Doctor Odyssey Season 1, Episode 10 ‘Shark Attack! Part 2: Orca!’ felt like Groundhog Day, but it was a never-ending nightmare. When we last left the crew of the Odyssey, they were dead in the water after an unexpected swarm of orcas descended upon the ship. With everyone cut off from any assistance, things seemed to get worse. Despite all of the drama that unfolded, somehow in that crazy hour of television, an old Romance was rekindled. But we loved the teamwork and the reminder that the crew is ultimately a family who can handle any obstacle.
Crisis First, Emotions Later
With the Odyssey surrounded by a pod of orcas, and not one but three critical patients on board, everyone was forced to devise a solution. This wasn’t the first time Captain Massey dealt with something like this. In Doctor Odyssey Season 1, Episode 9 ‘Shark Attack!’ he shared a story about a similar event. It was of course the first time he lost a vessel. Which is why we think he was so determined to keep everyone in the Odyssey safe.
That was the same for Max, Avery, Tristan, and Brooke. Having three patients in dire need of medical attention on a ship with no power was not ideal. In some ways, we will say that this drama eased the tension between the foursome, if only slightly. Max and Avery still couldn’t connect on anything, partly because he can’t stop doctoring. Avery prides herself on being autonomous. She hated Max micromanaging her every move, including trying to keep her from hopping on the tender to take Josie and Brody to land for emergency treatment.
On the other hand, Tristan seemed to provide Avery precisely what she wanted. He’s been a lot calmer since finding out Avery was pregnant. It’s even to the point he feels he may not be worrying enough. But, that’s who Tristan is. This is familiar to Avery, and it’s just what she needs. And after witnessing the way he stepped up for Munroe, she appears to be set on who she wants in her life. What that means for her and Max is to be determined.
Back Into The Deep End
I’m going to be honest, I felt where Avery came from in her feelings about Brooke. The Odyssey is Avery’s home. When Brooke and her patients hopped on board in Doctor Odyssey Season 1, Episode 9 ‘Shark Attack!’ it changed the dynamic. That’s not to say that Avery, Max, and Tristan were not already having issues. But this newcomer only magnified that.
Still, Avery didn’t allow Max to state his case about what didn’t happen between him and Brooke. So, while I’m glad that Avery and Tristan shared a kiss, I have to wonder how long this will last. I also wonder if this was a knee-jerk reaction to her being upset with Max. Avery tends not to know what she wants. I love her but it’s the truth. One day she wants a throuple, and then the next she wants Tristan?
One of the reasons I’m glad Max and Brooke did not hook up is that they’re too similar. Both are hotheads and stubborn, as we saw during Josie’s emergency ex-lap procedure. I think the two of them were better suited as friends, and I’m sure Brooke’s talk with Avery when they were out on the tender further proved that. Also, while we’re on the subject of newcomers, Brooke showing up only made me wonder again where chef Vivian is. She’s not been seen again since her one date with Tristan. Is she even still on the Odyssey? Is Tristan even thinking about her at all?
Sea-Mergencies
One thing we can say about the entire Odyssey crew is that they know how to work together during major crises. And Doctor Odyssey Season 1, Episode 10 ‘Shark Attack! Part 2: Orca!’ was chock full of them. There was the matter of the power outage that Rosie and Ray had to fix, those three critically injured patients, including Munroe, and then the Orca swarm. Captain Massey is a strong man and one of the best captains. He could think quickly and his experience is part of why the Odyssey remained standing. Not only that, he never panics.
No matter how crazy a situation gets, he remains cool and collected. We imagine he may be screaming on the inside and that he, too, gets scared. But he never lets it show. This is why Munroe was unwilling to give in despite his injury. Even though Munroe was knocking on death’s door hours before, he wanted to get back in and help his crew out.
For Munroe, the crew on the Odyssey isn’t just people he works with. They are his family. The fact that he was willing to crawl his way back to the bridge so that he could help out speaks to his strength and commitment. It’s because of his bravery that Rosie got to the auxiliary engine room to restore power to the ship—and not a moment too soon.
Hide And Seek
After the Odyssey lost power and the ship was left dead in the water, the team had to devise various ways to divert the attention of the orca pod. Anything was done from things like dumping sand from sand bags into the water to confuse their echolocation, to sound cannons. It seemed like it worked but then the team realized that the orcas were playing hide and seek. A game of hide and seek on the high seas. I will never look at a whale the same again. Also, what happened to the shark? I guess the whales were scarier and ran it off.
This unexpected event forced Avery, Brooke, and Ray to turn back on the tender with Josie and Brody. All of that chaos caused significant changes to both patients, but mainly Josie, who had an emergency procedure that led to the retrieval and removal of a shark tooth that had gotten stuck in her abdominal cavity. This was the third major surgical procedure the team was faced with in less than 36 hours.
As I watched her procedure, I could feel the tension coming off Max, Brooke, and Avery. While this was happening, it was interesting to watch Rosie and Ray working to get into the auxiliary engine room. It was almost like watching them perform their own operation. It was also a great way to showcase how much the team depends on each other because once Rosie got the power back, it was smooth sailing—literally.
Doctor Odyssey Season 1, Episode 10 ‘Shark Attack! Part 2: Orca!’ was a stressful hour filled with jaw-dropping moments. That’s what makes the show so good. I hope the show didn’t come in too hot with a two-part return. I say that only because it did in some ways feel that they did a lot, all at once. But, this is a Ryan Murphy project, and he knows how to keep delivering something fresh and new weekly. And we’re going to hold him to that.
Other Thoughts
- Rosie is awesome. That is all.
- Again, we will never look at whales the same again after this.
- “This is starting to sound like ‘your body, your choice.’”
- At first we thought Munroe was crazy for staying behind when Avery, Brooke, and Ray took Josie and Brody on the tender. But after they had to turn back, it seemed he had the right idea.
- Brooke and Avery’s conversation about attending med school and wanting to be a mom felt even more relevant than ever.
- “When they ask about kids, lie. You don’t owe them anything.” FACTS.
- We forgot to mention that if the power hadn’t been turned back on, the ship would have hit a massive reef. So yeah… the drama was truly never-ending.
- “My leg is busted but my brain is fine.”
- “No more surfing on your days off.” We love Captain Massey.
- The captain told everyone they had 78 hours until the next group arrived. That would be our cue to take the longest nap after a night like they all had. We were exhausted just watching.
Doctor Odyssey airs on Thursdays at 9/8c on ABC.
