Following the first episode ofDoctor Odyssey, a theory revolving around Joshua Jackson’s character being in purgatory emerged, and after some contemplation, I’d rather it not be true. The ABC medical drama series, created by Ryan Murphy, Jon Robin Baitz, and Joe Baken, follows the unique lives ofthe medical professionals (and the captain) aboard the luxury cruise linerThe Odyssey.Jackson leadstheDoctor Odysseycast as Max Bankman, whose arrival on the ship stirs up a lot of drama.
Doctor Odysseyreturns with new episodes on Thursday, March 6, at 9 pm ET on ABC. As of the writing of this article, the future ofDoctor Odyssey(aka season 2) is unclear.
During thepremiere of Murphy’s showDoctor Odyssey,Max is hired asThe Odyssey’s new (and one and only) doctor.He is accompanied by the ship’s two established nurses — Phillipa Soo’s Avery Morgan and Sean Teale’s Tristan Silva. Together, the three characters make for a peculiar team. They run into a wide variety of cases and health emergencies in every episode, ranging from a burst appendix to iodide poisoning. There is never a dull day for theDoctor Odysseycrew, but there is a chance that none of it is real.
Doctor Odyssey’s Max Bankman Coma/Purgatory Theory Explained
Max Was Patient Zero During The COVID-19 Pandemic
As first posited byTVLine, the majortheory concerningDoctor Odysseyis that Maxis still in the coma he was in during the COVID-19 pandemic. Or, as some suggest, he is stuck in purgatory following his diagnosis. Consequently,Max’s time on the ship, with Avery, Tristan, and Captain Massey, wouldn’t be real.As of the writing of this article, though, this theory has yet to be proven true or false.
Doctor Odyssey’s First Returning Guest Star Can Finally Give Don Johnson’s Massey The Arc He Needs
The new ABC show Doctor Odyssey has featured an impressive lineup of guest actors, but one of them will make a surprise return in an upcoming episode.
DuringDoctor Odyssey’s pilot, Max opens up to Avery about the time he contracted the COVID-19 virus. Not only did he get extremely sick from it, but he was also patient zero.Max almost died, but he survived to tell the tale — or did he?
Life aboardThe Odysseyis glamorous, bright, and more like a dream than a reality.
Joshua Jackson’s character fell into a coma that he claims he woke up from, which would contradict the above theory. Max might not have come out of his coma, andhe’s lingering in the space between life and death (suggesting he’s in purgatory).Meanwhile, life aboardThe Odysseyis glamorous, bright, and more like a dream than a reality. PerhapsThe Odysseyis a fever dreamenticing Max to cross over to Heaven. Captain Massey calls the ship Heaven, after all. Of course, this is only a theory, and it could be wrong when all is said and done.
Why The Coma/Purgatory Theory Being Real Ruins Doctor Odyssey
The Theory Removes All The Show’s Stakes
A theory as unique and thorough asDoctor Odyssey’s is an exciting concept to think about (at first). However, as time goes on, and I’ve been able to process everything the show has to offer, I would much rather this prediction was false. It would be rather disappointing ifDoctor Odysseyended with the reveal that everything that happened aboardthe luxury cruise shipThe Odysseywas fake and that Max was dreaming the entire time.This theory proving to be true would frankly ruin the series.
Don Johnson
Captain Robert Massey
The concept that Max is still in a coma and is simply dreaming aboutThe Odysseyremoves all stakes from the medical drama.If nothing is real inDoctor Odyssey, then none of it matters.So, why are we watching? The characters (andDoctor Odysseyromances) that viewers have grown fond of and are wholly invested in wouldn’t actually exist, meaning we have all wasted our time getting to know them and their stories. Ultimately, this popular theory becoming fact would be quite discouraging.
Doctor Odyssey Being A Campy Weekly Show Is Perfectly Fine
The Ryan Murphy Series Has To Lean Into Its Silly Qualities
Doctor Odysseydoesn’t need a mind-blowing twist to be entertaining.It’s good enough as it is. Yes, the ABC medical drama is campy and more like a soap opera than a network drama. However, if enough viewers have stuck around after eight episodes, it’s obvious that the show is doing something right.Doctor Odysseyjust has to accept itself for exactly what it is. Instead of trying to cater to those who aren’t fans of its campy qualities, the series must continue leaning into its silliness. IfDoctor Odysseysuddenly becomes a serious show with staggering twists, it’ll lose all its charm.
Doctor Odyssey
Cast
Doctor Odyssey is set aboard a luxury cruise ship where Max, the new on-board doctor, and a small, resourceful medical team confront unique medical crises and interpersonal dynamics while isolated miles from shore.
