The Resident Review: A Children’s Story (Season 4 Episode 13)

The Resident Season 4 Episode 13, “A Children’s Story,” is a return to form as our doctors prepare to become parents, and reflect on the scars their parents have passed onto them. 

Doug Johnson may be the patient we know the least about, but he is a perfect example of a case worth caring about. When we meet him, he’s saving a kid from a fire. Is anyone more worthy of saving than a literal hero? 

So, it’s hard to blame Leela for getting emotionally invested in saving his life. That is the same reason why it’s easy to tell that he is going to die.

The Resident does effectively give us hope by bringing Doug through the surgery. It’s more emotional to watch Dr. Devi trying to save his life via chest compressions than it would have been if she made a mistake in surgery that caused his death. 

We learn the impact of Dr. Devi’s parents (and her disability) when she is crying in the supply closet and tells Devon that she doesn’t know what kind of doctor she wants to be because she’s been so focused on minimizing her liabilities, and not getting kicked out of “the club.” 

Leela’s words are relatable for anyone who has challenges to overcome within any industry. On a show that is so medically focused, it’s nice when we can relate to the characters on a personal level. 

It’s also nice when the chemistry between two characters the audience has been sensing for weeks is validated. 

Devon is understandably invested in Rose’s life at this point. He’s the doctor who got her into the sickle cell trial. As he tells Leela, he can’t help but get emotionally involved in cases either. 

We have seen it on his face for weeks, he cares about Rose more than a typical doctor. The Resident acknowledges those feelings when Devon admits he’s jealous of Dr. Cain’s relationship with her. 

His explanation as to why his feelings are intense but not romantic is somewhat convoluted. But do you blame him for wanting to protect Rose from Dr. Cain? 

Rose and Barrett have romantic chemistry too, and it’s growing stronger than the initial connection between Rose and Devon.

So, I’m grateful that Rose’s sickle cell is cured, and I’m hopeful that she stays around and tries to build a future with Dr. Cain. It’s not going to be easy, but it will definitely bring drama. 

Speaking of building a future, I’m so excited that Jake and his husband are going to be Sammi’s parents. It’s a little bit disappointing that we are told this information and don’t see any struggle — as if it’s easy to adopt. 

For Sammi’s sake, we’ll let it go. She deserves parents who love her and all of the green Jell-O she can eat. 

There is no good way to transition to Billie’s secret.

It’s a lot of information to be told via dialogue and having a grown child that is a product of rape is tailor-made for TV. But Billie needs a backstory and her relationship with her son could be a unique element to add to The Resident.

Nic’s baby shower is inconsequential to the whole episode but Bille’s gift is a sweet one. I’m not sure I remember being told that baby Hawkins’ grandmothers are both dead. 

That said, I’m really excited to watch Conrad and Nic become parents. We’ve been waiting a long time for this!

Doctor’s Notes:

• Mina Okafor’s presence is going to be missed on The Resident for a very long time. 
• Similarly, an episode without Kit Voss always suffers a little bit. 
• Carol’s cancer battle is the shortest one in TV history. Something has to be wrong unless that is just meant to be what keeps AJ in Atlanta. 
• I really appreciate The Resident telling us that the sickle cell trial is real and what its status is. R.I.P. to all who have died from the disease.

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

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