46 T V R e v i e w

Dr Oh Jen Jen, Editorial Board Member

The Reluctant Hero

“Treating illnesses is why we became doctors. Treating patients is what makes most doctors miserable.” Certainly, there is no one-size-fits-all remedy for pain therapy and prevention, even for a single type of pain.

eet Dr Gregory : self-proclaimed “9 times out of 10 there’s no reason to “bored, certified diagnostician”, talk to a patient,” he declares. When M unwitting poster boy of pain asked “How can you treat someone (physical/emotional/professional), and without without seeing him?”, he calmly replies, a doubt, the most beloved doctor ever to hit the “It’s easy if you don’t get crap about it.” small screen. His surliness and sarcasm mirror great predecessors like Jeffrey Geiger (Chicago Rounds are conducted in his office, Hope), (ER) and Perry Cox (); symptoms and differential diagnoses scribbled characters who raged and railed at injustice and on a white board, treatments discussed then authority, yet won unanimous respect from all dispensed by his team of residents (who, corners with their brilliance. ironically, are his polar opposites where bedside House, however, takes the Art of manners are concerned). Griping to a whole new level. While But despite being the antithesis of Geiger et al relish patient contact, he everybody’s idea of The Good Doctor, absolutely abhors it. While others House has been warmly embraced make snap life-and-death decisions by millions, as clearly illustrated with precise confidence (thus by the five Emmy nominations it About the author: invariably saving the day), he’s been received this year. Still, most (if not Dr Oh Jen Jen known to play Russian roulette with all) media reviews are written by is a Registrar with septic, hypotensive neonates. He the Singapore individuals outside the General Hospital’s mercilessly chides hypochondriacs, medical profession. A&E. A TV and hates anxious parents and remains Allow me to offer film addict, impenetrably reticent with even the she also vents opinions from through writing. most demanding patients. a ’s Page 47 S M A N e w s October 2005 Vol 37 (10) 47

Page 46 – The Reluctant Hero and pens the most insightful, hilarious perspective and list the top three reasons I scripts, simultaneously poking fun at the consider this the finest medical drama series in medical profession as well as its associated existence. idiosyncrasies.

1. “What would you want?” asks House. 46 years old, a Cambridge University alumnus “A doctor who holds your hand while and, according to my Editor, formerly on the you die, or a doctor who ignores you institution’s world-renowned rowing team, while you get better? I guess it would Laurie has acted in British staple TV shows particularly suck to have a doctor (Jeeves and Wooster, and Blackadder), written for who ignores you while you die.” the likes of London’s The Daily Telegraph, penned a novel (The Gun Seller) and even composed This is just one of the countless gems and recorded songs. Shore proffers each week, from marital Thanks to a stroke of casting genius, he was advice (“The most successful marriages chosen for the lead role and has played it are based on lies.”) to musings on religion with nothing short of impish glee, spewing (“Becoming a nun doesn’t make you a caustic lines with clipped impatience, the saint.”) and views about death (“It’s easier odd cocked eyebrow, smirk or grimace to die than to watch someone die.”). perfectly timed and executed. The show’s main premise: a frantic He may not have won the Best Actor Emmy evaluation of baffling signs and symptoms, this time round (that went to James Spader has thrown up conditions as exotic as from Legal), but my money’s on him sub-acute sclerosing panencephalitis getting it next year. (SSPE) and Churg-Strauss syndrome. Not too long ago, even vancomycin-resistant 2. The Supporting Cast enterococcus (RE) entered the picture, to Ranging from respected veterans (Robert my immense delight. As for those who love Sean Leonard, best known for his complex procedures, you can get healthy heartbreaking turn in Dead Poets Society) doses of Swan-Ganz catheterisations, to fresh new faces (gorgeous Jennifer cricothyrodotomies and endotracheal Morrison and Australian Jesse Spencer), they intubations every other week. complement Laurie wonderfully, consistently Ultimately, however, Shore scores because giving sensitive, poignant performances, he lets House say “the things we all want sometimes even besting House himself with to say”, whether it’s about annoying their unexpected bursts of deadpan wit. adults (“People don’t bug me till they get My current personal favourite is Spencer, teeth.”), having our abilities questioned who plays Dr Robert Chase, an intriguing (“I’ve been a doctor for years. Why do I figure with an equally fascinating past (he have to keep assuring people I know what went to seminary school but switched to I’m doing?”), or confrontations (“Oh medicine, supposedly under pressure from crap, another reason I don’t like meeting his physician father). A recent episode patients. They don’t know what you look placed him centrestage during an emotional like they can’t yell at you.”). debate with a nun about the concepts of faith and redemption. Spencer’s compassionate, “This is the guy who tells the idiots understated delivery was a pleasure to watch, they’re idiots.” - David Shore and may turn out to be his winning formula (you can also catch him in the enjoyable And he does it with grace, wit and style. comedy Uptown Girls). Many of us obviously can’t follow in Dr House’s footsteps, but it never hurts to 3. David Shore live vicariously through his exploits. ■ Of course, every successful series begins with excellent writing, and no one does it better than Shore, whose past credits include work House Season 1 currently airs on Law & Order, The Outer Limits and The every Tuesday night at 10pm Practice. The creator and executive producer on Starhub cable AXN Channel 19, of House just picked up this year’s Emmy for and is also available on DVD. “Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series”,

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