With the fate ofDoctor Odysseylooking grim, one character’s storyline is left with an unresolved issue that renders their arc forever problematic. There are plenty ofcomplaints aboutDoctor Odysseyto be made, even among the series’ most vocally strident fans, but ending with one character’s future so disastrously uncertain leaves a sour taste after the series’ unofficial cancelation.
To be fair, ABC does still appear to have some interest inDoctor Odysseyseason 2. This puts fans in an awkward position, asit makes most sense to treat the series as if it’s been canceled until the network announces otherwise. But even ifDoctor Odyssey’s unanswered questionsare never resolved, one is slightly harder to ignore than others.
Tristan Still Has Alcohol Abuse Issues After The Doctor Odyssey Series Finale
His Last Relapse Was Too Recent To Be Written Off
Tristan’s role inDoctor Odysseyis endlessly enthralling despite his seemingly laid-back demeanor, butTristan’s alcohol abuse was introduced in the middle ofDoctor Odysseyrather suddenly. It’s over halfway through the series when his partying with the ship’s cruise patrons begins to take on troubling undertones, and he has to join the ship’s AA group as a result.
This goes well for a while, to the point that it almost starts to feel like a random drama beat that was written into the series with few lasting consequences. That changes, however, whenAvery asks Tristan to stop helping with a massive slate of emergency patients because he’s visibly hungover. Worst of all, this happens right at the finale.
It’s not that Tristan does no soul-searching in the series finale. He certainly does, even reaching a point of emotional maturity that allows him to support Avery being with Max. Unfortunately,the recency of Tristan’s relapse leaves the door open for the same thing to happen next time he’s stressed. His enlightened mindset doesn’t negate his physical addiction to alcohol.
People who struggle with substance abuse issues in real life have to deal with this harsh reality after a relapse. Even if he sees the light immediately,Tristan’s recent alcohol abuse will continue to cause physical cravings no matter how much he’s learned. Since we don’t follow him through the inevitable withdrawals and social consequences, that storyline’s practically been left open-ended, with a potentially disastrous end.
Doctor Odyssey’s Cancelation Prevents Tristan From Ever Improving
He’s Still In Active Addiction Until Proven Otherwise
With ABC still potentially on the hook, now is definitely the time to start pointing outwhyDoctor Odysseyseason 2 needs to happen. And one big reason is thatDoctor Odysseyseason 2 could provide closure on Tristan’s alcohol addiction storyline. Alcoholism is a lifelong struggle, but we could at least leave Tristan with his recovery more solidly intact.
Because the show ends when it does, several balls are left in the air. Will Max and Avery work out? Will she come back after medical school, or even go to medical school for that matter? ButTristan’s battle with alcoholism is the most extremely consequential unanswered question from the first season. It could literally be a life-or-death concern.
If Tristan continues drinking, he puts his own health at risk. More importantly,continuing to drink could severely interfere with Tristan’s career as a medical professional. Nurses can lose their licenses to practice over addiction issues, particularly when those issues affect their ability to do their jobs, which Tristan’s very much does in the finale.
That wouldn’t necessarily happen to Tristan unless his drinking and its subsequent issues were reported, butbeing caught drunk or hungover by a patient is all it takes for the Odyssey’s staff to lose control of the situation. They can’t protect Tristan forever. All that can protect him is sobriety, somethingDoctor Odysseyseason 2 would have followed up on.
How Doctor Odyssey Season 2 Could Have Improved Tristan’s Character
The Series Needed To Show What His Successful Recovery Looks Like
It’s not like ABC doesn’t have several reasons to bring the series back.Doctor Odyssey’s guest starsalready showed how much potential the series had to draw in excellent talent from one week to the next, andthe main cast’s onscreen chemistry works perfectly for the series’ overall vibe. But Tristan alone warrants at least one more season.
Following from the finale,Doctor Odysseyseason 2 likely would have revealed that Tristan is far from steady on his path to recovery. However,Tristan’s backstory has also been explored fairly little compared to other characters like Max. Alcohol abuse rarely stems from stress alone, meaning Tristan’s past almost certainly factors into it.
Not only couldDoctor Odysseyseason 2 have further resolved Tristan’s alcoholism rather than leaving it as a wild card for his future, butdelving into his past to explore the reasons behind his habitual drinking could have further developed Tristan’s character. It would have been the perfect way to flesh him out through story rather than through bland exposition.
Because there’s technically no cure, it’s hard to say any alcoholic character’s story is ever truly over. Nonetheless,Doctor Odysseymade a rather unfortunate choice by introducing Tristan’s alcoholism late in the game, only to have him relapse with little resolution. If the show miraculously gets another shot, that mistake absolutely cannot be repeated.
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.
