“Now I’m two guys: one is in a coma, the other is invisible.”
Things go south for Alex in the second episode of Saving Hope when Charlie’s ex-wife, Dawn, comes to town and starts suggesting all different kinds of ways to wake Charlie up – like Coma Arousal Therapy. (Yep, that’s real) She starts massaging him and giving him music to listen to which clearly pisses Alex off. And as if she’s not going through enough, Dawn tells Alex that she isn’t doing everything she possibly can to save Charlie; she’s acting as his nursemaid not his wife.
And I think we all can see that at this point during the show. It’s like she doesn’t want to feel Charlie or his absence so she won’t break down. And as always (always being the show’s two episodes), Alex runs away from the hell she’s going through by doing her job – perfectly I might add. Her case this week is a kid who bites, has diarrhea, and codes a lot. But here’s the catch: the kid, Cal, can see Charlie who takes him on a tour around the morgue and teaches him all about being in limbo.
After Charlie figures out what’s wrong with Cal, Alex discovers it, too; he has cancer. During his surgery, Cal codes again so he and Charlie get to chat one more time, and Charlie asks Cal for a favor. He wants him to deliver a message to Alex. He wants Cal to tell her that she saw him.
So she goes into his room, and plays him a song – not his favorite like Dawn did but a song she’s sure he’ll remember. And we flashback to the first time she and Charlie said their I love yous. And then BOOM! His hand moves! It starts twitching and Alex gets this heartwarming smile on her face. He’s getting better!
Meanwhile, Maggie, the general surgery resident, is crushing on Joel. And just like every girl in the world, she’s showing it by being rude to him. But as they’re trying to save the life of a woman who’s refusing surgery because her religion prohibits her to get a blood transfusion (I researched it; apparently, she’s a Jehovah’s witness), their relationship evolves into this wonderful dynamic. Maggie, who looks shy, starts sassily flirting with him. (“I don’t have a crush on you, but I’d do you”) Obviously, they sleep together. But Joel, being the smug that he is, makes sure he tells her he doesn’t want a relationship first.
I loved this episode way more than the pilot. I finally have this bond with the characters. I was looking forward to Cal waking up and telling Alex that he saw Charlie. I got this huge smile on my face when Charlie moved his hands. I’m finally emotionally invested which is enough to keep me watching the show.
What made the episode better than the pilot is also the fact that Charlie existed as a spirit. We got to see him communicate with other people like him. We got to see him try to communicate with Alex – even though he failed. As of that second, the story began on this show. It’s all about those two trying to connect emotionally and spiritually even if they cannot connect physically.
As for the cases of the week, they were as interesting as the show’s trying to make them be. Somehow it doesn’t feel like the show is giving them much importance. The only reason the Cal case worked was because it helped the Charlie/Alex storyline evolve. But that’s about it. But to be honest, I don’t care much for cases of the week; procedural shows are becoming annoying and redundant.
I also felt like Dawn was under/misused. We got to see her in only a few scenes. Fine, those few scenes were enough incentive for Alex to reach out to Charlie. It was probably because of those interactions between Alex and Dawn that Charlie moved his hand, but I feel like the show could have dedicated a whole episode to the wife storyline. It could have shed more light on them arguing on what’s best for him. They could have dived into the legality of it all.
The episode was definitely not perfect, but hey, there were less lens flares than the pilot and it was way more interesting. So here’s hoping the show keeps improving because it has a lot of potential and the leads are amazing – Erica Durance kicked ass in that last scene. And yay for lots of Michael Shanks in the episode. I was bummed, though, that there wasn’t enough Joel/Alex interaction in this episode. But after him sleeping with Maggie, this all is going to turn into a love square, isn’t it?
What did you guys think of the episode?
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I'm probably not watching any more episodes.
Hehe. To each his own.
I think it's worth at least DVR'ing for the next few. From my experience, and from what I'm reading from others, the show improves over time. Each episode builds, adding more layers. It just needs time to grow. So maybe DVR the next episode, wait to read some reviews or check out the tag #SavingHope on Twitter, and then decide to watch the next day or not. I'm not even usually a medical drama person and I've liked it a lot and not in spite of the medical drama aspect either. In my view, all of it works well together--the medicine, the romance, the humor, the spirituality--and it's just plain nice to watch a show with a female lead that has a positive message.
I was actually not that convinced either. Maybe medical dramas are just not a thing for me, too bad.
I'm the total opposite; I love medical dramas.
This series is such a breath of fresh air to most medical dramas, it has heart, its not so super slick that the emotion is left out. But most of all, it lets you become part of the process of health care, without removing the emotions or moral questions that are faced every day. Brill, show !
It definitely has heart, but I think the show needs to dig deeper as far as health care is concerned - more original cases (like the ones in Thursday's episodes) would definitely be great for the show.
For the sake of argument, just how many "original" cases do you suppose non-fictional doctors treat in a 24-hour period? If Hope Zee started having strange and difficult to diagnose cases every week, I'd find that unbelievable and it would just cause people to find another way to criticize the show (i.e "It's like a watered down HOUSE."). I re-watched the ER pilot the other day. The cases ranged from suicide, to lung cancer, to ulcers, to ectopic pregnancy--all unoriginal. The cases didn't make that show. The characters did. Super original cases, in my opinion, are not and should not be the centerpiece of SAVING HOPE. It should be about the people. It should use normal and occasionally abnormal cases to flesh out its themes and its characters. And that's what I believe the show is doing.
Yeah, its very real, in all areas, ( except for the side rails not up at all times on the coma patients bed.....and what? no spondge baths!! )
I love this show! It brings so many people together who have such amazing talent that you can't help getting hooked! NBC and CTV have a hit on their hands and we need others to see and realize it too. Go Saving Hope!
I'm glad the show is a ratings hit for CTV. Sad about the ratings in the US, though.
I'm going to re-watch this episode soon. On first viewing, I enjoyed the pilot more than this one. I was thrown off by the Maggie/Joel stuff. I just can't picture a serious intern acting so juvenile around a senior doctor. Too much too soon in my opinion. Alex and Charlie were great, however, and I really liked the ex-wife. She truly seemed devastated by Charlies accident and determined to help Alex help Charlie. Definitely looking forward to more eps.
I loved the Maggie/Joel stuff because it was so ridiculous. I was like, WHATT?
And yes, the Charlie/Alex scenes were great. They're what's making me want to watch the show.
I agree with you Nancy...but I've worked in a real hospital for over ten years...and the nurses the doctors...the stuff that goes on....the Maggie/Joel thing...you've seen nothing
Life can be stranger than fiction!! I'm looking forward to more eps too.
Unique show with lovable characters, gripping storylines, talented cast and creative crew. What’s not too love! Hoping for many more seasons to come and for this awesome show to go global!
I like your enthusiasm :)
Saving Hope has heart & soul that it sucks you in and doesn't let go...Erica Durance and Michael Shanks shines as the most adorable couple.Daniel Gillies is the hottest doctor that i have seen since George Clooney in ER...Brilliant cast and crew...Amazing story telling from beginning to end...NBC and CTV you are an international hit on there hands...Saving Hope made me believe in miracles. I love this show and can't wait for more of it.
Give HOPE a chance....you should never judge anything or any one on the first meeting....dig a little deeper to learn more. To be totally honest, I didn't think the pilot was the best representation of the new show Saving Hope; ( how ironic ) but everything cranked up a couple hundred torques with the second episode, (Contact.)...the difference was amazing.....the relationships between the staff and patients, the staff and staff, the laughter, the tears, the problems, the black humour and the love between Alex and Charlie all being unveiled. Alex is in the worst of all possible places....limbo.....hell on earth....you can't go back, you can't go forward..you can't feel grief and you can't move on...she's as stuck as Charlie is.I think all this combined makes this show very real...it struck a chord, (as I recently lost my father after five months of limbo...thank God..callas...no...he had no way back...and we were helplessly suffering) Alex is suffering more than Charlie..both stuck while life whirls on around them...for Charlie there are different paths he can take, will he awaken? will he die? ( thats up to the writers )...but Mr. Shanks has been known to ascend!!? Its honest, its true, its real, its medical, scientific, spiritual, inclusive...funny....the main actors ( Erica Durance, Michael Shanks, Daniel Gillies ) shine like beacons. It is condensed, because its a sixty minute tv show...watch it more and you'll see it break free from its straightjacket....Save a little time..have some Hope...WATCH THE BEST SHOW ON EARTH...( in my opinion )!! :)
Looking beyond the sub-plots and some of the typical TV crap made to lure in teenagers, this show has heart! A lot of heart. I’ve very much enjoyed the main purpose of this show which is the struggle to go on when everything you’ve ever wanted lies unresponsive. It tackles the hard questions, will he wake up? What is he feeling now? How can I cope without him? I am enjoying this show immensely and look forward to more! I believe it is well written and as with every new show, I can see some things I don’t like, but birthing is never easy or painless. If for no other reason, I would continue Saving Hope for the excellent acting, the new twist on the hospital drama, and the excellent acting. (Yes, I meant that twice.)
Liked this episode more than the Pilot. Erica Durance is the reason I was looking forward to the show and while she shines in every single scene, I am really warming up to all the other characters as well. Not sure about Joel yet but Charlie is definitely becoming my favorite. It's definitely a good show, much better than most of the stuff on TV these days. I've read the ratings have picked up as well. I want this show to work, not just for my girl Erica Durance but because it is an enjoyable and mostly well written and well-acted drama.