The show keeps getting worse, on multiple levels.
But just on the "work" side of things:
Graham (and by extension the hospital) is just going to allow an apprentice doctor assigned to ER perform a surgery that no one's ever heard of? When she's suggesting the removal of a whole organ?
Before they even ask if it could be done, why isn't anyone asking if it should be done? Can human beings live without a spleen? Quick googling tells me yes, but why doesn't the show tell us this? Why doesn't Elise bother to explain this before they even ask?
Even if Graham decides to go ahead with the surgery, why doesn't he even try to track down more qualified doctors and nurses? I get that it's the day of the festival and everyone's already left, but it's shocking that he could leave the hospital this understaffed and he doesn't even try to call up (or telegram?) his co-workers. It's one thing to accept an action plan and entirely another thing to execute it. Yes, the patient is bleeding out, but having a newbie and a civilian cut him up will just make things worse. Maybe he'll be seriously reprimanded or even fired for this (rightfully so), but I'm skeptical.
It's strange to me that a lower-ranking doctor can just butt in and contradict her superiors, especially in the presence of the patient and their loved ones. It's disrespectful to your co-workers and could actually be dangerous, especially when everyone absolutely needs to be pulling in the same direction. Not to mention distressing to the patient; I would freak out if my doctors started arguing in front of me as I'm lying on the hospital bed.
Elise does this twice in this episode, when she overrides her ER superior and contradicts Graham. I guess it adds drama, but don't doctors usually have debates away from patients? The characters could have simply left the room first and had an argument anywhere else. If not, Elise could have at least presented ideas and suggestions on the spot and had the other doctors understand and quickly change their minds ("Doctor, I don't hear any airflow in his left lung"). If not even that, then the other doctors at least should have reacted and commented on this issue more ("Good job, but talk to me first next time").
Elise herself points out how the surgery equipment looks like what she used to work with in the 21st century, and we hear mention of a electrical defibrillator. Really? Maybe all of this actually existed in the 1800s Europe, but it's a missed opportunity to have some fun with Elise dealing with outdated tools. What if they actually brought in the defibrillator and showed us, and it looked like a bulky steampunk contraption? The writing could be glossing over this time period discrepancy for a reason, but right now it just reeks of lack of interest and lack of imagination.
Elise also worries that people are getting suspicious about her miraculous abilities. Ya think? But, as usual, she does absolutely nothing to prevent this. This might eventually catch up with her and get her in trouble, but I'm just disappointed that Elise doesn't already see the need (or lack the quick thinking) to take this seriously.
Lastly, why is there magic? Now we'll be constantly thinking, "maybe this can just be fixed with magic instead of medicine". It just confuses the rules of this world and lowers the stakes of what Elise is going through. Why was this even necessary? The Prince could have just put on a disguise, it's not like he transformed into an old lady. Whatever benefit the introduction of a magic system will bring in the future, I really doubt it will help this (supposedly) medical show.
All in all, really disappointed, and I was trying to stay hopeful after episode 3. |