The Resident Review: Moving On and Mother Hens (Season 4 Episode 4)

Devon is the character clearly in focus on The Resident Season 4 Episode 4, “Moving On and Mother Hens.”

This is refreshing because it’s rare that he’s more than the B-plot, but there are a few missed opportunities that could have been seized to help us get into his mindset even further. 

He lies to his mom and colleagues about how he gets his black eye. It’s easy to sense that the first explanation is a lie. But why don’t we see Devon get into the bar fight before his mother arrives? 

Knowing Devon’s secret and seeing his lowest point would heighten the stakes of the entire episode. As it stands, Devon’s lowest point is asking Nic for a prescription for sleeping pills.

It’s certainly awkward, but also a letdown after brilliant performances from Manish Dayal on episodes like The Resident Season 4 Episode 2, “Mina’s Kangaroo Court.”

Dayal continues to deliver. There is an edge to Devon’s anger that can only be brought on by grief. But asking a friend for a prescription is an odd low point.

Then again, I don’t know what else I’m expecting. In reality, grief comes in waves and we may or may not experience dramatic low points. We do know his mindset well enough, and his story isn’t overhyped for drama. It’s relatable and that’s important when it comes to grief on TV. 

Devon bonding with his mom by telling her about the bar fight is sweet in a twisted way. The Resident has balanced what we see and what we must imagine about Devon’s mindset.

There is no denying he has been hurting. Watching him apologize to his mom, hug her, and come to terms with the things he couldn’t control about his father’s death, we can all finally breathe a sigh of relief. 

Devon might not be ok right now, but he’s going to be. 

So, can we talk about Mina? We’ve known Dr. Okafor long enough to know that if she’s proposing marriage, something is wrong. 

She’s been close to marriage before, but risking the authenticity of her relationship with A.J. for a visa after waiting this long to be with him is not smart.

Minator is an amazing ship to watch thrive because they don’t need devices like a fake marriage to be complex. Their conversations are chess matches sometimes. Throw in the politics of work and the potential for drama is basically endless. 

Using Mina’s visa situation and the fake marriage proposal to move Minator to the “I love you” stage is just lovely. There is so much power and complexity in stories that respect actors’ natural chemistry. 

She’s still in a tough spot. But I would never bet against Mina Okafor to succeed. 

Despite these two strong storylines, “Moving On and Mother Hens” fizzles out as a quality filler episode by the end. When networks place big episode orders, these are inevitable. 

Doctor’s Notes:

• I’m glad Nic mentions her miscarriage. It’s a good reminder and will inform Nic’s feelings during this pregnancy. 
• Speaking of the pregnancy… now that we know it’s a girl, I’m worried for this baby girl. 
• The Resident is great at keeping minor patient characters entertaining. 
•  Did Cain disappear? 
• We know thanks to The Hollywood Reporter that Chastain is soon to be a public hospital. So, ending every single episode with someone worried about the hospital’s fate is becoming tired. 

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

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