Recap: "Doctor Odyssey" Double Books During Episode 16
With each passing episode of Doctor Odyssey, I’m more concerned that the writers have never heard people talk. Like, aloud. In a public setting. As two warring groups of female “empowerment" speakers board the ship after a scheduling conflict, all I can assume is that no one behind the scenes has ever opened a book, watched television, or talked to another human being.
The two factions include a group of tradwives who relish the opportunity to serve their man and a group of sex-positive thinkers looking to hit the jackpot. As the two groups almost immediately become frustrated with each other’s presence, Avery frustrates viewers by consistently not having a character arc past “eek! Two men!" With the inclusion of her favorite sex guru on board and a brief convo, she decides to offer up a true friend-with-benefit offer to both Tristan and Max. Of course, Tristan is on board and Max gives a mumbled “no" in response.
At the top deck buffet, both groups of women on board get into a literal food fight over each other’s opinions. It’s lengthy and superfluous and ridiculous. The Captain screams at the groups, saying they have more in common then one might think, apparently trying to tell us everyone should be fine in our country? The allegory ain’t hitting.
The main tradwife faces complications with her abdomen once boarding. After a few pseudo-inspirational speeches about the power of being a tradwife, it’s revealed that an IUD has pierced her uterine wall. Mind you, just the act of having an IUD can possibly ruin her marriage and her tradwife empire, but that’s neither here nor there. Max decides the best course of action is to get her off at the next port. Yet, when he discusses the matter with the Captain, he’s all moody. What gives?
The sex guru, on the other hand, is also sharing a false prophecy, albeit one without career-ending prospects. For over a year, she has been unable to have penetrative sex. She shares this information with Avery out of nowhere, because sex gurus are open to everyone and anyone, I guess? She’s traveled to tons of doctors, only avoiding her gynecologist due to the immense pain she feels when inserting anything downstairs. Avery promises to help with a kind and gentle hand.
Lo and behold, the guru is in early stage menopause. While it isn’t discussed on the show, it is a diagnosis that is often ignored due to the sexism within the medical industry, so its presence on the show is much appreciated. Luckily, some additional estrogen sends the guru back to the bedroom, ready for some true fun.
Elsewhere, the tradwife’s IUD fully breaks through the uterine wall, leading to emergency surgery, much to the chagrin of her vaguely sexist husband. This episode tries to “both sides" the tradwife argument, so it’s this bizarre balance with no resolve. The surgery is fixed, everyone is happy, cue the confetti.
Captain’s mood from earlier? Shania Twain lost the baby and hasn’t responded to his phone calls. So, for those keeping score at home, both pregnancy arcs on this show have ended unceremoniously and with a major whimper. Oh, and Max isn’t having sex with Avery because he loves her too much, using the big L-word on an embark day. This throuple is the messiest trio on television.