The Resident Review: Identity Crisis (Season 1 Episode 4)
The Resident Season 1 Episode 4, “Identity Crisis,” rejects the oft-cited norm, “mind your own business” (MYOB), and instead gets all up in the business of Chastain Hospital’s patients.
We see the doctors and nurses at Chastain hospital embracing tasks that are above and beyond the expectations of their position. This subtly (hallelujah! subtlety!) highlights the core medical ethics dilemma of the episode: does hubris, extreme self-confidence, save more people than it kills?
Dr. Pravesh spends hours on the phone with an insurance company to get a surgery approved. Dr. Okafor re-sets a dislocated shoulder in the waiting room of the E.R. Dr. Hawkins makes the call to John Doe’s mom. Nurse Nicolette Nevin tracks down medical records on her off-time.
None of these “extras” would be possible without confidence.
However, on the other side of the spectrum, we also see the epitome of hubris in Dr. Hunter and Dr. Bell. They justify their greed and self-importance by citing how much good they do, while the viewers knows that they have been hurting patients.
The Resident is at its very best when it swims in a grey moral sea. “Identity Crisis” does just that.
The episode provides clear examples of when a doctor crossing the line saves someone, such as Dr. Okafor slicing the neck of a patient in the E.R.
Past episodes showcase the risk involved with going too far, such as Dr. Pravesh being overzealous to administer CPR to his first patient. There is no easy answer and no easy identity to cling to for health providers. Hence the episode’s title: “Identity Crisis.”
The very reason the mistaken identity happens on “Identity Crisis” is because the hospital is understaffed.
The hospital is understaffed because of the cost of saving Luisa.
Conrad, Devon, Nic and Mina are responsible for saving Luisa.
Ostensibly, these lines can be connected to conclude that John Doe’s mistaken identity and death was the result of the team saving Luisa.
If more than one life is lost as a result of under-staffing, does that mean that the team actually made the unethical call?
Motivations matter on “Identity Crisis.” Dr. Hawkins stepping into the surgery room to deftly insert the IV line feels heroic. The scene is shot in a tense and suspenseful manner that highlights Conrad’s skills and risk-taking personality.
It looks much like hubris, but, because his motivations are pure and he has the required skill, it is easy to interpret as heroic.
What is the line then, really, between Dr. Bell’s deadly hubris and Dr. Hawkins’ life-saving heroics?
“Identity Crisis” does a fabulous job of presenting complex medical ethics issues without masking the trickier sides. The pacing and cinematography on the episode add to the nuance and propel the episode to the best of the season.
The standout scene of the episode is the juxtaposition of Dr. Bell and Dr. Hunter talking about how they are worth all the money they get, and Conrad sitting in a dark waiting room, calling the mother of the patient he failed to save.
The camera angles, even, showcase the differences between the ethics of the characters. Where Conrad exemplifies equality and nearness, Dr. Hunter and Dr. Bell exemplify God-like hubris.
Recall, though, Conrad too has been accused of playing God.
No one is cast as all-hero or all-villain on The Resident.
Taking a step back, “Identity Crisis” asks us to question and unpack what identity we expect from our health providers.
If we want them to take the responsibility to make the life-saving calls, how do we balance that expectation with the responsibility to step back when their personal limitations are present?
Asking doctors to play God requires them to be blind to their limitations– is it possible to be at the top of your field like Mina and Conrad, like Dr. Hunter and Dr. Bell, without excessive pride?
If the answer to that is no, and we need hubris in order to have great doctors, is it worth it?
These are chunky and complex ethical inquiries that The Resident invites the viewer to engage with each week. It is an invitation that is necessary and welcome for viewers like myself, who crave a medical drama that goes beyond the typical “hunt for the diagnosis” stories.
Doctors Notes
- The most interesting thing about Dr. Pravesh is his partner.
- This is the second episode to feature selfies in the ER. I am very curious how this is possible, especially since the reception and wifi is below zero in every E.R.
- Dr. Mina Okafor is SO COOL. Every second she is on screen makes me feel breathless because of her incredible presence.
- The gender dynamics at play in the scene where the new nurse makes some mistakes are problematic.
- The Bechtel Test still needs work. We see a maybe mentor for Mina, but the interactions between women are laced with antagonism. I’d like to see more support and solidarity.
- I miss Merrin Dungey. Please come back soon!
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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Janelle Ureta
Janelle Ureta is equal parts Veronica Mars, Raven Reyes, and Rebecca Bunch, but she aspires to add some Tammy Taylor to the mix. An attorney turned teacher, Janelle believes in the power of a well-told story. She is currently exploring how to tell short stories, 140 characters or less, on twitter. She loves to talk about TV, and right now she can't shut up about Timeless, Dear White People, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, The 100, or Younger.