ABC’s glamorous new series, Doctor Odyssey, launched last night, right after the exciting Season 8 premiere of 9-1-1. This show takes place on a luxury cruise ship, led by Captain Massey (Don Johnson).
The series aims to be a thrilling procedural, and from its fast-paced premiere, it looks like ABC might have found a new show similar to Grey’s Anatomy.
Fast-Paced Introduction of Characters
In just the first few minutes, Doctor Odyssey presents its lively cast. We meet the ship’s nurses, Avery (Phillipa Soo) and Tristan (Sean Teale), who are eager to see what Captain Massey will do after their former doctor made a mistake. Avery is also hoping to get the newly-opened doctor position. Dr. Max Bankman (Joshua Jackson), an impressive and overqualified doctor, joins the crew.
The cruise ship crew’s motto is to “preserve the fantasy,” which Max finds amusing. He learns that patients on cruise ships have unique issues, unlike those in hospitals. The premiere introduces various odd medical cases, like iodine poisoning and penile fractures, giving the audience a preview of what the crew will face.
Doctor Odyssey may also adopt a guest-star-of-the-week format, with Saturday Night Live’s Rachel Dratch appearing as the anxious wife of the premiere’s first patient. The show has a vibe similar to The Love Boat, but without the pure sitcom feel.
Romance Developments in Doctor Odyssey
Romance is an important part of any good network procedural. While some cases may be memorable, the relationships keep viewers interested.
The premiere hints at a love triangle, which is exactly what the show needs. Tristan has a crush on Avery, but the real chemistry appears to be between Avery and Max. Their first case shows Avery’s skills, leading to some playful rivalry between them.
One afternoon, away from patients, Max and Tristan talk about Tristan’s crush on Avery. This results in a funny dance-off between Tristan and Max to “Despacito.” Although Tristan shows off his dance moves, Avery chooses Max as her partner, leading to a heated moment in Avery’s quarters.
However, they quickly realize they are crossing ethical lines and decide to bond over Max’s traumatic past instead. It is too soon to tell how these relationships will develop, but Doctor Odyssey seems ready to have fun with the dynamics introduced in the premiere.
Mysterious Past of Dr. Max Bankman
Over the past four years, the industry has struggled with how to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Some shows pretend it never happened, but network television often includes it in their stories. Since Doctor Odyssey is a medical drama, it is not surprising that the pandemic is part of Max’s backstory.
While talking with Avery, Max shares his near-death experience with COVID, where he was the first patient at his previous hospital. This experience deeply affected him, just like it did many people in real life. He learned to “pursue joy at all costs,” which motivated him to take a dance class and work on the cruise ship.
Avery understands his feelings but warns him about the risks of pursuing joy. It seems like Doctor Odyssey is setting up a mystery around Max’s past, encouraging viewers to tune in weekly to learn more about his unexpected career change.
Joshua Jackson Shines on Network Television
Joshua Jackson has been a well-known face on television since Dawson’s Creek started in 1998. His return to network television comes with Doctor Odyssey, after his role in Fox’s Fringe, which ended in 2013. While he has worked in other series, this show allows Jackson to return to playing a leading role.
Don Johnson also feels at home in Doctor Odyssey. His role is different from his past crime-solving characters, like in Miami Vice and Nash Bridges, but he delivers a strong performance. Both actors excel at turning standard episodes into entertaining and memorable experiences, making their performances enjoyable to watch again.
Expectations for Doctor Odyssey
ABC placed Doctor Odyssey in an ideal time slot, right after the weekly excitement of 9-1-1 and just before Grey’s Anatomy begins its 21st season. The pilot does a good job of introducing the characters and hinting at future storylines. Captain Massey, played by Johnson, is a mysterious character who seems dedicated to maintaining the magic of the cruise experience.
The trailer for the next episode suggests that Episode 2 will show Captain Massey’s character further. One concern about the pilot is that it felt too packed with information. Hopefully, future episodes will focus more on the main cast instead of just the rotating guest stars facing medical emergencies.
With its first episode, Doctor Odyssey gives a great preview of what’s to come, promising an exciting ride ahead—even if Captain Massey insists that the cruise ship is the farthest place from hell.
ABC’s new series Doctor Odyssey premiered after the Season 8 debut of 9-1-1. Set on a luxury cruise ship, it follows Captain Massey (Don Johnson) and his medical crew, including Dr. Max Bankman (Joshua Jackson) and nurses Avery (Phillipa Soo) and Tristan (Sean Teale).
The show combines medical drama with romance, hinting at a love triangle involving Avery and her coworkers. Max’s mysterious past includes a near-death experience with COVID-19, influencing his decision to work on the cruise ship. The premiere sets up a fun, fast-paced series filled with unexpected medical cases and character dynamics.
Doctor Odyssey airs on ABC on Thursdays at 9 PM ET and is available on Hulu the next day.
