The Good Karma Hospital

First, I don't really care if its shot in Sri Lanka and not India. The setting looks good and helps make the various episodes Look and appear "real." Other than that, I don't care as the setting is both beautiful and exotic. Amanda Redman still looks great and makes her role of Dr. Lydia Fonseca believable. Amrita Acharia as Dr. Ruby Walker is appropriate as Indian by nationality but English woman by birth who in a fit of heartbreak decides to regroup by taking a position in an Indian hospital whereby she can enjoy the beautiful beaches, local color, and live in a luxurious apartment as her heart heals from a bad romantic relationship. Needless to say, this quickly becomes a fish out of water show as the realities of working in a "dump" of a hospital with minimal facilities and a variety of quirky locals have to be negotiated by Dr. Ruby Walker who is learning how to grow up and not live in the bubble of what she thought would be a medical vacation of sorts.

As the stories progress, we learn more about the various characters and alternate between humor and heartbreak. Dr. Walker has to learn to negotiate her English sensibilities with the realities of working in a run-down hospital and treating patients who have neither money of resources. The humor comes mainly from situations but the heartbreak is about people.

Don't get too attached to some of the characters as their storylines run out while the series continues. The series tries to have a big heart and for the most part it does. The acting is excellent and you care about the characters; it's a shame so many of the stories end sadly.

The series is certainly worth watching and I hope for many more seasons.

I stumbled upon this series and recognized Dr Fonseca from the series New Tricks which we really liked. This is a great series with interesting characters and very good story lines. We couldn't believe how fast we watched all the episodes. We'd love more!

I've watched the first episode twice. An outstanding story line and beautiful surroundings. Witty, charming and a real pick-me up show.

Ruby is a new Doctor from England who moves to India after her boyfriend breaks up with her. She finds herself in less that ideal circumstances as she ends up working in a hospital that is for the poorer people of the area. The three other doctors with totally different attitudes towards their profession they all welcome Ruby in different ways and make up a family style group for everyone to be entertained by.

Ruby with her own new attitude adds add her own personal style of caring for people and helping them realize what is important in their own lives. Her charming English attitude is helpful with the patients and the staff alike.

Give this show a break. I don't see why some critics are so harsh. "...does not have an original bone in its body...." It's a medical drama. How different could it be from the 83,243 medical dramas that preceded it? It has decent writing, good acting, generally relatable likable characters, good production values, beautiful scenery, humor, a little suspense, a little romance, a basically optimistic outlook... you get the drift. This is entertainment. Relax a little and enjoy it for what t's worth.

Addendum: The way I rate shows... I don't usually review anything less than a 7 because 6 would be a failing grade and I won't waste my time watching it. I'm old; I don't know how much time I've got left. Since I probably turned it off before getting even halfway through, it wouldn't be fair to rate or review it.

7 is watchable but I may go a while between episodes since, though somewhat entertaining, there are other shows more interesting or compelling.

8 would be a regular in my lineup.

9 is a must see and probably bingeable.

10 is just the epitome of superbity and headed for my all-time favorites list.

I'm adding this to my reviews because it seems there are a lot of binary reactions to pretty much everything these days. I am not a like/unlike kind of guy. I see a lot of grays so if I give something a 10 it doesn't mean the only alternative is a 1.

I am still reeling from the episode I saw last night, with the wedding. So much beauty. Everything was so gorgeous. The colours, the costumes, the jewellery, the landscape - everything! The story lines are a bit weepy (for happy and sad!). All the actors are very beautiful. That house boat where the dying Dr Virginia (Sue Johnston) lived was the most beautiful thing ever!!!!