Dr. Death Story: Based on the real-life story of a neurosurgeon in Texas, USA who maimed several patients and killed two of them.

Review: The pilot episode begins with voices of patients who have suffered at the hands of Dr Christopher Duntsch (Joshua Jackson) as the camera slowly zooms in to his face. Then, we meet one of his patients Madeline Beyer (Maryann Plunkett), prepping for a routine surgery under his care. Shes optimistic in the hands of one of the most reputable surgeons in Dallas, Texas. But when she emerges, shes worse than before. Far worse, in fact, as we find out when Dr Robert Henderson (Alec Baldwin) assesses her case and condition. Baffled by the results of her surgery, he reaches out to Dr Randall Kirby (Christian Slater), a hotshot motormouth surgeon who previously worked with Dr Duntsch. But, as the two surgeons investigate Duntschs case history and unearth his medical background, they discover many deadly mess-ups, damning cover-ups and downright lies.

To say this series is spine-chilling (if you excuse the pun) would be an understatement. The horrors that unfold in front of trained professionals, who are either unable to act or turn a blind eye because of protocol or financial reasons, goes beyond medical malpractice. We slowly learn about the shocking practices at the hands of a surgeon, who, at first glance, appears to be on the top of his game. Dr Christopher Duntsch (Joshua Jackson) is a charismatic and self-assured young doctor who strings everyone along with his conviction. He believes hes the future of non-invasive surgery and will change the course of medical history with his cutting-edge stem-cell research. But Christopher Duntsch is inherently unsettling from the get-go. Hes dismissive of anyone who challenges his integrity and repeatedly proclaims his excellence, rattling off his credentials to placate concerned patients or their family members. As a young college student, he constantly messes up his routines during football practice and seems to struggle with basic directions. Thats not to say he isnt determined. Every time hes down, he finds a way to get back on the horse. But theres a world of difference between dropping the ball on the field and messing up in surgery.

Trying to understand the extent of his devastation is daunting. Doctors Robert Henderson (Alec Baldwin) & Randall Kirby (Christian Slater) take it on themselves to look into how he got away with murder, literally, while trying to prevent him from ruining any more lives. The narrative goes from allowing events to unravel from their perspective while giving us a peek into his psyche. The show keeps us wondering if the neurosurgeon is entirely delusional or intentionally harmful. This is supplemented by Joshua Jacksons chilling depiction of Christopher Duntsch. The actor deftly manages the extremes of Duntschs fluctuating persona between vulnerability and arrogance. Through his portrayal, the show does not prosecute Christopher Duntsch by presenting him as an evil deviant. Instead, it opts to paint him as accurately as possible, cinematic licenses notwithstanding. Its no easy task, but despite everyone around eventually abandoning the man dubbed Dr Death by the media, Joshua Jackson manages to humanize him.

On the other hand, Alec Baldwin & Christian Slater are captivating to watch as doctors Robert Henderson & Randall Kirby, respectively. Baldwins calm and calculated demeanour offsets Slaters frenetic energy forming the perfect odd-couple dynamic to lead us through the mini-series. As Henderson and Kirby try to unearth the extent of Duntschs butchery, they also discover how he could get away with it for so long. Later in the series, AnnaSophia Robb enters as Michelle Shughart, the spirited prosecutor who gradually builds a case against the doctor. Robb lends a more passionate angle to bringing justice for the affected victims.

The show utilizes secondary characters to flesh out the emotional beats. Fredric Lehne as Don Duntsch Christophers father, Grace Gummer as Kim Morgan a nurse who became his assistant, and Dominic Burgess as Jerry Summers - Christophers confidante and, probably, his biggest blunder, are all instrumental in giving more context to the disgraced doctors mindset. Although the series never fully addresses the reasons behind what he did, the results are excruciating enough.

Show creator Patrick Macmanus with directors Maggie Kiley, Jennifer Morrison, and So Yong Kim choose to jump around timelines to bring different angles to the carnage. While this method presents a well-rounded interpretation of events, it becomes slightly perplexing to grasp over the last couple of episodes. Its the only detriment to an otherwise captivating series far more sinister than most horror fare. After all, the truth continues to be stranger than fiction.

Read the original here:
Dr. Death Season 1 Review: Truth continues to be stranger than fiction. - Times of India