OFF THE MAP “Hold On Tight” Review

OFF THE MAP “Hold On Tight” Season 1 Episode 12 – I’m not exactly sure when it happened but somewhere along the line while watching this show, Mina became my favorite character. Well, at least she’s my favorite character so far. Much like everyone else on the show, the reasons she’s working in a jungle clinic and not in some sleek modern hospital are dark and angsty. But unlike everyone else, I’m seeing changes in her. She’s slowly evolving from the cold, apparently heartless woman that she once was. Things actually affect her now, she gets nervous, she gets excited, and it’s all fun to watch.

It’s funny to me that I say that when one of the main elements of this episode was that Mina was the one that Ryan chose as her primary doc because of her lack of emotion. And yes, she did do an amazing job at saving Ryan’s life while Zita (her good friend) was freaking out and had he been there, Ben (her boyfriend) I’m sure would have been freaking out too. But what Ryan didn’t see later was Mina having a small breakdown after all that happened. So while I admired her work in with that guide wire, I also loved the fact that she broke down about it later and needed Pher to cheer her up. Both speak to just the kind of person that she is and is becoming.

The other big plotline in this episode was Charlie’s mom showing up at the clinic. She’s acting a little strange and soon we see that the reason she left him was that she suffers from mental illness. For a moment there I thought Charlie was going to turn into a normal kid with at least one parent to look out for him. I hate to say it but I’m kind of glad that didn’t happen. He’s a much more interesting character this way and I love that the whole thing with his mom (plus the growing relationship between Mina and Pher, which forced poor Tommy to want to leave the house), made Tommy and he roommates. I don’t know how long that’s going to last, but I think it’s awesome and can’t to see the hilarity that ensues.

My favorite bits..

Lily telling Mateo that she was hoping to avoid a Walk Of Shame, but running into his mother outside anyway. Oops.

Ben offering to take a look at Ryan’s wound from sitting on a thumb tack. Aw, so nice of him.

Ryan and Ben knowing that Cole’s whistle meant that he was getting some. Yeah, he’s not exactly subtle, is he?

One of the skydivers saying that Ben had the haircut she wanted. Haha!

The wind taking away the parachute. Whoa!

Tommy calling Pher the “poultry whisperer.”

Tommy finding out that Pher had been sobbing because he saw a double rainbow.

Hand. Inside. Stomach. Ahhh!

Tommy calling Charlie “doctor” to make his mom proud. So sweet.

Charlie totally pulling Tommy’s leg when he asked if Cole was around to treat his mom.

Ryan being the first to notice that she was losing her pulse. Jesus, how scary would that be?

Finding out that the “people” Charlie’s mom heard, were only in her head. Uh oh.

Loving how Tommy talked to Charlie like a doctor. Don’t know if it worked but I thought it was great that he talked to him like an adult.

Mina taking the battery out of that kid’s doll. Genius.

Ryan ordering Zita to let Mina have a chance with the wire.

Thinking that my own heart was going to stop while I watched Mina putting that wire into Ryan.

Lily and Tommy declaring Mina the winner after they found out how her day went.

Pher showing up with that baby chick in his hand and melting Mina’s heart. I love that she wanted to call the chick ‘Appetizer.’ Too cute for words.

Being so relieved when Ben came in and smiled at Lily and her patient to let them know that her partner had survived.

Mina going toe to toe with Ben and not backing off.

Charlie begging his mother not to sing. Wow, that practically killed me.

Lily deciding to help Mateo and his family keep the harvest. Still don’t approve of that but I had to admire her for deciding to do what she could to help.

Tommy showing up at Charlie’s place. Aw, too cute. I think it’s gonna be fun to see those two as roommates.

Wow, who knew that Ben could be such a prick? He can’t control Ryan’s life so he fires Mina?

What did you think of this episode of Off The Map? Got any favorite bits or least favorite bits of your own? I’d love to hear from you!

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