Jessica lives!
It was another edge of your seat experience while watching The Resident Season 3 Episode 7. Jessica’s odds were touch and go, Conrad and the others clashed with Cain, and Cain and his new shady partner in crime, Logan, are prepared to take Conrad down.
Join TV Fanatics Meaghan Frey, Carissa Pavlica, and Rachel Foertsch as they discuss “Woman Down.”
Jessica survived! But mostly everyone was affected by her touch-and-go state. Which character resonated with you most during that time?
Meaghan: Thank God, she survived! When they started to show flashbacks of her, I broke out in a sweat. Watching all the characters react and process to her situation was interesting.
I was most shocked by Bell’s reaction. The first scene of the show had both Jessica and Bell in it, but it is easy to dismiss that they would have any relationship. Hearing him say she was family was extremely touching. I can’t believe how far we have come from that first surgery.
Carissa: I knew she would survive, but the way the story unfolded was very well done. All of the characters were impressive. Irving was distraught but still capable of making decisions, Conrad was all-in for his friends, and Bell came through with the most touching remark by noting Jessica was her favorite. What’s not to love?
Rachel: Irving’s reaction stirred up the most emotions in me. The entire episode was heartbreaking, and it was hard to see all the characters so distraught. I also really loved learning just how much Bell cares about Jessica. We don’t get to see his vulnerable side very often. All in all, I’m just happy Jessica’s okay.
Cain has a Red Rock accomplice willing to do his bidding. What’s your impression of Logan and theories about what they have planned for the rest of the season?
Meaghan: These two are bad news together. I have been guilty of thinking that Cain might find redemption, but all if it went out the window this week.
The fact that he has someone in a position to filter endless funds into his service is terrifying, and I think that is exactly what they are planning. We almost saw the nurses suffer from this arrangement this week. Who will be next?
Carissa: The actor who plays Logan just got off of a stint on Succession where he was a combination of put upon and ruthless, and oh boy, does his presence spell trouble. Combined with Cain, they’re the worst of everything for everyone who isn’t a shareholder.
That said, the “all about profit” theme is beginning to grate just a bit. No, it’s not ideal when it comes to medicine, but those people who are key in advancing medicine also deserve to be very well compensated.
Unnecessary surgeries, jacking prices, and unwillingness to properly combine profits with the nature of medicine is not. Both can survive. I know it in my bones. Off my soapbox now.
Rachel: Logan is a pawn who’s in it for the money. He doesn’t care about his patients or health care. It sounds like he and Cain are planning to work together to get Conrad fired. Although Bell will try to fight, I’m not sure if he’ll succeed. Conrad might have a rough road ahead of him.
On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate the entertainment level of Conrad versus Cain?
Meaghan: 10 out of 10! It’s hard to imagine that Conrad could be even sexier than his baseline level of sexiness, but when he is fighting back passionately for what he believes in? Oh my god, it is attractive.
Carissa: I’d give it an 8.5. I wish Cain were n’t so far to the side of evil because I prefer a more nuanced approach to good and evil.
Rachel: I give it a 9/10. I loved that AJ was on Conrad’s side, and their fist bump was adorable. I was hoping that Cain would admit that Conrad made the right call at the end, but I should have known better.
Who will attempt to take Conrad down first: Big Pharma or Red Rock? Will they succeed?
Meaghan: Red Rock. Cain doesn’t come to play. Conrad is going to have to fight like hell to keep his job going up against them.
Big Pharma will come for him eventually, but it is going to take a while for them to realize he is a threat. Red Rock is already very aware.
Carissa: I can’t help but wonder if one member of the evil duo might find themselves in need of the kind of caring assistance that Chastain provides.
I’d rather Cain and Logan have an Ebenezer Scrooge enlightenment than fall to a bloody splatter on the pavement having learned nothing. And given what Hawkman did for Conrad, I’m betting on Red Rock is the first to go.
Rachel: I think Red Rock could join forces with Big Pharma to get rid of Conrad. Big Pharma could be the face of it, but Red Rock might be helping them behind the scenes.
Did you find any validity to Cain’s statements about Conrad’s narcissism or the necessity of hierarchy?
Meaghan: Conrad has a big ego, but Cain is one to talk. Yes, a chain of command is necessary to maintain structure, but Conrad was right in this situation. Without Conrad, Jessica would probably be dead.
You delayed the surgery for no good reason. You failed. Self-important neophyte. You don’t even know how much you don’t know. I’m going to remove the pressure from her brain and hope it’s not too late. So congratulations, your narcissism almost killed your patient.
Cain
Carissa: I can’t help but want to post part of V’s incredibly insightful comment about all of that in place of my answer. They addressed the nature of hierarchy and why it exists more eloquently than I ever could. Make it so, Jasmine.
V (TV Fanatic Commenter): I kind of understand what you mean about Cain’s angle and how we would not have cared if it weren’t for Jessica or Conrad. But it is far more complex than that — I think you partly touched on the complexity when you mentioned how he respects no one including Bell or Kit who are his superior (CEO) and equal (surgeon) so how can he respect a scrub nurse, a resident or an intern? The other complexity isn’t about good old hierarchy alone — hierarchy is created mainly to cut down the noise. If everyone was given a voice like social media platforms do, no institution would survive. The first rule of hierarchy is sieving. Logic from emotion. Business from philanthropy. Experience from the exuberance of young blood. Reason over rash, and so on, and so forth. Hierarchy is ever-present — parents have that over children too. [Read More]
Rachel: As usual, my love for Conrad is probably making me biased, but anyone who watches The Resident knows that Conrad is almost always right.
Would that be true about a resident in the real world? Probably not. But Conrad’s track record is so perfect that I would trust him over any surgeon.
I understand the need for a hierarchy. However, I believe that Cain’s narcissism is what made him shut down Conrad.
If he wasn’t so arrogant, he would be able to consider good medical ideas, regardless of who they come from. There’s a reason why so many of the other surgeons and the CEO trust Conrad.
How will Kyle (and possibly his new position volunteering at Chastain) factor into the future storyline?
Meaghan: Why do I feel like Kyle is going to end up being a secret agent now that he is positioned within the hospital? Not that he is the most stealthy person in the world. He did take down a patient on his first day after all. He could be useful in the future for Nic and company, though.
Carissa: I don’t know, but we have enough evil coursing through Chastain, so he needs to be somewhere in the middle. A Bell sort who rides the teeter-totter with a precise balancing act.
In other words, I don’t know, but his presence of late is on the upswing, and that likely means we’re in for the other side shortly.
Rachel: I think his presence in the hospital is to show his character development. He’s come a long way since last season, and his position as a volunteer proves just how much he’s willing to change.
Are there any notable thoughts you have not covered by the questions?
Meaghan: Tasso Feldman’s performance in this episode was incredible. He had tears in my eyes almost every single time he was on screen.
Carissa: Oh, that was very nice of you, Jasmine. As you can see above, I’m not much for waiting for an opportunity to arise. I can share that The Resident is one of the most consistently enjoyable shows on television, and it’s a shame more people aren’t watching.
Rachel: I agree with Meaghan! The episode gave Tasso Feldman a great opportunity to showcase the depths of his acting skills. He absolutely blew me away.
What was your favorite moment from the hour?
Meaghan: Bell talking about his feelings towards Jessica. I love when we get to see a softer side to Bell.
Carissa: The look on Conrad’s face when Cain was trying to put him in his place. Good try, Cain. It’s obvious you cannot read people well because Conrad was not in any way being cool about your smug determination to shut him down.
Rachel: When Bell decided to help Conrad get the medical information. It really showed how far he’s come since the beginning of the show. I went from despising Bell to becoming his biggest fan.
Over to you, Resident Fanatics!
Do you agree with our panelists? Do you disagree? Hit the comments below with all of your thoughts and responses.
The Resident airs Tuesdays on FOX.
Jasmine Blu is a staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow her on Twitter.