A Turning Point for TJ
The shockwaves from the pregnancy reveal on the hit drama Doc are only just beginning. In an exclusive interview, Patrick Walker opened up about what lies ahead for his character, TJ, following the news that his girlfriend, Sonya (played by Anya Banerjee), is expecting a child.
Walker, 33, hinted that TJ’s initial reaction will involve a fair amount of avoidance. «As we’ve seen this episode, he is avoiding things, and he’s going to [keep] doing that. He’s going to be playing a lot of different faces, and then there’s going to come a moment where everything hits the fan,» Walker shared. «And he has to anticipate some consequences.»
The Long Road Ahead
Fans can expect a significant transformation for TJ, though Walker emphasizes that this character development will be a slow burn. «It is over the course of a lot of episodes. What’s beautiful about this story line is that things get addressed a little more, but it doesn’t really get addressed much. It stretches over time. It’s something that will get addressed through the entire season,» he explained.
According to the actor, the narrative explores the universal psychological shift men experience when becoming fathers, further complicated by TJ’s personal struggles. «What I found just from even asking men about their experience when they found out that they were having a child is that there’s something that happens in the brain where men realize that life is about to change. That is where the complexity comes for anybody. But then TJ is dealing with his mental health, so then it takes it to a whole other level of complexity.»
Balancing Mission and Mental Health
While TJ is reportedly happy about the prospect of fatherhood, Walker notes that his character approaches the situation with a military-minded focus. «He sees it as a mission. He’s going back to his roots if there is a challenge that’s in front of us and these are the steps we need to take to accomplish said mission,» he added.
Furthermore, the third season of the Fox drama will continue to delve into TJ’s ongoing battle with PTSD from his military service. Walker expressed appreciation for how the show portrays the difficulty of seeking help, particularly for Black men. «We will see this journey of him getting to that place with his mental health. But what’s beautiful is that it’s not easy. It’s just really challenging for men to do, especially Black men. I like that it’s not easy and it takes time.»
Doc airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Fox.