Three Rivers - news, links, discussion - part 10 *SPOILERS*

[wpgrace]

Sleepy Andy waking up with that VOICE. And the sad little smile when he tells Kuol he doesn't think he has a wife any more.

Loved the rest of the ep but that scene at the end. Oh my...

Red

Yeah... it was quite the gamut of emotions in that scene. I had just watched The Invisible, where Marcus wakes up and rubs his eyes... so it was kinda interesting to then see this scene in this piece where Alex plays this character. Kinda cool. Two very different guys. Both still sleepy but very different personalities waking up with very different facial expressions. Kudos to Alex.

And ITA with Alle about the Rena relationship. This is nothing like any relationship on ML. This is a marriage on life support, and a HUMAN relationship on life support. Andy is no Mick. No preternatural patience or angst or dark secret past (at least not any secrets from Rena), or any of that. His emotions and experiences, and Rena's, in love and in life are more like ours. And there is NO more uncomfortable state than being at the end of a relationship. That horrible sense that... is there SOMETHING you can do to save it? Or is there not? WHEN do you give it up? WHAT and WHICH of your own actions were to blame? HOW much do you bang yourself up about it? And HOW did you go from intimate, loving, and in-love with this person to near-strangers? It is an awful feeling... and I think they both felt awful. And nervous around each other.

But someone oughta slap her upside the head. Just sayin'.

[aolver]

Sleepy Andy waking up with that VOICE. And the sad little smile when he tells Kuol he doesn't think he has a wife any more.

Loved the rest of the ep but that scene at the end. Oh my...

Red

Yeah... it was quite the gamut of emotions in that scene. I had just watched The Invisible, where Marcus wakes up and rubs his eyes... so it was kinda interesting to then see this scene in this piece where Alex plays this character. Kinda cool. Two very different guys. Both still sleepy but very different personalities waking up with very different facial expressions. Kudos to Alex.

And ITA with Alle about the Rena relationship. This is nothing like any relationship on ML. This is a marriage on life support, and a HUMAN relationship on life support. Andy is no Mick. No preternatural patience or angst or dark secret past (at least not any secrets from Rena), or any of that. His emotions and experiences, and Rena's, in love and in life are more like ours. And there is NO more uncomfortable state than being at the end of a relationship. That horrible sense that... is there SOMETHING you can do to save it? Or is there not? WHEN do you give it up? WHAT and WHICH of your own actions were to blame? HOW much do you bang yourself up about it? And HOW did you go from intimate, loving, and in-love with this person to near-strangers? It is an awful feeling... and I think they both felt awful. And nervous around each other.

But someone oughta slap her upside the head. Just sayin'.

Yes Grace, what you say is true. I've been there. In this case Rena is moving on and Andy is stuck. She knows it's really over. I'm not loving Rena as a character. Maybe it is on purpose to show the distancing of her from Andy. Looks like they are already bringing some sexual tension in between Andy and Lisa. So far Lisa as a character has been wimpy. Maybe she will be a stronger force in the future. Alex looked amazing, as usual, and the final scenes were touching.

[francis]

This was the best episode yet, character wise, case wise and execution wise. So much drama, but it all came together. And we got glimpses into every doctor's character, deep glimpses. It took a very unlikeable patient to achieve this.

I don't really connect to Kuol. He's annoying me. He means well, but if he's really that sick, what is he doing playing rock, and why is Andy putting up with his behaviour. He has a free pass on everything. On the other hand, he's enjoying life so much, it's endearing. He's like a small child. The contrast of a grown man behaving like a child is what's annoying me.

[librarian_7]

The contrast of a grown man behaving like a child is what's annoying me.

yeah, 'cause they NEVER do that in RL. *heavy irony*

Lucky

[wpgrace]

The contrast of a grown man behaving like a child is what's annoying me.

yeah, 'cause they NEVER do that in RL. *heavy irony*

Lucky

[PNWgal]

I'm sharing a bit of MoonlightSonata's brain this morning...I agreed with quite a bit of her post.

Overall, I liked this episode. Not as well as I liked last week's (I LOVED last week's), but this one had a bit of everything. I got a kick out of Kuol lifting Andy's keys and man, I LOVED Miranda in this one. I thought some of the back-and-forth between David and that director was wonderful, and our Dr. Lee learned a little something about loving the unloveable.

I have to agree with MLSonata - there just was no "spark" between Andy and his wife. I wanted there to be, because I really did like the character of Rena - she was pretty and tough and I respected her. The scene at the end where she walks away from him got me sniffling - it's truly heartbreaking to see two people who love each other realize that sometimes...love just isn't enough to withstand the reality of their dedication to their respective professions.

The one I liked the best this go-round? The cop's fiancee - she did a wonderful job of being strong but scared, and had a lot of wisdom. Too bad neither Andy nor Rena listened to her.

I laughed at Miranda and co. getting stuck and having to climb the fence, and I just loved her breaking that guy's nose. I'm finding myself looking forward to seeing more scenes with her. I also got a kick out of an operating room full of people trying to ignore Mr. Liver Transplant going on and on about Sophia being in love with Dr. Foster.

LOVED Andy with the guitar. Gratuitious? Perhaps. Adorable? Most definitely. And - I absolutely adored Andy's socks. Reminds me a bit of Booth in "Bones".

Now for the nitpicks:

- Is CBS so hard up for actresses that they can't find more believable than that blond? I really don't like Lisa Reed - she has even less chemistry with Andy than Rena did - and I'm going to be REAL disappointed if they go from "I love you so much Rena" Dr. Andy to him throwing down with the perky ER doc in the space of one episode.

- My 12-year old niece can Photoshop better than CBS can. WTF was up with the photos on Andy's desk?

- Since when does anyone burst into an operating room without being masked?

- I wasn't terribly impressed with Dr. Jordan's "bombshell". Alfre's trying too hard - she's a much better actress than that.

- If CBS wants to keep this show believable, these doctors are going to have to lose someone soon...although I'm glad it wasn't the cop. I really enjoyed that storyline.

The good definitely outweighed the bad, and I was left feeling an overwhelming sadness by the end. I laughed, I teared up and I enjoyed myself immensely. I can't ask for more from an hour of television.

[nayp]

Loved last nights episode, watched it the second time just now with hubby, (home today with a really bum knee). The first time just loved it, second time after reading some post I was watching for errors. When have viewers become so (TV reality, and not entertainment).

I don't know when this happen, that I pick a part every episode of a show (husband and daughters are ready to never let me watch a show with them again). I want it to stop know, and just enjoy TV the way it should me, mindless and fun.

[wpgrace]

If CBS wants to keep this show believable, these doctors are going to have to lose someone soon...although I'm glad it wasn't the cop. I really enjoyed that storyline.

Yeah. Except they DID lose a patient last week, Pgal... that football quarterback. They saved most of the patients they showed us, yet TONS of the comments at the CBS site complained that the episode was too sad and depressing.

And while there was some newspaper article or other that basically said the medical stuff is pretty accurate, and on the CBS site that Gonzo said the same thing, there are also tons of folks at the network site who keep nitpicking every medical detail.

So for whatever reason, folks are holding this show to a rather rigorous standard. I don't know if that is standard with medical shows, or is a result of the writers struggling with the actual dramatic elements in that first ep or two, and NOT focussing as much as viewers seem to want on character development. Like maybe if that had all gone more smoothly from the beginning, this other stuff wouldn't be eliciting so much scrutiny??

I'm enjoying the show quite a bit at this point. But truth be told, if Alex pulled out tomorrow, his last ep would be my last ep.

[Moonlightsonata]

Wpgrace - I definitely agree that if Alex weren't in this show, I wouldn't be watching it. That said I don't necessarily think people are being overly nit picky. Dr. Andy is supposed to be someone who doesn't give up on his patients. I thought I heard that he and Rena have known each other a long time. Why give up on your marriage so fast? I have been married for 35 years and knew my husband for 10 years before that. The 10 years was an on and off relationship. Marriage in addition to everything else has to be some compromising on both people's part or it isn't going to work. I am glad that Andy and Rena don't have any children but it seems there could be some give and take in the relationship. The other thing though is even though it may be over, Rena seemed to care more about her partner than she did her husband. Andy seems to care more about his patients than his wife. Just doesn't quite cut it for me.

In terms of comparisons to other medical shows, while I didn't watch Grey's Anatomy the first couple years it was on, I do now. I am not watching it for medical procedures, I like the music, the doctor's stories are entertaining and can be a nice diversion. I watched ER for a period of time - not quite sure why - but I found it entertaining. Years ago - and I am really dating myself - but the 35 year marriage already does that - I enjoyed Ben Casey and Dr. Kildare but more for the main characters than any type of surgery. Frankly, I had to look away for part of the surgery last night. I did enjoy the football story last week and could feel the boy's guilt that someone trading seats with him, saved his life. It was made more bearable because if that boy hadn't lived, they probably wouldn't have gone looking for the other football player.

I am holding Three Rivers to the same standard or, maybe even a lower one because of Alex, that I hold any show I watch. I want it to be worth my time and be entertaining. Most procedure driven shows aren't doing it for me these days, and I see Three Rivers as still way more procedure than character development. I would like that to change. It has some since the beginning, but still not as much as I would like. And getting back to Dr. Andy's marriage, I don't want it to be on one episode and then next week, he is involved with someone else. If he doesn't have time to work on his current marriage, I don't want another romance right away.

Because of Alex, I won't write anything negative on any type of CBS board. Because of Alex I continue to watch the show.

[lafluffy]

Grace notes:
Dr Lee learning compassion; I loved the surprisingly eloquent apology from the prof.

Miranda! She's become my fave character, and isn't it total wish fulfillment to see an arrogant SOB in authority get his for a change? I laughed out loud. I thought the broken nose was a genius plot device, and the entire procurement adventure entertaining -it woke me up.

The conversation between Rena and Andy at the end. I was surprised by how articulate it was. And real. I also agree with others- too bad there was no chemistry between the two.

I still got weepy over a recipient (the prof). On the other hand my biggest gripe is, can't they find actors who look like real human beings and didn't step out of a fashion magazine? I admit, I ended up fantasising about Sophia in the Rena role and someone who could convey the grit of police work in their faces and attitudes instead of just swanning around. Together, I found Andy and Rena so "white bread".

Bonus points for Alex in an open robe. Very tantalising.

[allegrita]

New article in TV Guide Magazine:
http://us.mg1.mail.yahoo.com/dc/launch? ... lvus1prr0u

A Revealing Three Rivers
by Megan Walsh-Boyle November 02, 2009 10:21 AM EST

Our prayers have been answered! Three Rivers finally gives us a major dose of character development… and a glimpse at Alex O'Loughlin’s abs!

This week’s episode, “Alone Together,” opens with an officer named Phillip down (looks like a heart attack) and his partner demanding he be taken to Three Rivers, where we—and ER doc Lisa—learn the ailing officer’s partner is Andy’s wife, Rena (Kelly Overton). That was an awkward introduction between Lisa and Rena, right?

It turns out Phillip’s apparent heart attack is really an aneurysm, which wouldn’t be difficult to treat if he wasn’t already given an anticoagulant (yikes!) And Phillip would probably be a goner if “rock star” Andy wasn’t on the case. Andy tells Phillip’s fiancée that he’s going to perform a “very new procedure…that just might work.” (Spoiler alert: It does!)

Meanwhile, Sophia, Miranda and David treat possibly the worst patient ever: Mr. Boyle, a theater professor with advanced liver disease and a grating personality. Just how annoying is Mr. Boyle? Well, when a match is found in West Virginia, the Three Rivers staff cheers not for Mr. Boyle, but to be rid of him. In his defense, Mr. Boyle has a lot to be bitter about—not only his disease, he also watched his partner die of AIDS.

In Sophia’s mind that means Mr. Boyle gets a pass for all of the racial slurs he shoots David’s way (even the Yo-Yo Ma reference). Sophia, in her infinite wisdom, deems it will be good for both Mr. Boyle and David to spend some time together, saying David needs to learn to love the unlovable in order to become a great surgeon.

We also get some comic relief in the form of Miranda, who runs into one roadblock after another in procuring the liver for Mr. Boyle. After getting caught in a sprinkler, having to climb a fence and inadvertently breaking a surgeon’s nose, she returns to Three Rivers and Mr. Boyle gets his new lease on life. And there’s hope he’ll have a better attitude too now that he’s no longer friendless—David sent him flowers. Awww!

Now, the best part of the hour—the juicy tidbits on the private lives of the doctors! Andy and Rena love each other, but no amount of couples counseling can save their marriage since, in Rena’s words, “You save lives, Andy—what’s more important than that?” So ladies, Andy’s officially back on the market (and wants to have kids!), but I’m thinking it’s going to take someone truly special to make him “forget” about Rena. And can anyone compete with workaholic Andy’s job?

Even more interesting is what we learned about Sophia and her secret (well, not anymore) intimate relationship with Miranda’s deceased father. Note to Three Rivers: This backstory needs a flashback episode! Who’s with me? Give us your thoughts in the Comments section below!

[wpgrace]

Cool review... annnnnd, this is the online TVG, Alle? I STILL don't quite get that whole thing...

[RangerCM]

Miranda! She's become my fave character, and isn't it total wish fulfillment to see an arrogant SOB in authority get his for a change? I laughed out loud. I thought the broken nose was a genius plot device, and the entire procurement adventure entertaining -it woke me up.

It was made even funnier when he cries out in pain and she starts shushing him.

[allegrita]

Cool review... annnnnd, this is the online TVG, Alle? I STILL don't quite get that whole thing...

Nope, this is the website for the print magazine. It really is confusing...

[darkstarrising]

Finally read through all the new posts and had a couple more comments

I know Andy isn't Mick, but in the scene with Rena, all I could see was the rooftop scene with Mick and Beth except the tables were turned....Andy is the one who can't let go and wants his relationship with Rena to work. Rena is the one who has either moved on or is afraid of what getting back with Andy would mean. The whole conversation about having kids was heartbreaking...Andy wants them, knows she won't have them with him (but doesn't quite understand why). But the real heartbreaker is when Andy asks about whether she would have kids with someone else....she said maybe (incredible blow to the male ego), if that person met her halfway. She softened the blow (and left the door open) with the follow up of "Is that you?"

What I really liked was Dr. Jordan's comment about "Sometimes you have to rip things apart to fix them." She was talking about the surgery he'd performed, but Andy was thinking about his marriage.

But the line that brought me to tears was when he tells Kuol 'I don't think I have a wife anymore.'

P'Gal - you said that to be believable, they're going to have to lose one or two patients and I thoroughly agree. If you believe the promo for next week (and I don't), the little boy isn't going to make it. I really hate how they create these promos to give the viewer a certain impression (to get them to watch), only to find that the clips were manipulated once you sit through the episode.

My guess is that Kuol is the patient that dies and that is going to break Andy's heart.