MovieChat Forums > Saving Hope (2012) Discussion > Officially done (spoilers)

Officially done (spoilers)

posted 10 years ago by ashmedan
7 replies | jump to latest

Well, that's it for me. This show lasted one season too many.

It's not because of anyone leaving but because of the contrived story line and lack of believability in the main characters.

Don't get me wrong, Joel's character was an important part of the dynamic of show in my opinion. But Alex's character this season basically ruined the show. The whole devoted fiancee routine, then out of love, then hopping into bed with someone she had already decided she didn't want years before she met Charlie, then the stupid triangle-pregnancy, then she magically falls back in love just as contestant number 2 is conveniently taken out by an exploding plot hole.

It's just too much. It's as corny as it is frustrating. To tell the truth I kinda saw it coming when they started the obligatory Joel/Alex hookup which is when I stopped watching, but I got bored recently and watched the rest of the season.

They needed to make the show less Alex-centric. It's no surprise some of the viewers thought she was the boss when she is supposed to be a resident in training. It's because the rest of the characters treat her as though the sun revolves around her and she is perfect - which is just shallow writing. They needed to make Charlie's character have a bit more backbone (again the whole fiancee dumps him to hookup with her ex only to dump the ex a couple of weeks later only to get pregnant and pretend the baby has two fathers, and then fiancee expects to get back together no questions asked after the baby is born). Who would take that without one getting mad at her, or questioning her motives and commitment? And finally, they needed to develop Joel's character better and make him more than just a serial womanizer and a foil for the inevitable Alex/Charlie pairing.

I have a problem watching a show if I don't like any of the characters in it, and at this point they managed to make most of them unlikeable for me. At this point the only one i'm rooting for is the hot doctor, and she hardly get's any screen time anyhow.

Just thought I'd share my thoughts on how this show could have been good and why it's not anymore. And as far as Alex's baby is concerned, I fully expect them to pretend that it doesn't matter who the father is now that Joel is out of the picture.

Anyway, that's it for me. See you all on another show. It's just TV after all.

[–] Shaftell 10 years ago

I thought Alex was the main character of the show. That's why she's always in the center of the story.

[–] suzan28 10 years ago

I thought Alex was the main character of the show. That's why she's always in the center of the story.

her and Charlie, yes the show is all about them...

susan

[–] bakerstreetdozen 10 years ago

Series three definitely got too 'relationship-centric' for my liking -- one of the reasons why I typically don't watch medical shows. Yes, I know that's always been featured on this programme to an extent, but I do get annoyed when they start doing the constant merry-go-round with all the different on-again/off-again couples.

I was also disappointed with the fact that they really passed up the opportunities to do some interesting things with Charlie. It was clear that, at times, he had some difficulty in telling the difference between a spirit and a live human. Charlie sought help at one point, and was also caught out for his actions in the OR; but always, always, they dug him out of a tight spot, or simply chose to shift focus. Having Charlie's 'special abilities' finally out in the open would certainly create some very interesting dialogue and conflict on the show, and I do hope they move in that direction sooner rather than later.

One of my favourite parts about this series was actually Dr Katz, and her struggle to come to terms with her sexuality. She's had a great character arc, and I think the actor did a great job with her scenes. She and Maggie make for an interesting dynamic as well.

--
'Save me, Barry!'

[–] Kris_AB 10 years ago

...of the entire season (and the worst part was the callous and extremely casual killing off of Dawn's guinea pig, hah! Awww). It wasn't a convenient lesbian "B story" ratings stunt, it wasn't shoddily written or twee in its solution/conclusion (really on the strength that there hasn't been a conclusion--this sorta turning point in one's life is an ongoing adjustment and learning experience), and it featured a specific type of a religious adherent who we don't see represented much (if at all?) in the body of lead characters on TV. I know enough about orthodox Jews, but haven't seen any as main characters on TV and certainly not portrayed in stories about their sexuality (bravo to this show for that--at first glance I thought this series might've been the kind to suck up to conservative/prudish audience members--aside from the usual required love triangles and expected bed-hoppin'--but I was glad to be proven wrong many times). It was beautifully acted as well and Maggie helping her out was kinda frickin' adorable (sorry it might've taken the sacrificing of Gavin's place in the series to leave space for this to happen, though).

I doubt Maggie will hook up with Sydney in any real way (and Katz seems like she will still hold to many of her conservative values by not allowing herself a casual/no-strings fling or even one-time roll in the hay with Lin--probably not a smart thing to do with a work mate and superior/subordinate situation anyway). I like that they're buds, though, and it's nice to see more genuine bi representation on TV in the form of Maggie.

Like you, I also want Charlie's secret to be blown wide open. At least Alex seems to be fully aware and accepting of it now (don't backpeddle on this in Season 4, writers! Please). It doesn't all have to be a season-long struggle of him appearing to be bat$#it crazy, either--he could sooo easily prove to his colleagues (at least within a reasonable shadow of a doubt) that he undeniably has this supernatural ability, after a few choice patients. Just do it, writers. Take the plunge, already. Further distance this series from the standard medical drama.

[–] Arina83 10 years ago

Quite honestly, I was rather disappointed with this storyline. Sydney originally came across as a devout, passionate, strong Orthodox Jewish woman...which is why the way this story progressed was rather surprising to me. I feel there would have been more mileage in showing her as an Orthodox Jewish doctor than as a religious person who had some repressed homoesexuality that modern society needed to liberate.

The main issue I have is how her feelings about marrying her fiancé came across. The whole 'he throws his yarmulke on the bed when he wants to have sex thing' is not the way it works in a Jewish marriage. I'm sure it happens in more conservative groups of Orthodox Jews, but Sydney and her fiancé both came across as more middle to left wing Orthodox Jews. It is the woman's right to have pleasurable, enjoyable sex when she wants it.....and its her husband's obligation to give her that pleasure. Any Jew who says otherwise misunderstands what their own religion teaches.

Here's an article that does a good job of explaining this issue. http://jewinthecity.com/2015/02/orthodox-jews-and-sex/

Some terms in that article.

Talmud- oral law consisting of the Gemara and Mishnah

Halacha- written law

Haredi- sometimes called ultra-Orthodox Jews

And another good article. http://www.jewfaq.org/sex.htm

[–] dngn_rdr 9 years ago

She "fell out of love" with Charlie when she was in the coma due to something that happened while she was in spirit form (the other spirit warned Charlie after she woke up that she'd left part of herself behind) so she didn't remember her feelings for Charlie. That missing part was returned when she gave birth and her feelings for Charlie returned.

There's lots of theories around as to her being pregnant already while in a coma and it was the chilld's spirit that didn't come back until it was actually born, and that her feelings for Charlie were with the childs spirit because he's the biological father.... nothing official though.

[–] HalHopandPop 9 years ago

I have several theories, some have Charlie as the father, others Joel. While we will find out who the father is, some parts of last season may never be explained and left up to the viewer.

Alex was definitely frustrating last season. But at least her feelings seemed to come back gradually and not all at once. The baby was just the very last piece.

Milo, I've told you again and again - please, don't walk on the chickens!