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November 21, 2006: Right or Left?
"Do you really want me to explain empathy?" says Seger. I have to say that, although I'm uncertain about the fate of this show, I do like the writing thus far. The exchange between Seger and Hanson is a great combination. I like Seger's eagerness and his persistent nature — wanting to open Hanson to the personal side of being a doctor and breaking away from acting like a machine 24/7.
The major story this week — pregnant Kate Larson (Erin Dilly), who has to decide between keeping her baby or removing a tumor that's slowly killing her — is hard to watch, but it's a solid story line to have while this show is still young and vulnerable. I'm interested, and there are still 45 minutes left in the episode....
"It's easy to be a saint," Hanson says to Holland when she comments that Seger does mean well. I love Stanley Tucci's veteran-doc attitude that he brings to the character — a convincing portrayal of a neurological surgeon who knows his stuff. I think he's spitting out the medical jargon with ease, but I'm not handing out an Emmy just yet. We're definitely seeing that he does have an emotional, calming side with his patients at times; I really liked his interaction with Kate when she was nervous on the operating table. Unfortunately, Seger hasn't witnessed that ability yet, so he's not as convinced as I am that Hanson cares. Mark Feuerstein is just as good, but in a different way. His sometimes-jittery disposition introduces a shy element blended in with his strong beliefs on certain patient cases.
For those who didn't want any sex interfering with medical drama, you might want to look the other way. There seems to be a little teasing permeating through the clinic and Seger's the target. The energy between Rebound Guy (aka Seger) and Mary — the lawyer of a patient who is also a homicide suspect — is obvious to anyone walking by, and suddenly, we're in a steamy bed. I feel like that came out of nowhere. I know I mentioned some possibly flirting in last week's post, but the sudden flings aren't working for me here, like they do on Grey's Anatomy, which is an entirely different approach to medical drama.
Kate's story is keeping me intrigued, though, especially when she has no control over her hands — zipping up her sweater, swatting at the hospital tray. When she sees another vision of herself, it's a freaky separation in the brain, but Hanson doesn't have the most reassuring answer when her husband asks if it will get better.
Outside the hospital, Holland and Hanson are debating, and Seger and Mary are going at it again. I feel like I'm watching a different show than last week, but I'll keep an open mind, hoping it finds a flow of its own.
Meanwhile, Kate's struggling with her brain not acting as a whole entity, and Holland suggests an experimental option — against Hanson's wishes — but she invites Seger to witness the exercise. I'm amazed by the contact lenses that divide her vision — the technical parts of this show are interesting to me, even if I'm still warming up to the characters. Hanson's not happy that Holland has confused his patient. "I would like to point out that you do not have to listen to your right brain.... Frankly, it's overrated." But I'm on Holland's side — Kate's right brain was telling her something. "I want to be a person who could never give up her child.... Maybe that's not who I am."
With 10 minutes left in the episode, I was wondering if Hanson's vision of the little girl was ever going to show up, and just then, she appeared on the wall of his office. Clearly he's scared of it — or tired of it — and wants to leave immediately.
And just as quickly, Mary and Seger seem to be over, once she stretches Seger's comments about her client to a level that sees no common ground between a doctor and a lawyer.
Simultaneous surgeries make for a good ending to this episode. I liked the back-and-forth between the OR and Kate's reflection in the water, but when she reached in and pulled her head up, I was mildly disturbed, even though I understood its representation. But she's not paralyzed after all, and the baby is fine. Her language skills on the other hand... that saddens me. But it turns out that she is that person who could never give up her child.
I think the second week has convinced me to root for this show, even though it may be among some tough competition (House, ER). I think Stanley Tucci and Mark Feuerstein have a unique dynamic, and I'm hoping it grows on me even more as the feel of this show becomes more cohesive.
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Nov 21, 2006 11:40 PM
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No posts?! I hope that isn't a bad omen for this show. I am surprised by how much I like it. When Kate answered "baby" to the question of what makes you angry, I about had heart failure! What an interesting twist. The whole show was interesting. I didn't know all that stuff about left and right brain other than the left is logical and the right is creative. I like a show that is both entertaining and educational. As for the sex part, I don't care one way or another. It works on "Grey's" but I am not too sure about this one, although I really liked Mary. Happy Thanksgiving!!
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Nov 22, 2006 12:51 PM
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I was especially sensitive to it, because I had just watched House, and this show did seem derivative of it, but maybe not as much as some critics have suggested. Tucci was fine, but once again Mark Feuerstein is lacking something. He's very cute, and a decent actor, but there's just something slightly offputting about his personality, at least in a protagonist role. I've seen him in a few instances where he was playing a womanizer or jerk, and he did just fine. But straightforward, good-guy male lead roles just don't suit him. It leads me to think the failure of his many short-lived series in the past might very well be because of him.
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Nov 22, 2006 1:35 PM
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Once again, this show amazed me. I thought it was intriguing that Kate was seeing herself as a reflection. As though there were two of them. She continued throughout the episode to have a strange connection with herself through these reflections. I especially liked the reflection of the water while she was in surgery.
So, the first week I watched this show, I kind of thought Hansen was a jerk. But, now I love him. He's one of my favorite characters on television, because of his dynamics. He's logical, yet he can be very kind. Still, he makes me a little nervous with all these visions he's seeing.
Back to the main case: it never ceases to amaze me what people will do to save a child. The baby was barely even a baby, only three months, and the woman was willing to split her brain in half. And then she was willing to lose her speech, risking paralysis! It's such a strange exploration of human behavior. But I am loving this show so far!
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Nov 22, 2006 5:19 PM
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I really enjoyed this episode and I'm getting educated as well. I think the concept of the show is very interesting. I like all the characters, even the receptionist who has a good sense of humour. Where was the cranky doctor of last week who was stealing Hanson's patients? Is he gone for good? He's an interesting character as well. I disagree with Staley concerning Mark Feuerstein. I think you are stereotyping him. Not because you saw him as a womanizer or jerk means he should continue playing those roles and not play a good guy. It's comments like these that make producers not want to cast actors in certain roles, and limit them, and put them on the breadline! I love his portrayal, and I think in also putting him sexually with the lawyer, the producers were trying to show another side of him, and bring some lightness to the show. I think he's doing a good job, and if the show fails, please do not blame him. I hope this show (and Mark) remains a staple on TV for a while yet.
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Nov 25, 2006 12:19 PM
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