9-1-1is set to cross paths with Ryan Murphy’s new medical drama, but theDoctor Odysseycrossover already has disappointing news to share. Both procedurals air on the same network, with9-1-1season 8 returningthe same night asDoctor Odysseyseason 1 for their respective midseason premieres on ABC. Though both series were created by Murphy, the upcoming March 20 crossover event confirms9-1-1andDoctor Odysseyexist in the same universe. While exciting, the crossover won’t be as action-packed as a typical9-1-1episode.
In the age of giant crossover spectacles, likeAbbott ElementarymeetingIt’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, the9-1-1andDoctor Odysseycrossover will be surprisingly small-scale. Although this could be an intentional choice, the subtle connection between the series threatens to fall flat.Arguably the biggest concern for the9-1-1andDoctor Odysseycrossover is that it won’t feel like a real crossover,since only one9-1-1character will appear in the episode. Despite most ofDoctor Odyssey’s cast of characterslikely appearing,9-1-1only has one person representing the entire series: Angela Bassett’s Athena Grant.
Athena Is Reportedly The Only 9-1-1 Character Appearing In The Doctor Odyssey Crossover
The Sergeant Will Team Up With The Doctor
As confirmed in thecrossover announcement for9-1-1andDoctor Odyssey, the event will follow “Athena Grant-Nash showing up during the Odyssey’s Casino Week.” Teaming up withThe Odyssey’s Dr. Max Bankman (Joshua Jackson), Athena will help save the cruise ship from thieves who she suspects are targeting the ship’s vault. Instead of leaning into9-1-1’s high-intensity rescues orDoctor Odyssey’s ridiculous medical emergencies, the crossover event instead takes a more understated approach by focusing on the long-time police sergeant.
Instead of leaning into9-1-1’s high-intensity rescues orDoctor Odyssey’s ridiculous medical emergencies, the crossover event instead takes a more understated approach.
Athena being the only9-1-1character confirmed to appear feels surprising, butit isn’t the first time Athena has been the sole character to expand the procedural’s universe.In the grand crossover event between9-1-1and9-1-1: Lone Starin the latter’s second season, Athena isn’t involved (as the episode chronicles firefighters at a wildfire). Yet, Athena appears in9-1-1: Lone Starseason 3, episode 11 to arrest a caller from the Texas-based spinoff. I’ll never complain about seeing Angela Bassett work her magic, but she seems disproportionately favored for9-1-1crossovers.
9-1-1 Just Trapped Athena & Bobby In Season 7
The most glaring issue with Athena being the only9-1-1character to boardDoctor Odyssey’s luxury cruise shipis that she already had a lengthy story in9-1-1surrounding her experience going on a cruise with her husband, Bobby Nash (Peter Krause).Athena and Bobby board a cruise ship in9-1-1season 7 that quickly falls into chaos,with armed criminals, medical emergencies, and the entire boat eventually capsizing. The laborious three-episode arc is bad news for theDoctor Odysseycrossover, as9-1-1season 7 not only did it first; it might have done it better.
9-1-1 Must Finally Solve Bobby And Athena’s Forgotten Problem In 2025
Bobby Nash and Athena Grant are arguably the heart of 9-1-1, but the ABC procedural is overlooking an unresolved conflict in their season 8 storyline.
Out of the manynear-death experiences in9-1-1, none have gotten as much attention as Athena and Bobby on the cruise ship. It’s such a memorable storyline (for better or worse), which makes Athena being the lone9-1-1representative baffling because of how it sets up negative comparisons. In a way,incorporating only one9-1-1character into the crossover is a cop-out. The pilot season ofDoctor Odysseyincludes over-the-top, campy, absurdly entertaining plots that helped set it apart from other modern dramas. By forgoing 99% of the equally colorful9-1-1cast,Doctor Odysseyis wasting its golden opportunity.
The 9-1-1 & Doctor Odyssey Crossover Is Better Off With The 118 Appearing
If The Firefighters Were Present, It Would Be Totally New For Both Series
The true purpose of a crossover event is never to simply expand a show’s universe. While the narrative circumstances can be surprising or interesting, the selling point of a crossover is two worlds colliding, complete with bizarre combinations of character dynamics.If the 118 were to board theOdyssey, the crossover could have so much more funby pairing up characters who could complement each other or hilariously clash. Captain Robert Nash could meet Captain Robert Massey (Don Johnson); Buck (Oliver Stark) and Tristan (Sean Teale) could form a bond; and Athena could still be present with her family.
Episodes of9-1-1andDoctor Odysseyare both streaming on Hulu.
Doctor Odyssey’s ridiculous theme weekswould have been the perfect explanation for the9-1-1cast to board. “First Responders Week” would be a glaringly obvious vehicle for a crossover, butDoctor Odysseyhas instead opted for a more grounded — if not unnecessarily modest — event. Luckily, Athena connecting the universes keeps the door open for future crossovers.9-1-1’s first crossover withDoctor Odysseymay not be novel, but there’s always time for theOdysseyto dock in LA and meet the rest of the team.
9-1-1
Cast
9-1-1 is a television series that explores the intense experiences of police officers, paramedics, and firefighters. Premiered in 2018, it follows these emergency responders as they navigate high-pressure situations and attempt to balance their demanding work with personal challenges in their own lives.
Doctor Odyssey
Doctor Odyssey is set aboard a luxury cruise ship where Max, the new on-board doctor, and a small, resourceful medical team confront unique medical crises and interpersonal dynamics while isolated miles from shore.
