The Resident Review: The Dance (Season 2 Episode 9)

Lucky for us, The Resident Season 2 Episode 9, “The Dance,” stays well enough away from the Grey’s Anatomy wedding interruption story with Jackson and April that I’m not seeing red.

But I brought up another show right away because the biggest problem this episode has is recycling storylines. 

Julian is in a river right now, so I’m not just talking about the fact that she’s the reason Devon calls off his wedding. Alex Karev’s father’s life is on the line in the same episode that Jackson interrupts April’s wedding. Plus, the free clinic is a huge part of early Grey’s Anatomy. 

I don’t want to constantly compare. Please trust me, it pains me to have to bring this up. When I do, it’s because I have no choice. 

The clinic is barely a storyline here, but that still leaves two huge arcs that I’ve seen before in the exact same genre. 

To its credit, The Resident does “estranged dad” better. I know Marshall. If he dies, I will care. I actually find it really hard to believe Conrad when he says he doesn’t really know his dad. He’s right, but it’s still hard to believe. 

Learning about Conrad’s parents’ divorce history while Marshall and Conrad are having a heart-to-heart in a hospital room is boring. But I love seeing the growth in that relationship, even though I wish Conrad found out the truth about his parents in a more dramatic way. 

I want Marshall Winthrop to live. But can I be brutally honest? I don’t care if Julian Booth lives or dies. 

I have been her biggest champion in past reviews. But she and Quovadis are bringing very little to the show.

It’s risky to give a guest character such a big storyline to carry on her own. It was a good move to put a Quovadis device in a beloved patient like Henry. But Julian taking down her own company alone without a character viewers care about in the thick of it? It falls flat even as she’s falling in the river. 

The Resident has a slightly campy vibe that I couldn’t put my finger on until I learned it was originally meant to be on Showtime. The tone reminds me of Nurse Jackie at times. The connection (whether there is any influence or not) helps me understand the show better. 

But understanding the show’s unique vibe does not help me understand the scene between Gordon (I’ve finally learned his name!) and Julian.

As soon as the door closes, I’m transported to a bad horror film — and not in a good way. Gordon turns from a character that I hate into a Disney villain I just want to laugh at. If I’m not watching a cartoon, I don’t want to be reminded of Disney. 

But let me back up. Because no amount of suspending disbelief helps me understand why Julian gets into the car she knows is taking her to Gordon Paige after she has reported Quovadis. 

I think it’s part of the reason I’m indifferent about her car being in the river. She chooses her fate. Yeah, I said it. 

Speaking of choosing fate, let’s end with a discussion of Devon.

At least he’s mature enough to seek Priya out privately and end things. It’s a stretch at this point to say the story has Jackson and April vibes, I’ll admit that. Manish and Jenna don’t have a quarter of the chemistry of Sarah Drew and Jesse Williams, and Julian and Devon are far too “new” if they’re anything at all. 

The show even admits that. What they couldn’t anticipate is the relationship becoming less believable over time. They have tried to build it with small moments, like some of the dancing lesson scenes. But they need more.

I don’t think Julian is going to die. If that were the case, I would question her entire point on the show. Maybe while she’s recovering, Devon will find a purpose in caring for her, and I’ll believe it more. 

My favorite moments are always small and human, like ConNic dancing to no music and Nic sitting on Conrad’s lap. I’m thankful they are the main characters and that there are other supporting ships that interest me. Devon and Julian just don’t work. This episode falls so flat because Julian drives two big plots within it. 

Doctors Notes:

• Nic only mentions Jessie in passing, but it’s for a huge reason. Jessie has said it in previous episodes: She’s an adult, and Nic needs to let go. It annoys me that Nic uses her as an excuse not to have kids. 
• I miss Kitt Voss. When does she come back? I’d trade Julian for Kitt any day. 
• Mina and AJ are so underused in this episode. For pacing, I understand. But I would’ve been more invested if they had a bigger story. 
• Conrad’s patient looks like Santa Claus, and I’m glad he lives. 

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

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The Resident airs Mondays at 8/7c on FOX.

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