The season 1 finale of Doctor Odyssey’s luxury cruise ship. However, the three medical personnel went far beyond professional camaraderie.

The only thing more ridiculous than Doctor Odyssey’s theme weeks was the convoluted love plot between Avery, Max, and Tristan. The three medical professionals clashed over their feelings several times, with the trio eventually having a threesome in Doctor Odyssey season 1, episode 6, and considered a throuple. Though the procedural threw curveballs in like Vivian (Laura Harrier) and Brooke (Adrianne Palicki), Doctor Odyssey kept Max, Avery, and Tristan trapped in a pointless romantic conflict until the last second.

Tristan Finally Let Go Of Avery In Doctor Odyssey Episode 18

The Doomed Romance Finally Came To An End In The Season Finale

Though the Doctor Odyssey love triangle was drawn out for practically the entire season, episode 18 finally put an end to Tristan and Avery’s flirtation. Though Tristan was happy having a purely sexual relationship with Avery ahead of her departure for med school, Avery implied something was missing, only for her to realize in the Doctor Odyssey season finale that she truly loves Max. Tristan is understandably angry with Avery for stringing him along, but he gains a new perspective after helping to deliver a baby.

While Avery and Max got as close to a happily ever after as possible, Tristan ended Doctor Odyssey episode 18 single and not in a hurry to mingle. Max has a brief conversation with Tristan to clear the air, with Tristan mentioning his new life philosophy is to “go where the love is,” mindful that he can’t handle being somebody’s second choice forever. While it was kind of Doctor Odyssey to free Tristan from his feelings for Avery, it came far too late to make a meaningful difference.

Tristan’s Crush On Avery Limited His Character All Season

He Was Less Of A Love Interest And More Of A Plot Device

If the medical drama had made Avery choosing Max the midseason finale cliffhanger, Tristan could have been a much more interesting character for the rest of the season. Unfortunately, Doctor Odyssey limited Tristan’s character and often let him grow, only to pull him back to where he started. Multiple times, Tristan explored romantic connections with other women, only for his feelings for Avery to reappear a few episodes later. It felt as though Tristan was stuck in a loop of harboring unrequited feelings with no end in sight.

All episodes of Doctor Odyssey are streaming on Hulu.

With Avery having always dreamed of going to med school and Max's dilemma about staying or ing a hospital, Tristan was made secondary, not only in the romance but in the series. Throughout Doctor Odyssey season 1, there were flashes of Tristan’s backstory and unique personality, but he was quickly put on the back burner in favor of Avery and Max having the same argument for a tenth time. If Doctor Odyssey committed to a will-they-won’t-they storyline and left Tristan out of it, he could’ve been a compelling character.

How Tristan’s Character Could Have Developed Without Doctor Odyssey’s Love Triangle

The Entire Show Would've Been Better For It

The way Doctor Odyssey left Tristan on the hook is even more of a shame because he would’ve enriched the drama as an independent character. In of romance, Doctor Odyssey felt electric, but Vivian was practically discarded because of the love triangle. If Tristan were free to explore real connections and not pine after Avery, Doctor Odyssey could have capitalized on Tristan and Vivian’s chemistry and allowed them to become more comprehensive characters.

Tristan, now permanently done with his schoolboy crush, could emerge as the rootable protagonist...

Aside from romantic storylines, many interesting tidbits from Tristan’s past could have been explored more thoroughly. From his mother’s illness to his father’s impact on his alcoholism, Tristan had all the makings of a well-rounded, deep character. Sadly, Doctor Odyssey ignored his potential for the vast majority of the season. If Doctor Odyssey is renewed for a second season, it’s possible Tristan, now permanently done with his schoolboy crush, could emerge as the rootable protagonist the medical drama desperately needs.

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