Doctor Doctor

I liked Hugh, his coworkers and his mother Meryl right from the start. I eventually warmed up to the rest of the cast with the exception of Ajax. Ajax is completely unlikable, by the third season I was fast-forwarding any scene with that annoying man/child in it and nearly gave up on the show altogether because of him.

I had the luxury of watching all 5 seasons in a period of a month or two (thanks to Acorn) and although I really enjoyed the series at the start, I was disappointed to see it deteriorate over time.

The last two seasons were particularly sad - sad to see such intelligent and ethical characters like Penny go over to the dark side. Of course one character that didn't change was Hugh, but that was fine since he started out as a self-centered, albeit charming, jerk (with some redeeming qualities.) Charlie also devolved into a shrew when they brought the actress back after her pregnancy hiatus (how ironic was that?) Hailey and Ajax never did go downhill since they started out there in the first place (at least the Christian Hailey didn't lecture about God as often as I feared. But really -- low morals for a supposedly devout Christian). And I was hoping Meryl would get her comeuppance - what a terrible person she was portrayed as. The final episode sort of regained the feeling of the early seasons, but perhaps they kept the series going a little longer than was necessary, although it looks like it was a windfall for cast and crew.

My thoughts about some of the cast and their characters (Cast likeability 1-5); (Character arc over time in show: 1-5) 5 is best rating.

Rodger Corser (5) Hugh Knight (5 - 4) Nicole da Silva (5) Charlie (5 - 3) Ryan Johnson (5) Matt Knight (5 - 4) Tina Bursill (4) Meryl Knight (3 - 1) Hayley McElhinney (5) Penny (5 - 3) Chloe Bayliss (3) Hayley (3 - 2) Matt Castley (2) Ajax (2 - 1) Belinda Bromilow (5) Betty (5 - 4) Charles Wu (5) Ken (5 - 4) Patrick Wilson (4) Rod Eagle (3 - 3) Winta McGrath (4) Floyd (4 - 3) Steve Bisley (5) Jim Knight (5 - 3) Brittany Clark (5) Mia (5 - 4) Miranda Tapsell (4) April (4 - 3) Uli Latukefu (5) Darren (4 - 3) Shalom Brune-Franklin (5) Aoife (5 - 5) Kate Jenkinson (4) Tara - (3 - 3) Dustin Clare (5) Jarrod (5 - 5) Chantelle Jamieson (5) Sharna (4 - 4) Annabel Wolfe (3) Ivy (2 - 1) Vince Colosimo (3) Carlito (2 - 2) Angus McLaren (5) Toke (5 -5) John Waters (3) Michael (3 - 2) Lincoln Younes (4) Tom (4 - 3)

I have been watching this as the Heart Guy in the US. I was delighted at first but am finding the characters becoming a bit tiresome. How many times does Hugh have to self- destruct or can't Charlie ever think before she whines? These characters started out great but are becoming stereotypes as in a soap opera. Hugh appears to have grown a bit, Meryl is superb and the others Knights are forever immature. I hope the writers can evolve. The "cut to bonking" is sophomoric, physically uncomfortable and unnecessary for what could be a family show.

I'm enjoying this so far. I like the laconic dialogue and depiction of small town lifestyle.

However, I'm waiting for the usual Aussie malaise, the gradual descent into cliché driven soap. I'm hoping this time, Charlie doesn't allow herself to be seduced by Hugh, Matt doesn't die to make way for Hugh, Hugh doesn't have sex 'to make a baby' with Charley - he's a surgeon, let him supply his sperm the clinical way for a change.

How about a stable if quirky family situation that doesn't deteriorate into the usual melodramatic BS... There's plenty of material in the outback lifestyle to keep the series going for years if they do it right.

I stumbled across this show one night when I had nothing to watch. I've always been a big fan of Rodger Corser but this just made me love him more!! The cast is awesome and they all play their roles perfectly. The only thing I would say is that the show probably downplays the impact of drugs... for example Hugh will do drugs but then will come into work. Season 1 of the show is gold! You can't get better Aussie tv then season 1 of this show! I highly recommend Season 2 was good (not as good as 1 but still really enjoyable I still loved it). Season 3 there was a significant drop but it was still watchable, unfortunately season 4 wasn't good. I've rewatched the early seasons 4 times they were so good! Sadly the show has started to drop in quality Season 5 is on the way I hope that it picks up again cause I was disappointed with the last season. Still a huge fan of Rodger's though :)