The Resident Season 4 Episode 10, "Into The Unknown" The Resident Review: Into the Unknown (Season 4 Episode 10) The Resident Season 4 Episode 10, "Into The Unknown"

The Resident Review: Into the Unknown (Season 4 Episode 10)

Reviews, The Resident

It’s Mina and A.J.’s last day at Chastain on The Resident Season 4 Episode 10, “Into the Unknown.” The tone of the episode gets increasingly more devastating as we realize that Mina is actually getting into the cab and leaving. 

I keep hope alive until the credits roll — a testament to Shaunette Renée Wilson’s acting and the incredibly complex and lovable character she has helped bring to life. 

Official news of her departure from The Resident is confirmed via Deadline. To our dismay, Mina drives away in that cab off to Nigeria. That’s about as permanent as an exit can get.The Resident Season 4 Episode 10, "Into The Unknown"

THE RESIDENT: L-R: Matt Czuchry and Malcolm-Jamal Warner ©2021 Fox Media LLC Cr: Guy D’Alema/FOXWilson shines on the episode, especially in scenes toward the end where Mina takes her walls down and allows herself to get emotional. 

Some emotions she cannot control. She only has to face saying goodbye to friends at the beginning of the episode. By the end, she’s facing unimaginable loss and the pain that comes with it. She is losing the life she thought she would have with A.J. for an incredibly painful reason.

It is understandable A.J. is staying behind to be there for his mother’s battle with potentially terminal lung cancer. But all of the bad news on the day she is leaving is a lot for Mina to bear. 

The sequence that begins with Mina watching A.J. deliver the diagnosis to his parents and ends with Mina in the cafe telling everyone she hates presents is devastating — but brilliant acting to watch. 

Related  The Top 10 Medical TV Shows of the Past 25 Years: According to Tell-Tale TV Readers

We see Mina’s shock so clearly, we can actually feel it. We watch her actually process the fact that she is losing A.J. (at least as a physical presence in her life).

The Resident Season 4 Episode 10, "Into The Unknown"
THE RESIDENT: L-R: Guest star Summer Selby, guest star Michael Paul Chan and Matt Czuchry ©2021 Fox Media LLC Cr: Guy D’Alema/FOX

When she realizes she is leaving her Chastain family too, the flashbacks of her memories hit us just as hard as they hit her. It’s devastating to think of someone you love hurting and she has to face that too. 

I care about TV but usually keep my emotions about it inward. During this particular moment, I’m catching my breath right along with Mina. When flashbacks are done well, they can have that effect. 

It’s shocking she doesn’t have tears in her eyes like The Raptor does throughout most of the episode, no matter that she’s not an emotional character. It would have been understandable if a panic attack had caused her to miss her flight and stay awhile. 

Alas, she leaves. “Into the Unknown” is a true goodbye to Mina, so The Resident could and should have done better. 

The Resident Season 4 Episode 5, "Home Before Dark"
THE RESIDENT: L-R: Shaunette Renée Wilson and Malcolm-Jamal Warner ©2021 Fox Media LLC Cr: Guy D’Alema/FOX

It’s easy to guess Carol’s fate. While watching a medical drama, one should always be on guard when parents come to town. They’re most likely going to die soon or get a sad diagnosis. Despite its predictability, the story belongs on the episode.

Related  The Top 10 TV Doctors of the Past 25 Years: According to Tell-Tale TV Readers

The lifeguard who loses her job, Rose’s clinical trial, and Devon’s potential date with Leela do not. 

There are plenty of ways to weave more scenes featuring a couple with great chemistry that we are losing into the episode. There is absolutely no need to hint at a new couple with no chemistry on the horizon. 

Mina and A.J. are the best mentor and mentee couple featured on any medical drama. Meredith and Derek of Grey’s Anatomy don’t count. But the former couple surpasses even Cristina and Burke where chemistry is concerned.

The Resident Season 4 Episode 10, "Into The Unknown"
THE RESIDENT: L-R: Jane Leeves and Morris Chestnut ©2021 Fox Media LLC Cr: Guy D’Alema/FOX

If Devon and Leela actually happen they’ll never hold a candle to their predecessors. Actual mentor and mentee relationships are valuable too, and theirs would be ruined with romance.

Mina deserves an epic goodbye from The Resident and Minator shippers deserve more scenes if we can’t have our endgame. 

What we get is devastating and heartfelt. But it is nowhere near the grand goodbye that Mina Okafor deserves. 

Doctor’s Notes
  • Rose’s clinical trial could have waited but it is intriguing to watch the emotions she pulls out of Barrett Cain. 
  • We need to see him in a potentially romantic setting soon. Or, at least one that is not professional. 
  • The Resident and all TV shows need to be better about representing disability as the most horrible outcome that exists other than death. 
  • Malcolm-Jamal Warner is very good at crying on camera. 
Related  Vote for Your Favorite Medical Show and TV Doctor from the Past 25 Years! (Round 2)

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

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

Click to rate this episode!
[Total: 0 Average: 0]

 

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

twitter Follow us on Twitter and on instagram-icon Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

15 TV Characters Who Could Use Some Luck

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.