Doctor Odysseyhas been hitting the ground running for the second half of its pilot season, but one character who could tie everything together seems to be gone. While the celebrity guest stars andridiculous theme weeks inDoctor Odysseydrew in a sizable audience throughout fall 2024, the second batch of episodes has dramatically changed the show’s trajectory. Since the medical drama returned from its midseason hiatus, the storylines have been more emotional, character-driven, and action-packed with a discombobulating level of sincerity.
Unfortunately, not all the characters introduced in the first half of the season are still onDoctor Odyssey’s luxury cruise ship. Joshua Jackson (Dr. Max Bankman), Phillipa Soo (Nurse Practitioner Avery Morgan), Sean Teale (Nurse Tristan Silva), and Don Johnson (Captain Robert Massey)— all pillars of theDoctor Odysseycast— have retained their positions aboard theOdyssey, but a recurring character named Vivian (Laura Harrier) seems to have disappeared completely. After first appearing inDoctor Odyssey’s “Wellness Week” (episode 4),Vivian joined the crew as the ship’s chef, but she suspiciously hasn’t been seen since episode 8’s midseason finale.
Vivian Hasn’t Appeared In Any Of Doctor Odyssey Episodes In 2025 (Thus Far)
She Was A Major Force In The Midseason Finale, Then Vanished
Vivian’s role inDoctor Odysseyepisode 8 implied she’d have a bigger impact on the plot moving forward, but she’s been completely absent since the show returned. AlthoughVivian and Tristan’s relationship inDoctor Odysseyseemed to be growing more serious, with “Quackers” serving as a make-or-break moment for Tristan to make his feelings known, the nurse hasn’t mentioned anything about the woman he was seeing, who now seems to have vanished. WhileotherOdysseycrew members have come into the fold— like Marcus Emanuel Mitchell’s Spencer and Jacqueline Toboni’s Rosie— the ship’s chef has been forgotten.
I’m So Disappointed With The Way Doctor Odyssey Handled Avery’s Pregnancy Twist
The main recurring storyline of Doctor Odyssey’s pilot season has been Avery’s surprise pregnancy, but episode 14 was a startling departure.
It would be one thing forDoctor Odysseyto write Vivian out and give the character a proper sendoff, butnobody has mentioned how or why (or even if) Vivian left the crew. The complete abandonment of her and Tristan’s storyline, paired with the way the show itself has buried the character’s existence, makes Vivian’s absence fromDoctor Odysseyfeel intentional. It feels as though, to prop up Avery and Tristan,Doctor Odysseysacrificed Vivian without a second thought. If so, that would make Vivian’s departure all the more disappointing, as she could have complicated everything for the better.
Why Vivian’s Absence Is A Missed Opportunity For Doctor Odyssey
Her Character Could Add Some Realistic Complexity
IfDoctor Odysseyhad kept Vivian around, her character could have enriched its overarching plots. The convolutedlove triangle inDoctor Odysseybetween Tristan, Avery, and Max has been the underlying focus of most episodes, but Tristan’s relationship with Vivian would’ve added some much-needed tension. Without any competition or alternate partners, the love triangle sometimes feels like Tristan and Max are simply tugging on Avery’s arms like a rag doll.Having Tristan pursue a relationship with Vivian would be tenfold more interesting, leaving the option for Tristan to more meaningfully“choose”Avery or let her and Max date.
New episodes ofDoctor Odysseycan be streamed on Hulu the day after they air on ABC.
BeyondDoctor Odyssey’s romances,Vivian could have become a more present member of the ensemble cast. With each passing episode,Doctor Odysseyseems to highlight its crew more and more. Whether they’re sailors, engineers, or even bartenders, the medical drama has let people beyond the infirmary begin to develop into fully-fledged characters. Vivian would have fit right in at the crew poker nights, and her role as the chef could have been the fuel for hilarious mishaps, medical emergencies, or fun subplots. While the threat she posed to the love triangle was compelling, Vivian’s character deserved more inDoctor Odyssey.
