The Resident Season 5 Episode 14 review: Billie weathers a brutal social media attack, as Porter sets out to ruin her

To protect his interest, Porter is ready to take down anyone who supports Billie.

Dr Billie Sutton has an uphill task ahead

The Resident Season 6

Story: Shortly after Porter threatens to ruin Billie and destroy everything she cares about, she is, quite literally, crucified on social media, when he leaks information about her mistake as a resident, with some added gossip, which not only spreads like a wild fire, but also results in questions about her capabilities as chief of surgery and patients refusing to be operated upon by her.

Review: Episode 14 of The Resident is by far the most emotional one this season, after, of course, the passing of Nic early on. And it turns out, this one was directed by Manish Dayal, who plays Dr Devon Pravesh on the show. Way to go, Manish! Yes, there was an emergency in the ER and there was medical drama, but this episode was all about Billie’s fight with Dr Porter, the man, who years ago, sexually assaulted her.

When Billie finally filed an ethics complaint against him, Kit had warned her that it was going to be her word against his, with his probably being given more weightage. As viewers, we know that Billie had a child as a result of the assault; a secret she’s chosen to share with very few, hinting to Kit that although there is someone else involved in the issue, she would not bring that person into her fight against Porter. Much as she wanted Porter to be punished for what he did to her, when she was all of 13 years old, she also wanted to protect her son, Trevor, from knowing that he is the outcome of such an assault.

So much so that when Porter unleashes a social media storm to not only discredit Billie, with details of a mistake she made as a resident, but also bring down everyone who has ever supported her, she is willing to withdraw her complaint, if it means that Trevor does not get wind of the details. Of course, the kid hears about the ethics complaint and it doesn’t take him long to put the pieces together. These were some of the most emotional moments of the episode and never once went overboard with theatrics. Good job, director Manish.

The episode also briefly touched upon the nurse shortage issue and that those in the profession are often overworked and underpaid. With no nurses on call in the OR, even Dr Bell has to scrub in and assist the operating surgeon. Jessica, everyone’s favourite OR nurse, is looking for greener pastures, and while she does not take up the very lucrative offer in another city, she uses that to get herself a much better deal back home in Chastain. What about poor Hundley? She’s just as important to Chastain’s ER.

The plot point that really stuck out like s sore thumb was one between Leela and Padma and the latter’s ‘adulting’ plan. Really! But that minor issue aside, this was a well-handled episode. Not too much medical drama, the ER seemed peaceful, hell, people had enough time to follow social media and bi**h about Billie.

Verdict: Manish Dayal makes an impressive directorial debut, and while we wouldn’t mind seeing more of that, here’s hoping that it won’t keep him away from his duties as Dr Pravesh onscreen.

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