The Italian medical series “Doc” returns this Wednesday evening on TF1 for a new season 2 which will see the doctors of Dr. Andrea Fanti’s team face new challenges in order to save the internal medicine department.
After having broadcast since the end of January season 17, then the start of season 18 of Grey’s Anatomy, TF1 continues in the register of medical series by offering from this Wednesday, June 1 at 9:10 p.m. season 2 of Doc, an Italian fictional event that breaks all records both in France and in its country of origin.
When it was broadcast on TF1 in January 2021, the series managed to attract more than 4 million viewers, thus becoming the second most-watched foreign series on French television in 2021, behind Meurtres au paradis. It was also TF1’s most followed foreign series, far ahead of the behemoths The Resident and Good Doctor.
For the occasion, Luca Argentero (Andrea Fanti), Matilde Gioli (Giulia Giordano), Sara Lazzaro (Agnese Tiberi), Pierpaolo Spollon (Ricardo Bonvegna) and all the others are back for this new round of episodes, still as ambitious as ever.
The after Covid and its consequences on the medical profession
Like Grey’s Anatomy or Good Doctor, the scriptwriters of Doc have chosen to integrate the Covid pandemic, which has strongly affected the medical profession, in the intrigues of this season 2. But unlike the series carried by Ellen Pompeo, whose season 17 focused exclusively on the epidemic, even if it means sometimes being a little anxiety-provoking for viewers, here it is the before and especially the after Covid that is addressed.
The first episode of season 2 thus shows us the beginnings of the pandemic, when doctors were fighting against a disease that did not yet exist. And, from the second episode, a leap in time takes place in order to transport us to a world where the pandemic is now under control.
Erika Kuenka/Lux/Sony Pictures Television Pierpaolo Spollon as Riccardo
A clever way for the screenwriters to expose the effects that the pandemic has had on the medical profession, which must now deal with post-traumatic stress, but also with the mourning of their loved ones and their colleagues.
And it is through cleverly distilled flashbacks to the threads of the 16 episodes, which lift the veil on the events that occurred during the time jump, that we gradually become aware of the impact of the disease on the characters. , which have evolved a lot since season 1.
The arrival of new characters ready to fold the cards
Who says new season, also says new characters. If (almost) the entire cast of season 1 returns in season 2, new doctors will also arrive and give Dr. Fanti’s team a hard time.
The first to join the cast is Alice Arcuri, who plays Dr. Cecilia Tedeschi, a doctor specializing in infectious diseases who will try to take Andrea’s place at the head of the service. If she is his rival at work, it could well be that the two former friends, who met at university, decide to rekindle the flame.
Fabrizio De Blasio/Lux/Sony Pictures Television
Dr Cecilia Tedeschi, portrayed by Alice Arcuri.
The second doctor to enter is Dr. Edoardo Valenti, played by Marco Rossetti. He will try over the course of the episodes to find a place for himself in Dr. Fanti’s close-knit team, but his rigorous and austere character (bordering on autism?) promises to bring spice to the medical intrigues. Perhaps this newcomer will make the hearts of some doctors capsize…
New challenges
If season 1 mainly revolved around Dr. Andrea Fanti and his ability to return to medicine after his accident which caused him to lose his memory, this season 2 explores new issues, now that doubts about Andrea’s intellectual capacities have been lifted.
It is now the internal medicine service which is in great danger, the administration having plans to close it in order to transform it into an infectiology service. Andrea will therefore try everything to save him, even if it means risking his career. Will it get there? Answer in this season 2.
Luca Argentero plays Andrea Fanti
Another major issue: the physical and especially psychological health of the various doctors. Between anxiety attacks, refusal to mourn or even the desire to change careers, the Covid epidemic has profoundly affected the doctors in the service. Andrea will therefore have to recreate a unit in order to ensure the best possible care for her patients, but also to save the internal medicine department.
Find season 2 of Doc every Wednesday from 9:10 p.m. on TF1. Season 1 is available in full on Salty.