We have made it to the finale of Doctor Odyssey. At this time, with the series not being listed on ABC‘s lineup at The Upfronts, we’re not sure if the show will return. Considering how neatly the series was wrapped up, we don’t even know it needs to. Doctor Odyssey Season 1 has had no shortage of jaw-dropping moments, but Doctor Odyssey Season 1 Episode 18 ‘The Wave, Part 2’ was a relatively calm hour.
Choosing A Direction
In Doctor Odyssey Season 1 Episode 18 ‘The Wave, Part 2,’ it seemed everyone had a choice. After the earthquake that triggered the tsunami in Doctor Odyssey Episode 17, ‘The Wave, ’ Max was stuck on shore. While attempting to guide Avery to perform a life-saving embolectomy on Marcus, one of the passengers on the ship, an aftershock caused communication to stop.
This led Avery to go it alone and perform the procedure without Max. Thankfully, because the ship had some passengers on board, including Matt the psychiatrist (who happened to be Barry’s fiancé), she wasn’t entirely alone. Of course, the procedure was a success. No surprise there.
Captain Massey and his second mate Monroe faced their challenge as well. After the captain disobeyed orders not to go back for those left behind on shore, Corporate told him he no longer had a job (SPOILER ALERT: The Captain still has his job). That meant Monroe had to step up to the plate and take the reins, or wheel. Monroe admires the captain and has a lot of respect for him.
While he stepped in as instructed, it was clear from his decisions that he was taking into consideration exactly how Captain Massey would have faced the situation. So, as predicted, he continues with the mission to return to shore. There were no consequences for him, unlike Captain Massey, only because it was safer by this point to make the trip back.
MORE: Did you miss the moment the quake hit? Check out our review for Doctor Odyssey Season 1, Episode 17, ‘The Wave.’
Divide And Conquer
The news of everyone going back to shore was all that Avery needed to hear because she was more than ready to go back and get Max. Because she was going to lead the response team, this posed an unexpected moment for Tristan who had to step in and take control of the medical suite and manage the patients which included him starring in his very own episode of ‘I Didn’t Know I was Pregnant’ when he had to deliver Blair, AKA “Deck Karens” baby. Though we know he was entirely on board with Avery going to get Max, we could see the hurt in his eyes knowing she had finally decided between him and Max.
Because Psychiatrist Matt was the only other medical professional on The Odyssey, Avery took him with her to rescue Max and the others. Avery and Matt working together conveniently gave us the moment for her and Matt to get to know each other. He also encouraged her to be honest about her feelings and what was stopping her from voicing those feelings to Max. Avery admitted that while she does have feelings for Max, because she’s spent so much of her life being in second place to help others, she’s afraid that by choosing Max, she would somehow be choosing a life in second place.
MORE: Doctor Odyssey Season 1, Episode 16 Review: ‘Double-Booked’
Big Feelings
Nothing forces you to face your feelings like a crisis. Avery finally admitting to Max that she has “Big feelings,” AKA Love, for him, was one of the most significant steps she took all season. After deciding to go back to Medical School, of course. We watched her and Max dance around each other, literally and figuratively, all season long.
It was no surprise that things turned out the way that they did in the end. It’s no surprise that Avery opened up to Max about her fears of a long-distance relationship and what that would mean for her attending medical school. We weren’t surprised that she realized it was okay to love Max and still focus on and accomplish her dreams.
We know Max has the white picket fence fantasy, but we also know that he knows how important it is for Avery to become a doctor. There’s no way he’d ever stand in her way, especially when he’s seen her in action and knows how capable she is. It would not be very reasonable for him to let her give up on her dream of being a doctor so she could always be with him. In the end, they got their happily ever after. But where does that leave our Tristan?
MORE: Doctor Odyssey Season 1, Episode 15 Review: ‘Crew Week’
Go Where The Love Is
As we predicted in Doctor Odyssey Season 1, Episode 1, ‘Pilot’ Avery chose Max. Not Tristan. It was sad. He spent an entire season pining for a woman who didn’t want a relationship with him. As we said before, Tristan is not without fault. He knew what he was getting himself into. Especially when he agreed to have “unencumbered sex” with her. Avery was guilty, too, though. It was wrong of her to string Tristan along. She knew how much of his heart he put into being with her.
But Tristan is a nice guy. And he cares deeply for Avery. He only wants what’s best for her and to see her happy. Even if that meant their relationship wouldn’t go any further than friendship. One thing remains true of him: that he will always be the support Avery and even Max can rely on.
That’s saying something, seeing as Max violated the bro code they agreed to way back in Doctor Odyssey Season 1, Episode 2, ‘Singles Week.’ You can’t help but feel for him because he didn’t get the girl. We want the best for Tristan, and we know he’s competent. He managed to keep his cool and deliver a baby. Maybe that will motivate him to expand his career.
MORE: Doctor Odyssey Season 1, Episode 14 Review: ‘Hot Tub Week’
Final Thoughts
The Season finale of Doctor Odyssey wasn’t bad, but in some ways, it did feel a little like we rushed to the finish line. And there were some missteps with storyline choices. For instance, we learned pretty late in the season that Tristan was battling alcoholism. And then he relapsed in Doctor Odyssey Episode 17.
Then he faced the aftermath of that relapse when Doctor Odyssey Season 1 Episode 18 picked up. Avery saw and knew that what she told him had contributed. But he sucked it up and dealt with it. If this was going to come so late and be forgotten, we didn’t even need it placed in the season.
I also felt like bringing in Chef Vivian (Laura Harrier) wasn’t needed. She was barely on the show, and Tristan’s relationship with her went nowhere. The Captain Massey/Heather pregnancy thing could have been scrapped as well. It didn’t do much to move the story along. And I guess we can let go of those theories that Max was in a coma, and this was all a dream.
Despite these issues, Doctor Odyssey was a unique series that kept me invested and interested weekly. As Deadline reported, the possibility of Doctor Odyssey making a return is up to Ryan Murphy and whether he believes there is still more to tell with these characters. As someone who enjoyed the series, I can honestly say we probably don’t need it. I think most fans got the happily ever after they were seeking.
