Ep 2. The Axiom of Choice

Dr. Eldon Chance (Hugh Laurie) continues to struggle with his personal and professional life in the second episode of the season. Titled "The Axiom of Choice", the theme of choice drives the narrative in this episode. Chance finds himself in a difficult position as he tries to balance his medical practice with his fascination for the enigmatic personality of his patient, Jaclyn Blackstone (Gretchen Mol). On the other hand, Chance's moral compass is also shaken as he faces his own ethical dilemmas while helping Jaclyn.

The episode opens with Chance trying to divide his time and focus on his psychiatric practice and his family life. However, he is drawn to Jaclyn that causes him to suffer while he tries to help her. Jaclyn is a patient with multiple personalities, and she comes to Chance for therapy. Chance is captivated by her beautiful and mysterious personality, and therefore, loses his focus on his personal life. Meanwhile, Jaclyn's situation becomes more complicated as her abusive ex-husband Raymond Blackstone (Paul Adelstein) starts to hunt her down. Chance decides to take matters into his own hands and help Jaclyn by using his medical skills to prepare her for self-defense.

As Chance becomes more involved with Jaclyn, his own life becomes increasingly complicated. He faces an ethical dilemma when he needs to help Jaclyn conceal her whereabouts from the police. This situation highlights the risks Chance is willing to take to protect his patient and reveals his ongoing moral struggles. Additionally, Chance is forced to confront the growing complexities of Jaclyn's disorder and his own ability to diagnose and treat her.

As Chance tries to navigate the difficult terrain of his personal and professional life, he becomes increasingly drawn to Jaclyn's alter ego, Jackie. Jackie is a free-willed, seductive, and wild personality who draws Chance into her web. Chance is unable to resist her charms and begins to question his own judgement. Jackie, a representation of Jaclyn's unfettered spirit, also represents the idea of choice in the episode. Like Jackie, Chance must choose between his personal desires and professional responsibilities. The Axiom of Choice symbolizes the concept that every decision or choice made has consequences that follow, and Chance is forced to face the consequences of his own decisions throughout the episode.

As the episode progresses, Chance becomes more involved in Jaclyn's life and begins to see himself as her protector. He feels that the line between his professional and personal life blurs as he delves deeper into Jaclyn's complex psyche. On the other hand, Chance's wife Christina (Diane Farr) is becoming restless in their marriage. She feels neglected and becomes more curious about Chance's activities. Christina's growing doubts about Chance's commitment to their marriage add to the tension in the episode.

Overall, "The Axiom of Choice" is a gripping episode that delves into the personal and professional life of Dr. Eldon Chance. The theme of choice drives the narrative as Chance struggles to balance his professional and personal life while facing his own ethical dilemmas. The introduction of Jaclyn and her multiple personalities add to the complexity of Chance's situation, and the episode ends with a cliffhanger that raises more questions about Chance's choices and his future.