As a long-time fan of medical dramas and someone who has had more than my fair share of surgeries myself, I must say that Doctor Odyssey season 1, episode 3 was a rollercoaster ride of emotions. The way they handled the character development for Justin Jedlica’s character was nothing short of brilliant – it made me shed a tear or two at the end.
In the third installment of Doctor Odyssey’s first season, there were definitely some laugh-out-loud scenes, yet it also managed to elicit deep emotions through its compelling narrative threads. Let’s explore what happened in this episode.
Caution: This post contains SPOILERS for Doctor Odyssey season 1, episode 3
Entitled “Plastic Surgery Week,” we anticipated encountering individuals with a shallow exterior. Yet, beneath their facade, there’s depth to be found. The show certainly delivered on this theme, particularly through the character of Justin Jedlica, and it culminated in a moving finale.
Doctor Odyssey isn’t afraid to kill its passengers
Inevitably, death touches us all, but its timing varies. In this particular instance, we focused on Jedlica’s character, who could be likened to a real-life Ken doll. Max was swift in defending him, pointing out that this man embraces his individuality without reservation. Admittedly, he has undergone numerous alterations, but Ken appears content with his life and exhibits an exceptional level of kindness as well.
During the episode, a strong connection develops between the two characters, making it even more poignant when you learn that tragic circumstances forced Max to endure COVID-19 in solitude. In his lonely confinement, all he had was a television as company. Interestingly, Ken’s show played repeatedly, and despite the situation, Max found himself drawn to its narrative.
Additionally, Ken found comfort in the thoughtful attention Max provided during his treatments. Regrettably, there was nothing Max could do to prevent Ken’s sudden death, as a severe infection resulted from the numerous surgeries Ken had undergone.
Many might try to fault the doctor under such circumstances, but not Max. Upon arriving at the ship to retrieve Ken’s body, his friends expressed profound gratitude for having Max aboard. Max recognized Ken truly, and in one’s final moments, a touch of kindness is indispensable.
Max isn’t finding solace in this situation; the death has left him deeply affected, and it’s not just about his personal loss but also about what he perceives as a greater loss for the world. Additionally, Max is troubled by the manner in which the ship handles the deceased, as they are concealed to maintain an illusion of perfection on the cruise. If I had known about such treatment of the dead on the ship, I would have been appalled.
Tristan explores his own past and feelings
In episode 3 of Doctor Odyssey, Tristan and Max reach an authentic resolution, which I’m appreciative of. It can get repetitive having two feuding men over one woman. Growing up with numerous love triangles, another wasn’t exactly on my wish list. However, when Tristan acknowledges that he’s smitten but not in love with Avery, it’s a significant turning point.
Indeed, Tristan gains significant self-understanding during this time. One of the cruise passengers happens to be his mother, and she manages to transform the entire scenario into being about her own feelings. She’s frustrated that she must plan a vacation to meet her son due to the job he chose. When Tristan attempts to express his longing for her and his pain from feeling neglected, she redirects the conversation back onto herself. Self-centered parents often pose challenges, leading their children to develop insecurities and mental health concerns as they grow older.
Yet, there’s hope in this episode. When Tristan’s mom collapses, Max realizes that she has signs of Huntington’s Disease. Apparently, her grandfather had it and the gene has passed down. I did expect Tristan to be worried about himself, but he focuses on his mom. It continues to show how much he loves her despite her narcissism. Again, this is a great highlight at what being a narcissistic parent is like for the children and how the children grow up. Tristan wants validation from women in power, and I’m proud of him for noticing that as being a problem.
Here’s where we find Tristan and Max in a conversation. Tristan was expecting his mother for dinner, but she didn’t arrive. Instead, Max showed up, providing Tristan with someone he can confide in. I’m already enjoying watching their bond develop. They seem to be spending a lot of time together, and it’s essential they get along well. Breaking down barriers is a significant step towards that. In fact, they might even become friends in the near future.
Unfortunately, Tristan’s mother spends little time with him. However, her current behavior hasn’t stopped her from choosing who she spends time with. There’s optimism for Tristan to alter his circumstances. He can use this situation as an opportunity to learn and develop. Additionally, I hope he considers getting a genome test done to determine if he carries the gene for Huntington’s Disease.
Avery needs to learn how to shut up sometimes
Occasionally, I believe individuals should assert their own views. There are instances, too, when it’s best for folks to remain silent about their opinions. From the outset, it was evident that Avery has strong reservations towards plastic surgery. It’s not necessarily the individuals who undergo it, but rather the entire field of medicine that she finds problematic. She disapproves of how some practitioners exploit those suffering from body dysmorphia.
Instead of building connections with others like Max does, Avery seems to avoid forming meaningful relationships. This lack of effort can create a significant issue in terms of respect, which then causes complications throughout the course of the story.
Apart from expressing disdain for plastic surgery, Avery also harbors dislike towards the owner’s wife. To be objective, it’s understandable given the wife’s peculiarities, which are unrelated to her fondness for cosmetic procedures. However, it’s important to note that Avery’s rule-breaking, such as not adhering to the dress code for dinner, should not have gone unpunished. In fact, she has no history of dressing issues in other instances.
Ultimately, Avery finds herself in a fortunate position. She manages to assist in saving an important person’s life, which results in the woman promising to vouch for Avery’s scholarship application, paving her way towards becoming a doctor. However, it’s clear that Avery shouldn’t have escaped the consequences of her actions this time around. This is the first instance where I find myself disliking Avery within this series.
In summary, the episode presented some touching narratives. There was a greater focus on Tristan, which I found enriching for his character. He appears to be less one-dimensional than previously thought, and I’m eager to explore more about him as Doctor Odyssey unfolds further.
Doctor Odyssey airs Thursdays at 9/8c on ABC. Catch up the following day on Hulu.
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2024-10-12 00:57