Saving Hope

Considering that I love to spend my free time watching medical dramas with a twist of supernatural, I really can't comprehend how I've missed Saving Hope so far. Being a moderate Stargate SG-1 fan, it's quite natural that Michael Shanks brought me here, but while I was expecting another fairly drama-packed, standardised medical show, I was quite surprised to see a really good character development. And while I resisted in the beginning, I'm really enjoying the dedication of Alex, the reserved but caring demeanor of Joel, the quirkiness of D-r Hamza and the amusing yet adorable way that Charlie deals with his gift/curse.

There are a few things that actually remind me of Grey's Anatomy (the high school-like relationships and dramas around the hospital, the constant endangerment of the hospital staff etc.), but unlike the other show Saving Hope is quite realistic when it's portraying the personal issues and musings of the staff when it's challenged with seemingly unbearable situation. Throughout the three seasons I've watched so far, I was amused, shocked, saddened and caught hoping and coping side by side with the characters - a thing I never do when the spirit of a show just isn't there.

I first came to this show as a fan of the Vampire Diaries, following Daniel Gillies. I have never before been a big fan of the medical drama genre in general. However, all it took was one episode, and I was completely hooked, and become moreso with each show. Saving Hope draws you in with the wonderful characters, emotions, dialogue, drama, and humor. From just being a Daniel Gillies fan, I've become a fan of the entire cast.

Michael Shanks perfectly portrays Charlie's frustration at being unable to wake up or communicate with Alex, and his frequent surprise and confusion about how things work on "the other side." His observations often provide deep insight into both Alex, and sometimes humanity in general, as he is being forced to see everything from a new perspective.

Erica Durance is brilliant as Alex. Every emotion that Alex feels can be seen on Erica's face so clearly you almost don't need words most of the time. She is so believable in this role, it's heartbreaking. You want to cheer her on during her moments of success as a doctor, and cry with her at those times when she breaks down, missing Charlie.

Daniel Gillies is spot-on in the character of Joel, with the perfect balance of confident arrogance in his abilities as a surgeon, and a soft side that drives him to dig into his patients' lives to find out more about them. He wants to know what will help them the most, not just what the statistics say should be done. Joel is also a rock for Alex - always ready to defend her, boost her up, and be a shoulder to cry on when needed. Daniel blends Joel's multi-faceted personality seamlessly.

Beyond these three, there is also an amazing supporting cast. Dr. Shahir Hamza is a brilliant yet delightfully socially awkward brain surgeon. Victor Reis is Shahir's outgoing, wise-cracking nurse boyfriend. Maggie Lyn is a cute, perky medical resident who has her eye on Joel, and is not afraid to go after what she wants. Gavin Murphy is the sweet, kinda nerdy & shy psychiatric resident. Jackson Wade, ICU nurse, provides the best one-liners in the show, hands-down.

There are more regular characters on the show, but you get the idea - the show does not rely solely on its main three, as amazing as they are. We are given a rich variety of characters and personalities, and we come to know them more as individuals with each episode.

Give this show a chance, don't try to constantly compare it to any pre-conceived notion of how it is "like" or "unlike" other shows, and I really think you'll love it!

I will admit, I came from a Stargate SG-1 background, so naturally I already fell in love with Michael Shanks. His performance is no less than flawless, as it has been in past shows and even low budget movies. His presence is great and just makes the show for me. It is sort of a mix of the "Grey's Anatomy"'s medical problems and a hint of "Awake". The only thing that does not remind me of another show, is that this show is AMAZING. I have cried for good and bad in every episode so far, and I believe that will continue but I don't mind. It is a tear-jerker for sure, but again I don't mind. The other great aspects of the show, are the excellent cast. Erica Durance and Daniel Gillies are the other main characters and their performance is no less than stunning either. Personally, there is not a single part of "Saving Hope" that I do not enjoy week after week, even five shows in. I have the want after every episode, to watch the next, then the next day, I watch the episode again on Hulu. No negative comments. I will be severely hurt if this show doesn't last a while.

I personally find this show very entertaining and demonstrates reliable emotions that occur in everyday life. The actors are excellent choices and the directing is flawless. The plot is well written and demonstrates life for doctors and patients, and the problems they face on a daily bases. But it also focuses on the fiction of what a person may think they are experience while being in a coma. "Saving Hope" is an exciting drama, that allows the watchers to expand their knowledge on medical procedures (eg. various surgeries). I personally think many people will enjoy this TV series especially if you have watched and enjoyed shows like "Grey's Anatomy", "ER" etc.. This show is available to buy on DVD and can also be found on the CTV website. You won't regret watching "Saving Hope".

From the creative team that brought us the hit Canadian summer series "Rookie Blue" comes "Saving Hope", a new hospital drama with a supernatural twist. Boasting the same high quality ensemble cast and plenty of star power, it features the trio of Erica Durance (Smallville), Michael Shanks (Stargate SG-1) & Daniel Gillies (The Vampire Diaries). The hook to this series is not that it's a medical drama, or even the premise of one of the leads living in a parallel universe of sorts while in a coma. What makes "Saving Hope" a winner are the characters who roam the halls of Hope Zion. A diverse group of charismatic heroes, each with their own virtues, flaws and most importantly, heart.

Much like its predecessor "Rookie Blue", "Saving Hope" features a large cast of supporting characters that recur throughout the season, giving a real sense of authenticity to the hospital. We get to know not just our leads but their friends, co-workers and rivals. And in that spirit, each story of the week ties into the overarching love story between Dr. Alex Reid (Durance) & Dr. Charlie Harris (Shanks), and their fight to get back to one another. As a result, you get completely invested in not only their story, but everything going on at Hope Zion.

The supporting cast is a fantastic mix of young and veteran Canadian talent, led by accomplished actress Wendy Crewson (Air Force One) as Alex's biggest rival, Dr. Dana Kinney. Daniel Gillies plays Dr. Joel Goran, hotshot surgeon and Alex's ex-boyfriend. Daniel does a wonderful job of balancing Joel's arrogance & heart-breaker tendencies with his caring nature (towards Alex in particular). Michael Shanks plays Dr. Charlie Harris, Alex's fiancé in a coma, stuck between the spirit world and the real world. Charlie is the male protagonist of the series, and it's thanks to Michael's skillful blend of wit, dry humor and genuine emotion that we cheer for Charlie to beat the odds and wake up.

Last but certainly not least, the center-point of the series, Dr. Alex Reid played by Erica Durance. Known for her chipper and optimistic spitfire portrayal of Lois Lane on "Smallville", here Erica portrays an equally strong woman, but that is where the similarities end. No matter how closely identified she'll always be for her arguably definitive portrayal of the iconic Lois Lane, after watching a couple of episodes of "Saving Hope", you'll simply see her here as Alex. A true testament to Erica's talent. She presents Alex as a caring, driven and practical woman whose life is thrust into chaos, and it's this test of her love for and bond with Charlie that leads her to start to question where science ends and hope begins.

"Saving Hope" is an amazing series which Canadian audiences have discovered & are loving, but which US audiences sadly as of yet are mostly missing out on. In a landscape littered with disposable 'reality' show tripe, this is a high quality, brilliantly acted and emotionally powerful scripted drama with heart. I for one hope that we get to share in the lives of the residents of Hope Zion for many more seasons to come.