This week’s Doctor Odyssey episode brings a thrilling combination of love, heartbreak, and unexpected medical emergencies, all set aboard the luxurious cruise ship, the Odyssey. The story begins with two of the main characters, Max (Joshua Jackson) and Tristan (Sean Teale), both dealing with their complicated feelings as they work out together.
Their bond has been strained since the premiere when Max made a mistake by pursuing Avery (Phillipa Soo), who happens to be Tristan’s crush and subordinate. This breach of trust has weighed heavily on Tristan.
He hints that he could take action against Max for breaking the ship’s rules, but instead, he chooses to focus on something else—singles week. With this special event happening on the cruise, Tristan aims to forget his feelings for Avery by finding someone new and having fun.
Singles week kicks off with an exciting array of guest stars who bring even more heat to the episode. Shania Twain steps aboard, playing a possible love interest for Captain Massey (Don Johnson), the charming silver-haired leader of the ship.
Chord Overstreet also makes an appearance, using his swagger to draw the attention of several women, while Stephanie Sugnami joins the cast as Kelly, who becomes the center of Tristan’s attention. For the first time, not everyone is focused on Max, and Tristan feels free to show his own romance on the ship.
Tristan Finds New Love, but a Crisis Hits
The episode shows Tristan quickly hitting it off with Kelly. She makes the first move by confidently asking him to dance during dinner. Tristan is thrilled since, for once, the spotlight isn’t on Max.
Meanwhile, Max tries to get Shania Twain’s attention, but she politely redirects him toward her granddaughter. She herself is more interested in Captain Massey, and they start to connect over their shared experiences.
After dinner, Tristan and Kelly leave for his quarters, eager to spend more time together. But what starts as a promising evening takes a sudden turn when Kelly collapses.
Tristan rushes her to the ship’s medical bay, where the doctors scramble to figure out what went wrong. At first, they think it might be an acute aortic dissection, a life-threatening condition that affects the heart. If this were the case, Kelly would need immediate surgery, or her chances of survival would be slim.
However, while the doctors are conducting tests, Kelly’s condition worsens, and they realize something else must be going on.
Still from Doctor Odyssey (Credit: ABC)
Tristan is very caring toward Kelly during this ordeal, a quality that doesn’t go unnoticed by Avery. She seems to be paying closer attention to how sweet Tristan is, despite claiming that they’re just coworkers. Perhaps her feelings for him run deeper than she’s admitted.
A Mystery Solved: Kelly’s Health Crisis Explained
Midway through the episode, the mystery of Kelly’s sudden collapse is finally solved. Avery gets a surprising tip from Overstreet’s character, who refers to himself as a “ladies’ man.” It turns out that Kelly has been secretly adding a supplement to her water, one that acts like a diuretic.
She had hoped it would make her look slimmer during the cruise, but instead, it caused her body to lose too much fluid and put dangerous stress on her heart. The solution to her problem is simple—they flush her system and stop the supplement. Kelly’s condition improves, and everyone breathes a sigh of relief.
This plotline adds an interesting twist, showing how the pressure to meet beauty standards can have serious consequences. While Kelly’s medical emergency is handled, it leaves Tristan shaken but relieved that things turned out alright.
Captain Massey’s Tragic Past and a New Romance
Another major focus of the episode is the deepening relationship between Captain Massey and Shania Twain’s character. In the premiere, viewers didn’t get to learn much about the Captain, but this episode dives into his backstory, revealing a heartbreaking chapter in his life.
As he dances with Shania Twain’s character, the Captain opens up about the fact that he’s a widower. His wife died of cancer just a year ago, and her loss still weighs heavily on him. He describes her as his “everything,” and it’s clear that he hasn’t fully moved on from the grief.
Shania Twain’s character, who has also faced personal tragedy, bonds with the Captain over their shared experiences. The two spend the evening dancing and talking, and the next day, they share a quiet meal together in the Captain’s quarters. Their connection is deep, and it’s clear that they are helping each other heal from their losses.
Still from Doctor Odyssey (Credit: ABC)
However, just as the Captain is starting to feel a spark of happiness again, he suddenly collapses during their meal. The medical team quickly steps in, and it seems like the Captain may be suffering from a heart attack. But after running a few tests, they are puzzled to discover that it’s not a typical heart attack.
By the end of the episode, the doctors figure out that the Captain is actually suffering from something called “Broken Heart Syndrome.” Although this condition might sound like it comes from a fictional story, it’s a real medical issue that can happen after a person experiences extreme emotional stress.
Max, who initially dismisses it as nonsense, prescribes the Captain medication to help him recover. Thankfully, Shania Twain’s character proves to be just what the Captain needs emotionally as well, and by the end of the week, they share a kiss and agree to give their romance another shot.
Avery Struggles with Her Own Emotions
While all of this drama unfolds around her, Avery is dealing with her own emotional crisis. The passengers on the ship aren’t the only ones feeling lost and confused—Avery herself is overwhelmed by everything that’s happening.
During this episode, the Odyssey rescues a Venezuelan woman, played by Kassandra Cruz, who was stranded at sea. The woman had fled her country with her fiancé, but while she survives, her fiancé is missing and presumed dead. Her story touches Avery deeply, as the woman speaks about the dreams and future she had with her fiancé.
Avery starts to feel the weight of her own struggles. She feels stuck on the ship, unsure of her future and her career. She fears that she will never become a doctor and that her life will be filled with meaningless flings instead of real connections.
Things become even more complicated when Tristan, who is dealing with his feelings for her, decides to pursue her after watching her get close to Overstreet’s character. Although Avery spends some time with him, she quickly backs out when she notices that he has a rash.
Tristan, seeing Avery’s distress, takes the opportunity to comfort her. In a vulnerable moment, she opens up to him, and they share a kiss. Max, who happens to witness this, doesn’t seem too surprised, though he is clearly annoyed.
The love triangle between Max, Tristan, and Avery continues to intensify, leaving viewers wondering how it will resolve. Despite this, Max shows his caring side by helping Avery in a meaningful way.
Still from Doctor Odyssey (Credit: ABC)
He discovers that the cruise line offers a scholarship for employees who want to pursue higher education, and he arranges for Avery to apply for it. This opportunity gives her hope for her future, and she’s incredibly grateful.
The Castaway’s Happy Reunion
As the episode comes to a close, the castaway’s story takes a hopeful turn. Against all odds, her fiancé is found alive and reunited with her. This happy ending mirrors the theme of the show, which often focuses on keeping the dream alive for its characters, even in the face of tragedy.
Although Avery, Tristan, and Max’s love triangle is still unresolved, the episode wraps up with several emotional storylines coming to a satisfying close. Fans can expect even more drama and intrigue in next week’s episode, which promises to bring new challenges when plastic surgery week arrives aboard the Odyssey.
In The Outrun, Rona (Saoirse Ronan) tries to control her world. She raises her hands and pretends to lead the waves or the crowd at a club, trying to feel in charge of her life, which feels chaotic.
Director Nora Fingscheidt adapts Amy Liptrop’s memoir with skill, blending the past and present to present a powerful look at addiction, highlighted by Ronan’s outstanding performance.
‘The Outrun’ Shows the Complicated Life of Addiction
Fingscheidt uses a unique way of telling Rona’s story, showing how her struggles with alcohol are always with her. When we first see Rona, she is at a London pub, having a party by herself. This ends with her getting drunk and picked up by a stranger, waking up the next day with a black eye.
The story jumps forward in time to when Rona is out of rehab and back home in the Orkney Islands. Here, she helps her father (Stephen Dillane) with his farm, supports him during his bipolar episodes, and argues with her mother (Saskia Reeves) about her strong Christian beliefs.
The film goes back and forth in time, showing that Rona’s alcoholism is always a part of her life. In flashbacks, we see her relationship with her boyfriend Daynin (Paapa Essiedu) fall apart because of her angry outbursts when she drinks. These memories show moments of happiness but also times of destruction, filled with regret and a desire to feel that happiness again.
As we watch Rona in the Orkney Islands, we see how difficult her life truly is. She works hard and tries to discover who she wants to be, but one negative comment from her dad or a glass of wine can tempt her to relapse.
Temptation is everywhere, and giving in to it brings her happiness that she cannot find when sober. Fingscheidt highlights the constant presence of alcohol in Rona’s life, showing how even a little can trigger her cravings.
Saoirse Ronan Delivers an Outstanding Performance in ‘The Outrun’
Ronan is impressive as Rona. Even when we see her do terrible things, we want her to survive just one more day. Through her acting, we feel the horror of addiction. Every sip is a chance, and every bottle feels precious. Ronan gives an emotional performance, making it seem like Rona is fighting hard against her desires in every scene.
Ronan shines in roles that are often personal, where a smile or a look can show her feelings about her surroundings. This is especially true in The Outrun, as we watch Rona destroy herself, rebuild her life, and then fall again. We see disappointment, hope for improvement, and the joy of finding more in life than just drinking.
The film needs a performer who can express all of this without speaking much since Rona often thinks about her life alone. After years of amazing roles, Rona may be one of Ronan’s best achievements, showcasing her ability to convey deep emotions without words.
Essiedu also shines in his role, acting as a viewer’s representative as we watch Rona slowly self-destruct. His performance is quiet yet heartbreaking as he sees his love slipping away. Essiedu doesn’t speak much in the film, but the sadness in his eyes communicates everything he needs to express.
While we see how Rona’s actions affect others, Essiedu’s character shows the deep pain that addiction brings to those around the person struggling.
The beauty of Scotland’s shores and London’s streets comes to life thanks to cinematographer Yunus Roy Imer. The film’s visual style helps the audience feel the cold nights, the celebrations, the confusion from drinking, and the warmth of community. Editor Stephan Bechinger skillfully pieces the story together, ensuring the many time jumps remain clear and concise, which is a remarkable achievement.
Nora Fingscheidt’s Strong Direction Makes ‘The Outrun’ Shine
Fingscheidt’s writing and directing bring everything together perfectly. The screenplay tells Rona’s story in an ambitious way, making it stronger than typical addiction films. Fingscheidt shifts the warmth between London and Scotland as Rona’s journey unfolds.
The close-ups of Rona reveal how deeply she changes. Fingscheidt handles the tough subject with care, avoiding a sad portrayal that could have been overwhelming.
One questionable aspect is Rona’s narration. Sometimes it works well, especially when she shares Scottish myths that come to life through beautiful animation.
However, at times it gives unnecessary details. The narration includes information that most viewers would already know, making one wonder if the film would benefit from being less reliant on it.
Together, Ronan and Fingscheidt create a remarkable film, leading to a strong ending that ties everything together and presents a stunning drama. Many films about addiction exist, so it takes effort for one to stand out. However, Ronan and Fingscheidt find a unique and beautiful way to tackle this challenging topic.
Still from The Outrun (Credit: StudioCanal)
The Outrun follows Rona (Saoirse Ronan), who tries to control her chaotic life while battling alcoholism. Director Nora Fingscheidt adapts Amy Liptrop’s memoir with a nonlinear approach, highlighting Rona’s struggles through her time in rehab and back home in the Orkney Islands.
As she faces relationships and family challenges, her addiction remains a constant threat. Ronan delivers an emotional performance, capturing Rona’s turmoil and resilience. The film’s beautiful visuals, alongside strong writing and directing, create a powerful scheme of addiction, making it a standout drama that resonates with audiences.
