FOX's The Resident - Episode 2.05 "The Germ"
When Bell makes the executive call to utilize Julian's medical devices, rather than the hospital's usual products, Kit and AJ must stop their momentary feuding in order to team up against him. Elsewhere, Conrad and Nic work to make a child's dreams come true after finding out his cancer has returned. The rest of the staff takes notice of Julian and Devon's new friendship.
In 2018, it has become very difficult to keep up with every television show out there. It's even more difficult to provide adequate coverage on this site about the episodes that air every week. Not every show can get full coverage because of my busy and hectic viewing schedule. As such, some reviews will now be condensed to give only some summary thoughts. But it also affords a space for me to jot down my thoughts on the various episodes. And so, here are my thoughts on this week's episode of FOX's The Resident.
"The Germ" was written by Elizabeth Klaviter & Jen Klein and directed by Jann Turner
The main story of Conrad and Nic trying to help a family with two young boys suffering from illnesses is equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking. It's easily the best case-of-the-week the show has produced this season. As such, that makes "The Germ" land with so much power. The show establishes a reason to care about this family. They simply come in to check Henry's wrist after a bad fall. Instead, they learn that Jasper's cancer has returned. This time it's going to be lethal. That's so devastating. That's what makes it so rousing when the staff all rises to the occasion to give him the birthday celebration he can no longer have at home. He wanted a party centered around his love for police officers. And now, he actually gets to carry a badge and solve a mystery. It's just a fun moment where everyone enjoys it so much. They all have a blast even though they all understand the dire circumstances involved. They are able to give this kid one final happy memory. After that, the story takes such a tragic turn. He doesn't have another month or two like the doctors first suggested. He dies here suddenly in the middle of the night. Conrad has to support the family as they cope with this massive loss. It also presents a new medical mystery that he will have to solve because he will have to help Henry as well who suffers from mini seizures. That's something that is bound to keep this family around and the audience rooting for them to experience some happiness despite the tragedy that befalls them here. Elsewhere, the show is truly delving into the corruptive idea of money in medicine. Bell and Marshall were on the same page about landing an exclusive contract with this medical device company. It would be a smart financial investment for the hospital. And yet, the corruption is already on display because the CEO is offering financial incentives to any doctor who is willing to give speeches celebrating their products. Bell sees the appeal of that. It would be millions more dollars in his pocket plus some vacation away from the hospital. It's even enough to get AJ's mentor to change his ways. AJ and Kitt stand opposed to this sudden change in procedure. It happens right in the middle of their surgeries as well. They didn't know this transition was happening. They are both very concerned about it because these devices aren't as tested as the products they regularly use. They trust the brands that they already have. They know what the results will be. This company doesn't have a solid track record just yet even though they present themselves as the future of innovation. In the end, both Kitt and AJ are forced to implant these devices because it's in their patients' best interest. Kitt can't wait for hers to arrive while AJ can't get his patient to sign off on the device. Everything seems to calm down by the end of the hour. But this too feels like a story that is bound to end in tragedy in some way. The show brings back Bradley as AJ's patient because he needs a new heart valve. His life has gotten immensely better sense crashing through a skylight. But now, he sees the newest innovation for this surgery as the best course of treatment even though the CEO is basically buying off the person who convinces AJ to do it. As such, that gives the audience a personal attachment to the outcome of this story as it plays out this season.
