SkimIt
Jekyll and Hyde gets a modern update in this new medical drama Do No Harm, following the life of Jason Cole (J. Cole, like Jekyll, get it?), the chief of neurosurgery at a Philadelphia hospital who suffers from Dissociative Identity Disorder. Do No Harm, starring Steven Pasquale and Phylicia Rashad, airs on NBC Thursdays at 10/9c.
A Brilliant Doctor
From the hours of 8:25am to 8:25pm Jason Cole (Steven Pasquale) is a brilliant, young doctor. He is well-liked by his coworkers and boss, and even has a flirtatious relationship going on with one in particular: Dr. Lena Solis (Alana De La Garza). I sense some issues there in the future...
Yeah, But Only Until I Take Over
However, the other 12 hours of the day belong to Ian Price, Jason's devious alter-ego who enjoys drugs, sex and destroying hotel rooms (he destroys two in the pilot alone!). For years, Jason's coworker, Dr. Rueben Marcado (Lin-Manuel Miranda) has helped him control Ian with a sleep-inducing medication so he will "do no harm" to others. However, Jason has become immune to the medicine, and Ian is out for revenge.
Compensation For Ludicrousness
The show is entertaining if you can get past the absurdity -- seriously, how can Jason continue performing surgery with his extreme form of DID? Pasquale does a masterful job handling the overly kind and accommodating Jason before snapping into the convincingly destructive, evil Ian. However, the writers need to write better for Ian and make him less of a caricature.
How DID You Become This?
The most interesting aspect of the episode is Jason's past. In a cute exchange between Jason and Lena, we find out Jason became a doctor to make up for hurting someone badly as a kid. We also know he has an ex-fiancee, Olivia (Ruta Gedmintas), whom Ian physically scarred.
Was the episode that Jason had as a kid the introduction of Ian? Did it happen at 8:25? Also, does Jason know about Cole, his possible son with Olivia? It may be a bit ridiculous, but I'm hooked until I know more about how Ian was born!
Best Lines
"You knock yourself out every night. That is not control, it's avoidance."
--Will Hayes (John Carroll Lynch), the leader of Jason's DID support group.
"I may be illegally supplying experimental drugs to the chief of neurosurgery, but I still have standards."
--Dr. Rueben Marcado.
"I'm going to make bank off this. I'm going to call it 'Oblivion.' What do you think? Is that too celebrity fragrance, or is that a good thing?"
--Dr. Rueben Marcado, joking about Jason's drugs.
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