The season 1 finale ofDoctor Odysseytied up many loose ends, but the medical drama resolved one storyline far too late. Joshua Jackson leads theDoctor Odysseycast of charactersas Max Bankman, the new doctor aboard the titularOdyssey. Alongside Nurse Tristan Silva (Sean Teale) and Nurse Practitioner Avery Morgan (Phillipa Soo), Max attends to absurd medical emergencies onDoctor Odyssey’s luxury cruise ship. However, the three medical personnel went far beyond professional camaraderie.
The only thing more ridiculous thanDoctor Odyssey’s theme weekswas the convoluted love plot between Avery, Max, and Tristan. The three medical professionals clashed over their feelings several times, with the trio eventually having a threesome inDoctor Odysseyseason 1, episode 6, and considered a throuple. Though the procedural threw curveballs in like Vivian (Laura Harrier) and Brooke (Adrianne Palicki),Doctor Odysseykept Max, Avery, and Tristan trapped in a pointless romantic conflictuntil the last second.
Tristan Finally Let Go Of Avery In Doctor Odyssey Episode 18
The Doomed Romance Finally Came To An End In The Season Finale
Though theDoctor Odysseylove trianglewas drawn out for practically the entire season, episode 18 finally put an end to Tristan and Avery’s flirtation. Though Tristan was happy having a purely sexual relationship with Avery ahead of her departure for med school, Avery implied something was missing, only for her to realize in theDoctor Odysseyseason finale that she truly loves Max.Tristan is understandably angry with Avery for stringing him along, but he gains a new perspective after helping to deliver a baby.
While Avery and Max got as close to a happily ever after as possible, TristanendedDoctor Odysseyepisode 18single and not in a hurry to mingle. Max has a brief conversation with Tristan to clear the air, with Tristan mentioning his new life philosophy is to“go where the love is,”mindful that he can’t handle being somebody’s second choice forever. While it was kind ofDoctor Odysseyto free Tristan from his feelings for Avery, it came far too late to make a meaningful difference.
Tristan’s Crush On Avery Limited His Character All Season
He Was Less Of A Love Interest And More Of A Plot Device
If the medical drama had made Avery choosing Max the midseason finale cliffhanger, Tristan could have been a much more interesting character for the rest of the season. Unfortunately,Doctor Odysseylimited Tristan’s characterand often let him grow, only to pull him back to where he started. Multiple times, Tristan explored romantic connections with other women, only for his feelings for Avery to reappear a few episodes later. It felt as thoughTristan was stuck in a loop of harboring unrequited feelingswith no end in sight.
All episodes ofDoctor Odysseyare streaming on Hulu.
With Avery having always dreamed of going to med school and Max’s dilemma about staying or joining a hospital, Tristan was made secondary, not only in the romance but in the series. ThroughoutDoctor Odysseyseason 1, there were flashes of Tristan’s backstory and unique personality, but he was quickly put on the back burner in favor of Avery and Max having the same argument for a tenth time. IfDoctor Odysseycommitted to a will-they-won’t-they storyline and left Tristan out of it, he could’ve been a compelling character.
How Tristan’s Character Could Have Developed Without Doctor Odyssey’s Love Triangle
The Entire Show Would’ve Been Better For It
The wayDoctor Odysseyleft Tristan on the hook is even more of a shame because he would’ve enriched the drama as an independent character. In terms of romance,Tristan and Vivian’s relationship inDoctor Odysseyfelt electric, but Vivian was practically discarded because of the love triangle. If Tristan were free to explore real connections and not pine after Avery,Doctor Odysseycould have capitalized on Tristan and Vivian’s chemistryand allowed them to become more comprehensive characters.
Tristan, now permanently done with his schoolboy crush, could emerge as the rootable protagonist…
Aside from romantic storylines, many interesting tidbits from Tristan’s past could have been explored more thoroughly. From his mother’s illness to his father’s impact on his alcoholism,Tristan had all the makings of a well-rounded, deep character. Sadly,Doctor Odysseyignored his potential for the vast majority of the season. IfDoctor Odysseyis renewed for a second season, it’s possible Tristan, now permanently done with his schoolboy crush, could emerge as the rootable protagonist the medical drama desperately needs.
