Doctor Odyssey Did the Funniest Thing Possible

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As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at the sheer brilliance of Doctor Odyssey. Each week, it manages to outdo itself, serving up twists and turns that leave us utterly spellbound. It’s hard to believe such an outrageously imaginative cruise trip medical drama could still surprise us. But it does, by harkening back to the classics.

On Thursday’s episode, the series took a leaf from the soap opera playbook, executing a time-honored maneuver. Max “Dr. Odyssey” Bankman (Joshua Jackson) made a fleeting visit home, and guess who he encountered? None other than his twin brother, also portrayed by Joshua Jackson. Double the charm, double the thrill!

During “Crew Week,” Max decides to step away from the boat for a while to catch up with family. He arrives at a quaint suburban house with a white picket fence, and who should answer the door but another Joshua Jackson, this one sporting wavy hair and a quarter-zip pullover. Max and this Joshua exchange warm hugs, showcasing the advanced duplicate Josh techniques used in the series. Upon entering, the twin’s wife welcomes Max with a question: “Who is this man who bears such a striking resemblance to my husband, but with a tanned and handsome appearance and an improved haircut?” Notably, Joshua Jackson’s twin brother goes by Merrill Bankman, and he too has twin daughters.

In a refreshing twist, twin reveals – a trope commonly seen on daytime soap operas like “All My Children”, “The Bold and the Beautiful”, and “General Hospital” – are now appearing in a modern prime-time series. This is another example of “Doctor Odyssey” embracing its own absurdity as a means to be more playful than many other shows. Jackson, particularly, seems to be enjoying his role as the less sophisticated suburban dad version of Max (portrayed by Tyler Cook in body doubling). However, the most captivating moment is when the twins engage in a game of catch in Merrill’s living room; essentially, “Doctor Odyssey” is saying, “Look over here! It’s the wonder of television!

From my perspective, you might wonder why an identical twin is being introduced so late into the story of Doctor Odyssey. What purpose does it serve in moving the plot forward? If we accept the show’s narrative at face value, Max’s contented suburban twin represents a potential path that Max himself could have taken. This resonates strongly after the revelation that Avery (Philippa Soo) is not pregnant. Furthermore, this twist paves the way for Merrill to reappear, as Max extends an invitation to him and his family to join him on the Odyssey.

In the second interpretation – assuming that the story unfolds in a purgatorial dream world while Max is comatose due to being Connecticut’s first COVID patient – we can interpret Max’s break from duty as his confrontation with his authentic self. The twin represents him, his family is his own creation, and this existence is what he abandoned. At one moment, Merrill says to Max, “I understand you more than you understand yourself.” Is it necessary for them to make it clear for you?

Regardless of the truth behind Doc Odd’s twin, it simply underscores how unique this show is compared to other TV programs currently on air. If Doctor Odyssey manages to unveil a twin character, then it clearly has no limits, and I eagerly anticipate more seasons filled with such captivating creativity.

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2025-04-19 00:54