CBS Medical Drama 'Code Black' Starts Off With Chaos, More Emergencies & Few Doctors
"Code Black," the medical drama from CBS, has debuted. The episode was a montage of scenes with the constant medical chaos in emergency rooms brought to the fore. The hospital crew battled with more emergencies and less doctors to attend them. That is what 'Code Black' actually means in medical terms and that is exactly what viewers get a glimpse of in the pilot episode of the show.
With so many medical dramas with highly emotional side stories that have been launched, how is "Code Black" any different? According to TVGuide, executive producer Michael Seitzman says, "We looked at it as it creates a situation where there's a level of heroism that's demanded on the part of the staff that we really don't see in any other aspect of society except for the military. That, to me, was a great canvas for storytelling."
"Code Black" is based on a documentary with the same name which showcased the L.A. County-USC Medical Center's E.R. The focus of the show is the drama that happens when there are more patients and few doctors to attend to them at any point.
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This show gives the viewer a ringside view of this drama. The story is set inside the emergency room of Angels Memorial Hospital and is presumed to be patterned after one of the busiest emergency & casualty departments in perhaps the entire USA. The creators wanted to show the heroism of the medical crew who take all this in their stride, making difficult decisions and going ahead anyway.
The medical team at Angels Memorial Hospital is led by Dr. Leanne Rorish, played by Marcia Gay Harden. She is the resident director who does not spare any effort to save lives, even risking objections. Her attitude stems from the fact that she has undergone a personal tragedy and now seeks to prevent it for others.
Pitted against her is Dr. Neal Hudson, played by Raza Jaffrey, who is a noteworthy physician himself and does not like Leanne's pushy and aggressive stance. Leanne and Neal have to guide the interns too and get on with their chaotic jobs as well every day.
The characters of "Code Black" will become more relatable as the show travels further down the first season.
Tune in to "Code Black" on Wednesdays at 10/9c on CBS.
