The premiere episode of ABC’s Doctor Odyssey featured a series of outrageous injuries, including a broken penis, a waterslide mishap, and a person tumbling off a boat due to excessive excitement. These wild incidents can be largely attributed to the show’s involvement with producer Ryan Murphy. The series centers on Dr. Max Bankman, a handsome physician portrayed by Joshua Jackson, who is reportedly Connecticut’s first COVID-19 patient aboard a luxury cruise.
The episode introduces Burt, played by Tom McGowan, who suffers from iodine poisoning after indulging in an excessive amount of shrimp. However, dietary experts point out that the claim is highly exaggerated. The USDA indicates that three ounces of cooked shrimp contains roughly 13 mcg of iodine, meaning it would require an enormous consumption of over 15 pounds of shrimp to risk poisoning. Dr. Todd McNiff, an internal medicine physician in New York, notes that while shrimp-related poisoning is a creative plot point, it is unlikely to occur in reality. “There’s no amount of shrimp that a person could eat to have an acute iodine poisoning that would kill them,” he stated.
Adding to the confusion, the term “seal disease” is mentioned as a potential consequence of iodine poisoning from shrimp. Dr. McNiff has never encountered this term relating to iodine toxicity and suggests it is likely fabricated for the show. While “seal disease” appears to exist only within the narrative of Doctor Odyssey, the series promises a variety of other medical challenges awaiting the cruise ship guests throughout the season.