Malpractice

Medical drama 'Malpractice' has been put together by some of the same team that wored on 'Line of Duty', and it shows: it features a tricksy plot, sustained dramatic tension, and a lot of high-pressure interviews. But it's not quite as successful. While I don't know exactly how allegations of medical malpractice are actually conducted, I found the aggressivley confrontational approach shown here, with doctors treated as if they were criminal suspects, unconvincing. Moreover, there's a reason why so many dramas feature the police: even if a normal individual is caught up in some horrible plot, they don't investigate it themselves. And there's a level of coincidence that at times strains credibility that the story relies upon to repeatedly put its protagonist into the tightest of tight spots. It still has plenty of gripping moments, but as a whole it feels contrived. I still enjoyed it, and Niamh Algar is good as the central character, even if she can't entirely escape the limitations of the script.

Malpractice doesn't muck about it has an explosive opening that shows the pressure A&E departments and their staff live with. The writer Grace Ofori-Attah was herself a Doctor in the NHS for ten years and the world's she's created here felt totally authentic.

Some of the critics have christened it Call of Duty meets Casualty and that's not a put down. Its an investigative thriller and a very twisty one - far removed from the more earnest look at the NHS under the cosh seen in 'This Is Going to Hurt' on BBC1 last year.

Production values were good throughout with an excellent script and a strong cast. A big shout out to the lead Niamh Algar for another stellar performance (also brilliant in 'Deceit').

There are a few moments you may need to suspend belief (could someone she previously knew investigate her - no) - but with such a good story and cast I didn't mind.

The level of tension was kept high from the first to the last episode of this first season. In the end, they still leave open the possibility of a second season, which I hope will cover the failures of the NHS as a whole, addressing other forms of malpractice.

I also want to highlight the outstanding performances of Niamh Algar as Dr. Lucinda, as well as the entire supporting cast. The chemistry between the characters was palpable, and their portrayal of the stresses and moral dilemmas faced by healthcare professionals was both realistic and nuanced.

However, while the show offered a gripping portrayal of the internal conflicts of healthcare professionals, I couldn't help but notice the artificiality of the investigations into medical misconduct. The speed at which they occurred, coupled with the questionable access to information, seemed overly convenient and unrealistic. As a viewer, it made me question whether such investigations can truly take place at such a rapid pace in the British healthcare system, where bureaucracy and red tape can often hinder progress. Nonetheless, I hope this is something the show will address in future seasons, as it has the potential to add another layer of authenticity to an already compelling drama.

Have to say it was an intense drama or should I say thriller. I appreciated the fact that there were only five episodes. This way, the tension was maintained without unnecessary prolongation.

The series started as a normal hospital drama, but the tension intensified episode by episode. The series was surprisingly able to combine different genres and still be believable. There were, of course, a few little follies in the series and perhaps too many convenient coincidences. But still. I liked this series.

I also liked the way addictions were dealt with. In the end, it all culminated in Lucinda's addiction, even if it didn't seem like it at first. As the series progressed, the extent of her addiction only began to be revealed. I also liked the fact that there was no miracle cure at the end, but that it was shown what addiction really is. There was also a nice element of mystery in the series. In the end, however, the series was largely about addiction.

I really enjoyed this, it was tense at times with lots of twists. The acting was great too.

Niamh was fantastic.

It's a good medical drama, with a few unexpected bits. You want to hate the investigating officers, but I really didn't. It's believable too. Obviously some plot holes, if things like that happened in real life I would hope there would be bigger repercussions. Just don't think about it too much, take it with a pinch of salt.

I called it quite early on, however it didn't detract from the series at all. I watched it all in a day and would recommend it to others for sure. Just sit back and enjoy.