Do No Harm
By Kari Croop,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Jekyll and Hyde-inspired medical drama has a dark side.
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What's the Story?
By day, Jason Cole (Steven Pasquale) is a brilliant and likable neurosurgeon who, armed with the Hippocratic vow to DO NO HARM, uses his skills to help patients in need. But every night at 8:25 p.m., he transforms into the evil Ian Price, a cunning narcissist whose self-indulgence knows no bounds. The plot thickens when the powerful experimental drug Jason's been using to keep Ian at bay stops working, and he's forced to confront the dark side of his dual personality.
Is It Any Good?
Do No Harm, without a doubt, is ridiculous. But when you consider that it's based on a classic story that was written more than 100 years ago, the bitter pill of a brilliant neurosurgeon who transforms into a metaphorical monster every night at exactly 8:25 p.m. -- and has therefore managed to convince his colleagues that he can't work nights because he's a diabetic -- is a bit easier to swallow.
What really saves it though is Pasquale's charming portrayal of both characters, particularly his playful take on the evil Ian, who he imbues with dash of Dexter and a wink to American Psycho's Patrick Bateman. The result is a completely despicable human being you can't help but like -- even when you know you shouldn't.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the classic thriller that inspired this modern medical drama. How has Do No Harm adapted the major themes of Stevenson's story for today's audiences? How do Jason Cole and Ian Price compare to Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde?
Why do writers and other artists turn to the concept of good vs. evil (also known as moral dualism) so often for inspiration? What's so compelling about the coexistence of moral extremes?
How do Jason and Ian compare as role models? Even though Jason is the obvious protagonist, do you ever find yourself rooting for Ian? Does Ian have any redeeming qualities, or is he a 100 percent horrible person?
TV Details
- Premiere date: January 31, 2013
- Cast: Alana de la Garza , Phylicia Rashad , Steven Pasquale
- Network: NBC
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Book Characters
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: March 2, 2022
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