Warning: this article contains spoilers forDoctor Odysseyseason 1.The most memorable aspect ofDoctor Odyssey’s pilot season has undoubtedly been the complex romantic dynamics at play, but only one pairing seems to be a real match. From its first episode,Avery Morgan (Phillipa Soo), Max Bankman (Joshua Jackson), and Tristan Silva (Sean Teale) have been embroiled in a love trianglewherein both men pine over their female nurse practitioner. Avery kisses Max in episode 1, kisses Tristan in episode 2 (“Singles Week”), and kisses both in episode 6 (“I Always Cry At Weddings”). However, none of those are the best couple inRyan Murphy’s latest showon ABC.
WhenDoctor Odyssey’s castwas first revealed, it seemed as if the tight-knit medical team would be the only main characters aside from the ship’s Captain Massey (Don Johnson). As such, the only option for a love story included Dr. Bankman and the two nurses until a new recurring character was added to the cast after a few weeks. Aside from introducing a new character to disrupt the love triangle,Doctor Odysseyalso expanded on the charactersit already had and revealed significant roadblocks for nearly every main relationship on deck.
Max & Avery’s Romance Is Interesting But Difficult To Work
Despite Their Sexual Tension, They Want Different Things
When speaking toScreen Rant, Joshua Jackson described a central idea for his character and the show at large:
“Let’s all collectively exhale, turn the page and commit to life.”
A beautiful sentiment, but one that perfectly lays out the issue with Max and Avery as a couple. Their life goals, values, hopes and dreams may seem similar at first, butMax and Avery have different visions for the future. Max wants the classic white picket fence family, but Avery has been very vocal about her deviance from the norm. For her, Max can only be a"Mr. Right Now."
Doctor Odyssey Is Wasting Avery By Not Doing A Ryan Murphy-Homage Episode
Ryan Murphy has all the makings of an iconic musical episode, but it can do more for Avery’s character than just show off Phillipa Soo’s voice.
To be compatible, one or both of their characters would need to seriously compromise their values. Either Avery abandons medical school and succumbs to life in suburbia or Max settles for a nontraditional life with a nontraditional partner. In doing so, Max or Avery would have to fundamentally change who they are to build a life together. That sort of sacrifice only ends in true love or resentment, andAvery’s no fairy tale princess. While some theorize thatDoctor Odysseyis Max’s coma dream, the reality is that he and Avery aren’t a good match.
Tristan & Vivian Are Better Than Max & Avery As A Couple In Doctor Odyssey
Mutual Interest And Compatible Traits Are A Recipe For Success
During episode 4 (“Wellness Week”),Doctor Odysseyintroduces a new, pivotal character: Vivian (Laura Harrier). In the world of fast-burning love affairs and fickle feelings that changed every episode,Vivian offered a new avenue for Tristanas the new chef onDoctor Odyssey’s luxury cruise ship. For one, she was actually interested in him beyond the scope of Avery’s occasional jealous flare-ups. But more importantly, as explored in episode 8 (“Quackers”), Vivian can envision something long-term with the nurse who was delegated to be Avery’s second choice.
After a heart-to-heart in the pool, Tristan and Vivian contract bacterial conjunctivitis from the"Quackers"rubber ducks in episode 8.
While Max and Avery can talk about their experiences and think about life in the abstract, they’re quick to freeze up when conflicts arise, like Avery’s pregnancy (where Tristan has to remind Max about basic bodily autonomy).Max and Avery are on two different wavelengths, while Vivian confronts Tristan directly to communicate her feelings. Her fearlessness to bluntly ask Tristan where she stands proves that she not only wants to be with Tristan; Vivian can help Tristan grow without deconstructing his entire worldview.
Why Tristan Fits Better With Vivian Than Avery
Tristan Will Never Be More Than Avery’s Back-Up
Though the audience is led to believe that Tristan has been in love with Avery for years, the characters feel like strangers as they attempt to dip their toes into a more romantic pool. Their first kiss is awkward, Tristan tells Max he conflated his infatuation with love, and Avery point-blank says he only pursues her because he has a poor relationship with his mother. Tristan doesn’t deny the last remark. In fact, he elaborates on it in a conversation with his mom, whereTristan admits that he chases women who don’t want him.
Tristan’s mother is played by Constance Marie, known primarily for her roles inSwitched at BirthandGeorge Lopez.
While Tristan goes from loving to liking to"loving"Avery whenever the wind changes, he opens up to Vivian in an authentic, vulnerable way.Tristan lets Vivian inas he recounts his experience being bullied for being ethnically Venezuelan while feeling disconnected from that identity inDoctor Odyssey. The closest Tristan has come to bonding with Avery, in comparison, is a confusing talk about Tikka Masala-flavored chips.His feelings for Avery are nothing more than a schoolboy crush, but Tristan has the opportunity to graduate and find fulfillment in a mature, two-sided relationship with Vivian.
Doctor Odysseyreturns Thursday, March 6 on ABC.
Doctor Odyssey
Doctor Odyssey is set aboard a luxury cruise ship where Max, the new on-board doctor, and a small, resourceful medical team confront unique medical crises and interpersonal dynamics while isolated miles from shore.
