The Resident, a medical drama set at Chastain Park Memorial Hospital, offers gripping narratives on various medical and personal issues, including addiction and recovery. One of the standout storylines revolves around Nic Nevin (played by Emily VanCamp) and her family, particularly the complex dynamics with her sister, Jessie (played by Julianna Guill), and their father, Kyle (played by Corbin Bernsen). Both Jessie and Kyle struggle with addiction, with Jessie battling substance use disorder and Kyle grappling with alcohol misuse and codependency. Through this arc, The Resident powerfully portrays the impact of addiction on family dynamics and the crucial role of family support in recovery.
Nic and Jessie: Sisters Bonded by Love and Pain
Nic is depicted as a fiercely compassionate nurse practitioner and “the stable one” in her chaotic family life. Her sister Jessie, however, is the embodiment of the turmoil, largely stemming from her opioid use disorder. Jessie’s on-again, off-again relationship with sobriety, along with her frequent stints in and out of rehab, strains her relationship with Nic and her Father. While Nic provides unwavering support, her struggle to balance her role as both a sister and a caregiver is heart-wrenching. Nic’s frustration is palpable when she sees Jessie relapsing, but her love for Jessie drives her to repeatedly try to save her, while others in her life, like Nic’s husband Conrad, beg her just to move on and give up on her sister.
I think many of us are familiar with the dynamic between Nic and Conrad (played by Matt Czuchry). Conrad gives the typical “let her hit rock bottom” or “it’s her problem to fix” pieces of advice we, as loved ones, hear from people on the outside looking in. However, Nic knows that she can’t give up on her sister, especially after Nic saves her sister from an overdose.
Jessie’s struggle to maintain her sobriety is a stark, painful reality that serves as a reminder of how addiction can be a life-or-death battle at any moment. Jessie is a deeply human character that is easy to relate to, with Nic being a sympathetic heroine who is often a contrast to her father, who doesn’t cope well with his daughter’s struggles, but more so later.
During Jessie’s first overdose, Nic administers Narcan, which saves her sister’s life. To me, seeing Narcan used on National TV was profoundly moving, and it shows one way that family members help save lives by being trained to administer Narcan and carrying Narcan with them at all times. According to the American Medical Association, about 1.2 million doses of naloxone were dispensed by retail pharmacies in 2021 – nearly nine times more than were dispensed five years earlier.
Jessie’s turbulent journey on The Resident shows how Nic’s unconditional love and support are pivotal to Jessie’s brief moments of recovery. In Season 2, when Jessie faces kidney failure due to her prolonged drug use, Nic tirelessly fights for her sister’s life, even convincing their estranged father, Kyle, to donate a kidney.
Kyle: A Father Bound by Fear and Codependency
Kyle Nevin’s relationship with addiction takes a different shape. He struggles with alcohol misuse and has long been emotionally distant from his daughters. His codependency, particularly his avoidance of responsibility and fear of confrontation, reflects a common struggle in families affected by addiction. Kyle’s initial refusal to donate his kidney to Jessie stems from fear—fear of the surgery, fear of losing himself, and fear of being a failure once again. His hesitation represents the paralysis that many family members feel when confronted with the overwhelming responsibilities that come with addiction recovery.
Kyle’s eventual decision to donate his kidney is a turning point in his character arc. Though flawed and often unreliable, Kyle shows that even individuals who have struggled with their demons can find the strength to support their loved ones. His act of courage in the face of his fears is a testament to the power of familial love, even in the most broken relationships.
What is most brutal to watch is what happens to Kyle’s character after Jessie passes. We see him trying to save another young woman the same age as his daughter, Jessie. We continually watch him try to save others living with a substance use disorder to try to atone for not being able to save Jessie.
The Power of Family Support
One of the strongest themes in The Resident is the portrayal of family support as a double-edged sword in the recovery process. Nic’s steadfast dedication to Jessie reflects the importance of emotional support in addiction recovery, yet it also demonstrates the toll it can take on family members. Nic is often seen as the family’s emotional anchor, but her role as a caregiver leaves her vulnerable to burnout, guilt, and frustration. The show does not shy away from depicting the emotional exhaustion that comes with supporting a loved one through addiction.
Through Nic and Kyle’s relationship with Jessie, The Resident emphasizes the importance of boundaries and accountability in recovery. Nic’s relationship with Jessie is fraught with moments of codependency, but she grows throughout the series, learning to hold Jessie accountable for her recovery. When Jessie pleads for Nic to forgive their father, it’s a moment of emotional clarity, reminding Nic that letting go of resentment and anger is part of healing for the entire family.
The Resident doesn’t offer your typical Hollywood happy ending for Jessie’s story arc, showing that despite the best efforts of family members, recovery is not always guaranteed. Jessie’s eventual death in Season 3 from a pulmonary embolism after her kidney transplant is a stark reminder that not every battle with addiction ends in triumph. Her death devastates Nic and Kyle, yet it also brings a bittersweet sense of closure, illustrating the harsh reality that addiction often leaves families grappling with grief and unresolved emotions.
A Realistic Depiction of Addiction in the Family Unit
The Resident excels in portraying the ripple effects of addiction within the family unit. Nic, Jessie, and Kyle’s storylines offer a raw and honest depiction of what addiction looks like—messy, heartbreaking, and unpredictable. The show also underscores the importance of empathy, understanding, and support in recovery. Even when Jessie is at her worst, Nic never gives up on her. However, The Resident also acknowledges that love and support alone are not always enough to save someone from addiction.
The series doesn’t glamorize recovery or offer easy solutions. It shows that recovery is hard work and takes dedication. You don’t just wake up one day and shout from the rooftops, “I’m cured! I’m all better now!” I work on my recovery for my mental health every single day. Some days are easier than others, and for others, I want to hide away from the world, stay in my bed, and fall into the darkest depths of my mind.
The last thing I will say about The Resident is that it shows how we, as caregivers, need to find support and continue to self-care. Because if we get burnt out, how can we continue to fight for our loved ones to get the care they need? Partnership to End Addiction offers online support groups for family members and caregivers; I have found comfort in them when caring for my loved one and would recommend this pathway to anyone looking to talk to others about their experiences.
The Sobees Score is…
Now, if The Resident had ended after Seasons 3 or 4, I would have given the series five sobers, but it didn’t. Because of how rough seasons 5 and 6 were, I give The Resident 2.5 Sobees.
The Mindful Binge Sobees Score: 2.5 out of 5
Watch the Trailer for The Resident
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