What I expected was a lighthearted episode. Maybe with a bit of comedy here and there. But what I got was an emotional roller coaster that had me feeling all of the things. And an episode that was so beautiful that I’m going to watch it over and over again. A lot. Like daily until the next new episode comes. Because it was that freaking good. Just phenomenal. But I guess I should have learned to expect that from Ryan Murphy by now. So keep reading for my Doctor Odyssey 1×03 review for all the amazing things that happened in this episode!
More Than Meets the Eye
The episode did kind of start out like I thought it was going to. With Robert and Tristan cracking jokes about plastic surgery and Avery getting mad about it. And I could kind of see some of what Avery was saying. I’m sure there were a few people on board that were struggling with some body dysmorphia. But there were probably just as many people on board who were doing something for themselves. To love themselves and feel comfortable in their own skin. To be who they want to be. And look the way they want to look. Which is everyone’s individual prerogative, right? It isn’t up to us to dictate what people look like. So that was an issue that I didn’t expect to be addressed within the episode. But it was. And beautifully
Ken was such a beautiful soul. Inside and out. I was definitely loving the vibe and instant friendship that was happening between Ken and Max. It was a quick connection where their wavelengths were clearly in sync. And my heart broke when he died. Honestly, I was already tearing up at the montage before it happened because of how beautiful it was. As Ken stated to Max, it was about seeing people for people. And I’m so grateful that the two of them were able to meet. That Ken was able to be seen by a doctor like Max who does so genuinely care about all of his patients. Then the show broke my heart in a whole other way by taking Ken’s body to the flower shop cooler under the laundry cart. Talk about disrespectful of the dead.
Moms and Bosses
I was actually really proud of Tristan in this episode. That was a whole lot of emotional work he put into himself. He definitely had an epiphany. And I think he handled himself the best he could with his mother. Everything he said about following her around due to fear that she would disappear painted a really sad picture. And helped to make things really fall into place with his flirtatious ways. I really respected that he acknowledged not being in love with Avery. But that he was infatuated with her as he has always been with women in positions of authority over him. Something else that he acknowledged. So Tristan has officially earned himself a spot on the characters I like list. Though it was really sad that his mom was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease.
Then we had Robert. Who is starting to make more sense to me as a character. He has a real love for the ship and the world within it that he has worked so hard to maintain. And he does genuinely care about his people, as he showed by trying to play referee between Avery and Lenore. But I still wonder if there isn’t something in his childhood or past that led him to want to live in this created world. This place where each week the ship turns into a different kind of oasis. He seems obsessed with perfection. But that could also be because he has been doing this for a long time and has learned that’s the most important part of each themed cruise.
Beauty in the Breakdown
Max’s heartache was palpable in a way that only Joshua Jackson can bring to the screen. You felt his connection to Ken and understood why he was so upset about the loss of him. But I also loved that it was something that helped to bring Max and Avery even closer. They also have a deep connection that hasn’t taken long to form. And she seems to understand him in a way that most don’t. I appreciate that about their developing relationship. Just like I appreciate the way that Max met privately with Ken’s friends and told them about his connection to them, Ken, and their show. Plus, I really loved the way that Barbie immediately understood the connection between them and thanked Max for doing everything he could and giving Ken the kindness and compassion he deserved.
What did you think of Doctor Odyssey 1×03? Did you find it as heartwarming and heartbreaking as I did? What did you think of Ken and the way that he and Max interacted? Do you think Tristan handled his mom the right way? Or could he have done things differently with her? What do you think about all the things he learned about himself while dealing with her? Did you think Lenore was a bit too much? What about how she treated Avery and the rest of the medical team? Find and follow us on Instagram, X, Facebook, and Threads to discuss all things Doctor Odyssey 1×03! And be sure to check out our site for more articles, quizzes, podcasts, and more on all things Disney and beyond!
