The Resident Review: Adverse Events (Season 2 Episode 16)
The Resident Season 2 Episode 16, “Adverse Events,” finally brings us the true beginning of the fight against Quovadis — no thanks to Zoey Barnett.
Her dilemma is a tough one. Gordon Page is offering her a lot of money. Zoey is a single mom. Gordon’s promise to take care of Henry’s medical needs for his entire life is a big one.
But she says it herself: no amount of money will bring Jasper back. It won’t stop her from running into Henry’s room to make sure he’s breathing. The deal probably includes getting the device out of Henry’s head, or else she wouldn’t take it… right?
I’m honestly not clear on that. If taking the money requires Henry to keep the VNS device in his head, Zoey would clearly be choosing money over her son’s life. It’s not above Gordon Page to trick her. But any way you slice it, as a viewer, Zoey backing down is disappointing.
There is a story if Zoey were to continue her fight against Quovadis, and in my opinion, it’s a more compelling, human one. Watching one mother fight like hell for the thousands of kids who might have been affected by the device would’ve been beyond powerful.
But Zoey and Henry Barnett will probably be back. We have to move on to the people who are actually fighting against Quovadis.
If we’re all honest, it’s not very exciting to watch Mina and Devon desperately try to convince a bunch of military men with egos that the VNS device will fail. But this is one of the most exciting episodes of the season so far, because an actual fight against Quovadis has begun.
Let’s take a minute to let that sink in — we deserve it!
It feels like a lifetime since Mina, Conrad, Nic, and Devon sat around eating pineapple pizza in honor of Bradley and decided that something needed to be done about Quovadis.
And now we’re here. Marshall Winthrop stops a VNS device from going into a veteran by proving that it’s not made in the US. The surgery literally stops in its tracks — screens shut off. Hallelujah!
Did he do it for his own financial gain? Absolutely. He’s playing both sides of the fence in a situation that clearly has a right and wrong side. But I only blame myself for trusting him for even a second.
Looking at it purely from a storyteller’s perspective, Gordon Page needs an accomplice to be taken seriously as a villain (or at least a little bit more seriously). This decision will strengthen the quality of future episodes, which seem like they will be exciting.
We’re better off trusting Bell, whose heart really did show while trying to save Simon’s life.
Randolph Bell is one of my favorite characters on TV, because it’s so hard to decide whether to love to hate him or just love him. This episode, we have no choice but to like him, between his decisions about Quovadis and his care for Simon.
A relationship with Kitt Voss will only push him over to the good side for now. That’s why I’m rooting for that relationship — and I missed Dr. Voss yet again on this episode!
Will he stay there? It’s anyone’s guess, and “no” is the safest answer. But a lovable villain is just a sign of great writing. That’s why Gordon Page needs to disappear. He’s just so unnecessary we need to move on.
Marilyn Spolestra’s storyline is definitely a “B” plot, but it’s very important. Health insurance is too expensive for many Americans to afford. If you’re poorly insured or not insured at all, Marilyn’s story is very real.
You are made to wait until your condition is life-threatening for surgeries that would’ve saved you earlier on. Even people who are insured don’t always get the help they need. Disability advocate Carrie Ann Lucas died last week as a result of a denial from her health insurance company that exacerbated her health issues.
This issue is real — and that’s what makes The Resident so good. Because even though Zoey and Henry’s story is wrapped up with Quovadis, parts of that story feel real.
The drama is going to accelerate even further soon, but no matter how unbelievable the circumstances get, the people always feel real. I root for most of them.
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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Esme Mazzeo
Esme Mazzeo is a lifestyle and entertainment journalist from Long Island. When she's not writing for work, she's writing for fun, or searching for something to satisfy her sweet tooth. She thinks rainy days are the best kind of days. Certified night owl.