Halloween is approaching, and Doctor Odyssey has arrived with a spooky, thrilling episode perfectly timed for the season. In Episode 5, viewers join the crew on the Odyssey as they face a terrifying, almost unimaginable situation at sea.
Following shortly after a similarly themed Halloween episode of 9-1-1, this latest episode from Doctor Odyssey transforms a routine holiday cruise into a suspenseful, medically intense story.
As the teaser for Episode 5 had promised, this week’s “Halloween Week” episode brings an eerie twist with a zombie-like virus scare. The crew is caught in a battle between costume contests, medical crises, and unsettling mysteries that threaten both passengers and staff.
With elaborate costumes, playful rivalries, and strange happenings in every corner, this Halloween celebration is anything but ordinary.
The episode opens with a particularly tense moment on land. Max (portrayed by Joshua Jackson) and Avery (played by Phillipa Soo) rush to aid a distressed passenger named Julia (Michelle Núñez), who has somehow become trapped between a rock and another obstacle.
As they struggle to free her, Max suggests they may have to take drastic measures, including the possibility of amputating Julia’s arm, to rescue her before the rising tide submerges her entirely.
But this shocking moment is only the beginning, as the scene ends and viewers discover that the events we’ve just seen happened forty-eight hours before the present timeline.
This mysterious flashback leaves audiences wondering how things reached such a critical point and what consequences lie ahead for the passenger, Julia, and her loved ones.
After establishing that Episode 5 would feature unexpected events and unique storytelling by changing the order of scenes, Doctor Odyssey kicks off “Halloween Week” with a look into the excited plans of Julia and her wife, Sarah (Marija Abney).
Still from Doctor Odyssey (Credit: ABC)
The two look forward to an array of Halloween-themed activities on the Odyssey, including a hunt for buried treasure in the ship’s haunted caves. This particular cave system holds a dark history as the supposed resting place of a Spanish galleon that sank 284 years ago, a detail that only adds to the Halloween spirit onboard.
The cruise isn’t limited to Julia and Sarah; two other couples are also present, both hoping for a fun and relaxing holiday. But as events unfold, these couples quickly discover that this Halloween cruise will offer them far more than they bargained for.
As each new episode of Doctor Odyssey tends to do, Episode 5 brings back familiar character dynamics, particularly the sometimes baffling storyline shifts for Avery and the longstanding rivalry between Max and Tristan (Sean Teale).
This time, though, Tristan and Max’s competition takes on a new theme, focusing not on Avery, but on a costume contest that will soon set them on a collision course.
The episode begins with Avery chatting with Captain Massey (Don Johnson) about the costume contest. Just as she finishes, Max walks into the room, confidently dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean .
While some might consider the costume a bit outdated, it is on-brand for Disney, which happens to be ABC’s parent company, and provides a perfect opportunity for Joshua Jackson to try his best Captain Sparrow accent. Max’s playful performance as Captain Sparrow may have been enough to win the contest, but he quickly realizes he’s not the only pirate fan on board.
Tristan soon appears, eagerly clutching his own “jar of dirt” and wearing a pirate-themed costume that he likely hoped would wow the crowd.
However, Tristan is caught off guard when he realizes that Max has gone all out and has crafted a Captain Sparrow ensemble that immediately outshines his own. The rivalry between Tristan and Max over who can don the best costume is reignited, with Tristan determined to compete.
As Halloween activities begin, Tristan reveals his Neptune costume with pride. He expects it to wow everyone on the ship until he learns that Max has pulled off yet another impressive look, this time dressed as Poseidon. The elaborate Poseidon costume leaves Tristan’s Neptune outfit feeling comparatively underwhelming.
Despite limited screen time, Vivian (played by Laura Harrier) makes an appearance, trying her best to reassure Tristan and ease his jealousy. Still, the larger medical crisis on the Odyssey keeps Tristan tense and on edge, as events escalate and the true Halloween scare is revealed.
While Julia and Sarah’s dilemma on land remains a central part of Episode 5, the mysterious illness sweeping through the ship takes precedence as the main medical challenge that the team must solve. Julia and Sarah are not the only passengers affected; their friends Morticia and Gomez and Fox and Hound also experience bizarre symptoms, marking the beginning of an eerie sequence of events that resemble a zombie outbreak.
Still from Doctor Odyssey (Credit: ABC)
Gomez is the first to show signs of illness. He begins feeling incredibly drowsy, unable to stay awake even in the middle of conversations and nearly falling asleep while standing. Julia decides to bring Gomez to the infirmary, where medical staff initially dismiss his symptoms as regular fatigue.
It isn’t until much later, when Gomez and Hound both mysteriously leave the dance floor in favor of sleeping, that the true severity of their condition becomes apparent. What starts as fatigue soon escalates into something much more sinister. Gomez abruptly jolts awake, stumbling down the ship’s corridors with a slow, unnatural gait reminiscent of classic zombie movies.
His alarming behavior only grows more intense, and things take a terrifying turn when Hound’s wife, unsuspectingly returning to their cabin, finds her husband in an alarming state. Without warning, Hound bites her arm in a shocking display of aggression that further intensifies the growing sense of unease among the crew and passengers.
The memory of his near-death experience during the pandemic makes Max particularly sensitive to the threat of a viral outbreak, and his concern underscores the gravity of the current situation.
Amid the chaos, it becomes clear that Tristan himself is not entirely well either. He experiences frequent disorientation, blurred vision, and growing paranoia, especially about Max.
Tristan approaches the Captain with complaints, insisting that Max is playing tricks on him, though Captain Massey insists that Max leave Tristan alone.
Max, however, explains that he has been in the infirmary all night and has not been responsible for any of the strange incidents Tristan described. These moments create a tense and suspenseful atmosphere, making viewers wonder whether the zombie-like symptoms might indeed be spreading.
Interestingly, the Odyssey’s medical crisis doesn’t turn out to be a true zombie outbreak. In a revealing conversation between Max and Avery, the two realize that the root of the problem lies in Gomez and Hound’s recent vacation to Africa, where they were bitten by tsetse flies.
These bites led both men to contract African Sleeping Sickness, a disease that caused their intense fatigue, strange behavior, and violent symptoms. With a diagnosis in hand, Max and Avery are able to administer appropriate treatment to Gomez and Hound, allowing their symptoms to gradually subside and helping them rejoin the Halloween festivities. This resolution brings a sense of relief, as the couples resume their vacation with their health restored.
Still from Doctor Odyssey (Credit: Hulu)
Meanwhile, Julia and Sarah’s story returns to the spotlight as Avery makes the brave decision to enter the cave system to treat Julia directly. During the ship’s treasure hunt excursion, Julia and Sarah had ventured into the haunted caves to seek out the rumored gold treasure.
Their efforts paid off when they actually discovered some gold. However, when Julia tried to retrieve a piece of treasure from a crevice, she accidentally shifted a rock, which fell and crushed her arm. Trapped and in pain, Julia faces an agonizing decision.
Max implores Sarah to make the difficult choice to sacrifice her wife’s arm if they want to save her life. Avery, however, notices something unusual about Julia’s posture and observes that her hand is tightly clenched.
She then carefully instructs Julia on how to release her grip on the gold, which frees her arm without requiring an amputation. Although Julia leaves the cave with a dislocated shoulder and a broken arm, she has avoided the life-altering loss of her limb.
This Halloween episode smartly weaves themes of curses, resilience, and unexpected solutions, showing how life-threatening scenarios can be resolved with quick thinking and medical expertise.
The theme of “letting go” is further dealt in the episode as Tristan finally sets aside his grudge against Max, at least for this particular week. Vivian, having sensed that something is seriously wrong with Tristan, seeks assistance from Avery and Max when she finds Tristan acting erratically in his room.
He’s rambling incoherently and holding a glue gun in hand, giving her a reason to worry. After investigating, Max discovers that Tristan has been burning lanterns in his room for a spooky effect, unwittingly exposing himself to carbon monoxide.
This leads to carbon monoxide poisoning, which explains his hallucinations, paranoia, and other symptoms. Fortunately, Max and Avery administer life-saving oxygen just in time, helping Tristan recover from his dangerous mistake.
This close call presents a tender moment for fans who may have been hoping for a closer bond between Max, Avery, and Tristan. As he receives oxygen, Tristan reaches out and holds both Max’s and Avery’s hands, sharing a touching, heartfelt moment. This gesture sparks speculation about the possibility of a deepening relationship among the three, with fans wondering if the trio might one day form a closer romantic connection.
Still from Doctor Odyssey (Credit: ABC)
Captain Massey, who has previously expressed his dislike for Halloween because he missed many holidays while his children were growing up, has a surprising change of heart. He allows Tristan to borrow his captain’s uniform so that he can participate in the costume contest as Captain Stubbing from The Love Boat .
In the end, Tristan wins the costume contest, and the Captain offers him some fatherly advice. However, he firmly rejects Tristan’s playful suggestion to call him “Ship Dad,” staying true to his stern demeanor. Yet as Captain Massey watches the crew enjoy their Halloween festivities, there is a sense that he’s slowly warming up to the holiday he once found hard to embrace.
As Halloween Week on Doctor Odyssey concludes, the couples onboard the Odyssey finally have a chance to relax and enjoy the holiday atmosphere. Vivian and Tristan share a dance, as do Max and Avery, who appear in matching costumes as “Nurseferatu” and “Doc Dracula.”
Their chemistry in these scenes hints at the possibility of a budding relationship between Max and Avery, with viewers left speculating about what the future holds for them. As the episode ends and a preview of the next episode, titled “Wedding Week,” is shown, it seems likely that romance might continue to blossom on the Odyssey.
As Episode 5 continues, Doctor Odyssey doesn’t just lean on traditional scares; it goes deep into the psychological toll of a potential zombie outbreak. For Max, the memories of the COVID-19 pandemic resurface in vivid and haunting ways.
He carries the trauma of his own near-fatal experience, an ordeal that left lasting scars, both physical and emotional. His heightened anxiety and urgent response to the latest crisis are not only fueled by the threat to his patients but by a personal fear of reliving past experiences.
As a doctor, Max feels compelled to act swiftly, putting aside his own discomfort to safeguard his patients and the crew. In these moments, the audience gains insight into the deeper layers of his character, seeing the vulnerability he usually hides behind a confident exterior.
Meanwhile, Tristan’s struggles are equally intense. His initial rivalry with Max over the costume contest starts as light-hearted fun, but as his symptoms worsen due to carbon monoxide poisoning, his playful jealousy becomes all-consuming paranoia.
His disorientation and blurred vision amplify his feelings of suspicion, pushing him to a breaking point.
In his confused state, he even questions whether Max has somehow conspired against him, showing how the mind can become one’s worst enemy when clarity is compromised.
This descent into paranoia showcases the potential dangers of unchecked ego and rivalry, subtly reminding viewers of how trivial disagreements can escalate in stressful circumstances.
Vivian’s role in this episode, though brief, becomes pivotal. Her efforts to comfort Tristan and ease his insecurities reveal her compassionate side and willingness to support others, despite her own fears and uncertainties. She doesn’t let Tristan’s jealousy or paranoia alienate her; instead, she tries to bring him back to reality.
Her empathetic approach highlights her strengths as a character who balances the show’s dynamic, supporting her colleagues while remaining level-headed amid the surrounding chaos. Her involvement in recognizing Tristan’s symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning adds a critical layer to the plot, as it demonstrates the importance of teamwork and attentiveness in high-stress medical environments.
Still from Doctor Odyssey (Credit: ABC)
Back on the medical front, Max and Avery work together seamlessly, showcasing the strength of their professional bond. Avery’s medical instincts shine as she notices Julia’s clenched fist, realizing that there may be a way to free her from the rocks without resorting to drastic measures.
Her observation skills are a testament to her dedication as a doctor, and her willingness to go the extra mile for her patients shows her commitment to her role. The scene serves as a reminder that, despite the various romantic entanglements and rivalries, the primary mission of these characters is to save lives.
The blend of personal and professional conflict enriches the episode, making the stakes feel higher and the character relationships more profound.
The show also carries the idea of legacy and the passage of time through Captain Massey’s Halloween confession. As he admits to having missed Halloween with his children, the audience sees a scene of his softer, more reflective side.
His distaste for Halloween stems from regrets about missed family moments, and this introspective moment contrasts with his usual tough demeanor.
Watching the younger crew enjoy Halloween reminds him of the time he lost, and his reluctant support for Tristan’s costume contest ambitions is a way of letting go, giving himself permission to enjoy the moment and embrace a part of life he’d long shut out.
His newfound tolerance for Halloween shows a man who is learning to connect with others and move beyond his past regrets, adding depth to his character arc.
Lastly, as the cruise ship regains its Halloween spirit, the show hints that upcoming episodes will likely continue finding these growing relationships, especially as Doctor Odyssey moves into “Wedding Week.”
This teaser suggests a pivot from horror to romance, leaving viewers eager to see how the dynamics between Max, Avery, Tristan, and Vivian will develop.
For fans, the anticipation of future relationship twists offers a sense of continuity and emotional investment, ensuring that Doctor Odyssey’s Halloween week isn’t just a standalone adventure but a meaningful chapter in the ongoing journey of its beloved characters.
I understand that not everyone might agree with my opinion, but I’m not a huge fan of the Venom movies. These films were a big success, and because of that, they opened the door for other poorly thought-out projects like Morbius and Madame Web.
But the problem starts even earlier, with the whole concept of a Venom movie that doesn’t first establish Spider-Man. As a fan of comic books, it’s hard to ignore this misstep.
Venom’s entire purpose as a character is to be the opposite of Peter Parker, a darker and more dangerous version of Spider-Man.
That’s why he’s called Venom—he’s the poisonous side of the superhero world, connected to the idea of spiders and their venom. Without Spider-Man, Venom’s origin just doesn’t make much sense.
The first Venom movie, which came out in 2018, was a huge missed opportunity. It didn’t do nearly enough to make the audience care about Eddie Brock, the human who bonds with the alien symbiote, or the symbiote itself.
Tom Hardy played Eddie Brock, and while Hardy is a talented actor, the script just didn’t give him enough to work with. The movie tried to be fun and engaging, but it fell short, leaving fans with a film that felt like a watered-down version of what could have been. Still, it made a lot of money, so a sequel was inevitable.
The second movie, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, was a small improvement over the first, but not because it was necessarily a better movie. It was just so silly that it ended up being entertaining, even though it didn’t make much sense.
The film leaned into the absurdity, and that made it somewhat enjoyable in a “so bad, it’s good” kind of way. The humor was more on point, and the action was bigger and louder, but the story still left a lot to be desired.
Now we have Venom: The Last Dance, the third and final movie in the trilogy. It manages to start off strong, giving us the best version of Eddie Brock and Venom that we’ve seen so far.
But as the movie goes on, it gets bogged down by too many issues that take away from the positive aspects of the film. In the end, while it’s probably the best of the three, it still feels like a bit of a mess.
The Plot of Venom: The Last Dance
The movie picks up right after the post-credits scene of Spider-Man: No Way Home, which teased Venom’s involvement in the multiverse. Oddly enough, though, Venom: The Last Dance decides to completely reshoot that scene for some reason, which feels unnecessary and confusing.
Now back in their own universe, Eddie and Venom are on the run from the law. They’re also being hunted by a secret black ops organization that wants to capture Venom for their own purposes. On top of that, a powerful new villain named Knull, the creator of the symbiote race, has sent a group of deadly creatures called Xenophages to track down and kill Venom.
The premise sets up an action-packed story with plenty of room for excitement. Venom is still adjusting to life with Eddie, and their dynamic is one of the highlights of the film. They bicker and argue like an old married couple, but underneath the banter, there’s a genuine bond that’s grown over the course of the trilogy.
This time around, their relationship feels more natural, and the humor lands better than in the previous films. Tom Hardy, who co-wrote the movie, clearly has a lot of love for the character of Venom, and that passion shines through in his performance.
Tom Hardy Shines in His Dual Role
One thing I can’t criticize is Tom Hardy’s dedication to his role as both Eddie Brock and Venom. He plays both characters with a level of commitment that shows how much he cares about bringing them to life on screen.
Even in the weaker moments of the trilogy, Hardy has always been a bright spot, and Venom: The Last Dance is no exception. He fully embraces the weirdness of the character, and it’s clear that he’s having fun with it.
The movie does a better job than its predecessors in making Eddie and Venom more likeable anti-heroes. They aren’t full-on villains, but they aren’t your typical superheroes either. Their moral compass is a bit skewed, and they don’t always do the right thing for the right reasons.
But that’s part of what makes them interesting to watch. This time, their banter is sharper, and the film is easily the funniest of the three. There are even some surprisingly emotional moments between Eddie and Venom that work well despite the absurd situations they find themselves in.
The action scenes also stand out in this film. Venom: The Last Dance has the best action sequences in the trilogy by far. The first major fight scene, where Eddie and Venom take on a group of low-level criminals, is a highlight.
It makes great use of both Eddie’s human skills and Venom’s alien abilities, creating a dynamic and exciting fight that shows how well they work together.
Later in the film, there’s a thrilling chase sequence where Venom takes control of several animals, which adds a creative twist to the usual superhero chase scene. And of course, the final battle is filled with impressive visuals and unique imagery that make it stand out from the typical third-act fight in superhero movies.
Weak Subplots and Forgettable Side Characters
Despite these strong points, Venom: The Last Dance stumbles in several areas, particularly when it comes to its subplots and side characters. The movie introduces a secretive military organization that’s hunting Venom, led by a character named Rex Strickland, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Still from Venom The Last Dance (Credit: Sony)
There are also two scientists, Dr. Payne (played by Juno Temple) and Dr. Sadie (played by Clark Backo), who are working for the military. While the movie tries to give these new characters some depth, their stories just aren’t interesting enough to hold the audience’s attention.
Rex Strickland is supposed to be a formidable opponent for Eddie and Venom, but his character feels underdeveloped. Chiwetel Ejiofor is a talented actor, but he doesn’t have much to work with here. The same goes for Juno Temple and Clark Backo, whose characters are both given quirky personality traits that don’t add much to the story.
One of them is obsessed with Christmas for no apparent reason, which feels like an attempt at humor that doesn’t quite land. These side plots take up far too much screen time, pulling focus away from the more engaging parts of the film.
Knull, the movie’s supposed big bad, also falls flat. Played by a talented actor, Knull should have been a more imposing and mysterious figure. Instead, the film reveals too much about him too soon, turning what could have been a menacing villain into a marketing tool to sell more tickets.
Knull’s presence in the film feels more like an afterthought than a fully realized threat. He’s introduced as the creator of the symbiotes and is supposed to be this all-powerful being, but the movie doesn’t give him enough to do. As a result, he doesn’t leave much of an impression.
The real villains of the movie are the Xenophages, a group of powerful, monstrous creatures sent by Knull to hunt down Venom. These creatures are terrifying in their brutality, especially for a PG-13 movie, and the way they kill their victims is shockingly violent.
However, they lack any real personality or motivation beyond their desire to destroy, which makes them less interesting than they could have been. They serve their purpose as physical threats, but they don’t add much to the story beyond that.
Plot Holes and Inconsistencies Weaken the Story
Another major issue with Venom: The Last Dance is the number of plot holes and inconsistencies that plague the story. The Xenophages, for example, are incredibly inconsistent in how dangerous they are.
In one scene, they’re inches away from killing Eddie and Venom, but in the next, they seem to forget about them entirely. The movie can’t seem to decide how powerful they should be, which makes the stakes feel less real.
This inconsistency extends to other aspects of the film as well. Certain plot points contradict ideas that were introduced in the previous films, creating a sense of confusion and disorganization.
It feels like the movie is constantly rewriting its own rules, which makes it hard to stay invested in the story. The Venom trilogy as a whole has struggled with continuity, but The Last Dance takes it to another level, making it difficult to follow the logic of the world the filmmakers have created.
Ironically, the fact that Venom: The Last Dance is the most inconsistent movie in the trilogy is perhaps the most consistent thing about the series as a whole.
These movies have always been a mix of highs and lows, with moments of brilliance followed by frustrating missteps. Venom as a character has always existed in this gray area between hero and villain, between serious and silly, and the movies reflect that in their unevenness.
Final Thoughts on the Venom Trilogy
So, is Venom: The Last Dance the best movie in the trilogy? I would say yes, despite its many flaws. It’s the most entertaining of the three, with better action scenes, funnier dialogue, and a stronger portrayal of Eddie and Venom’s relationship. There’s a lot to enjoy here if you’re willing to overlook the weaker parts of the film.
Still from Venom The Last Dance (Credit: Sony)
But at the end of the day, the Venom movies still feel like a missed opportunity. They never quite managed to live up to the potential of the character, and while The Last Dance is an improvement, it’s still not enough to make the trilogy truly memorable.
These films are like that kid on the little league baseball team who wins the “Most Improved” trophy. You appreciate their effort and can see that they’ve gotten better, but you know they’re probably not going to make it to the big leagues.
Venom: The Last Dance is a fun ride for fans of the character, but it’s unlikely to leave a lasting impression. With Sony continuing to expand its own universe of Spider-Man-related characters, it’s hard to say what the future holds for Venom.
But one thing is for sure: as long as Tom Hardy is involved, the character will continue to have a passionate and dedicated fan base.
