The Resident Review: Out For Blood (Season 3 Episode 9)

The Resident Season 3 Episode 9, “Out For Blood.” deepens our understanding of our core characters and sets them up for the big challenge of the second half of the season.

Even though there is not much that is new on the episode, both plot, and character-wise, it manages to feel fresh and meaningful.

Dr. Dev Pravesh makes the choice he can live with: he lies during his deposition about Dr. Hawkins’ decision to withhold pain meds to elicit a confession from a patient. 

It is a satisfying choice. 

We get the chance to understand his thinking, which is why the episode works so well. We dig into the layers of each medical professional’s ethics. 

Dev would not cross the line Conrad crossed. But, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t make choices that fall outside of a black and white version of the right thing to do. 

He recognizes how the grey area is not only okay, it is actually how doctors are able to thrive. 

DEV PRAVESH: I think this hospital needs doctors like both of us. 

It’s a really nice way to conclude the conflict between Conrad and Pravesh because it centers respect.

This is unusual. Typically, conflicts like these are all about whether the character will do the right thing. And whether they can forgive. 

But, here, there isn’t “the right thing.” 

What replaces the music swelling “right choice,” is a deep consideration of what it means to value and respect your colleagues. 

That’s deep stuff. 

We can digest that tough material easily, though, because The Resident has provided us with an ever-building discourse about how to be an ethical practitioner. 

For Mina, she confronts her own tendency to assume that that the most scientifically reasonable solution is the right solution. 

Again, it is about respect. She has more respect for Aduka than anyone else, even more than AJ. So she is the perfect person to help Mina refine what being a good doctor means. 

She repeats it over and over to her best friend and patient, “it is your choice.” 

The commitment Mina makes to staying true to giving choice to her patient is a sign of explosive and beautiful growth.

She has always been a brilliant and vibrant person. Now that she has her relationship with AJ to help her let other people in, she is becoming the best doctor ever.

Like, ever. 

The discussion about faith is so beautiful. AJ finds a way to hold space and value people’s beliefs, never belittling them or romanticizing them. 

When it comes down to it, faith helps patients. 

That is true and a reminder that faith, prayer, spirituality, don’t just belong on whimsical or supernatural shows. Those are real, grounded parts of life that impact the majority of patients in the world. 

The royal patient on the episode, Nadine, helps us to see that having faith in yourself also has a place in medicine. 

NADINE: I’ve faced a lot of threats in my life, kidnapping, poisoning, assassination. I’m not going to let a puff of smoke take me out. 

All of the elements of the episode work well together and provide an enriching and fascinating experience. Another fantastic example of Season 3’s exemplary offerings. 

It’s past time for us to start talking Emmy-contender. 

Doctors Notes

• The tech during Nadine’s surgery is SO cool. The music coupled with the colorful imagery in that scene is completely enthralling.
• Mina eye-sexes AJ so hard it makes ME sweat. Oof.
• Overheard compliments are so precious and work so well to help us feel great emotion about a relationship without having to use overly direct dialogue. I love this choice!
• Bell and Voss are going to lead the team to figure out how to save Chastain. Is there anything else more romantic?
• Red Rock? More like Red Rum! 

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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