Sullivan's Crossing

Doctors are Godlike. Surgeons are Zeus like neurosurgeons are more godlike than Zeus. Maggie is not showing the temperament or confidence of a neurosurgeon, and is too young to have been through the many rigorous years necessary to become a neurosurgeon. I'm on episode six, and I find that to be the biggest flaw.

A real neurosurgeon would have sloughed off all of the issues associated with the lawsuit, and left them to the lawyers. Neuro urges are probably sued 2 to 3 times a year. And the neurosurgeon would not likely be in the ER, and would not flip between patients. Still, as a soap opera, Maggie is attractive and lovable.

Okay, so the storyline has been told a thousand times before. Successful and attractive young and talented woman returns home and finds true love but is torn between leaving her successful business practice behind in the big city Boston or living a much simpler life in the quaint Nova Scotia village on a trailer park property.

There are many good characters in this two season TV series, but none better that of the loving relationship of two co-stars namely, Frank and Edna Cranebear played by the veteran actors Tom Jackson and Andrea Menard.

As each episode passes, we get to know just a bit more of many of the characters past, both the good times and the bad times, much as what happens in our own personal lives. What was unrealistic was some of the accidents that always seemed to happen around the lead character Dr. Maggie Sullivan (Morgan Kohan) whose name would have been more appropriately named Dr. Jinx, because the critical accidents always seemed to fall into her troubled lap, both figuratively, and literally.

Secrets of the various townsfolk are also slowly revealed, and the writers and director were clever enough to build the series up to that inevitable crescendo sucking Mrs. Shullivan and I down into that rabbit hole where we both were trying to hide the shedding of tear drops.

It left us with a warm and fuzzy feel-good feeling overall.

I decided to give this show a try, on the strength of liking Scott Patterson and Chad Michael Murray. Im giving this show a 6 simply because of them. If they were not in the cast this show would be a solid 3. The character of Maggie is hugely unlikeable. So full of herself. Completely unapproachable as a person. The only reason any other characters interact with her is because its in the script. In real life they would tell her to F off. She has zero redeeming value and I found myself hoping she'd go to jail or be sued into oblivion on principle alone. The rest of the cast (except for Sydney) are engaging and enjoyable. But the stories are just so sad. Every episode is sad sad sad. The scenery is gorgeous and the music is more enjoyable than the LOUD background music of Sweet Magnolias. Maybe things will improve in Season 4? Fingers crossed!

Based books by the same author as Virgin River, this has exactly the same template. Big city girl moves to a small town to escape her problems, drama ensues with some romantic tension between main character and handsome local. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. Each episode. If you enjoy that formula, you'll probably really enjoy this show. It's campy and soapy, and generally a cute formulaic romance drama.

A note though, calling this "Canadian" is being generous. It's supposed to be set in a Canadian maritime town, yet most of the characters have obviously very American accents and don't sound like locals in Nova Scotia would sound at all. They also seem to have ignored the fact that culture and laws are markedly different in Canada than in the US, and consistently make references that aren't accurate for Canada. If you want something authentically Canadian, this won't do it for you.

The reason I started watching this is because I saw an article about it saying that this show may be better than Virgin River. I rate THAT show 10/10. But THIS show, the soundtrack is annoying. And the sound increases too many times that I find myself having to adjust the sound. The main character, Maggie is a neurosurgeon. Initially seeing her in action was fine but the way she handles stress and so forth makes me frown. I was a critical care Respiratory Therapist. Now I'm disabled due to an injury with chronic pain. Stuff I've been through in my professional life and in my personal life, my stress relief is screaming in a pillow or back then, working out. I know people react differently but her responses to her problems just seem too cheesy. I just think there was a lot of over acting. I don't remember who wrote the article but, better than Virgin River? Nah ah, no way, no how. I will continue to watch cuz I'm watching it while none of my other shows are on. But, if there is a season two, I'd have no idea if I'd watch it. Right now, it's on while I'm watching it so it doesn't hold my full attention. Oh, I'm going to be a little too immature right now with this next comment. But, the boyfriend of Maggie, Andrew, who is played by Allan Hawco is definitely not who'd I consider a good catch. His beard and mouth, all I see is Homer Simpson. I fast forward or don't look at the TV cuz, eww. Five stars cuz it's something to watch and put on TV to pass the time for me. But I guess I can compare it to a Hallmark movie. So if you like Hallmark, over dramatic and cheesy, you should like this.

Edit: I didn't realize there was a season two when I was writing the first review. I shouldn't have said what I said because I tend to have to finish shows. The only time I don't finish watching, is if it's really boring that I can't stay awake watching. Anyhow, I added an extra star because I think season two is better than the first season. Still can't watch Allan Hawco.