39 replies to this topic

[TWoP Gadget]

OFF THE MAP - "A Doctor Time Out" - The city is buzzing with the annual festival, but when a live wire electrocutes a young man and causes a citywide blackout, Mina and Otis fight for his life. Meanwhile a dangerous mudslide leaves a young pregnant couple in peril and the doctors scrambling to save them both, on "Off the Map," WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

[UMAngela]

Saracen (still haven't been able to retain his character's name on this show) broke my heart in that last scene with the transfusion patient. I literally had tears streaming down my face. And then they had to ruin it by bringing in brunette doc to empathize over her lost love. Try as I might, I am not digging her character. The anointed one has all the answers. Radio the dad to calm the mother down! The dad is a blood donor for the mom and baby! I'd like to see her make a mistake, just one.

Edited by UMAngela, Jan 26, 2011 @ 11:10 PM.

[DS1]

I think the acting on this show is quite good.

It's just the writing is ...problematic.

But the actors are doing well with the bad material they're getting.

[LottaMoxie]

It really says something about the show when you log on and see less than 1 page of comments after an episode airs.

< thud >

[Lived In Inch]

Mystery solved: The one who's never coming back is Dr. Darcy's wife Abby, who apparently died in childbirth... Oh, wait she'll be back next week in a comatose state. Very, Jane Eyre-ish next week's episode.

[LibyoftheEast]

I enjoyed the episode. It's still (very) heavy handed at times, but I've come to really like most of the characters and there is some pretty good acting going on. Sadly, I have to agree with others that Lily's perfectness is annoying also her self-righteousnesses is out of place there. That said, I don't hate her character...I actually like her in the middle part of the episode...I'm just waiting for her to be taken down a peg. I guess that kinda happened at the end. I was glad she wasn't the one to check on him at the end. It would have bee too contrived. She doesn't know him well enough for that.

I like the tourist patient storyline much better in this one. It helped that the accident was more realistic. Although if she was that close to delivering, what was she doing out there? (Was that addressed? Did I miss something?) It helps that Tommy and Ryan are my favourite characters (full disclosure: I'm a big FNL fan...did anybody else notice that the look Tommy had when he looked at the body was one straight out of "The Son").

Things we learned:
The woman who is not coming back to Ben
Why Otis eats all the candy

I also like that all the characters are doing stuff and have back stories. No one had been back-burnered yet.
I thought it was cute (if predictable) that Charlie has a crush on Lily, although I hope it never becomes a focal point of an episode.

[Chas411]

Well it's official Dhavernas's Lily is Shondaland's Annie Wilson (90210). She is painful. Don't get me wrong, it's all the writing. This character is just too annoying - Mary Sue to the core. Also, is anybody else wondering why Tommy and Mina keep getting called on their mistakes or don't get picked to go out on the field while Lily who is clearly the most incompetent of them all (considering her need to make every case about herself and interrupt life or death surgery with stupid sanctimonious speeches/ideas) gets to go out on every single case. I know Keaton has the hots for her but why does nobody else call him on this? Are we supposed to actually believe that she's a competent doctor? She's Izzie Stevens on speed.

Also, I didn't get why she was so mad about Ben lying. The way I saw it was that he had to lie for the sake of the patient getting through surgery. Had she not butted in with her ridicuous phone call idea then he wouldn't have been in a position where he had to lie. The way she threw that tantrum and went crazy on him was a joke and had any other character behaved that way, they would have been called on it and shot down straight away but because it's her it's somehow justified. The contradicting standards bother the crap out of me.

She also ruined what could have been an awesome Tommy/Dead Man's Wife scene by telling Tommy to stop, go away an basically trying to climb over him while he was talking and make the whole thing about herself/dead fiance. The dead fiance is bullshit anyway since she's all over Keaton and I'm assuming it was just thrown in there to evoke symapthy and connect her to Keaton. Ugh!

Rant over.

I liked all the other sapects of the episode. It was the first time I got really into one of the cases and I nearly welled up when the poor dude died.

Otis is an addict. At least we now have a reason for the candy. I think the side romance with Zee is cute and I'm sure he'll have a relapse before the season is out/cliffhanger. I loved his subplot with Mina. I almost saw a spark between them. He actually made me like Mina who I had not appreciated until this episode. Her deadpan wit is hilarious and I loved the tiny glimpse of vulnerability we got in regards to the kid that she killed.

Ben as a character is kind of cool. His opening scene and final scene with Ryan were awesome. It's the romance with Lily that kills him. Kills him. Also, he sizzles with Ryan. With Lily it's just forced and unnatural. I don't buy that he would in anyway be into her whereas Ryan is feisty and strong, I get that they would at least have a fun banter.

Tommy and Ryan are the breakout stars of the show for me. They're great. Both kill all their scenes especially Tommy, who is both hilarious and serious when needs be. Can they please hook up?

Of course Charlie has a crush on Lily, who doesn't?

Edited by Chas411, Jan 27, 2011 @ 1:31 AM.

[PortlandGirl]

I'm still a bit on the fence about this show, but since nothing else if competing for my attention on Wednesday nights, I'll continue for now. I do like the characters, but agree the writing continues to be pretty painful at times.

The good

Tommy. ITA he is the breakout star of this show. Cute, funny, a little sassy, but also likable without trying (unlike Mary Sue). I enjoy his interactions with just about everyone - patients, the other docs, even the translator kid. I liked his scene with the mom because it seems heartfelt and not overwrought. Of course, having Mary sue hovering in the background was annoying as hell.

Ryan. She is also one of my favorites. She seems natural and believable. I like that she works hard and doesn't take any shit either, but doesn't take herself too seriously. She has a thousand times more chemistry with Keaton than little miss perfect. I hope ABC realizes that soon.

Ben. He is simply yummy. Not sure what else he brings to the picture, but I enjoy every moment he is on screen.


The Bad

The writing. The writing really needs to get better soon otherwise this show will not survive. Everything is still telegraphed a mile away.

The medical stories are getting better, but still too over the top. I knew the minute the pregnant lady was getting better she would immediately have a turn for the worse. I realize this is a medical show, but I find the medical stuff tedious.

Ben/Lily romance that seems inevitable. I find it odd that Lily goes on EVERY outing with Ben, but the other docs don't. I find zero chemistry between them and her little miss perfect routine annoying to say the least. I agree with others that I'd like to see her bite it once and a while. And, she has no business with someone as hot as Keaton. Maybe she should be with the kid.

I like Mina but feel they are trying too hard to channel Christina Yang. If she is so hell bent on hard core medicine, why they hell is she there.

[girlwhoknits]

Is it me or does it feel like we're stuck in "Village of the Damned" meets "Groundhog Day?"

So here we are at episode 3, and yet again: villagers played as imbeciles+ugly american, M.D.'s + emergency = problem fixed with traditional and jungle medicine. I don't mind formula, but does it need to be the exact same formula every episode? Either give up the medicine aspect or make it more exciting. the clinic feels like a horrible pointless prop.

[BooBear]

Well, Tommy's speech to the wife did make me cry. It was both the speech and the way that it was delivered. I also liked that he completely ignored Lilly's protestations - like Lilly knew best.

I didn't understand why Lilly was so upset at Ben. She is a doctor, hard decisions have to be made sometimes. A rookie doctor might not understand but I would assume a more experienced doctor would get it. What was that, "he isn't what he appeared to be." Yeh apparently he is a doctor with a brain and had just about enough of your, let love rule, way of practicing medicine. I really liked that he lied to keep everyone calm... dead wife or not, it was what needed to be done. I was surprised and annoyed that he put up with her attitude. My patient? No, you just started working here -- this is my clinic. It was hard enough for everyone to have the dad die, who needs Lilly pitching a fit too?

Little tired of all the subplots revolving around love. And also, why are there so many American's around? In the middle of the jungle.

I like Mina but really she is getting old too. She is written one note. I thought Charlie was going to have a crush on her but, of course not. Why not, she is pretty and is in more pain over killing that kid than Lilly is about her boyfriend? But they just kind of write her as the driven one and that is all they focus on.

I am blah on Ryan... I don't really feel like I have seen enough of her... I did like she seems very willing to give Ben to Lilly, seems mature like hoping he will find what he is looking for with her.

[jester pron]

If they want me to stop seeing Tommy as Matt Saracen then they need to not put him next to his old teammate Bobby Reyes!! :-)

Seriously though Walter Perez was fantastic as the tourist husband, and I agree with everyone's comments that state Tommy is the one to watch on the show. Zach Gilford just is so good with anything he is given. The others just kinda get on my nerves most of the time.

[DS1]

When I'm watching the blonde doctor, I keep looking for similarities between her and her mother Meryl Streep.

And there seem to be a lot of similarities. She really does deliver her lines in the way I'd expect Meryl Streep to. And they sound alike.

Then I find myself wondering how she wound up on this show when Kate Hudson and Gwyneth Paltrow have had their movie careers handed to them on a silver platter.

[UMAngela]

If they want me to stop seeing Tommy as Matt Saracen then they need to not put him next to his old teammate Bobby Reyes!!

I knew I recognized him from somewhere! He had a lot sweeter disposition this go around.

[LibyoftheEast]

If they want me to stop seeing Tommy as Matt Saracen then they need to not put him next to his old teammate Bobby Reyes!! :-)

Oh, I didn't make the connection. That was probably for the best because he was a prick on FNL. They worked really well together on last night's episode. I like their little heart-to-heart.

I actually like both the actors who played the tourists in this episode. What is the wife from? She seemed really familiar.

[loriac]

That is it... I can't take it anymore. The writing is so stupid.

1) Hey, 6 of us can't move this log, so let's leave the guy with no transportation over 10 miles from the hospital. Oh, wait a minute, 2 of us can move the log with this stick! At least act like you are pushing with all your might. If the original group had done that, the husband would have lived.... Stupid!

2) You and your baby are going to die without this transfusion. A mother would say "save my baby, let me die" ... really? yes, leave your baby motherless... excellent!

3) Apparently there are only 3 people in the whole world that have B- blood (or what ever type it was). At least look around at the group and ask "hey, is anyone here B-?"

4) Last scene with ex-girlfriend getting into bed with him (sorry, I cannot connect with these characters enough to remember their names) does she go and watch him sleep every night? because that is a little bit creepy!

5) the lack of any spanish from the new doctors is ridiculous. He stumbles over the words "Espanol" and "hola". How long have they been there now and he hasn't picked up at least hello, please and thank you? come on!

that's it... I gave it three episodes... I'm out!

[PortlandGirl]

Lily's attitude about the "my patient" thing bugged me as well. Isn't every patient everyone's. That seems so contrived. I understand that may be how things work in a hospital, but not a little remote medical clinic. Stupid.

I also agree that Mina is in danger of becoming one-note. She has potential, but she is veering into a caricature territory and this is only episode 3. Her glee at having a sudden medical emergency at the festival wasn't cute or funny because we've already seen Christina Yang do that a million times (and better).

Lily's disappointment in Ben made her seem very young. She looks incredibly young and she comes off very young. Not sure if that is what they are trying for, but I think it makes her potential romance with him seem even more silly. I really hope ABC adjusts this storyline and sends Ben in a new direction.

[Houddy]

This show is growing on me...like a fungus. LOL I'm starting to like some of the characters, Tommy and Ryan being my faves. But I am also growing to loathe Lily. I was all emotional and invested in the scene with Tommy and the New Mama...but Lily hovering in the background all "I already tried. Don't bother" pissed me off. It made her seem like she'd be pissed if someone else convinced the woman to choose life because SHE didn't get to do it. Grow up! Yeah, she does come across as very, very young.

I like how they brought up Cole's addiction. It was shockingly subtle, not something I expected on this show.

Hey, 6 of us can't move this log, so let's leave the guy with no transportation over 10 miles from the hospital. Oh, wait a minute, 2 of us can move the log with this stick! At least act like you are pushing with all your might. If the original group had done that, the husband would have lived.... Stupid!

This was just unbelievably stupid. Seriously! I get that they didn't think the guy was badly hurt, and they had to get the pregnant chick back to the clinic ASAP, but it seemed like it took forever for her to come up with the genius idea of using leverage.

Of course, Guy would have lived if Ben hadn't told him to stop since that slide only occurred in the about three feet Guy was standing in. So good call there Ben.

Last scene with ex-girlfriend getting into bed with him (sorry, I cannot connect with these characters enough to remember their names) does she go and watch him sleep every night? because that is a little bit creepy!

This, however, I liked. She only went to check on him because of his dead wife and child connection to the case. She was worried he was drinking himself into a stupor. I didn't get the impression it's something she would have done otherwise. I thought it was sweet that, though they are exes, she still cares enough to check on him.

Best thing about this ep was Tommy and Ryan working together. They had a great vibe. No "oh you silly little newbie, let me explain to you how things are done here in the jungle" from her and no "Oh, I'm new here but I know better than everybody and have come to save you all from your backwards ways" from him. Just two doctors working under extreme circumstances. I wish the show would do a little more of that kind of medicine and a whole lot less of the self serving type Mina does or the preachy way Cole does or the foreplay way Ben/Lily do.

It was nice, however, to see Lily not stop the labor because PregGal needs to wait for her Hubby to return so they can discuss baby names or some other stupid shit. She actually managed to complete a proceedure with minimal interruption (for her). I guess that's kind of growthish.

Agree with the group that think Mina is becoming very one note. She's like Yang without a personality. But damn did the actress light up when she finally grew a heart and went to connect the lovebirds. So it's obvious she can handle more storyline than "I need to do doctory things right this second!"

[Chas411]

It was nice, however, to see Lily not stop the labor because PregGal needs to wait for her Hubby to return so they can discuss baby names or some other stupid shit.

While I agree that she didn't stop the labour in her usual dramatic fashion, she still interrupted with that ridiculous phone call idea. That would have halted things slightly. I did appreciate the scene though for the fact that for once Ben wasn't looking at her like she was a godsend. He saw her suggestion for what it was, stupid and looked rightly annoyed by it.

[urbanmilkwoman]

Completely ridiculous. As mentioned by poster, the fungus symptom is spreading.

It's not TV, it's Off the Map.

[Imonrey]

When I'm watching the blonde doctor, I keep looking for similarities between her and her mother Meryl Streep.

Wait - so the actress playing Mina really is Meryl Streep's daughter in real life? I kept seeing references to Streep but I assumed it was because she looks a bit like her.

I found my mind wandering while this show was on, to be honest. It's not doing a very good job of holding my attention. And I agree that everything is badly telegraphed: as soon as the father-to-be said he had to go back to the truck for the I-Pod I knew something was going to happen to him.

Lily still reminds me of April on Grey's Anatomy. And that's not a good thing. She's supposed to be the Meredith of this show but she's coming off as the April instead.

[Lebanna]

The thing I couldn't understand was - they sat with the guy for hours, knowing that there was no help coming and he was dying - and then once he was dead, while they still had to keep him breathing and his heart beating, it finally occurred to them to stretcher him back to the clinic.

Why couldn't they have just done that in the first place? If they had got him to the road and flagged down a car while he was still alive, they might have been able to save the poor dude.

Tommy, Ryan, the husband and the wife were acting their little socks off, but the writing is just so dreadful that I felt sorry for them.

I thought the little festival romance plot was actually cute, but again, we had another instance of a local able to speak nearly perfect English (and pretty unbelievably nicely spoken text-book Spanish too). He and Charlie were discussing his crush on Lily in English together, which was incredibly weird, and even more so since Charlie knows that Mini-Meryl can't speak Spanish.

Lily's thing with the couples is getting old. But I liked her 'you just do' moment. She really sold it. Ben is very decorative, but he's kind of boring. He's just... there. There's mystery, and then there's buttoned-up beyond belief.

Come on writers - most of these actors are really trying. Get to work.

[biakbiak]

Wait - so the actress playing Mina really is Meryl Streep's daughter in real life? I kept seeing references to Streep but I assumed it was because she looks a bit like her.

Yes Mamie Gummer, Mina, is Meryl Streep's daughter. It was unfortunate of Meryl to fall in love with someone with such a bad name!

[PortlandGirl]

Lily still reminds me of April on Grey's Anatomy. And that's not a good thing. She's supposed to be the Meredith of this show but she's coming off as the April instead.

Funny, I thought the same thing. Kind of makes me wonder if TPTB at ABC will see that she isn't quite working and push her to the background a bit (like it seems they've done with April).

Ben's comment about the pregnant lady being lucky that her husband just died and not on life support is obviously telegraphing part of his horrible secret from the past and next week's promo seems to confirm that with the comatose wife in bed.

I wish the show could get past all the dark secret past stuff and just try to be entertaining for an hour. I don't watch this show regularly, but Royal Pains on USA seems to strike the right balance of medical/frivolous.

With the guy pinned under the log, it looked like the mud was pretty squishy. I kept thinking, why not dig under him and dig him out. Also, one not leave one doc with the guy and have the other person try and flag down a vehicle somewhere.

I also didn't quite buy the fact that the pregnant lady would allow herself to die and leave her newborn baby with no parents. I think a mother's instinct to protect her child is too strong for that. I don't know how it feels to lose my husband, but I do know about giving birth and that maternal instinct is powerful. Her rejection of the blood didn't quite ring true to me. But I did enjoy watching Ben with the baby. I feel a bit pathetic drooling over him, but I can't help it.

[Lived In Inch]

Imonrey wrote:

Lily still reminds me of April on Grey's Anatomy. And that's not a good thing. She's supposed to be the Meredith of this show but she's coming off as the April instead.

Funny you would say that, because April is played by Sarah Drew, who played Bianca Knowles in Wonderfalls. Her character became a clone of Jaye Tyler, who was played by Caroline Dhavernas. Karma Chameleon, to this day, is my favorite episode of Wonderfalls. And that was a damn good show, unlike this one.

[Ms Panda Bear]

As usual, MattSaracen/Tommy/ZachGilford blew me away. He works the material. He makes me even like it. I'll probably keep watching it solely for him. None of the others' seem worth the trouble, in my humble opinion. Particularly not MarySue

[LibyoftheEast]

Lily still reminds me of April on Grey's Anatomy. And that's not a good thing. She's supposed to be the Meredith of this show but she's coming off as the April instead.

Lily reminds me of Cameron from House...right down to the dead fiancée/husband.

[neptune42]

I thought that this might be my last episode of OFM. I'm not sure if I'll keep watching it (a) for Tommy, who is entertaining (b) making fun of how stupid it can be.

I want to like Mina, I really do. She needs to not be Cristina 2.0. She needs to show a character trait that makes her different. Also, she needs to get picked to go out on rescue missions while Mary Sue can hand out pills.

When they were talking about the need for blood, I was like, "Can't they find a magical coconut for that too?"

[DS1]

The writing on this show is bad and any scene not involving Tommy/Matt/Zach is kind of boring to me, but I want it to stay on the air so Matt Saracen can remain employed and on my television set every week.

Edited by DS1, Jan 28, 2011 @ 9:51 AM.

[Haleth]

I so agree. This show is terrible and I'm only watching because I love Zach Gilford. I cannot STAND Dr Mary Sue and everyone else is pretty bland. The plots are awful and the dialog worse. Hoping a giant anaconda will come swallow everyone but Tommy and Ryan.

[Bruinsfan]

Maybe they could win me over to Lily if they made her a sort of genre-aware Cassandra, and had her call out all the things that are being telegraphed in the plot. "Don't go back to the jeep alone, Sappy Newlywed Dude! That's what the conveniently localized mudslides are waiting on." "I am so not falling for you, Dr. Blatant Love Interest. We both know one kiss and your brain-dead wife would come springing out of that hospital bed like a jack-in-the-box!"