Critical: Between Life and Death

This series is very "in your face" with how brutal injuries can be from both accidents and straight-on assault. I genuinely love how we get to both see it all of how it's done (it's amazing what people in medicine can do and does do!) AND get to know the people behind it, victims, doctors, nurses, students, families and more.

My heart broke for one young man who showed instant signs of severe PTSD after a brutal assault, and I hope he gets the therapeutic help that he needs. What he experienced could break anyone and everyone, and I really do wish him all the best. Stay strong, Jack!

This programme showcases the amazing NHS staff who deal with a variety of complex cases multiple times of day. The skill and ability of all the medical staff shown is exceptional. As a Brit I am exceptionally proud of our NHS and the amazing people that work so hard to help everyone. We area leading example to the rest of the world. I hope that if I ever have the need I that I get to encounter any of the doctors and nurses in this programme. What an amazing example of excellence.

The series is very similar to the fantastic British television program A&E, but with a look behind the scenes. Everything is shown, from shattered lower legs to surgery on a shattered eye socket. You have to be able to handle it, but it has increased my existing respect for all the medical staff even more. Moreover, the personal stories of the patients' families are indispensable, and it gives the patient a face.

Some have criticized this, perhaps because they struggle to see blood or operations, but this series is truly profound in its depiction of surgical details. No blurrying, no sensorship, just truth.

I found it compelling how the surgeons in the 2nd and 3rd episode are putting small bone fractures in his smashed head together like a puzzle. This is extreme engineering from the doctors, and it's a compelling watch.

If this is recommended? Well, of course, if you are not of the faint-hearted. It might get someone to faint.

Shows real life how teams of medics come together to treat severely injured patients. It's really touching to listen to both the medics and patient stories. Highly recommend. Provides excellent insight into a very stressful environment and is tuly cinematic with a good mixture of suspense and drama.