Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Medical drama has strong messages about organ donation.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Three Rivers
What's the Story?
THREE RIVERS stars Alex O'Loughlin as Andy Yablonski, Three Rivers Hospital's most talented, dedicated organ transplant surgeon. He leads an expert team of medical professionals, including high-strung but talented Dr. Miranda Foster (Katherine Moennig), womanizing surgical resident Dr. David Lee (Daniel Henney), reporter-turned-transplant coordinator Ryan Abott (Christopher J. Hanke), and operating assistant Pam Acosta (Justina Machado). Overseeing it all is Dr. Sophia Jordon (Alfre Woodard), the no-nonsense head of surgery. Together the team races against time to find compatible donors and navigate their way through both medical politics and any resistance from donors' loved ones in order to deliver and successfully transplant the organs they need to save their patients.
Is It Any Good?
Three Rivers explores how organs go from donor to recipient, showing some of the red tape that medical professionals must cut through in order to successfully harvest, deliver, and transplant organs in time to save people's lives. It also explores some of the fears that people have about donating their loved ones' organs -- like eliminating the donor's chance of survival or violating personal and/or religious beliefs.
While some of the doctors' unique personalities and private issues surface throughout the show, most of its entertainment value comes from the never-ending professional and personal dilemmas associated with transplant surgery. As a result, some viewers may find it a little too distressing to watch. Others may have difficulty with its decidedly pro-organ donation message. But for medical drama enthusiasts, Three Rivers will be sure to please.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how this show compares to other medical dramas. Does the organ donation focus set it apart? Is it as violent/intense as similar shows?
What are some of the reasons the show offers in support of organ donation? What are some of the arguments against it? Why do some cultures and/or religions ban organ donation?
Where can people get more information about organ donation?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 4, 2009
- Cast : Alex O'Loughlin , Daniel Henney , Katherine Moennig
- Network : CBS
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 24, 2022
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate