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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this medical drama includes some startling scenes involving violence (think explosions, car crashes, and shootings) that are too intense for kids. Due to the nature of the show, there are also graphic surgery scenes, but they stop short of being gratuitous and generally keep blood to a minimum. Characters occasionally use words like "damn," "hell," or "ass," and also use alcohol as a stress-reliever. Some scenes hint at sexual tension between surgeons that could develop into something more.
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kinda bloody but a good show.
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What's the Story?
MIAMI MEDICAL concerns the day-to-day struggles of a team of Florida trauma surgeons who triumph during the "golden hour," the 60-minute period following a critical injury that can mean life or death for the patient. When the team's respected lead surgeon (guest star Andre Braugher) inexplicably walks away from the job, unpredictable newcomer Dr. Matthew Proctor (Jeremy Northam) takes his place with surprising skill. But while fresh-faced surgery resident Serena Warren (Elisabeth Harnois) is willing to follow his lead, competitive co-workers Christopher Deleo (Mike Vogel) and Eva Zambrano (Lana Parrilla) remain skeptical.
Is It Any Good?
Even if you didn't know Miami Medical was executive produced by Jerry Bruckheimer (known for action-driven fare like Armageddon, The Amazing Race, and the National Treasure franchise), you get a wake-up call less than two minutes into the pilot, when an ice cream store unexpectedly blows up, throws a parked car into a tailspin and lands a pregnant woman in critical condition. But that explosion is as exciting as it gets once the rest of the show gets going, and you realize that you don't really care about most of the characters.
British import Northam is the lone bright spot, bringing charm and charisma to his role as a Gulf War doctor with a mysterious past and a curious scar to match. But while real trauma surgeons can save lives, Northam alone can't save Miami Medical. Even setting the series in Miami (which essentially adds palm trees and random Spanish phrases to the all-too-familiar medical drama formula) does little to spice up what's ultimately a bland -- and unbelievable -- medical misfire.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how well the show represents the realities of the medical profession. How realistic are the surgeons' ages, genders, races, etc.? Does the show offer an explanation for the relative youth of the actors who are cast as caregivers? Do you find it believable? If not, why?
Would it be possible to do a show about high-stakes surgery without violence? Does the series keep things interesting without going overboard?
How does Miami Medical compare to other medical dramas on television? Does it add anything new to the genre?
TV Details
- Premiere date: April 2, 2010
- Cast: Jeremy Northam, Lana Parrilla, Mike Vogel
- Network: CBS
- Genre: Drama
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: February 25, 2022
For kids who love drama
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