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The transition of 9-1-1 to ABC came with high expectations for fans of Ryan Murphy’s work.
For at least one season, viewers looked forward to continuing their journey with one of television’s most engaging procedurals.
With the return of 9-1-1 for its eighth season, ABC solidified its commitment to Murphy by introducing another procedural: Doctor Odyssey.
The development of Doctor Odyssey was surprisingly quick, with the show receiving the green light and a talented cast assembled in short order.
Although the storyline details were somewhat scarce initially, the release of the trailer offered a sneak peek into the show.
Like many new programs, Doctor Odyssey attracted a decent audience, garnering 16.5 million viewers across Disney’s platforms over 35 days—a promising start.
Yet, as the network approaches renewals for 2025 and 2026, Doctor Odyssey remains in a precarious position, lingering in uncertainty which is rarely a positive sign for survival.
Doctor Odyssey: High Hopes, Low Returns
The concept of a medical procedural set aboard a cruise ship is undoubtedly innovative, but the novelty fades rapidly.
Limiting the setting to a single location poses a significant challenge; shows like Chicago Med or Grey’s Anatomy succeed by tapping into deep emotions and interpersonal drama, elements that risk stagnation in a confined space like a ship.
With vast oceans surrounding the vessel, external scenery offers little variety, compelling audience focus onto the characters and on-board emergencies.
To maintain viewer interest, Doctor Odyssey introduced new and interesting characters weekly; however, the transient nature of guest stars often precludes lasting connections with the audience.
The central trio—Max, Avery, and Tristan—emerged as the core of the narrative, providing an engaging dynamic initially.
Max’s arrival brought an intriguing element to The Odyssey, as his relationships with the nursing staff encouraged complex interpersonal connections.
However, as is common on television, stories often feel recycled and unoriginal.
Doctor Odyssey aimed to differentiate itself with hints of a potential throuple involving the three main characters, stirring excitement amongst viewers.
The Throuple That Remained Elusive
After an extended buildup around the potential for a throuple, the show finally explored this situation in Season 1, Episode 7, titled “Oh Daddy!” However, the overall payoff fell flat.
Despite the anticipation, the episode lacked substantial intimacy, featuring no kisses or significant shared moments among the male characters—lessening the excitement.
Instead, the narrative leaned more towards Avery enjoying playful interactions with Max and Tristan, a direction that diverged significantly from fan expectations.
This lack of fulfillment regarding their romantic entanglement may have signaled a downturn for Doctor Odyssey.
What could have blossomed into a rich narrative was overshadowed by inappropriate dynamics among the medical team.
The established hierarchy—where Max supervised both Avery and Tristan, while Avery held authority over Tristan—diminished any potential for a healthy throuple and pointed out the complications of workplace relationships.
As the show did not fully realize the throuple storyline, it risked venturing into uncomfortable territory that diverted from a fun and flirty narrative.
Predictability took over, with cases losing their initial intrigue and storylines stagnating.
Unlike many medical dramas that explore various specialties, the confined nature of a cruise ship limits the diversity of medical emergencies, hampering the show’s creative potential.
While pregnancy became a central plot for Avery, providing her unique narrative focus, it nonetheless felt predictable and less engaging overall.
As the season progressed, excitement dwindled, save for a two-part midseason premiere involving sharks and orcas.
Although ABC has not disclosed the show’s status, the absence of a renewal announcement raises questions about its future.
With the throuple plotline seemingly abandoned, it begs the question of how Doctor Odyssey can revitalize itself.
Are expectations for the throuple too high, or did it represent a compelling narrative possibility? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Watch Doctor Odyssey Online
Source
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