Last night’s episode of Doctor Odyssey, titled “I Always Cry at Weddings,” took viewers on an emotional rollercoaster, blending the show’s signature medical mysteries with profound themes of mental health, suicide, and complex relationships. If you or someone you know is grappling with mental health challenges, resources are available, including 988.
After a two-week hiatus, Doctor Odyssey Season 1 Episode 6 returned with a bang, plunging us into the chaotic world of a destination wedding cruise. This week, the Odyssey became the backdrop for Lisa (Kelsea Ballerini) and Eric’s (Hudson Oz) week-long wedding celebration. However, beneath the veneer of matrimonial bliss, “I Always Cry at Weddings” quickly reveals cracks in paradise, hinting at deeper troubles lurking beneath the surface for this seemingly happy couple.
Episode 6, a hallmark of Ryan Murphy’s storytelling, masterfully navigates tragic undertones with the show’s characteristic glossy absurdity. “I Always Cry at Weddings” doesn’t shy away from sensitive subjects like suicide and the heavy burden of missed warning signs in loved ones struggling with mental health. Yet, it also delivers on simmering romantic tensions, culminating in a much-anticipated threesome, all while delivering a poignant message about the importance of seeking help when needed. Even as Doctor Odyssey embraces the bizarre and wraps narratives in a polished, almost surreal aesthetic, the gravity of its themes consistently grounds the spectacle. This episode even features an eerie, yet fitting cover of “Human,” underscoring the emotional core of the narrative.
Ringworm and Romantic Entanglements: Medical Cases on the High Seas
Doctor Odyssey continues to impress with its creative and often quirky medical cases each week, and Episode 6 is no exception. The first medical puzzle presented is seemingly straightforward: the mother-of-the-bride (Margo Martindale) is suffering from a severe sunburn after just one night of the cruise, despite her supposed expertise in sunbathing. However, the diagnosis is quickly apparent – a classic case of antibiotic-induced photosensitivity. The mother’s recent course of antibiotics has heightened her skin’s vulnerability to the sun, leading to her unexpected and intense sunburn.
The second, more intricate case of the episode unfolds amidst the wedding festivities. Captain Massey (Don Johnson), along with Max (Joshua Jackson), Avery (Phillipa Soo), and Tristan (Sean Teale), observe the wedding party from above as toasts are made. Bennett (Kevin Zegers), the best man, delivers a speech that visibly unsettles the bride, Lisa. This scene cleverly sets up a red herring, initially leading the audience to suspect a possible romantic entanglement between the groom and his best man.
The medical team is then called to address a delicate situation involving Bennett and a wedding guest named Deja (Annie Gonzalez). In a nod to Doctor Odyssey‘s penchant for the unusual, reminiscent of the penile fracture case in the premiere, Episode 6 presents a case of penis captivus – a genuine medical condition. Avery, demonstrating her astute understanding of social dynamics, recognizes the extreme awkwardness of the situation for Deja. She devises a plan where Max will distract the entangled couple with rambling stories while she discreetly uses a catheter to resolve the medical predicament. Max’s rambling anecdote about teenage pranks provides the perfect diversion, allowing Avery to successfully and discreetly resolve the penis captivus situation.
During the intervention, Max notices an unusual rash on Bennett’s torso, prompting a further examination in the medical bay. Bennett, albeit reluctantly, agrees. The diagnosis is delivered: Bennett has contracted a rare and highly contagious variant of ringworm. This revelation becomes particularly problematic for Bennett, given his plans to mingle extensively with the wedding guests throughout the week-long cruise.
The following morning, the medical team is summoned to the bride’s suite, where they find Lisa violently ill. It is revealed that in her pursuit of fitting into a vintage Vera Wang wedding dress, Lisa has dangerously doubled her dose of Ozempic. Now, she is suffering the severe consequences of her decision. Lisa initially resists medical intervention, fearing that rehydration fluids will cause bloating. However, her mother cleverly enlists Max and Avery to persuade Lisa to accept treatment, appealing to her vanity and desire for a flawless wedding appearance.
Love Triangles and Truths Unveiled: Beyond the Wedding Rehearsal
Image via ABC
With the bride incapacitated, the mother-of-the-bride ingeniously enlists Max and Avery to act as stand-ins for the wedding rehearsal. Her intention is to record their rehearsal, providing Lisa and Eric with a visual guide to ensure a picture-perfect ceremony.
The rehearsal proceeds almost flawlessly. Max and Avery stand before Captain Massey, who guides them through an abbreviated version of the wedding vows. Just as they are about to simulate the kiss, Tristan dramatically objects! While he initially plays it off as a whimsical desire to simply object at a wedding, his true feelings are evident – he is clearly uncomfortable watching Max and Avery feign romantic intimacy. As the trio walks back down the aisle post-rehearsal, they are, notably, holding hands. This subtle yet significant moment, easily missed, underscores Tristan’s growing attachment to Max and Avery. Had this episode not delivered on the hinted-at romantic tension, it might have been perceived as mere queerbaiting. However, “I Always Cry at Weddings” definitively confirms the burgeoning romantic dynamic.
Later, Eric seeks out Max to examine a rash he has developed. Unsurprisingly, it is the same ringworm diagnosed in Bennett. Max, and likely the audience, initially jumps to the conclusion that Eric has been intimate with Bennett. However, as Max gently probes Eric, a much deeper and more troubling issue emerges. Eric essentially confesses to being a sex addict, admitting to having had numerous partners in the past month, any of whom could be the source of the ringworm. Eric spirals into despair, and Max attempts to console him, but Eric appears consumed by hopelessness. When Avery and Tristan enter the medical bay, Eric’s comment about Max, Avery, and Tristan having something “real” – something he lacks with Lisa – hangs heavy in the air, ambiguously hinting at whether he envies the bond between Avery and Tristan or Max and Avery.
Earlier in the episode, Avery confided in Max about her aversion to weddings, revealing that her previous marriage to her childhood sweetheart ended in heartbreak when she discovered his affair with a close friend during their honeymoon. Consequently, when Avery suspects Eric of infidelity, her instinct is to inform Lisa. However, HIPAA regulations prevent her from doing so. Despite the generally lax approach to professional boundaries exhibited by the medical team aboard The Odyssey, they adhere to patient confidentiality. Fortunately for Avery’s conscience, she doesn’t have to remain silent for long. The next morning, they are called back to the bride’s suite to treat Lisa – who has now also developed ringworm. They initially attribute it to stress, given they lack Eric’s consent to disclose his diagnosis. Beyond her superficial concerns, Avery quickly discerns that Lisa is not particularly supportive of other women. When Avery subtly suggests Lisa might be having doubts about the wedding due to the rash, drawing a parallel to her own past experience, Lisa dismisses her, accusing Avery of jealousy.
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Joshua Jackson in Doctor Odyssey Episode 3
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Tragedy Strikes: Doctor Odyssey Takes a Dark Turn
Throughout “I Always Cry at Weddings,” Eric’s inner turmoil is increasingly evident. From the moment he boards the cruise with Lisa, he appears despondent, merely going through the motions of a joyous occasion. He is distracted and irritable at the initial wedding party dinner, and his anxiety intensifies as he witnesses Max and Avery during the wedding rehearsal. Even during his breakdown in the medical bay with Max, there’s a sense that he might eventually recover. But tragically, he does not. Doctor Odyssey cleverly misdirects the audience, presenting a montage that initially seems like Eric preparing for his wedding day. He admires Lisa’s vintage dress, puts on his tuxedo, embodying the perfect groom. However, instead of heading to the wedding ceremony, he walks alone onto the deserted deck in the dead of night. He removes his polished shoes, placing them neatly on the deck before jumping to his death.
His disappearance is not discovered until the following morning, eight hours after the ship has sailed past the point of no return. Even a swift reversal would not have changed the outcome; a fall from that height, at that speed, is unsurvivable. Captain Massey gathers the passengers, delivering the devastating news and earnestly urging them to utilize the ship’s mental health resources should they ever find themselves in a similar crisis. In the aftermath of Eric’s suicide, the trio learns the truth: it wasn’t Eric involved with Bennett, but Lisa. In retrospect, Lisa acknowledges Eric’s long-standing struggles with mental health, dating back to their college years. However, she had consistently minimized his issues, pushing him to persevere because he fit her ideal of “husband material” and was willing to fulfill the role she envisioned. Tragically, the immense pressure of delivering a perfect wedding day proved unbearable for him. Despite her superficiality, both Lisa and her mother appear genuinely remorseful for their part in Eric’s tragic end.
Cake, Champagne, and a Threesome: Finding Light in Darkness
In the episode’s closing scenes, Avery receives a late-night visit from Tristan, who invites her to join him for a kitchen raid – a seemingly regular occurrence for the duo. They sneak into the kitchen, deciding to indulge in the wedding cake, destined for disposal after the tragic turn of events. Max stumbles upon them mid-snack, happily joining their illicit feast. While this light-hearted scene provides a welcome reprieve, there is an underlying discomfort in watching three medical professionals gleefully consume the wedding cake of a man who died by suicide just hours prior. Although Eric’s death serves as a stark reminder to seize the day, the juxtaposition of cake-eating and tragedy is undeniably jarring and peculiar.
Following the emotional turmoil of the week and the somber conclusion, Max proposes that they focus on celebrating life. Recalling Avery’s past marriage and her commitment to fulfilling her travel bucket list, Max suggests they each create a list of five life goals and support each other in achieving them. The three friends gather by the pool, sharing champagne and their pilfered snacks. Tristan initiates the life goals, culminating in his desire to have a threesome. Max and Avery express surprise at Tristan’s lack of experience, given his persona. The direction of the conversation becomes increasingly clear, especially when Avery playfully echoes Tristan’s goal, expressing her own interest in a threesome.
Initially, it feels like another instance of teasing. It seems too good to be true. However, the reality of the situation solidifies as the trio moves to Max’s quarters. Max reveals he has had a threesome before, albeit an unsatisfactory one where the other participants were more focused on each other. With encouragement from Tristan and Avery, Max adds “have a good threesome” to his bucket list. Avery seizes the moment, suggesting they make it a reality then and there. Tristan initially assumes she’s joking, but upon realizing Avery is serious, he enthusiastically joins her on the sofa. Max observes, perhaps momentarily concerned about repeating his past threesome experience as a third wheel. However, Avery explicitly invites him to be an integral part of this ménage à trois. And that is where Episode 6 concludes, leaving audiences anticipating the aftermath.
The dynamic between the three – particularly given the previous hot-and-cold interactions between Avery and Max – promises to be fascinating. Next week’s episode is certainly poised to be steamy!
New episodes of Doctor Odyssey air on ABC Thursdays at 9 PM ET and are available for streaming next-day on Hulu.
