Episode 7 of Doctor Odyssey proves just how important guest stars can be in elevating a series... and also how frustrating it can be when they're not used to their full potential. On one hand, we have Bob the Drag Queen, who absolutely steals the show with a performance so electric that it momentarily makes Doctor Odyssey feel like it has the energy and confidence of a much stronger series. On the other, we have John Stamos, whose appearance feels like a lazy gimmick... a wasted opportunity in a show that already struggles with committing to its boldest ideas.
From the moment Bob steps on screen, they command every single frame. Their role-charismatic, witty, and deeply felt-brings a much-needed dose of authenticity to the show. This is what Doctor Odyssey should be striving for in its guest casting: performances that add dimension to the world rather than just filling up space. Bob's ability to blend humor, depth, and stage presence gives the show a shot of adrenaline it desperately needed after last episode's frustrating pullback. If anything, this episode only makes it more obvious that Doctor Odyssey is at its best when it lets queer talent shine instead of relegating them to background moments.
And then we get to John Stamos. On paper, his cameo should have been interesting... playing a high-profile surgeon in a polyamorous gay relationship should have given Doctor Odyssey a chance to explore queer dynamics in a new way. Instead, it's handled with all the energy of a phoned-in guest spot. He barely interacts with his on-screen partners in any meaningful way, and the lack of intimacy-no kiss, no real chemistry-makes the whole thing feel awkwardly sanitized. It's a classic case of stunt casting: throwing in a big name for the headlines without actually giving them anything compelling to do.
Then there's Johnny Sibilly, who is always a welcome presence on any show, but here? He was wasted. He's one of the most effortlessly charismatic queer actors working today, yet his role felt like an afterthought. If they were going to bring him in, why not give him something meatier? His character barely made an impact, which is frustrating when you know what he's capable of (Hacks, Pose, Queer as Folk). This should have been a standout moment for him, and instead, it was just another missed opportunity.
The same goes for Cheyenne Jackson... another powerhouse talent who was criminally underused. His presence alone elevates any scene he's in, but there just wasn't enough of him. It's another example of Doctor Odyssey not fully understanding the value of the queer actors it has access to. If this show is going to keep bringing in high-caliber LGBTQ+ talent, it needs to actually utilize them, not just sprinkle them in for credibility points.
Episode 7 is one of the most frustrating episodes so far... not because it's bad, but because it could have been so much better. Bob the Drag Queen proves exactly how powerful the right guest star can be, delivering the best performance of the series to date. But at the same time, the mishandling of John Stamos's character, the wasted potential of Johnny Sibilly, and the underuse of Cheyenne Jackson make this episode feel like a half-baked attempt at showcasing queer talent rather than a fully realized moment of representation.
If the show wants to be remembered as something meaningful in queer media, it needs to do better with the talent it brings in. Bob's performance shows how to do it. Stamos's? Shows how not to.
Final Score: 6.5/10. Bob alone made it worth watching, but everything else? A letdown.
