I watched the first five seasons on cable and watched the last two on Netflix. I am a registered nurse (for 39+ yrs). I was a huge fan of the show's initial seasons. I had great hopes for it.
I give the series high marks for realism, with the exception of Jackie's ability to be a super clinician when high. I worked with impaired nurses throughout my career. I have been manipulated, used and lied to. I have been set up. I have had to fire a nursing aide for coming to work drunk in a hospice for a night shift. I have been Thor, Zoe and Akalitus. Their roles are painfully accurate beyond description.
The performances are five-stars throughout. I could go on and on about individuals but I think giving everyone an A+ in the ensemble is as big a compliment as I can give.
My major disappointment is with the writing. The humor and repartee of the earlier seasons were the perfect counterpoints to Jackie's selfish depravity. In fact, when I have worked with impaired nurses, the atmosphere tended to be just that. Some impaired nurses are masters of distraction by way of entertainment. They hook their coworkers on the drugged personality, not so much on the quality of the nursing. I think the ending of the series would have much more effective if the train had bustled along those quick-witted rails with less kudos for Jackie's nursing expertise. In fact, it would have been truer to life if she had gradually screwed up more often on the job.
I give the series high marks for realism, with the exception of Jackie's ability to be a super clinician when high. I worked with impaired nurses throughout my career. I have been manipulated, used and lied to. I have been set up. I have had to fire a nursing aide for coming to work drunk in a hospice for a night shift. I have been Thor, Zoe and Akalitus. Their roles are painfully accurate beyond description.
The performances are five-stars throughout. I could go on and on about individuals but I think giving everyone an A+ in the ensemble is as big a compliment as I can give.
My major disappointment is with the writing. The humor and repartee of the earlier seasons were the perfect counterpoints to Jackie's selfish depravity. In fact, when I have worked with impaired nurses, the atmosphere tended to be just that. Some impaired nurses are masters of distraction by way of entertainment. They hook their coworkers on the drugged personality, not so much on the quality of the nursing. I think the ending of the series would have much more effective if the train had bustled along those quick-witted rails with less kudos for Jackie's nursing expertise. In fact, it would have been truer to life if she had gradually screwed up more often on the job.