Ten reasons why last night’s Trauma proves that its cancellation sucks

I’ve already waxed poetic (or very much not so) on NBC’s cancellation of Trauma. Spoiler Alert: I think it was a ill-advised move. Since I’ve been covering the show since it premiered (heck, before it premiered), the illustrious editorial team here at CliqueClack asked me if I wanted to continue covering it (as I seem to be the standard barer for covering shows after their cancellation). I want to continue because I’m such a fan of the show (I think it’s much better than the recently saved Southland), but only if I can abstain from continued whining about its cancellation.

This post is obviously the exception that will hopefully prove the rule.

Tonight was the best installment since the rocking pilot, and it’s ironic that an episode of this quality airs immediately following the cancellation announcement (I’ll be the first to admit though, that one of my favorite television tropes is putting your heroes in danger … I fall for it every time).

1. The Special Effects – The price tag of which was probably the death knell of the show. They were some of the best “realistic” SFX on TV these days.
2. Anastasia Griffith – I admit I didn’t have the pleasure of watching Griffith on Damages or any of her other work, but she’s impressed here (especially with her American accent).
3. Good Emergency Medicine – I’ve mentioned before how impressed I’ve been with Trauma’s technical advisers, but it’s worth revisiting. Perhaps they could now go work for Mercy. No, seriously, please.
4. Scottie Thompson – This has been her first consistent role I’ve seen her in since her year long arc on NCIS, and I think she’s continuing good growth as an actress.
5. San Francisco based shows need a break – At least Eli Stone got most of a second season, but Journeyman and now Trauma haven’t.
6. (2^nd?) Best Medical Show – Technical aspects of the show be damned, Trauma’s exploration of how the pressures of the job, like having to triage a friend, affect the members of the team (I say 2^nd, because Grey’s this season has rediscovered that it is a medical show first, and soap opera second).
7. Great “Scenario” Setups – I loved the effort put into the call that Glenn and Nancy were on this week, especially because the audience was never taken back there. I usually don’t watch the previews, so I didn’t know the crash was coming, and that scene played a major role in the misdirection.
8. Rabbit and Nancy – I’ve called the dynamic Ross/Hathawian, and while standing silly, I think its an accurate analogy. These two characters are written with a great subtext thing going on, and the actors portray it beautifully.
9. Kevin Rankin – What has this guy got to do to catch a break? He’s been a standout in my eyes since the first season of Friday Night Lights
10. Cliff Curtis – This guy is a star, and Hollywood (and the rest of America) just hasn’t figured it out yet.

Note that one of my favorite actors, Jamey Sheridan, isn’t on the list. As much as I like the actor, Doctor John just hasn’t worked for me, especially this week’s stuff about the source of his mentoring of Nancy.

Clacked by Ivey West
on Nov 03, 2009 @ 09:05 EST5EDT