The Resident Review: Choice Words (Season 3 Episode 5)

The Resident Season 3 Episode 5, “Choice Words,” is all about choice. 

Interestingly, a woman’s right to reproductive choice isn’t centered or explicitly shown on the episode. 

“Choice Words,” indicates that a woman’s right to choose, the most common way “choice” is presented in a medical context, is only the beginning of the conversation. 

All of The Resident team’s choices are wise and create another five-star episode. The medical ethics the Chastain folks grapple with are fascinating and worth digging into. 

But, before we do that, I need to squee. 

“Choice Words,” is so soft and tender, watching it feels like cuddling up with your fuzziest blanket.

Mina’s careful and considerate preparation for Adaku’s visit to the hospital is just precious. Even though that’s not what Adaku really cares about, as she articulates later, it is truly the gesture that counts. 

Mina is not a cutesy person. She is edgy in almost every way. And, she is a realist. 

So, the whimsical, indulgent, and soft support she gives to Adaku is beyond touching. 

Then, Mina learns from AJ what family is: chosen sacrifice. Another sweet (with some sexy sprinkled in) moment. 

Finally, Mina makes the biggest gesture of all, making a sacrifice to promise to care for Aduka’s baby if she dies, even though SHE HAS NO PLAN. 

I’m tearing up now just thinking about it.

Mina always has a clear direction and plan. She is objective-driven and exceptionally focused. From her clothing choices to AJ’s trip to see his parents, her choices are meticulously thought out. 

She is giving up that security by saying yes to Adaku. In a way, she is willing to sacrifice everything for her sister. 

SQUEE. 

AJ’s mom knows her son so well and empowers him to face his fears (when he’s ready).  The bond they share is deeply moving. 

AJ has this booming and gruff personality that can give the impression he is impenetrable emotionally.

He feels safe and loved with his mom so he is able to be sensitive. Those glimpses of how he can face and overcome his pain and fears revive my hope. 

Also, they show us that AJ would be a really great father.

On an episode where Mina agrees to be a godparent, that’s a live wire of an idea to put out there. I love it. 

CoNic is always adorable, but the squee moments are particularly cuddly on “Choice Words.”

Conrad was a spelling bee champion in middle school and Nic knows it. In fact, Nic knows all the details of his win. I’d put money on Nic knowing the final word that solidified his win. 

That is intimacy folks. 

Also, I will never get over how much I enjoy watching a couple who loves living together as much as these two. They revel in being able to say “see you at home.” Even when Conrad has been up all night researching, he doesn’t leave their bedroom. 

They have a big ass house, but he doesn’t move it into the living room because he wants to be near her. 

I just. Squee, okay. Squee, squee, squee. 

It may not be in the cuddly squee category, but Susan’s storyline is masterfully done and it evokes strong emotions. 

In fact, it may be the most powerful part of the episode. 

Hope can be devastating. It is putting your head on a chopping block; it is admitting you have something to lose. Hope is exhausting. 

Susan expresses it perfectly.

SUSAN: I can’t hope anymore. I’m fresh out. 

2019 has been a year that has weighed heavily on many of us. Having hope in the face of atrocity after atrocity is costly. It drains us emotionally. 

Susan has been to all the doctors, tried all the medicines, woven her life around things that she can’t control. Now, she’s tired. 

That is painfully relatable. 

Her relief and surprise when something actually works, when she gets a clear answer, is cleansing to watch. 

Rebecca Field is absolutely stunning as Susan.

She shows the bravery of making a choice for yourself, that you know is right because you believe in yourself. It’s a kind of confidence that we need more of on our screens. 

When she is at her most vulnerable, we see the last slivers of hope come out of her and rest on Dev and Conrad’s shoulders. It’s lovely. 

The message will linger long after the season is over: keep going, keep living, and when you can no longer go on, take the risk to trust others. Trust is always worth the risk. 

The choices Dev, Conrad, Bell, Kitt, and Cain make on the episode reveal that there is no one “right” choice. Choice is, at its core, about making the right decision for you. 

Of course, Devon’s version of medical ethics would be different than Conrad’s. They are very different people.

Conrad is a very controlling person. He sees mentorship as teaching someone how to be like him. And that actually makes sense. 

The whole point of residency is to train up new doctors to be like the attendings. And Conrad is a fantastic doctor. 

But this point, specifically where Dev chooses a different ethical code than Conrad, illustrates how residencies can create ethical monoliths where doctors don’t think for themselves. 

What Devon does is unusual. He is setting his own line for what is right, even though it jeopardizes his relationship with his mentor. Residents don’t usually do that. They are inundated with hierarchy and following the lead.

What is particularly interesting is that Conrad is really who taught him how to do this. Dr. Hawkins has been giving him an example of practicing medicine as an autonomous thinker who has patients’ best interests at heart for the past three years. 

Right now, Conrad is upset. Good. It is HEALTHY for powerful decision-makers to get pushback and opposition.

Bell is a warning of what can happen when power goes unquestioned. 

True, he is on a redemptive path. But he has the impact of a mountain of poor choices in his wake. 

He might even be experiencing some of those within his own body. It goes unsaid, but there are hints that Bell’s previous neurological issue is implicated or involved in his herniated disc injury. 

How will Bell’s budding connection with Kitt change if she finds out about his past choices? 

Cain is forcing Dr. Voss to choose between a hospital family she loves, and the ability to practice medicine how she knows is right. 

It’s a terrible and horrific choice. She loses no matter what. That is the cost, though, of standing by your ethical choices. Sometimes you have to sacrifice your own happiness in the process. 

Doctors Notes

• “I can not help you, for I am just a cookie,” has me rolling. Too hilarious. 
• The awkward eye contact that happens after Cain says that Bell won’t be able to have sex is priceless. He wants to bang Kit so bad!
• Cain is all about image.  He has chosen poorly. 
• AJ and Mina have mastered the sexual tension-laden side-by-side stance. It’s electric. 
• Pole dancing is great exercise. 
• Bell recognizing the squeak of his chair is so on brand. 

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

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The Resident airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on Fox.

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