Black Box

I really do not understand why this show was canceled. I mean, I absolutely loved it! I have watched 'House', 'treys Anatomy', 'Scrubs' and those kinds of hospital shows for a long time, but honestly I must say that this one is my favorite of them all! The show contains great characters and I love the relationship in the family and the dynamic at 'The Cube' Hospital. It has an exiting storyline and I find to really interesting that Catherine must struggle with her own decease while helping other patients. I have actually been really into neurology since I watched this show for the first time. I couldn't stop watching, so I saw season one from the beginning and though out on two days.. I would recommend making a season two off this show and do more to make people aware off the show. Who agrees? Save some money on making another season off House.

The plot focuses upon mental illness in the best of ways: by having a physician herself expressing Bi-Polar Disorder behaviors. This strongly suggests that mental illness can impact anyone.

With Vanessa Redgrave acting as the psychiatrist of main character, Dr, Black, we can't top her performances! Redgrave's great in this role and should keep the series very interesting and informative.

I like the fact that we're getting a variety of perspectives of how family, co-workers, lovers and friends treat people who they know have serious-enough bouts with manias, most especially.

If I were to change one aspect, it would be to have more of Vanessa Redgrave providing "the talking cure" (psychoanalysis) to Dr. Black, especially while she's on a mania high.

The "Black Box" is a show that truly breaks new ground, about a subject that is universal, but not discussed. The show is an accurate depiction of mental illness that is unique, as all mental illness is, to one individual. Bipolar illness is a category, for instance, that covers a wide spectrum, with each individual having a different shade in that spectrum, along with all the different variations each individual possesses. Much of mental illness can be just a difference in amount and degree, of what is mentally healthy. For example, we all have something that is a routine we cannot break, a problem we come back to numerous times a day or something we obsess about which distracts us all day long. OCD is similar, but on a short loop that repeats continuously, and you're unable to get off that loop. Again, it happens in varying degrees. "The Black Box " shows a smart, creative neurologist who functions as an amazing doctor, with and w/o medication. In her personal life, the boundaries are gone w/o medication, and the extremes become almost infinite. It's an accurate and educational depiction of mental illness in a caring, compassionate,vital, observant, and beautiful woman. It's a character you come to care about, who wants to love and be loved, as we all do. Her patients are complex, with interesting case histories that she cares deeply about, and she uses science, knowledge of the brain and her ability to think outside the box, to treat the patients. Medicine is a science, but also an art; both are well depicted. Love it or hate it, you won't feel ambivalent. You will be enlightened either way. It can be a disturbing show to watch, you may disapprove or judge her actions when she is off her meds. You may envy the enlightenment, insight and freedom she has while off her meds, or abhor the torture and recriminations that are the consequences of no boundaries- probably both. The acting, settings, story lines, and other characters are easily HBO worthy. Above all, it is riveting entertainment and it will make you think- and that's rare! It's risky, especially for an ABC show-but no guts, no glory!!!

Seems like a picture-perfect plot for a medical series that focuses so closely upon well-researched neurological pathologies. So it must also consider MENTAL ILLNESSES . . . and what is so outraging to those 1 rating, dare I call them 'reviewers'(?). Seems like lots of writers on IMDb are having knee-jerk reactions to only one aspect of a very broadly-focused series; in particular, its one aspect that looks through the lens of Dr. Black's mental status. Too bad to view a whole series through such a narrowed lens.

Bring back Vanessa Redgrave as Dr. Hartramph, please. The exchanges between Dr. Hartramph and Dr. Black were oh so brilliant and way too well researched to omit from the series. In fact, their exchanges are crucial elements of educating viewers.

Here's hoping this cutting-edge series will intrigue many new viewers who loved "ER" for so many years, since this is very similar with one distinction: instead of just dealing with physical infirmities, "Black Box" deals with BOTH physical and psychological ones.

Thanks for reading.

(review based on the pilot)

I do not understand the complains and the negative critics. You have to rate the title based on the subject and the genre. I think it has some potential, if the writers divert the story to the right direction. It all depends how good they can develop the characters, what kind of new story-lines can they bring in. Obviously the best parts are when the main character goes crazy, so this element will be the main driver force. The whole visual atmosphere is kinda dark, it's like a film noir, and the music emphasize this. I think this is one of the strongest feature of the movie. You should give it a try. Overall very enjoyable pilot.