SkimIt
NBC's Saving Hope premiered with all the gore and life lessons of a typical medical drama -- only this time, the main character is unconscious.
The Setup
In the opening scene, Dr. Charles "Charlie" Harris (Michael Shanks), the Chief of Surgery, is riding in a cab with his fiancée, Dr. Alex Reid (Erica Durance), Chief Surgical Resident, to their wedding when they are hit by another vehicle. While he first appears unharmed and well enough to save the other driver, he collapses -- and we have our starting point.
The Docs in the Hall
The main staff members of Hope-Zion Hospital are a delightfully diverse cast who are there to help save Dr. Harris and hold Dr. Reid together. While they nailed the quick chatting walking up and down stairs and hallways like their TV predecessors, none made enough of an impression to warrant much of a second look. Chemistry... medical drama... anyone?
Bring In the Voice
Your typical medical drama is no stranger to the voice-over, but this one takes it to an entirely new level. Within moments of rolling into the hospital, Dr. Harris realizes he is trapped "somewhere between life and death" in his own hospital. He speaks sarcastically to the audience as a form of commentary and then in his best telephone voice for his fiancée. Each time it feels forced.
The Ex Factor
In the relationship between Dr. Reid and her ex, Dr. Joel Goran (Daniel Gillies), who has just joined the staff at Hope-Zion, we find the season's other main dilemma. It becomes clear a spark still exists -- we can only sit back and see if she takes the bait.
Between the odd bursts of light, one-liners and lack of memorable characters, Saving Hope didn't make a good first impression and doesn't seem to have a storyline built for longevity. Will Dr. Reid and Dr. Goran get together? Do you think Dr. Harris will be in a coma for eight seasons?
Best Lines:
"This is how it happens. You leave it all behind -- everything you love, everything you know. You belong to the hospital now and all you can do is hope."
--Dr. Charlie Harris to audience.
"I am having an out-of-body experience in a tuxedo. Wake up you dumb bas___d."
--Dr. Harris to himself.
"Get the suction ready. This guy's gonna go boom."
--Dr. Alex Reid to her surgical staff.
"And Dr. Lin? Try not to page me -- I'm going to get married."
--Dr. Reid to Dr. Maggie Lin.
"This is life and death. You have to be aggressive."
--Dr. Reid to Dr. Joel Goran.
Recommendations:
