer to Joan and Amy’s relationship via flashbacks, in which viewers learned that Amy was there for Joan despite learning of a serious diagnosis before the accident that stole Amy’s memories.
However, Amy herself still doesn’t remember this news, which Huffman says makes keeping it a secret much more interesting – adding that the diagnostic twist added “jet fuel” to her performance.
“The path [co-showrunners Barbie Kligman and Hank Steinberg] In writing, Joan does not struggle with her illness. She uses it to move forward,” she shared. She takes the job so she can stop her restless wandering and focus on something bigger than illness, and doing what she does best, making people great. “
“I think the illness frees her,” Huffman added. “It allows her to be honest with people, not because she’s mean or a ball buster, but because it gets results.”
These layers in Joan’s character are at the center of what attracted Huffman to take on the role on “Doc,” the actress’ first regular role since “Desperate Housewives” and part of ABC’s “American Crime” anthology ensemble.
Unlike Westside’s previous head of internal medicine, Dr. Richard Miller (Scott Wolf), Joan also clearly stands beside Amy on her recovery journey – even if her methods are different from those of Amy’s other allies. Joan views Amy’s medical prowess as the key to her recovery, as well as a gift to the world worth preserving beyond the titular doctor’s complicated personal life.
“A lot of this show has been turning to Amy and saying, ‘You were really tough before. You were horrible before. Joan is the only person who went, “wait a second, you were great before.” If a man had been in that position, he wouldn’t be focusing on whether he was nice or not. They would focus on their performances…Joan is 100% in Amy’s Corner.”
“Doc” airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Fox and Streams the next day on Hulu. Season 1 is now struggling on Netflix.
