'Doctor Odyssey' Season 1 Episode 12 "Sophisticated Ladies Week" Review

After Avery’s declaration to Max that she’s going to keep the baby, this week’s Odyssey cruise theme is “Sophisticated Ladies.” Shania Twain makes another appearance as Heather, and the COVID 19 pandemic is heavily highlighted. 

Episode 12 titled “Sophisticated Ladies Week,” began with the Odyssey crew playing poker. During the game, Max brings out the latest COVID boosters, and nobody volunteers except for Avery and Spencer. 

Max and Tristan joke around about the Cougar ice sculpture being built to kick off the festivities. Tristan says Cougar is a term of respect, and that Cougars are elegant and powerful creatures.  

Tristan claims that he usually attracts multiple cougars on the cruise, but not this year, as things have changed and it’s no longer “fatherly behavior.” There’s underlying tension between Max and Tristan that you could cut with a knife. 

In the ballroom, Max is dancing with Donna Mills’ character, Olivia, who admits that this is her first cruise. Olivia says she’s simply there to laugh, drink martinis, and do yoga. In the middle of their charming conversation, Olivia starts coughing, which she claims is only allergies. 

At the top dining area, a couple, Sam and Delia, who are on the Odyssey to celebrate Delia being one year cancer free, talk about Sam letting go of his caregiver mentality and having fun. 

Tristan finds Avery and tells her that he feels she’s decided to keep the baby, and that she told Max. She doesn’t admit to it, but doesn’t deny it either, and she asks Tristan if he’s even ready to be a father. Without hesitation, he says yes, and that he’ll prove that he is. 

Olivia wakes up in the middle of the night when she can’t stop coughing. In the infirmary, Max swabs her nose for her COVID test, where she indeed tests positive. Max tells her that she will need to quarantine in her room, but she refuses. 

Max expresses his frustration to Captain Massey about it, but he tells Max that he has to handle this with tact and grace, and that he’s not a big city ER doctor anymore. Honestly, this take is very insensitive, especially considering Max’s history, but Max agrees anyway. 

In a shocking twist, Heather reveals that she and Captain Massey are expecting a baby. Massey’s jaw is on the floor, and he’s not the only one. Another big moment, Delia’s case of cancer has come back, and Sam doesn’t know. She tells Tristan that she wanted this trip to be one more good memory so she can say goodbye, and she doesn’t want him to be her caregiver again. 

In the infirmary, Avery lets Heather know that she understands what she’s going through with the pregnancy. Heather catches on, hugs Avery, and says that the both of them are going to be okay. 

Fear radiates from Max after a conversation with Olivia. He apologizes for not being considerate, but then coughs. After testing himself, he discovers that he has COVID now too. 

While in quarantine, Max helps Tristan figure out what Delia is having an allergic reaction to. She gives Tristan permission to tell Sam what’s going on. He doesn’t take the news well at all and walks out. Tristan tells her that they’d both be fools to not cherish every moment they have together, which Avery hears. 

Max and Olivia play cards, and they make a bet. Olivia wins, so they take a walk on the deck and sit, where Max confides in her about his history with COVID and that he’s going to be a father, which he doesn’t know for sure by the way but moving on. 

Olivia gets a sharp pain and can’t catch her breath. Max rushes her to the infirmary, where he and Tristan work on her, with Tristan silently urging Avery to stay back. They get her stabilized, but she’s not out of the woods yet. Tristan assures Max that he did everything he could, and now it’s up to her. 

More medical emergencies ensue when Heather starts bleeding. With the help of Avery, they learn that everything is okay with Heather and the baby, and that she was experiencing cervical irritation. 

Sam reassures Delia that he will wait with her and cherish the time they have, and Max and Olivia confirm that they are negative. Olivia comically thanks Max for saving her life and for the slippers. 

At the end of the episode, Max senses some energy between Tristan and Avery. This triangle is starting to feel like a circle with the way it goes round and round. Viewers will have to keep watching to see how it unfolds. 

Next week is Spring Break where three beautiful college women set their sights on Max, and it looks like danger is ahead for all four of them. Episode 13 will air on ABC April 3, 2025. It will also stream on Hulu the next day.

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