Fans of Doctor Odyssey are rejoicing after the latest crossover episode, affectionately dubbed as 'silly' by viewers. Since its return on March 6, 2025, the Ryan Murphy medical drama has been entrancing audiences with new episodes every week. Up until now, fans have been following the Odyssey crew, including Dr. Max (Joshua Jackson), nurse Avery Morgan (Phillipa Soo), and nurse Tristan Silva (Sean Teale), as they tackle extraordinary medical emergencies.
However, after episodes nine and ten centered around a gruesome shark attack, leaving the team to treat severe wounds, some viewers complained that the show was becoming too intense, reports the Mirror US. In fact, some fans requested a break from the high-stakes storylines, yearning for a return to the series' signature light-hearted tone.
Fortunately, this week's episode, titled 'Casino Week,' featuring Oscar-nominated actress Angela Bassett, seems to have delivered on fans' wishes. Bassett reprised her role as Athena Grant from Ryan Murphy's hit drama, 9-1-1. The episode's synopsis reads: "During Casino Week on The Odyssey, Athena Grant spots two suspicious passengers eyeing the vault. She teams up with Max to counter their plans in a high-stakes gamble." The episode aired on Thursday, March 20, 2025.
As fans tuned in to the episode, they praised the show's refreshing change of pace, welcoming the return of its trademark 'fun' and 'silly' tone. An online discussion on Reddit showcased this excitement, with one user expressing relief: "Well, you guys, my wish from last week that the show go back to its light-hearted roots somewhat came to fruition! [...] This [episode] was indeed silly fun! Progress!" Another commenter concurred: "Yeah thank God all that shark stuff is over. Slightly gross and terribly boring. Was so happy for casino week."
The positive feedback spilled over onto X, formerly known as Twitter, where another viewer posted: "Another good episode. Glad we're done with sharks, etc. #DoctorOdyssey." The excitement wasn't just about the plot twists; fans were ecstatic to see Bassett working alongside television legends like Jackson and Don Johnson in his role as Captain Robert Massey.
Bassett herself reveled in her time on the set, summing it up in one word during an interview with People Magazine: "It was just a love fest." The star of Black Panther went on to reveal that she often had to take a moment away from her lively co-stars in order to refocus on her performance. "[There were] certain times I had to, with the guys especially, I would have to walk away, center myself because they have so much wonderful energy and so much to say." She concluded by heaping further praise on her colleagues: "They are just such a delight."
Doctor Odyssey airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC and streams the following morning on Hulu.
