The Resident Review: Independence Day (Season 1 Episode 2)

The Resident Season 1 Episode 2, “Independence Day,” cuts into the heart of hospital politics: whose life is worth saving.

Unfortunately, this surgery has many complications, and The Resident needs to head to the ICU to recover. It is not beyond saving, but it is not out of the woods yet either.

Matt Czuchry is killing it as Dr. Conrad Hawkins.

Even when the lines he needs to deliver are far below basic (all of the Independence Day lines, for example), Czuchry manages to carry his body in a way that adds tension and depth to his character.

When I mute the show and just watch Czuchry’s body language and facial expressions, I get a more powerful understanding of the relationships.

That’s not a great diagnosis. The writing team needs to give The Resident a nip and a tuck, stat (Oh yes, the medical puns will continue).

The make-up and lighting teams, on the other hand, are enhancing the quality of the performances.

I have looked at Matt Czuchry’s face quite a bit. Okay, okay, more than quite a bit. A lot bit. A whole lot bit.

His face epitomizes “devilish charm” with its crinkly eyes and lopsided grin. I have never before felt like I was about to sink into a dark puddle of sorrow and confusion when I look into Czuchry’s eyes. I do now.

The make-up and lighting make Czuchry menacing and serious, with only an outer layer of charm. Dr. Hawkins has Dexter-face!

Dr. Hawkins is not a bad boy with a hidden heart of gold. He’s far scarier than that. The lighting and make-up design allow the character’s nuance and complexity to shine through.

Now it is time to biopsy The Resident‘s sexism tumor.

Nicolette Nevin should be Dr. Nicolette Nevin.

The plot of “Independence Day” asks us to believe that Nic is an insider and the recipient of such time sensitive information as when there is a heart available for a heart transplant. She is central to the care of the patients. There is no reason for her to be a nurse.

No, there is nothing wrong with being a nurse. But it is a gendered profession. Nurses are paid less and garner less respect that doctors. Women are paid less and garner less respect than men. These things are related.

The Resident seems to try to cover its sexism with a discussion between Dr. Pravesh and Dr. Levi about Nic’s ability to become a doctor.

Just, no. Two men pontificating about Nic’s education and ability is gross.

Nic should just be a doctor. In lieu of that, The Resident should be able to show, via character development, Nic’s excellence and ability. At the very least, Nic should be included in the conversation about her education and intellect.

The Resident needs to recognize that its choice to make Nic a nurse rather than a doctor is problematic. A potential cure would be for her to be earning her doctorate in an area that would provide her policy and decision-making power at the hospital.

Another look at the sexism tumor — “Independence Day” manages to barely pass The Bechdel Test with one, yes ONE, conversation between two women that is not about men.

That conversation is between Dr. Lane Hunter and Nurse Nic Nevin, about Nic’s insubordination. The only conversation between women is about competition and distrust of motives.

At least it wasn’t a competition over Dr. Hawkins! Still, The Resident needs to do better.

The sexism tumor has benign features as well. It is incredibly powerful to see a Black woman portraying a confident and extremely skilled surgeon.

The casting of Shaunette Wilson as Dr. Mina Okafor is perfection. Her acting is just like her character’s surgical work: precise, exceptional and artful.

The strongest scene on “Independence Day” is the one that juxtaposes the reaction Dr. Levi gets from sharing his doctor title against the reaction Dr. Okafor has when she is rejected after sharing her doctor title. It is a beautifully shot scene, with the right camera angles and lighting, and it tenderly relays a genuine experience.

It provides nuance to Dr. Okafor’s character, not softness. I see the sexism tumor shrinking before my eyes.

The Resident has too much excess junk in “Independence Day” that distracts from the medical ethics topic of heart transplant lists. The topic itself is an excellent choice but the scenes regarding it rush by.

Patrick R. Walker as Micah Stevens hauntingly delivers the powerful line, “Am I out of time?”

And then, he IS out of screen time. Despite the fun introduction to him in the classroom and the compelling conversation to be had about what type of life we value more, a young Black teacher or an older, white politician, Micah doesn’t get his say on the topic.

I feel under-educated on the topic by the episode. The Resident misses the opportunity to take us through the nitty-gritty and politics of transplant lists (Nic would be a great choice to spearhead this education).

What a shame. Bottom line prioritization of transplant lists is a topic worth dissecting.

The Resident brings us complex issues and characters. If takes out the weak dialogue (Dr. Pravesh asking his patient, “Are you okay!?,” or the super unsubtle, “You don’t get to play God!” from Nic to Conrad, for example), The Resident could make a full recovery.

Doctors Notes

• The hospital staff shaming the patient for watching porn on his phone, and then moving the patient to the front desk area while the nurses watch the porn in front of him, laughing at him, is completely off-color. Porn addiction is a legitimate affliction and a sincere exploration of the issue would land far better.
• The pause of longing and joy Conrad experiences after hearing Nic say “I have your heart,” makes mine beat real fast.
• The Resident doesn’t need to be perfectly accurate with the diagnosis and treatment concepts. However, as it is a medical ethics show, it does need to be accurate when it comes to those topics. i.e. the politics and bottom lines of transplant lists.
• Dr. Pravesh is a tepid character in need of more focused character development. I can not bring myself to care about his impassioned speech or his “tough call” for his patient.
• When is Merrin Dungey going to get here!? I miss her.

What did you think of this episode of The Resident? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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The Resident airs Mondays at 9/8c on Fox.

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