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Friday, February 25, 2022

Grey’s Anatomy 18x09 Recap: “No Time to Die” (Side Effects May Vary) [Contributor: Julia Siegel]


“No Time to Die”
Original Airdate: February 24, 2022

Have you been holding your breath for the last two months while waiting to find out if Owen survived the treacherous 100-foot fall down a ravine in a beat up car without a seatbelt on? That tense midseason finale (literal) cliffhanger lends to more drama in Grey’s Anatomy’s return. The action started on Station 19, where firefighters Ben Warren and Robert Sullivan led an extraction team to save Owen from the wreck. Did Owen survive, and what other fallout awaited the doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital? Keep reading to find out.

A LOT ALL AT ONCE

The midseason premiere begins with a flashback to three weeks prior to the crash to show Owen giving Noah the drugs he needs to die peacefully on his own terms. Before handing over the drugs, Owen wants to know if Noah’s wife, Heather, knows about his plan. Noah states that both he and Heather are fine with the decision, and he feels he will be able to help his young son more from the other side. Noah asks Owen to help the three other soldiers from his unit do the same thing, leading us full circle on why Owen asked Hayes to carry on with that plan if he didn’t make it. Physician-assisted death becomes a major topic of this episode and will surely be a larger talking point for the series going forward. 

Then, for anyone who didn’t remember the accident or watch Station 19 to see that Owen did in fact survive the initial fall down the ravine, a quick montage recaps those perilous events before picking up right after the car rolls down the cliff. After jumping out of the car right as it starts to fall, Hayes gets up and runs down the nearby road to get help. He catches a vehicle, which turns out to be the same one that Teddy got in a few minutes prior. Teddy is understandably shocked to see him, and the doctors make their way back to Grey Sloan Memorial with the donor heart for Farouk. 

Meanwhile, lots of turmoil is happening within the hospital’s operating rooms. Winston is patiently awaiting the donor heart to transplant into Farouk and has the poor boy already open on the OR table. Nearby, Schmitt and Helm try to deal with the fallout of Schmitt losing his first patient. In case you don’t remember the Carrie-like moment from the previous episode, Schmitt’s hubris got the better of him when he decided to continue a procedure at its risky part instead of waiting for an attending to arrive to assist. Schmitt nicked a blood vessel, causing his patient to bleed out. We see Richard yelling at Helm, but Schmitt is in shock and doesn’t even hear his boss. In a third OR, Meredith is frantically trying to save Hamilton, who also made a stupid mistake by not speaking up about pain in his abdomen in order to have a potentially life-saving Parkinson’s treatment. 

Everyone’s day fully goes backward when a dazed Hayes walks into Grey Sloan Memorial with the donor heart and goes straight to the OR. Hayes tells Winston that there was an accident and hopes that the heart is still viable. Winston examines the donor hearts and sees that it is bruised, which isn’t a good sign based on his sigh. He takes a moment to think before paging Maggie for a second opinion.

Owen has arrived at the hospital via ambulance and is in and out of consciousness. Amelia and Link are there to bring him into a trauma room and examine the damage. His leg was severely crushed in the car and required a tourniquet. The good news is that he can move his toes and has feeling in the leg. Owen asks how Teddy and Hayes are while also requesting that they don’t tell Megan about the accident until after Farouk’s surgery is successful. Teddy anxiously waits outside the trauma room, and Amelia and Link come out to update her on their initial findings. They tell Teddy that they need a scan to have a better idea of if Owen will walk again and give her the clear to see her husband. Teddy says she needs a minute and visibly starts to panic while she processes the information. Amelia wants Teddy to get checked out too, but Teddy refuses help. Teddy thought Owen was dead and needs a moment before seeing him. Teddy eventually musters the strength to go into Owen’s room, and he is relieved to see her. Teddy tells Owen that she thought he was dead, and Owen replies that he thought so too. He asks her to come closer, which makes Teddy cry. Owen comforts her, they kiss, and Teddy tells him that she loves him very much.

Amelia goes to find Link to talk about which kind of scan they need to order for Owen, and Link makes a snide remark about how he doesn’t like to be blindsided, which prompts Amelia to ask if he’s okay. She tells her ex that whatever is going on, he needs to get his head in the game because Owen means a lot to her and everyone else at the hospital. I do give Amelia major props for taking her ex-husband’s major accident in stride unlike how like old Amelia would have. She handles herself incredibly well in this episode.

Back in the OR, Richard and Bailey continue to argue about whether the Webber Method should continue. Bailey suspends the program indefinitely, so Richard tries to pull rank with the chief of chiefs card. Schmitt overhears the conversation, but he doesn’t process it because he has yet to stop washing his hands post-surgery. Next door, Maggie and Winston are trying to determine whether they can still transplant the bruised donor heart. Maggie isn’t sure the heart is viable and doesn’t believe it is worth the risk to find out. She would rather wait for another heart. Winston knows the risks and wants to do the surgery anyway. He reminds Maggie that Farouk needs this miracle and is trusting his gut to take the miracle they were given. Maggie begrudgingly agrees to go along with Winston, so they start the transplant.

WHAT'S THE PLAN?

Outside, Mer calls Nick to complain about the Hamilton situation. She almost lost him on the table, but Hamilton did survive the procedure. Nick calls Hamilton an idiot, which Mer agrees with, and asks if she would like him to hitch a ride to Seattle on a transplant transfer helicopter to help her out. Mer loves the idea and it’s truly about time that Nick shows up in Seattle. Mer walks into Hayes as heads back inside and sees that he has a large cut on his forehead. She had yet to hear about the accident, and Hayes is clearly still stunned. He tells Mer that his whole life flashed before his eyes and he saw his wife and boys, which was a lot for him. Hayes insists that he is fine, but Mer wants to check him out anyway.

Mer checks Hayes for a head injury. His pupils are good, he didn’t lose consciousness, and his head doesn’t hurt. Mer wants to take his blood pressure before they agree that he is okay. Out of nowhere, Hayes asks Mer for her opinion on “mercy killings.” Mer believes in death with dignity. Hayes wants to know what her specific thoughts are on a doctor taking that decision into their own hands. Mer simply responds: “First, do no harm.” She smartly asks if there’s something he wants to tell her, but Hayes deflects by saying that Owen was hurt in the accident and might need a general surgeon.

Mer and Webber show up in the imaging room where Link, Nico, and Amelia are looking over Owen’s scans. They will definitely need to operate on his leg and do a spinal decompression. Owen also has a lacerated spleen, which may or may not need to be surgically fixed. As they discuss their surgical plan, Link asks if they can get Schmitt to assist since he is the top resident. Richard put the kibosh on that idea by sternly stating that Schmitt is not available. Mer tells the group to call her if they need her and leaves.

The scene changes to show Schmitt still obsessively washing his hands. He is starting to rub the skin off. Bailey finds him and says he needs to go complete his surgical report, but he doesn’t respond. Bailey explains that losing a patient happens to even the best of surgeons. She suggests he take a walk, feel his feelings, then write his report. She leaves him without getting any sort of response or acknowledgement, which seems a little neglectful on Bailey’s part. 

Amy, Link, and Nico go to discuss surgical options with Owen and Teddy, but Amelia and Link are having trouble agreeing on the course of action. Link believes that the leg injury takes priority, while Amelia argues that the spine should always come first. Nico suggests that they do the repairs simultaneously, since both are equally important and Amelia agrees. Owen would like to see Hayes before his surgery and tells the doctors it can’t wait. They leave to go find Hayes, who is back in the OR to get an update on Farouk. Winston has a good feeling about the surgery, but they aren’t done with the transplant yet. Hayes then makes his way to visit Owen in pre-op. Owen says things could have been much worse, and Hayes doesn’t know what else to say other than “thank you.” Owen would like Hayes to thank him by forgetting about what he said about the drugs earlier. Hayes can’t simply forget and is worried about being an accessory to a crime, losing his license, and/or going to jail because the soldiers don’t qualify for physician-assisted death. Owen promised Noah he would go through with it and will bend the rules to fulfill his word. Hayes wants Owen to think through it and feels that Owen should tell Bailey before he gets in any deeper. On his way out, Hayes is stopped by Teddy, who wants to know how Farouk is doing. He brusquely says that he doesn’t know and walks away quickly. 

Elsewhere in the hospital, Mer goes to check on Hamilton and finds him still sleeping. Kai is sitting next to him, and Mer decides to noisily wake Hamilton up. He instantly apologizes but Mer cuts him off immediately because she doesn’t want an apology. Mer goes on a rant about how Hamilton wasted the whole team’s time and reiterates that he is their only chance at finding out if their Parkinson’s treatment works or not, and that they won’t get a second chance with the FDA. Mer tells Hamilton that if he pulls another stunt like that, she will quit. Kai is just as mad since they have been working for two years on the project. Hamilton understands the conditions, so Mer storms out.

Schmitt is still scrubbing his hands raw and is found by Jo. Bailey told Jo what happened, so she came to take her friend home. Schmitt won’t stop and Jo clearly sees that he is in distress, yet decides to leave the room. At this point, what is wrong with all these doctors leaving someone who is clearly in mental distress all by themselves?

Hayes finds Megan in the hospital’s chapel after checking in with Mrs. Hunt. Megan is lighting a candle and tells Hayes that she came to the chapel to pray since no one has given her an update in hours. She wants to know how bad the situation is. Hayes counters by saying he wants to know what her plan is for not killing herself if things go south and what her potential treatment options are to stay alive before he tells her anything. He talks about how his wife died, which Megan didn’t know, and how he still hasn’t moved on. He’s not sure if he will ever be over her and understands what Megan is currently feeling. Hayes has had the same thoughts because he’s desperate to see his wife again, but he won’t leave his boys. He knows the depth of that grief, which is comforting to Megan. Hayes wants to know that, if he gives her more bad news, she will be okay. Megan states she took a sedative to help and will call her psychologist with Hayes watching. She will also email her psychiatrist for help. Hayes accepts that Megan won’t do anything rash, so he tells her about the accident, Owen’s injuries and current surgery, Farouk’s surgical status, and that the donor heart was bruised in the accident, but Winston and Maggie are doing what they can. Megan dryly says: “Wow, when it rains, it pours.” Hayes makes her pull out her phone and call her psychologist as she promised, demonstrating that he is an incredibly good friend. 

POINTS OF VIEW

Now that she got the frustration out of her system, Mer goes to the OR gallery to sit with Richard and watch Owen’s surgery. Richard asks Mer if she heard about Schmitt. He tells her everything that happened and is still upset that Schmitt didn’t wait for an attending. Mer calmly says that she wouldn’t have waited either if she had the Webber Method as a resident and feels that Cristina and Alex would also have acted the same. She feels sorry for Schmitt, which doesn’t help Richard. Below, the surgery is going well. The repair of Owen’s leg is successful, and Amelia continues to operate on his spine. Kai shows up in the gallery, which Amelia and Link both notice immediately. Link asks for the gallery to be cleared because he needs to focus. Everyone leaves, and Amelia is confused by his actions but starts putting the pieces together.

Jo finds Helm and new Grey Sloan Memorial resident Wright and asks for help with Schmitt. They arrive to find Schmitt’s hands profusely bleeding as he continues to wash away. He’s been scrubbing for hours and hasn’t stopped. Wright gives Schmitt some encouraging words about how he didn’t handle his first loss well either and tries to pull Schmitt away from the sink. Schmitt fights, but ultimately collapses on the floor. Wright carries him out of the scrub room, and it’s nice to see the fellow residents helping out one of their own. 

Down the hall, Owen’s surgery is finished and he is ready to be transported to the ICU. The doctors want regular neuro and vascular checks done to make sure there aren’t any post-op complications. Amelia stops Link on his way out and yells at him for punishing her all day for seeing her kiss someone else. It didn’t take long for her to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Link is equally angry about how he has pined for her for so long because she kept telling him that she loves him. He’s been torturing himself and realized that he just needs her, not marriage. When he went to tell Amelia his revelation, he saw her kissing Kai. Link feels that Amelia moved on as if the last year and half didn’t matter. Amelia counters that she has been processing her own feelings and what she needed for a long time. She reminds Link that he refused to hear about that, leading to the end of their relationship. She knows they didn’t want the same things and feels he was trying to gaslight her into marriage. Link takes great offense to that last part and fiercely defends how he never gaslit her. He sarcastically congratulates her on her newfound happiness and walks away.

Winston and Maggie have also nearly finished Farouk’s heart transplant. They are at the most stressful part: taking off the heart clamp to see if the new heart will beat on its own. Winston takes a second to pray before they remove it, and his prayers are answered. Meanwhile in the ER, Jo, Helm, and Wright bandage up Schmitt’s hands. They don’t want to leave Schmitt alone while he is in such a delicate state, but what none of these doctors realize is that they should get their friend a psych consult. Nico shows up and asks what happened, but Schmitt won’t even talk to him. He’s still in shock, so Helm asks Nico if they can go talk to fill him in. Jo has to take a call, so Wright stays with Schmitt. 

Upstairs, Winston and Maggie go tell Megan the good news. Hayes sees them coming and joins the conversation. Farouk’s heart is beating well, which makes Megan burst into tears. She hugs and thanks Winston. Maggie says that Farouk will wake up soon so Megan can go see him. Megan asks how Owen is, and the surgeons say they will get her an update when they can. Winston tells Megan that it’s okay to take in the miracle, and Megan hugs Hayes.

The surprise twist of the episode follows the happy moment. Hayes goes to talk to Bailey later that evening in her office. She asks how the Hunt family is doing, so he tells her that Farouk’s transplant was a success and he hasn’t heard about Owen. Bailey needs Owen to be okay and talks about how the whole family has been through so much. Owen is one of the best men she knows because he cares and fights for what he thinks is right. She decides that he will be okay, and the look on Hayes’ face says that he is starting to understand why Owen agreed to be part of physician-assisted deaths whether they are legal or not. Hayes shockingly gives Bailey his notice and says he will be moving his family back to Ireland. Just like the audience, Bailey is incredibly surprised and wants to convince him to say. Hayes says that he has made his decision and she won’t change his mind. Bailey asks if he will stay until Owen is well, since she is hemorrhaging surgeons. Hayes says he can’t and is sorry because he has loved his time at Grey Sloan Memorial. He needs to do what’s best for his family (a.k.a., not be an accomplice or know anything about Owen’s illegal activities) and that this will be his last shift. Hayes apologizes again and walks out. It is pretty stunning that Hayes quit, but this also is a testament to what a good man he is. He doesn’t know how he feels personally about Owen’s mission, but he does know that he wants no part of it if it’s illegal. I will personally miss Hayes greatly, but this surely won’t be the first or last major reaction to the physician-assisted death topic this season.

Maggie and Winston are ready to leave for the night, and Winston wants to know how they will celebrate Farouk’s successful heart transplant. Maggie states that she didn’t know Winston was the type of person who takes in miracles, and it’s a little surprising that she doesn’t know that her husband has great faith. She doesn’t believe in miracles because she is scientific. Winston is thrilled that they both showed up and were a team regardless of their differing beliefs. He says that either way, whether it was a miracle or skill, they still saved a boy’s life. They kiss and leave to go home and cuddle in bed.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

Mer is about to leave Grey Sloan Memorial for the night, and Nick walks up with the most perfect timing as usual. They kiss and he asks how she is. Mer explains that her friend got into a car accident, her other friend quit, and her favorite resident flamed out all in the same day. Nick knows his girlfriend is going to need some relaxation time, so he made a reservation at a restaurant for them to get dinner. He also booked a room at a hotel that has great room service, and Mer picks the second option.

Amelia meets Kai at Joe’s Bar and decides to explain some of the day’s events. She quickly tells Kai that Owen, who is her ex-husband, is not paralyzed and the surgeon she operated with is her son’s father. Kai now understands why Link cleared the gallery, and Amelia confirms that he saw them kiss. Amelia also understands if Kai wants nothing to do with her messy life. Before Kai can say anything, Amelia gets a text with a photo of Scout from Link. She explains that he sends a goodnight photo of Scout every night he has him even if they are fighting. Kai simply says that Link is a good man. Amelia hates that she broke his heart and that he made her break it all over again. She also reveals that she doesn’t drink, and Kai gives Amelia some of their fries, which they say is a big step for them. Seems like a blossoming relationship to me.

Over at the loft, Jo gets her and Link shots. He doesn’t want to feel all the pain and emotions over losing Amelia again. Jo doesn’t want him to suffer since they both know that Amelia doesn’t want what he wants. She says Link is the best person that she knows, that he is hot, and that there are other women who would love to love him. Link sarcastically jokes that he is a catch before there’s a slightly awkward pause. Jo then says, “You already mourned her. You already suffered, so maybe don’t suffer anymore.” Cue the score, and Jo and Link kiss. Link pulls back and says, “This is a bad idea.” Jo responds, “Is it?” They kiss more, which leads to them of course hooking up. Link is correct: this is a bad idea because it will more than likely be a rebound for him while Jo wants more than that. It’s going to get messy quickly for these best friends, but it will make for some interesting drama.

Back at the hospital, Bailey goes to get into an elevator to leave for the night and sees Richard staring at her when the doors open. He gives her an intense stare, and there is an incredibly awkward silence for the whole elevator ride. Nico finds Schmitt all alone outside the hospital sitting on the ground against the building. Not sure why anyone let Schmitt go out on his own, but at least Nico found him. Nico doesn’t know what to say so they just sit together. Teddy is sitting next to Owen’s bedside, and he wakes up in a lot of pain. Owen asks how the surgery went, and Teddy replies that he will walk again but it will take time. She also tells him that Amelia stopped by to check on him and told her that Hayes quit to move his family back to Ireland. Teddy asks what happened in that car and what is he not telling her because she knows that whatever happened has forced Hayes to leave. The episode ends before Owen says anything, leaving us to wonder how long it will be before the truth eventually comes out.

The Resident 5x14 Review: “Hell in a Handbasket” (Pursuit of Justice) [Contributor: Justine]


“Hell in a Handbasket”
Original Airdate: February 22, 2022

The latest episode of The Resident wrapped up some important stories and gave us so much more of what makes this show great. Some potentially interesting new stories and dynamics are forming for the latter half of the season. Any time we get to see women supporting women, I am all in and this episode that in spades. 

The main focus of this episode was Dr. Billie Sutton (Jessica Lucas) confronting the man who assaulted her and was responsible for her pregnancy at the age of 13. It was a sobering reminder of the lengths in which abusers will go to protect themselves and ensure that their crimes never see the light of day. Billie’s abuser threatened to expose her past, which she hasn’t exactly kept hidden, which was proof of how low he was willing to stoop.

Another dynamic that was so devastating yet poignant was Dr. Kitt Voss’ (Jane Leeves) role in supporting Billie as an individual and in her position of power as CEO of Chastain Memorial Hospital. Along with Conrad’s father, Marshall Winthrop (Glenn Morshower), the powerful pair made it clear that Chastain needed to stand with Billie. For her bravery, Kitt was told to take a temporary leave of absence with the rationale being that there was potential for a conflict of interest. When women start supporting one another, they often face retaliation like this. It’s a sad commentary on the very real risks women in particular take when standing up for what’s right. 

In an episode filled with touching moments, moments between Conrad (Matt Czuchry) and Billie ranked near the top. These two characters have really come into their own, especially this season. Their mutual respect is clear every time they’re together. Conrad’s choice to do the right thing and support Billie in her hour of need is a credit to how far this character has come. It’s worth noting that Conrad is really shining in a more supporting role, and is really in his element supporting his friends and co-workers when they need him. He’s the wingman these healthcare heroes deserve. 

The dramatic moment of the episode went to Trevor (Miles Fowler) when he figured out the truth about his birth, and that the story of an ill-timed high school romance was designed only to protect him from the horrific reality. He interrupted the hearing that would have seen his biological father get away without any consequences was made for TV, and it was acted perfect. A.J. (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) showed his strength as a mentor and a friend, being there for Trevor when the world as he knew it came crashing down around him. 

The B-story, which could have had an entire episode of its own was a focus on THE NURSES. Sorry for shouting, it’s just that every time a medical show acknowledges how amazing nurses are and that there aren’t always three surgeons handy to help a patient walk around, this nurse-turned-writer gets very excited. Jessica (Jessica Miesel) has proven again and again what an indispensable part of Chastain she is. It was cheer-worthy to see her stand up for her own worth and demand that her pay reflect the actual contributions she makes to this hospital.

This episode tackled the very real issue of travel nursing too. A contentious issue in the nursing community, it’s clear that as more real-life nurses demand to be paid what their work is worth, travel nursing will continue to become an even more attractive option. It was easy enough to see how the promise of not only being paid an acceptable wage but also having so many expenses covered would make many nurses think about taking this professional path. 

The episode teased a storyline that is sure to be featured in this half of the season. Leela (Anuja Joshi) was asked by her twin sister Padma (Aneesha Joshi) to donate her eggs. Padma’s days of living in a van are coming to an end. As Padma attempts to take this next step in her life, hopefully we will see more of her and Leela together. Their relationship as twins and sisters is a strong one, and the show will only benefit from seeing them more often. 

The Resident handled an incredibly difficult subject with grace. We saw Billie’s true strength and how important it is to be surrounded by love and support when you gain the courage to speak the truth. Devon (Manish Dayal) was conspicuously absent, for the very good reason that Dayal himself directed this episode. In many ways, this episode felt like a season finale since it was the conclusion of a major saga for a lead character. We know there’s lots more to come, however, and this episode proves that The Resident is capable of telling compelling stories.

Other Things:

  • A.J. and Conrad’s opening workout routine? They definitely looked good doing it even though it looked far too advanced for this fitness novice.
  • The use of Twitter graphics was an interesting choice. It was definitely a visual and audio representation of how alarming and invasive these alerts are, and how easy it is to feel harassed in 280 characters or less.
  • Irving Feldman deserves a sugar mama. I said what I said.
  • I’m still not over Bell and how far his character has come since this series started. It looks like he’s the newest member of Georgia’s State Medical Board. More KitBell content is always necessary.
  • “If you’re going into battle, I want to be your wingman.”
  • “I’ll take it from here, gentlemen.”

Friday, February 18, 2022

The Resident Season 5x13 Review: “Viral” (Pressure Building) [Contributor: Justine]


“Viral”
Original Airdate: February 15, 2022

The Resident’s fifth season continues to be all about the past returning. Bringing newer characters into their own while resolving stories of characters who have been there from the beginning is a constant balancing act. The female characters of this show have always been among the strengths The Resident has to offer, and it’s so great to see them getting so much time in the spotlight. It’s what they deserve.

The episode started with a gender reveal party for Jessica’s (Jessica Miesel) sister, who in so many ways is our favorite OR nurse’s polar opposite. Jessica is an underrated gem of a character in this show. Her absolutely correct assessment that gender is a social construct, and therefore a gender reveal party is unnecessary, is perfect. This party, and Jessica’s brother-in-law, were doomed for the start. As soon as the canon came out, disaster was inevitable. Thankfully, Jessica’s sister and her family all got a happy ending in spite of their harrowing experience which, to be fair, they brought upon themselves.

Leela (Anuja Joshi) was the absolute star of this episode. Devon (Manish Dayal) had better get on board with supporting her lofty dreams to become double board-certified in neurosurgery and cardiothoracic surgery. Even if these dreams never come to fruition, he needs to support her rather than undermining her. Even when Leela is told no by her mentor Billie (Jessica Lucas), she holds her ground and never sacrifices her sense of self. She proved her surgical skills by guiding Billie during an incredibly complex neurological procedure. Her heart-touching moment with Bell was just a sweet moment for a character who is fast becoming the most compelling character in this series.

Conrad (Matt Czuchry) remains at his best when he’s in the father role. His difficulty accepting Gigi growing up and having trouble watching her reach perfectly normal milestones was so relatable (little Gigi absolutely gunning it away from her father when arriving at daycare was equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking as a reminder of how fast babies grow up). His role has gradually shifted from being the series’ focus to more of a supporting role, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. He can still be the amazing diagnostician he is and have most of his focus on being a father to Gigi. 

The medical mystery of the week followed a woman who received a botched Brazilian butt lift. Conrad, A.J. (Malcolm-Jamal Warner), and Trevor (Miles Fowler) got caught up in finding out who this woman really was. She happened to be a TikTok star, which initially prompted derision and judgement from the medical dream team. The truth is that the decision to undergo cosmetic enhancements is usually never as simple as someone wanting to look better for more followers. What ensued was an accurate and surprisingly heartfelt discussion about social media and the risks and benefits it entails. The revelation that Nolan (Michael Hogan) is himself a major TikTok star was absolutely perfect, and I for one would subscribe to his channel immediately. 

After Bell (Bruce Greenwood) was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, we get another update. Thankfully, he’s told he has no new lesions and that the medication he’s on is working. Although MS can’t yet be cured, the progression of the disease can be slowed with the right medication regimen. It was recommended that Bell have surgery as a next step. Bell expressed concern about his safety to return to surgical duties.

The capstone of the episode was Billie confronting the man who assaulted her as a child. The fact that Billie’s confidential report of this man’s pedophilia to the Georgia State Medical Board was released to the person she was complaining about is a sadly true commentary on what so many survivors of violence experience. This man can’t possibly stoop any lower and threatens to reveal Billie’s past. Billie’s courage is a credit to her character, and it’s clear she’s ready for a fight. This story is just beginning, and it will be.a rough journey.

The Resident’s fifth season has already been chock full of emotional storylines and deep character development. We get to see just enough of these major plot points each week to keep us engaged and on the edge of our seats to find out what happens next. The strategy of slow-burning to the finish line is working so far. 

Other Things: 

  • If anyone could pull off presenting dry research data, it’s Devon. I for one would be first in line to hear his presentation, and could definitely see him doing the conference circuit
  • It’s honestly scary to think about how many cosmetic clinics are unregulated. The fact that any licensed physician can perform cosmetic procedures, regardless of if they’ve trained in that area in the state of Georgia, is TERRIFYING. (It’s also true. I looked it up.)
  • “Never underestimate the draw of your geeky clinical trial sexiness.”
  • “You can't destroy me. You killed a part of me I can never get back. You can never hurt me again.”

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

The Resident 5x12 Review: “Now You See Me” (Past is Present) [Contributor: Justine]


“Now You See Me”
Original Airdate: February 8, 2022

After the emotional damage inflicted by The Resident’s midseason return, it was always going to be a challenge to match that level of intensity moving forward. However, this episode set the stage for what are sure to be important stories as the season goes forward, and... choices have been made. 

This week’s main medical case involved a child brought into the ER with unexplained injuries and a seeming inability to speak. The little girl bonded with Conrad (Matt Czuchry) almost instantly, and his role as a dad really jumped out. Honestly, it’s what the show needs more of. After all of the trauma Conrad has gone through this season, it was nice to see him show what a caretaker he can be. It also helps that he works at the mythical Chastain Memorial Hospital, where doctors have long stretches of uninterrupted time to spend solely with one patient. 

Also having an inordinate amount of time to spend on one patient was the new and still-unknown Cade (Kaley Ronayne). There’s still been no big reveal about who she is or where she’s come from, however the case of the week really seemed to strike a chord with her. The only concrete thing fans really came away knowing about the mysterious Cade is that she has the capacity for exceptionally poor judgement in the form of going out alone at night to search for missing people. 

After being given the devastating MS diagnosis in the last episode, one might expect Bell ( Bruce Greenwood) to stay at home as his past comes back to haunt him. Instead, he revealed that he was shortlisted for the state medical board of Georgia. This administrative role would see him out of the OR and that’s probably not a bad thing. Kit (Jane Leeves) encouraging him not to give up on surgery was admirable, if not slightly terrifying given his history. 

The medical B-story, which really should have been the primary focus, was Devon (Manish Dayal) trying to help a patient experiencing the worst fatphobia the medical profession has to offer. So much has been written about real life patients having multiple signs and symptoms dismissed outright due to their weight. It’s long past time medical dramas like The Resident handle this issue that impacts far too many. Devon enlisted A.J. (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) who initially was very clearly part of the problem. However, they both treated their patient with respect and dignity and provided her individualized care (more proof that sadly Chastain exists in a fantasy realm). 

The strangest choice by far in this episode was Devon being a terrible boyfriend and having a difficult time supporting Leela (Anuja Joshi) as she is a capable, world-class surgeon. We’re supposed to believe Devon has finally found a partner with whom he’s compatible, but if Devon doesn’t start getting it together soon and supports his partner in her quest for greatness in her career, there will no doubt be plenty of eligible people willing to take his spot in an instant. 

Finally, the set-up the show created for Billie (Jessica Lucas) to confront her past was a sobering one. Addressing the fact that this character’s assault resulted in her getting pregnant as a child will be a massive challenge for The Resident. With this massively triggering subject matter, there’s so much that the show could do wrong. Hopefully, the show will portray this storyline with the sensitivity it is due. 

Overall, this episode was definitely more of a set-up for future stories which will hopefully come to fruition as the season continues. The Resident is always at its strongest when it focuses on real issues facing the medical profession and the stories of the people who bear the brunt of the impact. Hopefully as the season continues, fans will get just the right mix of character storytelling combined with commentary that provokes thought and action in the real world.

Other Things:

  • Declaring a child hypothermic after registering ‘Lo’ on a contactless thermometer was the most unintentionally hilarious moment of the episode. Not even an attempt at getting a temperature via a different route because... medicine. 
  • Still no word on Billy’s son Trevor (Miles Fowler), but no doubt he’ll be back sooner rather than later. 
  • “She's choosing not to speak to feel safe. I've seen a lot of that recently.”
  • “The guy is like a picnic basket filled with cupcakes, and ponies, and sunbeams.”
  • “In my ER, you get what you need.”

Sunday, February 6, 2022

The Resident 5x11 Review: “Her Heart” (Breaking Hearts) [Contributor: Justine]


“Her Heart”
Original Airdate: February 1, 2022

After leaving us on a cliffhanger before the midseason break, The Resident came back with a bang to break fans’ hearts in truly devastating ways. The first half of this season has been filled with so much tragedy, and it seems the second half will have fans in for more of the same. 

Right out of the gate, the revelation that Dr. Bell (Bruce Greenwood) has multiple sclerosis is the culmination of a storyline set up in the series premiere episode way back in 2018. In the first half of the season, the show alluded that this story would be resolved. His devastation at his official diagnosis is evident. It’s a mark of how far Bell has come as a character that he immediately turned to his family rather than try to conceal the truth from them. 

On that note, Bell bonding with his family was among the most vital aspects of this episode. Bell’s step-son, Dr. Jake Wong (Conrad Ricamora), has come through for his step-father this season after being estranged from him for many years. Dr. Kit Voss (Jane Leeves) refusing to leave Bell in his hour of need was heart-rending. Those who haven’t been sold on this relationship may find this episode the thing that convinces them otherwise. 

The second hit of emotional damage was Dr. A.J. Austin’s (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) mother, Carol (Denise Dowse), approaching the end of her battle with terminal lung cancer. Seeing A.J. passionately advocate for his mother by trying to get her into a clinical trial just shows what a phenomenal son he is. Carol has suffered so long this season, and it’s devastating to see how much A.J. is already grieving the woman who raised him and has loved him unconditionally his entire life. 

The final devastating blow fans were subjected to this episode was Conrad (Matt Czuchry) and A.J. treating a patient who received the donated heart of his late wife Nic (Emily VanCamp). It was such a poignant callback to a beloved character. Hannah (Kiah Alexandria Clingman) was such a lovable patient, and Nic’s heart really couldn’t have gone to a better recipient. Conrad introducing Hannah to his daughter Gigi was the moving conclusion this story deserved. 

On a happier note, seeing Dr. Leela Devi (Anuja Joshi) beginning to come into her own as a surgeon was an absolute delight. Having her mentored by another incredible surgeon, Dr. Billie Sutton (Jessica Lucas), is where both of these characters need to be. Billie knows what it takes to succeed as a woman in this field, and Leela has shown again and again that she has what it takes. Theirs will surely be a friendship and mentorship we can look forward to seeing more of as the season continues. 

We also got to see more of the mysterious Dr. Cade (Kaley Ronayne). With no social media presence and a resistance to sharing any backstory with anyone so far, fans don’t have much to go on. However, seeing her bond with Head Nurse Hundley (Denitra Isler) over their mutual love of sneakers and generally just being a boss in the ICU bodes well for her character fitting in well with the Chastain Memorial family. This character with an elusive history has a lot of promise so far.

The one character we saw so little of this episode was Dr. Devon Pravesh (Manish Dayal). He made the choice to scale back his clinical duties and focus more on research, but it’s clear that his compassion for patients hasn’t diminished at all. The fact that he treated A.J. and his mother with such tenderness when it became clear Carol didn’t qualify for his drug trials proved what an amazing physician he continues to be. 

Overall, the midseason return of The Resident was a strong one and gave us a lot to look forward to for the rest of the season. It never relied on a constant emotional barrage but rather gave fans good stories and strong character development that built on the previous seasons in a satisfying way. This return bodes well for the remainder of season five, and the stage has been set for a second half that will be the best of what The Resident has to offer. 

Other Things:

  • I loved the fact that we got a Lunar New Year episode, just in time to celebrate in real time.
  • No word this episode on Trevor (Miles Fowler) and where he is, completing his studies as an anesthesiologist at Chastain.
  • Sammie is incredibly adorable, and Bell being a grandfather suits him spectacularly.
  • “You fell in love with the man I wanted to be, and I became him because of you.” Bell said this to Voss, ripping our hearts into pieces and adding infinity points to KitBell shippers.
  • “This one's for Nic,” said Billie Sutton, reminding us how much we all loved Nic and how much we miss her.
  • “Wherever you go I will follow” said Kitt Voss to Bell, giving KitBell shippers even more reasons to sob.