The pilot episode of Physician Odyssey on ABC, starring Joshua Jackson as Dr. Max Bankman offered a singular premise—medical emergencies aboard a luxurious cruise ship—however its execution left loads to be desired. Visually, the present is spectacular. It’s clear ABC put some huge cash into this manufacturing, with the cruise ship set standing out as a surprising and immersive atmosphere. Sadly, the high-budget spectacle cannot absolutely compensate for the pilot’s uneven storytelling and a few questionable character dynamics.
“Pilot” – DOCTOR ODYSSEY. Pictured: Joshua Jackson as Physician Max Bankman. Picture: Tina Thorpe/Disney © 2024 Disney Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.
One of many pilot’s main missteps is the way it portrays ladies, notably Avery. She’s launched as a sensible, succesful nurse practitioner who clearly has the {qualifications} to be thought of for the pinnacle physician place. But, her ambition is swiftly brushed apart, and she or he’s not even within the working for the job. Her frustration is short-lived—she spends possibly two minutes indignant concerning the resolution earlier than she turns into smitten with Max. The pace at which she goes from being professionally pissed off to seemingly forgetting her profession aspirations in favor of a romantic curiosity feels pressured and reductive. It’s particularly disappointing to see such a professional character diminished to a romantic subplot so rapidly, as Avery contemplates sleeping with Max mere hours after assembly him.
“Pilot” – DOCTOR ODYSSEY. Pictured: Joshua Jackson as Physician Max Bankman and Phillipa Soo as Avery Morgan. Picture: Tina Thorpe/Disney © 2024 Disney Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.
On prime of those character points, the pilot crammed 4 medical emergencies into the episode, making a frantic tempo that made it really feel just like the present was attempting too arduous to say itself as a high-stakes medical drama. Whereas Physician Odyssey is clearly aiming for a similar type of pulse-pounding depth present in exhibits like 9-1-1, it doesn’t depart sufficient room for viewers to attach with the characters. The emergencies themselves felt a bit contrived, as if the writers had been dashing to show that this present belongs within the medical drama style with out letting the eventualities unfold naturally.
Briefly, whereas Physician Odyssey affords a singular and visually placing setting, its pilot struggled with pacing and character growth. The spectacle is there, however the story wants extra steadiness between its high-octane medical crises and the relationships between its characters. There’s potential for the present to enhance because the season progresses, however the pilot felt prefer it’s attempting to do an excessive amount of too quickly. Hopefully, future episodes will permit the characters to develop and the plot to breathe.
