Personally Speaking 9 TV Medical Dramas for Dummies By Dr Oh Jen Jen, Editorial Board Member

doctor’s life is often busy and two other bimbos. The producers and a college degree and becoming a crime stressful, with little free time writers may have tried to make the show scene investigator. Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox) A left for proper relaxation. So an equal-opportunity workplace crawling is pretty but tomboyish, with a degree whenever we get a few hours to ourselves, with beautiful, sexy and talented female in physics from Harvard University, and we make full use of them to do what we doctors, but with the exception of Lahti – a special interest in materials and love best – in my case, catching up with a fine actress in her own right – the other element analysis. The other piece of eye my favourite TV series. I’m an avid follower women failed to bring any intelligence, candy is Nick Stokes (George Eads), who of a large number of TV shows, but derive wit or glamour to their roles, despite combines brains with brawn, and shows the greatest enjoyment from watching spewing medical jargon, wearing short, remarkable insight when analysing crime medical dramas in particular. Surprisingly, tight skirts and way too much make-up. scenes, making you forget the fact that I’ve discovered that not many local In contrast, the writers of “ER” quickly he looks like a Chippendales dancer. doctors are aware of these high-calibre gained momentum, churning out one Bringing up the rear are Warrick Brown programmes. Perhaps I may pique your great episode after another. The show (Gary Dourdan), who occasionally gets interest with the following “user’s guide”. even broke new ground by airing a live into trouble over gambling debts, and One of my fondest early memories telecast shot in real time a few years Detective Jim Brass (John Guilfoyle), the of medical school is sitting down in front ago. Using a hand-held camera that steadfast father figure who’s always of the television twice a week to watch followed the action from room to room, ready to defend the “C.S.I.” team if “ER” and “Chicago Hope”. Both series it was television at its best, and executed ever questioned. began in 1994 (when I entered first year) perfectly. After that astounding feat, The most watchable cast member, and quickly gained large followings I was hooked. however, is William Petersen. He plays with their gritty portrayals of medical Although it has weathered some Gil Grissom, a closet entomologist professionals, as well as for tackling reshuffling of characters, most of the with an encyclopaedic knowledge of controversial issues ranging from teenage original actors – Anthony Edwards everything from famous quotes to the abortions and euthanasia to recent hot (Dr Mark Greene), Noah Wyle (Dr John topography of Las Vegas. The writers topics like cloning and biological warfare. Carter) and Eriq La Salle (Dr Peter Benton) made the smart move of keeping his Although I felt that “Chicago Hope” – have stoically stayed on, and even professional life transparent, while was superior to “ER” in every way, the battled a variety of major life crises such shedding little or close to no light on his latter appealed to the masses with its as a brain tumour, drug addiction and personal one. He is beloved by all his non-stop action, blood, guts, and of course, raising a young deaf son, respectively. team members, who admire and respect George Clooney. The former, on the other Put in the wrong hands, these almost him for his tireless attempts to catch hand, delved deep into the psyches of its implausible plot developments could perpetrators, and who adopt his now- characters, the most memorable of which have degenerated into pure melodrama. famous motto: “The evidence never lies.” were cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Jeffrey But the show’s excellent combination Strutting around in leather jackets, Geiger (played with great aplomb of writers, directors and actors keeps sporting fashionable hairdos and goatees, by Mandy Patinkin) and the hospital’s it grounded, and most importantly, and flaunting toned physiques, the cast troubled but capable legal counsel, completely believable. of “C.S.I.” provides audiences with a Alan “The Eel” Birch (Peter MacNicol). Now we come to my personal hip group of crime-fighters for the 21st Combined, these two possessed more favourite – “C.S.I.”, which to the century. Add some cool medical facts and emotional angst than the entire cast of uninitiated, stands for “Crime Scene bizarre cases (e.g. a dead scuba diver found “ER” put together, and were the heart and Investigation”. Besides establishing stuck in a tree in the middle of a raging soul of the show. This was vintage David itself as an exceptional medical/criminal forest fire), and you’ve got a winner. E. Kelley in top form, so when Geiger drama series that has managed to With “ER” in its umpteenth season and “The Eel” left “Chicago Hope” later topple “ER” from its top spot after just and losing a little steam, “C.S.I.” will be in the season, things started to deteriorate. one season, it is also the brainchild of a worthy successor. Channel 5 started In an obvious bid to outdo its Jerry Bruckheimer (the prolific producer airing its pilot season only a few months competition, “Chicago Hope” changed of major blockbusters like “Top Gun”, ago, so catch it before it’s too late – its opening theme, introduced a slew of “Black Hawk Down” and the reality TV I guarantee that you will not be sorry! ■ About the Author: new doctors including cardiothoracic show “The Amazing Race”). Dr Oh Jen Jen Timeslots for programmes mentioned in surgeon cum femme fatale, Dr Kate Austin Set in the flashy state of Las Vegas, (MBBS, 1999) also this article are as follows: posts reviews of movies (Christine Lahti), and over the next few the “C.S.I.” team comprises an equally “C.S.I.” – pilot season: Channel 5, Wednesdays online at http:// years, three completely unbelievable flashy set of personalities. There’s Catherine 11 pm www.spacefan.blogspot.com. 2nd season: just ended female characters in the forms of an Willows (Marg Helgenberger), who used Comments can be Reruns of “Chicago Hope” may return to SCV sent to her email adolescent-looking neurosurgeon and to work as an exotic dancer before earning in the future. [email protected]

SMA News August 2002 Vol 34(8)