The Resident Review: Snowed In (Season 2 Episode 19)

It’s official — if I were to be stuck at any fictional hospital during a storm, I better be at Chastain Park Memorial Hospital, and The Resident Season 2 Episode 19, “Snowed In,” proves why. 

The most important story to demonstrate how far the doctors and nurses at Chastain will go for their patients is Donna’s. End-of-life care conversations are important, but the show also proves how messy they can be. 

Donna has a DNR and a very specific dream of dying in hospice care. But Nic thinks her dream of seeing Bob again is equally as important. She makes a point that people outside of the health care industry probably never consider: “Do not resuscitate” does not mean “do not treat.”  

So, when Donna has a hernia and needs surgery to survive long enough to see Bob and hospice — is Nic right or wrong to fight to get her said surgery?

Both answers are valid in this case, and that’s proven within the story. Nic’s original intentions are long gone by the time Bell opens Donna up on the table. But by that point, Nic is fighting for Donna’s right to die. Within the show, Nic makes the right moves every step of the way. When she’s wrong she works to change things. 

If this were real life and we’re all being honest, Bell is absolutely wrong, and I wonder if Donna’s family would have a legal case against him. (I have no idea, I’m not a lawyer!)

But this isn’t real life; it’s a show, and there is a Bob to tell off. Hearing Donna utter the words “Go to hell” and then crack up with joy is the best payoff I’ve felt from an episode arc in a long time.

But it must be said that this ending in particular is similar to something another medical show did with “hate tapes.” 

I’ve said this before — repeating storylines on medical dramas is beyond inevitable at this point. The key for the second or third story down the line is execution. Everything about The Resident‘s execution of Donna’s last wish is done better here, right down to Donna and Nic’s relationship. 

But that one story serves a larger purpose than making viewers laugh out loud or even ask questions about end-of-life care, because Conrad and Nic are on different sides of the Donna Debate.

The Resident does a very good job of raising tension between them literally and figuratively, and yet somehow allowing them to keep work and their relationship separate. 

Alec, Nic, and Conrad are not exactly in a love triangle right now. I appreciate that much. But it makes one wonder — why even hint at it at all? At this point, Alec as a stalker is a believable direction that I did not consider on his first episode. 

But CoNic’s problems have nothing to do with Alec and everything to do with Nic. 

I love complex female characters (especially ones who don’t always win) and fight for them every chance I get. But if there are sides to take here, Conrad’s seems closest to the truth. 

The man is far from perfect. But now that he’s no longer a project that needs fixing, Nic is pushing him away. It doesn’t make sense on any level. 

It’s usually maddening when a TV show pulls a problem out of thin air to pull couples apart. Alec doesn’t need to be the problem, and thankfully the show agrees.

But there literally is no problem. He’s ready to buy you a house, Nic! There’s no pressure or ring on your finger.

So, actually, literally, someone please tell me what Nic’s problem is? (Seriously — leave the answer in the comments!)

It’s confusing enough to take the episode’s rating not just .5 but .6 away from perfection. 

The ending might not be ideal for Conrad and Nic, but if a viewer were watching with very little context, the last few seconds tell a beautiful visual and auditory story. 

Donna and Bob’s “song” “Landslide” is playing and we watch Conrad and Nic walk in opposite directions, first up close and then as the camera pans away while they make separate paths in the snow. 

Sigh. This isn’t going to end well. I just wish I could understand why.

Doctor’s Notes (Because there is so much more to say!!!):

• Mina/The Raptor’s story is brilliant, too. Mina’s connection to Eva is clear. I predicted they would lose their phone connection at some point and that they’d use it within the plot more deliberately. Technically, I was wrong and I’m glad. I love that Mina just does what needs to be done and The Raptor is just happy for her in the end. 
• Speaking of The Raptor, he gets very eccentric and Shakespearean when talking to others about Mina. It’s hard to get used to, yet amazing. I really can’t wait for this confession of love to go down. 
• Since we’re on the topic of love, I also love Devon as a teacher — and without Julian especially. Love will come to him. I really tried to give that pair a chance. They just don’t work. 
• One pairing that does work is Bell and Voss, so let’s all cross our fingers that they have scenes together forevermore, OK? 

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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