"Doctor Odyssey" season 1 is a fantastic voyage on ABC.
Doctor Odyssey, the latest medical drama from Ryan Murphy and collaborators Jon Robin Baitz and Joe Baken, has set sail on a wild, unpredictable journey full of quirky cases, romance, and the chaos that only a cruise ship can provide. Taking inspiration from the likes of 9-1-1 and The Love Boat, this show blends the absurd with the heartfelt, bringing larger-than-life medical emergencies and personal dynamics into the mix.
What’s Happened So Far on Doctor Odyssey?
The show begins with the Odyssey, a massive cruise ship docked in Los Angeles, setting the stage for both a change in leadership and a whirlwind of medical challenges. The ship’s previous doctor was fired after allowing a contagious bacteria to wreak havoc on a past cruise, making the stakes clear for the new team coming aboard.
Meet the New Doctor: Max Bankman
Max Bankman (Joshua Jackson), a charming and highly qualified doctor, boards the ship as the new physician. His resume is impressive, which begs the question: why would such a talented doctor be working on a cruise ship? Max’s arrival is met with skepticism from the medical staff, especially nurse Tristan Silva (Sean Teale) and nurse practitioner Avery Morgan (Phillipa Soo). Despite their initial reservations, Max quickly proves his skills—though his youthful, confident demeanor and high-tech medical equipment leave them wondering what kind of doctor they’re dealing with.
Medical Mayhem: The High Seas Calls for Wild Cases
Max’s first day brings a steady stream of bizarre medical cases that only a cruise ship could inspire. A married couple comes in with a case of iodine poisoning from overindulging in shrimp at the buffet, and Max’s initial diagnosis of antibiotic side effects is quickly corrected by Avery, who identifies the real culprit. The show’s sense of humor is evident in moments like this, blending real medical knowledge with the absurdity of cruise ship life.
Other patients include a man with a broken penis (yes, you read that correctly), which requires surgery, and the return of the married couple after a water slide accident. The trio of doctors (Max, Tristan, and Avery) also face an open-sea rescue when a surfer falls overboard after consuming too much Molly, leading to some fun—but over-the-top—adventures at sea.
Personal Drama on Deck
Beyond the medical cases, the show also focuses heavily on the personal dynamics between the main characters. There’s clear chemistry between Max and Avery, which leads to a drunken night of passion during a shore leave. The relationship between Tristan and Avery is complicated, as Tristan confesses he has a crush on her, which creates some awkward tension after Avery and Max hook up. But these complications are only the beginning. Max shares with Avery that he almost died from COVID during the early days of the pandemic, which drives his zest for life and his pursuit of fun whenever he can.
The dynamic among the crew provides much of the show’s emotional weight, with Max’s charm and his personal history offering a compelling reason to care about his relationships with Tristan and Avery. Avery, for her part, remains a grounded figure who must navigate the complicated romantic tension on board while also keeping the ship's medical operations running smoothly.
What to Expect for the Rest of the Season?
As the first season of Doctor Odyssey continues, expect more medical hijinks, personal drama, and unexpected twists. Here’s a glimpse of what’s to come:
Events on board the Odyssey include the infamous Singles Cruise, a wedding gone wrong, Halloween night and a wellness cruise to name a few. During Singles Week, the crew faced an influx of single passengers looking to mix business with pleasure, leading to more absurd medical cases and heightened sexual tension among the ship's medical staff. Avery finds herself caught between Tristan’s infatuation with her and Max’s growing attraction, complicating her ability to focus on her job.
Max’s easy charm causes further romantic complications as more guests—and crew—find themselves swept up in the ship's high-energy, carefree atmosphere. Events like these bring an emotional and dramatic turning point for the characters.
As the season progresses, we can expect more revelations about Max’s past, particularly his near-death experience with COVID. This traumatic event may come back to haunt him, especially as he becomes increasingly entangled with the other crew members. The show has hinted at the idea that Max’s commitment to “fun” may be a coping mechanism for deeper emotional scars. Fans can look forward to more moments of vulnerability from Max, where he grapples with the choices he’s made in life.
Tristan’s journey also seems poised for development. While he initially comes off as a typical "hotshot" nurse, his character has room to grow. His complicated feelings for Avery and his rivalry with Max could lead to a deeper exploration of his insecurities and motivations. We might see him evolve into a more nuanced character as he deals with his own personal issues and comes to terms with the dynamics on the ship.
Avery, too, will face challenges as the season moves forward. With her career and romantic life on the line, she may find herself making difficult decisions, balancing her professional responsibilities with her growing personal entanglements. Given the show’s tendency to explore relationship drama, expect some tense moments as Avery is forced to confront her feelings for both Max and Tristan.
Doctor Odyssey promises to continue offering outlandish medical cases, many of which are unique to the cruise ship lifestyle. Expect to see everything from over-the-top accidents to strange conditions brought on by the high-energy environment of the ship. The medical team will be kept on their toes, with the chaotic nature of a floating hospital amplifying every emergency they face. Whether it’s an outbreak of some exotic disease or a bizarre, cruise-specific injury, Max, Avery, and Tristan will need to rely on each other—and their highly unorthodox training—to save lives.
Don Johnson’s Captain Massey has already shown that he’s more than just a figurehead—he’s a wise and somewhat aloof presence, guiding the crew through rough waters (figuratively and literally). As the season progresses, Captain Massey could become a key mentor figure to Max, Avery, and Tristan, offering life lessons and unexpected guidance when the situation demands it. His dry wit and seasoned perspective will likely come in handy during the chaos of future cruise events.
At its core, Doctor Odyssey is a show that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It thrives on the humor of its absurd medical cases, the charisma of its well-cast leads, and the tension of romantic relationships that blur the line between professional and personal. With a solid foundation of quirky characters, wacky medical emergencies, and dramatic interpersonal dynamics, Doctor Odyssey has a winning formula that will likely keep audiences coming back for more as the season sails on. Whether it’s the next big medical crisis or the ever-complicated love triangle aboard the ship, the rest of the season promises to be an entertaining ride full of surprises.
So, grab your life jackets and prepare for more high-stakes drama on the high seas—Doctor Odyssey is just getting started.