The Resident has wrapped up, but there is still plenty to discuss.
It’s time to review The Resident Season 1 as a whole and discuss some of the best aspects of the season, some of the weakest, and what we hope to see in season two.
If you want to experience the season all over again to hold you over until the Fall, you can always watch The Resident online right here via TV Fanatic!
Check out our report card below, and feel free to chat it up in the comments with your own feelings about the season.
Moment We Knew This Wasn’t Your Typical Medical Drama – Chloe’s Case
It’s easy to say it was Bell killing a patient on the table, which was a sure sign that this show would be outrageously entertaining, but the real moment the series felt like a game-changer compared to other medical series was with Chloe’s case. Chloe was the drug addict who coded in the hallway during the pilot. Devon was so proud of himself when he revived her after so many minutes of being without oxygen. In any other series, that would have been the end of it. The newbie would have made the save, and everyone would have celebrated.
In this case, Conrad humbled a smug Devon with reality. Chloe was brain dead and now her family would not only be dealing with a child who wouldn’t wake up, but they would incur debt from all of her medical expenses wracking up until she died. Who can forget: “All we want to do is help our patients, but what they don’t tell you in medical school is there are so many ways to do harm. ” That moment set the tone for the rest of the season.
Favorite Badass Character – Mina
Conrad has all that bad boy goodness going on, but Mina is the real badass of the series. The woman is a beast in the best possible way. She’s phenomenal at her job. She’s not here for anyone else’s crap, and she’s gorgeous. What more can you ask for here? Mina earned the respect of nearly every other character. People love her and are drawn to her which makes it all the funnier considering this badass curmudgeon admits that she doesn’t do people.
She’s confident enough in her abilities to challenge the likes of Bell or anyone else. She runs a freaking clinic from her apartment. She’s a fashion goddess. She has two well-esteemed doctors clambering to mentor her. She’s the first person Conrad comes to because she can get the job done. Also, the woman can kick some serious ass and give herself stitches with nothing to numb it because, yup, she’s a badass. When will your fave ever?!
The Friendship We Need More Of – Conrad and Devon
They may be the stars of the show, but ironically, their bromance takes a backseat to a few other relationships in the series. They started off on shaky grounds when they didn’t make the best impression with one another, but they quickly developed a partnership that worked for them. Hell, they became two of the driving forces behind the Dream Team. Unfortunately, they aren’t the type to chill out with one another during their off-time, and while their relationship has improved a great deal through the course of the season, they haven’t become that classic “bromance” that you’d expect. Hopefully, next season, these two will become the bromance we need and deserve!
Best Episode – Season 1 Episode 9: Lost Love
This episode had everything! If you were still undecided about the series, the midseason finale was a hell of a turning point. It was nonstop awesomeness from that point forward. The hour had adorable, fluffy puppies named after sweets. It had the death of Lily, the most beloved patient of them all. It had Lane officially becoming the most hated character of the series. So much happened in this jam-packed hour, and it turned the season around. It was one of the funniest, most emotional, jaw-dropping episodes of the season. Everyone brought their A – game with that one.
Worst Episode – Season 1 Episode 3: Comrades in Arms
Resident Fanatics were pretty vocal about this one at the time, and the review rating reflected it. The hour introduced us to Jude, which was great, but it gave us a case of an undocumented patient that was a bit messy and highlighted one of The Resident’s weaknesses: its accuracy. The show is good for playing fast and loose sometimes when hitting home its points about the crookedness of the healthcare system, but in this particular hour, they were over the top with it.
It introduced us to Barb who was trying to enforce her CARE cost efficiency system despite not having the credentials to back her up. It had the hospital CEO calling ICE on a patient. There were upcoding and upcharges and felonies galore. There was a lot happening in the episode, including Barb nearly destroying a man’s penis. It managed to be one of the season’s weakest episodes to date.
Slimiest Character – Lane Hunter
There was no shortage of slimy characters who were terrible human beings. A slew of them could be found throughout the first season. Lane, however, was the absolute slimiest of them all. She was a true villainess, but a fantastic one. I think we all enjoyed hating the hell out of her. She was so great at being bad that it was striking and fascinating, but she was so damn bad that you rooted for her takedown.
Friendship Goals – Hawkfor
I am unapologetic Hawkfor trash. The two of them had me hooked since the pilot. Their friendship is built on mutual respect for one another, and it shows every time they interact. Czuchry and Wilson have amazing chemistry and watching them play off of one another is a highlight in almost every episode. Neither character is the type to subscribe to “BFF’s,” but if they did, they would be one another’s without a doubt. They have the witty banter down, and they’re unwavering in their loyalty to one another and have a mutual understanding of each other. All of that makes their friendship the best of the series. There are never too many Hawkfor scenes!
Scene-Stealer – Irving
Irving has popped up a few times here, but hey, the guy is awesome! He’s always good for a funny quip or one-liner. He’s always the one out of the bunch who is trying to play by the rules and do things by the book. He’s a good guy and a funny one. We don’t know very much about him other than the fact that he likes musicals and Mina, but almost every time he showed up onscreen he demanded your attention.
Honorary Mention: Nurse Jessica. She’s hilarious. She has all the juicy gossip. She has some funny lines. She totally rocks, and I hope we get to see more of her (and Irving, of course) next season!
Character We Hate to Love – Bell
Bell is far from ideal. He’s the guy who killed a patient on the table in the pilot and promptly covered it up. His nickname around the hospital is Hands Of Death And Destruction. He’s a bottom-line guy who would street poor and homeless patients or takes all the credit while someone else does all of the work. He’s not a good guy. Yet, he’s just layered and complex enough to make you secretly root for him to become a better guy.
He has glimmers of goodness and conscientiousness. He’s not wholly awful. If Lane became the villainess of the season, Bell was more of an antagonist. He’s the lesser of the evils. He’s the devil you know. His ongoing battle to cover up his hand tremor and hold onto his glory days of being the absolute best in his field is compelling and so very human. You want to hate him sometimes, and he makes it so easy, but he’s likable, too.
Character Who Needs More Development – Devon
Come on, Resident Fanatics. You already knew who I was going to pick, didn’t you? I promise I won’t write a dissertation about all the ways I adore Devon, but I will say that he desperately needs more development. Dayal is one of the leads, but his character may arguably be the least developed of them. Sometimes it felt like Devon was taking a backseat to everything else going on.
A large part of that, unfortunately, may have been a result of his personal life not tying into the hospital in any way like Conrad, Nic, Mina, and Bell. We rarely saw him in his own element outside of the pilot. That’s also a reason why his relationship with Priya was a bit lackluster compared to some of the others. Outside of checking in here and there to help take down Lane, it was like he was in his own world separate from most of the things going on at the hospital, as well as most of the people.
How awesome would it have been if we saw Devon’s friendship with Bradley in action instead of being told about how close they were in Bradley’s last episode? He’s the one main character representing interns, so it would be awesome if we saw more of that. Just like it would be awesome if we saw more of him on a personal front, since “Family Affair” gave us a tiny bit of insight but barely scratched the surface. Devon has some development in the first season, and he rocked, but more, please!
Most Devastating Moment – Lily’s Death
Lily’s death, without a doubt, was the most devastating moment of the season. There was so much going on during that moment, and by the end, it was difficult to not find yourself curled up in a heap on the floor drowning in all the feelings. One of the best things the show did was gave fans an opportunity to get to know and consequentially fall in love with Lily. It made her inevitable death all the harder to process when there were genuine feelings for her.
The intensity of that scene was palpable. Conrad’s desperation was contagious. When he pounced on her and broke her ribs refusing to make the call, you wanted to reach through the screen and pull him off. Don’t even get me started on how heartwrenching it was seeing Conrad on the floor beside her bed crying, while a precious puppy came out of hiding. My heart hurts thinking about it.
Most Redemptive Moment – Bell Turning on Lane
Bell turning Lane in was Bell’s best moment. He spent the majority of the season toggling back and forth between terrible and something akin to awesome. He and Lane became quite the power couple taking over the hospital and the board, and ousting Claire. At some point, there were lines even Bell couldn’t cross, and he finally turned on his friend and lover. It was so satisfying to watch.
Sexiest Scene – CoNic Reconnecting After Lily’s Death
This scene could also double for one of the best CoNic scenes because, at that moment, Conrad and Nic were so connected. They were both on equal standing in their relationship. It was the most balanced their relationship had been all season, and it was a moment where Conrad made it all about Nic, for a change. The lighting and music were phenomenal, and Czuchry and Vancamp’s chemistry was smoking. What’s your pleasure? Face cradling? Forehead kisses? Passionately ripping clothes off? The scene had it all! It was the hottest scene all season.
Pairing We Secretly ‘Shipped – Irving & Mina
Irving is obsessed with Mina, and honestly, who can blame him? In a surprising turn of events, The Resident’s badass found herself not only dating a patient but having genuine feelings for him that caught her off guard. Mina and Micah are an adorable couple, so this isn’t to take away from them in the least bit. That being said, Irving’s crush on Mina and their overall chemistry is irresistible. Their moments have led to some of the most amusing scenes of the season.
Person We’re Thrilled to See Return – AJ Austin
AJ is definitely one you’d call “an acquired taste,” but you know what? I acquire it! Malcolm-Jamal Warner is one of the best guest-stars of the season. AJ is spectacular at his job and terrible when it comes to “playing well with others,” but the patients love him! He’s also effective at what he does. When you’re as good at what you do as AJ, you can get away with being a jackass with no filter. Seriously, the man makes Mina look every bit as charming and approachable as Miss America. AJ was a great addition to the back half of the first season, and the good news is he’s returning for the second season and has been upped to series regular! Yay!
Best Unexpected Friendship – Mina and Nic
It didn’t seem like these two would hit it off. They both got along with Conrad, but he was the only thing that connected the two of them. Of course, the pair were able to spend the day together, and that’s how we got the most character background about both women. Nic found out about Mina’s secret clinic she ran from her home and her taste for fashion. Mina found out about Nic’s sister who was an addict. As the main two women in the series, it’s great to see the two of them bond, and ideally, we’ll see more of it.
Character Who Deserved Better – Jude
Jude waltzed in with all of this background as Conrad’s comrade in the military, and it didn’t lead to as much as it seemed it would. For a while, he was sort of in a love triangle with Conrad and Nic, but he never intended to make any moves on her, and she only saw him as a friend, so nothing came of it.
Then it looked like working at the hospital was taking a toll on the guy, especially after he kept losing patients. He would have been the perfect candidate to explore doctors who get burnt out or maybe even suffer from depression, but he sort of quietly faded into the background until Bell got rid of him. He had a lot of potential as a character, and there were so many possibilities that could have been explored before he departed.
Best Bromance – Devon and Irving
Devon and Conrad may need a little bit of work, but the season did manage to give us some bromantic goodness in the form of Devon and Irving. Conrad is Devon’s main mentor, but Devon spends a great deal of time under Irving’s watchful eye, and it has led to one of the most amusing friendships the show has to offer. They’re hilarious together. Half of the time they act like teenage boys, but that’s part of the appeal.
Best CoNic Scene – The Ring
There are so many amazing CoNic scenes throughout the series for all of you lovely CoNic ‘shippers. It’s hard to pinpoint one that stood out more than the others. So, I technically cheated and chose two for this Report Card. However, one of my favorite CoNic scenes that wins the slot is Conrad telling Nic the history behind the ring that he gave her on The Resident Season 1 Episode 9.
Nic could have felt insecure when Conrad’s ex-fiancee checked into the hospital, but instead, she learned about the ring Conrad gave her. Then, he told her of its importance and his late mother’s message. His mother wanted him to give it to the love of his life, and even though he and Nic stopped dating, he wanted her to still have one of his most cherished possessions because the sentiment was still true.
It was a significant moment between the pair because all Nic ever wanted from Conrad was for him to be open and emotionally vulnerable with her, and at that moment, unprompted, without wanting or expecting anything in return, he was.
Best Mentor/Mentee Relationship – AJ and Mina
Mina is a confident and competent surgical resident, and she learned everything she could from the doctors at Chastain. She had an interesting relationship with Bell that would have made it into this spot if not for AJ. So consider Mina and Bell an honorary mention.
Mina and AJ started off on an interesting foot, but the two of them developed an unusual rapport that works for them. They have many similarities in a way, the biggest being their lack of social grace and tact, but AJ was able to bring out different sides of Mina she wouldn’t have otherwise allowed herself to tap into.
Favorite Case – Claudia and Her Unorthodox Family
There were many great cases. Some of them were sad, others were moving. Some of them were happier. There were also many patients who stood out because the series did a fantastic job of making each of the patients as developed as the medical staff. The case that hit me in the feels and became one of my absolute favorites was Claudia. Claudia was practically a saint and took in, mentored, and helped out a population of people who aren’t extended second-chances or accepted well by society: ex-convicts.
Remember how passionate and protective Felix was? He was willing to do anything and everything to save Claudia. The scene where the hospital waiting room filled up with former convicts from all over, raising money and funds for Claudia’s treatment was both hilarious and heartwarming. It also led to Nic bumping into a relative of a former patient who had no problem doing his “little sister” a favor when she was being harassed and stalked. Then, of course, it introduced us to the former pharmaceutical rep who gave up his job to help others. The entire case was a feels fest.
Hopes for Season Two
Next season, I would love to see more Devon development as mentioned before. I also would love to see Conrad and Nic commit to one another for good. They’re still in this place where they haven’t decided if they’re dating or not, and it’s strange. I would love the series to continue with the interesting cases and those gripping hard truths exploring the healthcare system. It’s an untapped, albeit controversial area of focus, but The Resident excels at it and is unapologetic in its portrayal which is what sets it apart from the pack.
It would be amazing if we dug deeper into all of the characters. Conrad background would be incredible given the arrival of his father. Also, more background on the supporting characters would be appreciated. Assuming we get to keep AJ, Irving, Nurse Jessica and the like, why not dig deeper into them too? It would be nice if we saw a fuller picture of Chastain and its staff. So far, Devon is the only intern we know. Poor Bradley barely had any presence before he left. Are there any good attendings who aren’t actively trying to kill people or cover things up all the time? What about the other residents or nurses? Mostly, I want more of what we already have.
Overall Grade – B+
The season kicked things off with a bang and ended on a high note. There wasn’t too much to pick apart or dislike about it. Overall, it was a show that people reacted to instantly, but if they stuck with it longer than the pilot, they realized it was a solid series and one of the best new shows of the year. Conrad became more balanced as the season progressed. The CoNic ‘ship hit all the right notes.
Nic became more than Conrad’s love interest and the female lead. She had her own arc that she pursued on her own. The complexities of Bell made him one of the most fascinating characters of the series. There were so many diverse cases. Some of them didn’t hit the right notes, but the majority of them did, and the series did a great job with developing guest characters and making them fully developed characters for the sake of the stories being told.
There’s some room for improvement, but The Resident had a strong first season.
