Doctor Odyssey Season 1, Episode 11 Review: ‘Casino Week’

Stowaways can present numerous problems for various reasons, but in Doctor Odyssey Season 1, Episode 11, ‘Casino Week,’ one particular, albeit accidental, stowaway worked in the ship’s favor. After a criminal by the name of “Henry Methvin” is arrested by LAPD Sergeant Athena Grant, she ends up stuck onboard in a closet while helping a housekeeper who had cut her hand. While it wasn’t an ideal situation for Athena, it did make for some great TV to watch the 9-1-1 crossover with Doctor Odyssey.

Max Undercover

We totally get why Athena was not thrilled about being stuck on board the Odyssey. After she and her husband Bobby spent their honeymoon fighting for their lives on a cruise ship, the anxiety and PTSD for her is real. Though she wanted nothing more than to get off the ship and back on dry land, it ended up being a Godsend for Captain Massey. Having a literal casino in open water and having as many hands on deck as possible is not a bad thing. And, hey, the captain knows how to treat passengers, as we saw when he loaded Athena with the best refreshments and beautiful designer gowns, complete with designer heels to match.

Not A Cruise Ship, Not Again

I’m glad that Doctor Odyssey Season 1, Episode 11, ‘Casino Week,’ gave us moments to witness Athena’s struggle to keep calm and manage her anxiety and fear. It would have been strange to have her go through the entire episode and not think about almost dying on a ship. I also appreciate the way that Max was cognizant of her fear and did what he could to help. Taking on a case to stop a heist also did the job; nothing takes your mind off being stuck on a ship like some good old-fashioned police work.

More: Did you miss the latest Doctor Odyssey? Check out our review for Episode 10, ‘Shark Attack! Part 2: Orca!’

Athena, who thought her case had been handled once “Henry Methvin” was placed in custody, quickly learned that the heist was still in play. After receiving a call from the FBI, she realized two more criminals on board needed to be stopped because “Henry” usually worked in a group of three. Athena wasted no time enlisting Max to go undercover to help her find the ships “Bonnie” and “Clyde.” Watching Angela Bassett and Joshua Jackson work together to solve the case was a lot of fun, and it made us wish they were on a show working together as detectives. Additionally, their flirtatious dynamic, particularly during the poker game, was great fun.

Sea-Mergencies

Surprisingly, in Doctor Odyssey Season 1, Episode 11, “Casino Week,” the emergencies were mild. For that, we were glad. After those first two episodes since the show came back, we needed something a bit calmer. That isn’t to say there were no medical issues to deal with. There was Cynthia, the woman who suffered an allergic reaction to nickel after “Bonnie” and “Clyde” swapped her real diamond necklace out for a fake. There was the little, not-so-innocent elderly lady who induced a seizure to throw people off the trail that she and her grandson were the Bonnie and Clyde of the ship. Then we had Bernie, the elderly man who developed a blood clot in his leg because he was afraid to lose the slot machine that gave out a jackpot he believed was rightfully his after a young lady won it.

That young lady was Daphne, a patient living with late-stage heart failure due to cardiomyopathy. Her reason for being on the Odyssey was similar to the reason Avery was excited about Casino Week- to live life to the fullest and have fun. She and Avery spent a lot of time getting to know each other, and she put things into perspective for her. Daphne wasn’t walking around wallowing. She was living. Living her life as she wanted to, which is why we believe Avery was finally able to make a decision. At least about her baby. Relationship-wise, not so much.

I’m All In

Since Avery learned she was pregnant, she has wrestled with the decision about whether or not to keep the baby. After having conversations with Athena, “Bonnie” (yes, the sneaky grandma did give good advice), and Daphne, her decision is made. We weren’t surprised at all when she told Max that she was going to have her baby. We weren’t surprised by Max’s approach to his and her relationship either.

Max still has visions of that perfect picket fence life, and that’s overwhelming for Avery. We can’t say we blame her, though. Max tends to get ahead of himself and becomes overly excited about things. We suspect this is because he almost lost his life to Covid-19. He doesn’t want to waste time. But Avery is not quite ready for the things he wants. She’s made that abundantly clear before. At the same time, Avery is frustrating me, especially when it comes to all things Tristan.

Tristan The Security Blanket

Remember when I said I found myself wondering if Avery kissing Tristan was a knee-jerk reaction to her being annoyed with Max? Well, I may have been onto something. In Doctor Odyssey Episode 11, Avery and Tristan don’t even acknowledge the kiss they shared. Everything seemed to be back to the two of them just being friends. Avery likes to think that she has things in her life figured out, but she doesn’t really. I’m finding myself growing increasingly annoyed with how she treats Tristan. If I were Avery’s best friend, I’d be pulling her aside right now to ask her, “What are you doing, girl, and what do you want?”

I adore Tristan. He cares deeply for Avery and is willing to do anything for her. I sometimes wonder if that’s why Avery treats him the way that she does. He never complains or openly expresses his feelings to her, as he should. Avery puts Tristan on like he’s a security blanket. She uses him when she needs him, then places him back on the shelf when she doesn’t need him anymore.

This doesn’t mean I don’t also have gripes with Tristan. I’m still trying to figure out why we got Chef Vivian, yet she hasn’t been seen since Doctor Odyssey, Season 1, Episode 8, ‘Quackers.’ It was obvious something was happening between the two of them, yet there had been no follow-up. What was even the point of giving us something that Ryan Murphy doesn’t seem to be exploring? I would love to see Vivian again with Tristan. It would certainly shake things up if Avery realized that he was not just going to sit around and wait forever.

Other Thoughts

• Athena’s story of how she got trapped in the Odyssey was quite the doozy.
• We also agree a ship is a floating death trap, Athena.
• “Do you know what can go wrong in three days?”
• Thank you, Ryan Murphy, for treating us to the Angela Bassett gown fashion show.
• Again, we need more of Joshua Jackson and Angela Bassett working together.
• Tristan, AKA the Odysseys George Clooney, was definitely giving us that ‘Oceans Eleven’ vibe in his suit.
• So the perps on board the Odyssey weren’t targeting the safe for money; they were, after all, the guest’s jewelry. The Bonnie and Clyde of the ship were a grandma and her grandson who were 3-D printing versions to swap out, and the bomb wasn’t a bomb; it was a locking-breaking device. However, there was a bomb; it was a smoke bomb set up to create a diversion. Did you get all that? Oh, and “Henry” is her son. And now, all three of them are in jail.   Talk about a crazy family dynamic.
• Squid Game has really taught me to be suspicious of the elderly when I watch TV shows and movies now. They are no innocents. And that’s a clever twist every single time.
• Daphne gets a call for the much-needed heart transplant while she’s 200 miles away from the hospital in LA where the heart is waiting. Spoiler alert: She was able to hitch a ride home
• Seriously, bring Vivian back because I’m tired of watching Tristan all sad and moony-eyed over Avery when she still hasn’t made up her mind about him.

Doctor Odyssey airs on Thursdays at 9/8c on ABC.