In an 8 hour shift they managed to hit on every single last one of the items on a list that can't be mentioned outside of DC.

They don't have to do that to make an awesome show, damnit. That's what is so disappointing. Hamas said it's realistic, I'll take his word for it. It's really good when it's on subject, but when it hammers an agenda that many times in such a short span I can't help but roll my eyes.

It’s hamfisted to include a story on how some parents won’t vaccinate their kids for the ****ing measles of all things? LMAO

Dumb ****s like this exist all over the place and especially these days with the Internet/social media being so prevalent. I have some problems with where they’ve taken this season (I did not think taking it in the direction of a shooting was necessary, it was trucking along fine without it) but that is certainly not one of them.

The Covid flashbacks are on point and on story. The dude went through hell and he has PTSD.

It's adds to the story IMO.

I’ll also say that ER (which this show is clearly a spiritual sequel of) basically did the same thing 30 years ago btw. It’s more reminiscent of a lot of issue-oriented network TV from back then and yet another reason this feels like a throwback to a bygone era.

We are just way more sensitive to it now in a far more polarized environment.

Very true.

Just like my favorites, Star Trek TnG and DS9. They had what was considered edgy but subtle messages at times, but didn't beat us over the head like today.

Maybe people don't process nuance like we once did due to the world changing. I don't know.

Agreed. While some Trek certainly did bash over the head on issues, generally the best episodes of those shows did it much more subtly.

did not need to see that.


this is MAX, not NBC

As a person who worked in level 1 trauma center for about 9 years, I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that a bullet hole created by a 38 and one by an AR-15 are not the same.

Especially in the 90's when gangs were screwing around with the barrel to where the bullett would tumble out of the barrel. Accuracy is for shit but they were usually within 10ft of each other anyway so accuracy wasn't important.

There is a reason the Soviets dropped the 7.62 for the 5.45. They got feedback from Vietnam. The 5.56 was doing horrifying damage to unarmored flesh.

I think the problem here is, seemingly, all of the issues of the day are landing in the ED on the same day. I mean, I'm aligned with the obvious viewpoints of the show, but it's still straining suspension of disbelief to have so many hot button topics be front in center so close together. Not a deal breaker, but they could pick and choose a little more. Or even not insist on building in soap box monologues. Again, I agree with most everything said, but it just takes me out of the world of the show. Save some stuff for season two!

Dr McKay getting arrested is getting a little too soap opery for me….

Probably realistic.


What did she do in the past to get the ankle bracelet? She’s a complete **** to her ex, is it tied together in some way?

I never saw a hospital employee with an ankle bracelet but saw many a patient that had cut off their ankle bracelet to go commit crimes and ended up in the ER from their activities.

Yes. I would have to re-watch the episode, but it was said or implied she attacked her Ex’s current girlfriend/bonus mom.