The future of 9-1-1’s cast of characters, hint at wonderful possibilities for the show’s future if it’s given another season to prove itself.

It's a bit surprising to some fans that the series is still awaiting renewal, especially because Doctor Odyssey’s ratings actually skew higher than some ABC shows that have already been greenlit for a fall return. But Doctor Odyssey is also among the newest shows on ABC’s current programming block, so it lacks the dedicated fanbase that some other franchises have earned. On the other hand, that’s exactly why connecting Doctor Odyssey to another long-running series in its final hours might earn the show another look, and the finale’s story could make that easier.

Doctor Odyssey Season 1 And 9-1-1 Season 8 Are Both Ending Their Seasons On 2-Parters About Earthquakes

The Primary Question Is Whether These Are Separate Earthquakes Or Not

It’s unclear where the port of call is located in recent promos for Doctor Odyssey’s 2-part season finale, but what’s extremely clear is that the events of the finale will kick off with a major earthquake that causes a tsunami in its wake. As reported by Collider, the official synopsis for Doctor Odyssey episode 17 provides a few extra details:

After Max’s declaration fractures his relationship with Avery, he leaves the ship and finds himself caught in an earthquake, which triggers a tsunami warning; with The Odyssey forced to leave port, Max races to return before it’s too late.

The focus on Max’s relationship with Avery suggests that the finale will largely remain self-contained. However, after the previous crossover between Doctor Odyssey and 9-1-1 established them as existing within the same universe, it’s noteworthy that the last two episodes of 9-1-1 will also revolve around complications from an earthquake. It’s unclear whether these two earthquakes are the same. But if so, then it opens the way for one show to at least mention the events of the other, even if they don’t formally cross over characters. As reported by TVLine, the logline for 9-1-1 season 8, episode 17 is:

Following an earthquake, the 118 races to the scene of several unusual fires and must figure out their cause before anyone else is hurt. Meanwhile, as everyone settles into their new normal, they try to move forward and plan for the future.

Doctor Odyssey’s Season 1 Finale Is Written As A Possible Series Ender

The Showrunners Didn’t Want To Risk Ending On A Cliffhanger

While 9-1-1 showrunner Tim Minnear referred to season 8, episode 17 as the beginning of “a real 9-1-1 emergency finale,” the show’s future is secured. Bobby’s death on 9-1-1 might have been an acceptable springboard to end the series, but it will continue nonetheless. The same isn’t as true of Doctor Odyssey. According to sources reported by Deadline, the season finale of Doctor Odyssey has been written to double as a series send-off in the event of cancelation. There are both upsides and downsides to this.

Naturally, the clearest downside is that ABC would lose one of the most unique medical dramas on network television at the moment. The upside is that fans wouldn’t be left scratching their heads about what happened to the characters they spent 18 hours falling in love with. On top of that, while 9-1-1’s Bobby replacement is certain to be explored in the last couple of episodes, Doctor Odyssey has a number of story threads that could go in one of two very different directions. Interestingly, this is where 9-1-1 enters the equation in a much different way.

How Its Potential 9-1-1 Crossover Can Explain Doctor Odyssey’s Possible Ending

Any Unanswered Questions Could Be Answered With A Later Cameo

Even putting aside Doctor Odyssey’s coma theory, which suggests Max is either dreaming the events of the show or stuck in purgatory, the series has a number of loose ends to tie up. Avery’s leaving for med school, Max was planning on leaving the ship if not for their relationship, and Captain Massey’s current fears about mortality and his future suggest that he may consider leaving the ship as well. If the finale deals with these issues too definitively, it could become more difficult to bring everyone back for season 2.

If the network and showrunners come to see things the same way, they may choose to axe the idea of a second season altogether. One possible send-off would be if The Odyssey itself is retired after damages sustained in the finale’s cataclysms. But even if Doctor Odyssey is canceled for good, that doesn’t keep Max or the other characters from popping up in 9-1-1 for a later status check. It wouldn’t be a complete crossover between the two Ryan Murphy shows, but it would provide further closure down the line if this winds up being the ship’s final voyage.

Sources: Collider, TVLine, Deadline

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