Doctor Odyssey’s Voyage Ends: What Went Down Behind the Scenes and On-Screen
The cruise ship drama Doctor Odyssey has officially sailed into the sunset after just one season on ABC. Fans hoping for a long voyage with Joshua Jackson, Phillipa Soo, and Sean Teale were left adrift when the show was canceled — a bummer for those rooting for the unique medical throuple dynamic on the high seas.
Created by the prolific Ryan Murphy, Doctor Odyssey dared to bring something fresh to network TV: a potentially groundbreaking romantic trio set against the backdrop of a cruise ship medical drama. Joshua Jackson’s Max, Phillipa Soo’s Avery, and Sean Teale’s Tristan formed an unconventional love triangle that was surprisingly low on the usual messy drama you’d expect from such a setup. Instead, the show explored their relationships with a sincere, sometimes tender approach — a vibe that set it apart from your typical network romance.
A Smooth Sailing Ending? Not Quite
The series wrapped its lone season on May 15 with a finale that actually delivered closure, which is a rare treat for canceled shows. Max and Avery finally admitted their feelings for each other, committing to a long-distance relationship as Avery prepared for medical school while Max stayed aboard the cruise ship. Tristan’s reaction? Shockingly mature — he took the breakup with grace, showing a refreshing lack of drama in a triangle that could have easily turned into a mess.
Beyond the romance, the finale gave viewers some high-stakes moments. The cast survived a terrifying tsunami and earthquake aftershocks, with Don Johnson’s captain character hanging onto his job despite bending orders during the crisis. And in a surprisingly upbeat send-off, the whole crew celebrated on the beach dancing to “Despacito” — not a bad way to say goodbye to a show that had a lot of potential.
Storm Clouds Offscreen
Unfortunately, the show’s cancellation didn’t come out of nowhere. Behind the scenes, things got seriously rocky, and the reasons run deeper than just ratings. Entertainment Weekly confirmed that ABC pulled the plug after one season — but this decision came on the heels of a lawsuit that cast a shadow over the production.
Earlier this month, three members of the props crew—Caroline Mack, Alicia Haverland, and Ava Steinbrenner—filed a lawsuit against Disney (which owns ABC) and producer 20th Television. The allegations are heavy: sexual harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and claims of negligent hiring and supervision. According to their suit, Tyler Patton, who was hired as the assistant prop master under his wife, the prop master Tammie Patton, allegedly subjected the women to months of unchecked sexual harassment.
The suit describes an environment described as “an unlawful den of sexual harassment and retaliation” fostered by Tyler Patton and several other male props employees. Even more troubling, it accuses Tammie Patton of ignoring the harassment claims and retaliating against those who spoke up. The plaintiffs say Disney and 20th Television failed to address their complaints seriously, ultimately laying off the entire props department instead of investigating and resolving the issues.
As of now, neither Disney, 20th Television, nor the Pattons have responded publicly to these allegations or requests for comment.
The Cancellation Context
It’s unclear whether the lawsuit directly triggered the cancellation, but it certainly didn’t help. When shows face major internal controversies, networks often distance themselves to avoid reputational damage. Combine that with modest ratings and the usual competitive nature of network programming, and Doctor Odyssey didn’t stand much of a chance.
What’s disappointing is that Doctor Odyssey had a genuinely fresh take in a crowded TV landscape. The throuple storyline, while not entirely new in indie or streaming shows, was a rare sight on broadcast TV, especially one handled with nuance and care. Max, Avery, and Tristan’s love triangle felt real and surprisingly mature. It’s a shame audiences won’t get to see how their story might have evolved.
Highlight Reel: What Made Doctor Odyssey Unique
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A Rare Network TV Throuple: The show’s central relationship was a rare network TV depiction of a throuple — not sensationalized but portrayed with genuine emotion and complexity.
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High Seas Drama: The cruise ship setting gave a fresh spin to the medical drama formula, mixing the confined ship environment with exotic locations and disaster scenarios like the tsunami and earthquake.
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A Diverse, Talented Cast: Joshua Jackson, known for Fringe and Dawson’s Creek, brought a relatable, grounded vibe to Max. Phillipa Soo, fresh off her Broadway success in Hamilton, added charm and emotional depth as Avery. Sean Teale’s Tristan rounded out the trio with an unexpected calm maturity.
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Surprising Lack of Soap Opera Drama: Instead of diving into endless conflicts and betrayals, the show kept the love triangle surprisingly healthy, which made the eventual breakup less painful and more believable.
A Finale That Delivered
The season finale could’ve been a disaster given the stakes, but instead, it wrapped up the storylines with satisfying resolutions. Max and Avery’s decision to pursue separate dreams while holding onto their love was realistic — showing that sometimes love means supporting each other’s paths, even if it means being apart.
The tsunami and earthquake crisis added the adrenaline-pumping moments you’d want from a disaster drama, but the aftermath focused on healing and community — the crew dancing on the beach felt like a joyful celebration of survival and friendship.
Looking Back and Moving Forward
While Doctor Odyssey won’t be sailing again, it leaves behind a unique footprint in TV history. For a network show, it pushed boundaries with its relationship portrayals and tackled disaster storytelling with heart.
The lawsuit news, though, is a serious reminder of the ongoing challenges behind the glitz and glamor of TV production. Allegations of harassment and retaliation underscore the importance of safe, respectful workplaces — something Hollywood and all industries continue to grapple with.
For fans, the cancellation means the story of Max, Avery, and Tristan ends here. But the way their tale wrapped up — with closure, respect, and a touch of celebration — is a rare and welcome parting gift in today’s TV world.
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