Doctor Odyssey’s season one finale leaves a lot to be desired

by

In the closing act of “Doctor Odyssey,” season one, I found myself left pondering a singular query: What was the purpose? Unlike the heartrending finales of “9-1-1” or the dramatic cliffhangers on “Grey’s Anatomy,” which graced our screens around the same time as this freshman medical drama, “Doctor Odyssey” seems to lack a fresh perspective or any emotional build-up as the first season draws to a close. It appears to recycle familiar plotlines that have yet to bring anything substantial to the series and, should ABC and Ryan Murphy decide to terminate the show, “Doctor Odyssey” can hardly be classified as an engaging limited series. In essence, “The Wave, Part 2” offers a tantalizing setup for a thrilling tsunami but fails to deliver the expected impact.

Instead of plunging into a stormy crisis like the opening of season seven on 9-1-1, where Bobby and Athena had to survive until help arrived, Doctor Odyssey chooses calmer waters, preferring not to venture into the intense emotional situations that can arise when danger threatens. As expected, the love triangle involving Max, Avery, and Tristan continues to be a significant aspect of the storyline in “The Wave, Part 2.” However, unlike before, it’s more about Avery and Max growing closer than about Avery’s feelings for Tristan. The series has been nudging audiences towards believing that there is chemistry between Avery and Max, but their love connection feels forced rather than natural. Max’s declaration of his feelings catches everyone off guard, while Avery’s response to those feelings seems equally unexpected. Although Doctor Odyssey has hinted at this relationship being one to support, it hasn’t been effectively shown in a compelling way.

Regarding Tristan, it seems his rumored drinking issue surfaces less about him dealing with its repercussions and more about introducing Matt, Barry’s fiancé. In this episode, there’s no indication that Tristan has slipped up or requires an AA meeting. Instead, the storyline focuses on other aspects, with Tristan only showing his compassionate side during a challenging birth situation. Since the midwife takes over as the delivery becomes complicated, Tristan is seen more for his bedside manner rather than his medical skills.

In a different phrasing, one significant scene aims to evoke emotions by depicting the entire Odyssey crew threatening to resign if their captain is dismissed. However, this act isn’t shown on-screen but instead conveyed later. The intention was to symbolize loyalty and unity among the crew members. Unfortunately, due to limited information about the other staff members provided by Dr. Odyssey, the impact of this scene falls short. Instead of marveling at the teamwork that saves their captain, viewers are left puzzled about the identities and origins of these unseen crew members.

In my opinion, while “The Wave, Part 2” seems to wrap things up like a series finale, considering it only has one season, the tension and anticipation for certain aspects aren’t fully established. Instead of leaving viewers on the brink of their seats, yearning for more, Doctor Odyssey strolls through its first season finale in a casual manner. Given that Doctor Odyssey hasn’t been ABC’s most powerful series or medical drama, delivering a finale that doesn’t make the journey leading up to it worth the wait only makes things worse. If that’s all there is to Doctor Odyssey, it could quickly fade into obscurity.

Read More

2025-05-19 16:14