» Three Rivers Options

[Good Queen Jane]

I'v looked all over and couldn't find a thread for this show, so I started on. If there is one already, I apologize. Of all the new medical dramas, I found this one the most interesting. It looks as though the transplant dramas will be intermixed with regular medical dramas. I could do without the multimedia transitions to commercials though.

[jazzee]

I agree...this is the most interesting medical series among all the new entrants this season.

[Redtracer]

I was looking forward to this, because I did like Alex O'Loughlin in Moonlight, but I thought it was just so bland and boring, not to mention rather obvious. I admit to watching more than my fair share of medical dramas, but it just killed me that the doctor couldn't figure out why the kid was eating metal. I think every medical show has done a pica storyline at some point, so to see it be the big mystery here was a little underwhelming.

The other problem for me is O'Loughlin himself. He was so charismatic in Moonlight, but his character is nowhere near interesting enough to be the lead. Alfre Woodard didn't do much for me either, as much as it hurts to say that. I thought the only two characters who were at least somewhat engaging were the Asian doctor (David?) and the new assistant. He was cute in a wide-eyed, golly-gee kind of way.

But, none of it may matter, since the show appeared to flop right out of the gate. From PI Feedback:

In series-premiere news, CBS medical drama Three Rivers disappointed with 9.17 million viewers (#3) and a fourth-place 2.0/ 5 among adults 18-49 from 9-10 p.m.

[Jacob's Hair Dye]

I was under the impression this would only be about the transplants - so when the kid didn't need one or donate any body parts to someone else, I got confused.

I read online that this actually was the 2nd episode, and that CBS is airing the pilot next week. Which probably explains why there's very little explanation of who anyone is and what the relationships are. I think a little more exposition is needed, but I can live without it and figure it out as I go.

I'd watch AOL strip paint off walls with a little scraper, so I'm in as long as the show is on. Based on the few reviews I've read, and the fact that the thread for the show finally appeared here the day after the premiere, I'm not too hopeful for its chances.

What I'd LOVE to see is Jason Dohring appear at some point, also in any capacity.

This post has been edited by Jacob's Hair Dye: Oct 5, 2009 @ 11:53 am.

[chilindrina]

I couldn't find a thread either and was this close to starting gone.

I liked it. It's not a can't-miss-an-episode show but it's entertaining. Though I did hate the super advanced technology CSI thing that a lot of new shows seem to have (the touch screen on the wall) The dialogue was really cheesy at times and seemed heavy handed. But it's only the first episode so they have room to grow. It still needs a lot of tweaking.

I could do without the multimedia transitions to commercials though.

Me too. It just seemed like they were trying too hard to force the suspense.

And, I'm sorry, but there are way too many pretty people on the show that it took me out of it. I don't know if it's the super technology or the supermodel staff, but there's something very "fake" about the feel of the show. What I liked about ER and like about Grey's Anatomy, is that they feel more realistic.

But like I said, it's only the first episode. Maybe once I get past the "Look" of the show, I can enjoy it better. Loved seeing Kate Moenning and Alex O'Loughlin again.

This post has been edited by chilindrina: Oct 5, 2009 @ 11:54 am.

[SassySenior]

IMHO, not any better than "mercy" or "trauma". Fake, phoney, unrealistic..... and that just describing the story-line. The acting waswell... fake, unconvincing, and at times laughable. I've decided not to give any of them any more air time at my house. Just not the year for successful medical shows.

[YumYum]

The other problem for me is O'Loughlin himself. He was so charismatic in Moonlight, but his character is nowhere near interesting enough to be the lead.

I was struck by the same thing. I also felt that not only is his character less interesting on this show...his acting is pretty bad. He was not bad in Moonlight. And he's so pretty, too.

[michellemtsu]

I thought about staring a thread, but then figured the show probably won't be staying on long enough for it to be worth it. And that depresses me.

I'd watch Alex O'Loughlin recite the phone book if I had to but this was just terrible. It's trying to be too many things at once. And that set? No hospital looks like that. I appreciate trying to be cutting edge and all, but I prefer a little realism in my medical dramas. Not bits from Star Trek. You know it's bad when a Deanna Troi sighting can't get me enthused.

This post has been edited by michellemtsu: Oct 5, 2009 @ 12:50 pm.

[cyberducks]

I too loved Alex on Moonlight but this was very bland and even more unrealistic than other medical shows currently on the air. Coupled with the ratings which were decidedly unimpressive - my prediction: it will be replaced in the not so distant future with midseason bench warmer Flashpoint (which is a solid and cheap Canadian import for CBS).

[Trizzie]

I watched it because I went to school with Christopher Hanke (the assistant). I will keep watching for him, but I agree it was a so-so show.

[jenniferes]

I too loved Alex on Moonlight but this was very bland and even more unrealistic than other medical shows currently on the air

I watched it for Alex too and he was so much more interesting as a vampire (and prettier with longer hair, IMHO). But I can't compare it to other medical shows. I've figured out that I don't like medical shows (I tried watching Hawthorne for Michael Vartan and could not).

I also think it would have been better to let Alex be from Australia. His accent comes across as flat here and I think that hurts his acting. (For some reason I didn't feel that way on Moonlight though.)

This post has been edited by jenniferes: Oct 5, 2009 @ 1:37 pm.

[VartanFan]

AO'L makes me pant, so I will continue watching. I mean, I stuck around for the 2nd episode of the new NCIS so I'll give this one another couple of go'rounds. I did read how it was a little idiotic to put this up against a primetime Steelers game.

The transplant office guy is so very Zach Morris. I expected him to go "time out" at any second. The sad sad childhood doc was very annoying to me. She dressed like Punky Brewster and could use a hair tie.

[McKittenplan]

I didn't think this was terrible, just aggressively mediocre. I agree with those who said AO'L was lacking his usual charisma and I really didn't care for the wide-eyed newbie. Alfre Woodard was good as usual but she didn't get to do anything outstanding. I liked the Asian doctor and Kate Moennig's character the best. On a shallow level, Kate looked really pretty. I'll probably keep watching just for her, until it inevitably gets cancelled in a few weeks.

[rivermet]

Can someone explain to me what the female doctor had to do with the rest of the show? I was confused. She apparently isn't part of the transplant team and it seemed weird to be following an unrelated story.

[sekhet7]

I wanted to like this show since I liked AO'L on The Shield but to be brutally honest I only ended up watching the rest of the show for the criminally underused Daniel Henney (the Asian doctor). That man is so much pretty, it's just wrong. It also helps that he's a fellow Michigan native. I'll keep watching for him but I hope he ends up on a better show after if or when this one crashes and burns (or at least gets moved to another night and time before it gets buried).

It won't help that the football game next Sunday will be the Colts and Titans. I'm also sure it didn't help this ratings in the fact that the show started about five minutes late as well (lousy football). At least I can take comfort that it was better than Family Guy quality wise.