The fifth season of FOX’s medical series “The Resident” manages to amaze viewers with one startling development after another. From Nic’s unexpected death to Dr. Sullivan’s mysterious arrival in Chastain, Season 5 offers several exciting moments for fans of the show. The tenth episode of the fifth season reveals that Dr. Randolph Bell suffers from a serious illness which prevents him from performing surgeries.
In the eleventh episode of Season 5, Conrad performs the required tests and discovers that Bell is suffering from a serious illness, which sets the stage for the resignation of Chastain’s renowned surgeon. So, is Bell leaving the hospital he expanded? Let’s find out! FRONT SPOILERS.
Is Dr. Bell leaving Chastain Hospital?
Dr. Bell begins to suffer from symptoms of an unknown illness a few years ago. When he begins to experience hand tremors, Bell begins to rely on benzodiazepines rather than undergo a diagnosis. Although the tremor eventually stops, it returns in the fifth season, interrupting it midway through surgery. He contacts Conrad to find out more about the unknown disease and Conrad performs tests for the surgeon. As his body begins to send him signals about illness through blurry visions and physically unstable episodes, Bell realizes that he is not well.
In the eleventh episode of season 5, Conrad receives test results and diagnoses Bell’s disease as multiple sclerosis, a potentially disabling disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. Following the diagnosis, Bell experiences eye pain and loss of vision, which indicates the rapid progression of the disease. The experienced surgeon realizes that he cannot perform surgeries in his condition and tells his partner and hospital CEO, Dr. Kit Voss. In a rush, Bell decides to leave Chastain permanently to focus on his treatment and recovery.
Even if Bell makes the decision to leave the hospital for good, there’s a chance he’ll reconsider. When he packs up his office, Kit confronts him and tells him he has no choice but to return to Chastain once he’s completed his recovery. Although Kit is not completely successful in convincing Bell to reconsider his permanent departure, she expresses her hope that he will operate again during his potential recovery. An emotional Bell can only embrace his partner and he refrains from insisting on his resignation.
Kit’s hope and determination could change Bell’s mind and lead him to take a leave of absence rather than a permanent resignation. Since her stepson Jake has contacts at the Mayo Clinic for her stepfather to undergo treatment, Bell may be considering a short absence from work to undergo treatment and recover. If he succeeds in fighting and overcoming the disease, such a triumph may give him enough confidence to return to Chastain. Since doctors and hospital and hospital board officials have nothing but respect for the surgeon, we can expect them to put pressure on Bell not to leaves Chastain only temporarily.
If his potential treatment at the Mayo Clinic improves his condition, Bell could continue as a doctor at Chastain in a short time. In a February 2022 interview, one of the show’s executive producers, Andrew Chapman, said the series will explore how Bell deals with the disease as both a doctor and a patient. According to Chapman, Bell’s disease is a plot point to describe how a doctor can move forward in life with a life-altering disease.
In future episodes, we may see the complications that arise when Bell makes decisions regarding the coexistence of his illness and his career at Chastain. Given these factors, we believe that Dr. Bell could take a short leave for treatment and recuperation, only to return to Chastain – the hospital he improved through his popularity and influence. While it will be unfortunate to see Bell stay away from Chastain, hopefully he returns as soon as possible.
Read more: Is The Resident a true story?
