The second episode of a new show is often more telling about the general direction, tone, and structure that show will eventually take than the first. (Good) Pilots do a wonderful job at introducing you to the world and the characters, but the follow up episode is is critical to the setup of the rest of the season. So, how did Trauma fare in its sophomore offering?
Pretty well, I think. It seems that the basic structure will be like several mini-episodes of House told in groups. In each of the different scenarios that the team faces, we see the incident actually occur, getting to meet the characters involved with what happened. This way, we get just a little more buy-in to what happens to them once the medic teams arrive on site. I like it.
We’re also learning more about each of the characters. Nancy and Rabbit are the standouts in what is supposed to be an ensemble cast. They are both kinda broken, but I think that they were already there before the events in the pilot. They share a connection that is, dare I say, almost Ross-Hathawaian (Which, might be a bit of a stretch, but I did get to make up that phrase, which sounds pretty cool) in that they might eventually belong together, but they sure as hell aren’t ready for it now.
Some of the secondary characters need more work. I’ve not found much of a reason to care about Cameron and his marriage troubles, and they really haven’t focused much on his partner Tyler, and I know Kevin Rankin can bring it. I do like that there is a bit of a twist to the hazing the new guy Glenn, but I don’t like Glenn enough to make it work.
My DVR cut off before the final sequence, but I’m assuming the mother showed some sign that she was going to pull through, right? (Either way, that’s what I’m going with what happened.)
Other Stuff
I wasn’t with the wood chipper trauma idea until that piece flew through the window. I yelled whoa out load.