The Resident Review: Home Before Dark (Season 4 Episode 5)
The Resident Season 4 Episode 5, “Home Before Dark,” tries very hard to pull off a season finale vibe — and fails.
There is no clear reason why the series attempts this five episodes into the season, but perhaps the unique TV schedule has something to do with it.
“Home Before Dark” is written by co-showrunners Amy Holden Jones and Andrew Chapman. Plus, it features some of The Resident‘s frequent guest stars.
When Marshall Winthrop (Glenn Morshower) and Kyle Nevin (Corbin Bernsen) appear on the same episode as Conrad and Nic’s dads respectively, you know something big is happening.
The acting performances are fine. But the execution of the plot is messy, to say the least.
We have been hearing that Chastain is in financial trouble since The Resident Season 4 Episode 1, “A Wedding, A Funeral.” But the financial status of the hospital has basically been a C plot, only catching our attention because doctors tell us so often.
No one has shown us what that means for the hospital outside of boardrooms and C-suite offices.
People have been busy grieving and risking their lives to save accident victims and celebrating pregnancy. We don’t blame them, it’s been compelling to watch.
But the “Chastain closing” storyline has been an afterthought.
That makes everything that happens on the episode feel confusing, rather than emotionally jarring as it is intended.
Yes, even though Nic’s life is in the balance for a good portion of the episode; and even though she’s pregnant with baby girl Hawkins-Nevin.
Most people don’t know what the last days before a hospital closes will look like. I definitely don’t. But certain circumstances feel theatrically motivated rather than logical.
If the hospital has any patients at all, shouldn’t there be functioning machines available in case they are needed?
The fact that machines have to be hunted down doesn’t add anything good to the stakes. It’s just an extraneous detail that our heroes are going to find their way around.
If no new patients are being admitted, shouldn’t there be security at the doors or locks on them at the very least? The withdrawing addict should not even make it to the admission desk. So, that whole stabbing incident is ridiculous.
Since the setup is so messy, all of the emotions around Nic’s life being on the line are hard for us to feel while watching. Done right, The Resident would have us in tears.
All of the dangers facing Nic and the baby are gone by the end of the hour. So, there’s absolutely no reason to even try to get invested.
It’s such a shame that The Resident falters at such a vital point when the show has been doing so well.
“Home Before Dark” does have some sweet and emotional moments. Henry is the sweetest with his figurine collection and I’m so glad he’s not going to die. Czuchry’s emotions are natural and his acting is good, the plot just doesn’t help him much.
Similarly, Bernsen and Morshower’s scene is a standout. It’s too bad the circumstances that put Kyle’s daughter’s life in danger aren’t more believable.
It is exciting to think about what Chastain Memorial’s doctors will do now that they work at a public hospital. So, even though everyone’s problems have been tied up in a very ugly bow, let’s hope The Resident brushes itself off and gets back on the right path.
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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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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.