by rick grant rickgrant01@comcast.net
One could say that CBS’ new medical drama, 3 lbs, is a rip-off of ABC’s smash hit House. Despite its obvious similarities, creator Peter Ocko counted on 3 lbs star, Stanley Tucci, to create an original curmudgeonly brain surgeon, who is not touchy-feely with his patients but is always right. For the most part Tucci has succeeded in creating an engaging characterization of Dr. Doug Hanson–subtly different than Hugh Laurie’s House. He calls the brain “wires in a box” and believes in advanced science to repair this grey matter organ. Like House, his bedside manner is atrocious.
On the other hand, Dr. Hanson’s neurologist protégé, Dr. Jonathan Seger (played by Mark Feuerstein), is much more compassionate with patients. But his diagnostic theories conflict with Hanson’s cold, scientific approach. Dr. Seger allows for the mysteries of the brain and human consciousness. Hanson, a highly respected diagnostician, has more pragmatic methods, but they are often controversial. With a stellar supporting cast, including Armando Riesco as Dr. Flores, Indira Verma as Dr. Adrianne Holland, Zabryna Guevara as Melania Ortiz, and Juliette Goglia as Erica Linden, this is a high quality series.
The hook of the premise is the strained relationship between the doctors. Dr. Hanson, who comes across as arrogant, as a front to hide his deeply suppressed psychological problems, has idiosyncracies that Dr. Seger has a hard time dealing with. Dr. Adrianne Holland, a calculating and savvy conflict manager, acts as a go-between to resolve the conflicts between the doctors.
Meanwhile, the doctors in this neurosurgery center are given the most difficult and baffling cases. In the second episode, a woman was having seizures and Dr. Hanson was perplexed by their cause. To save her life and ease her symptoms, he disconnected her right brain from her left brain. Consequently, she started to have bizarre symptoms that led to a definitive diagnosis.
With the success of Grey’s Anatomy and House, CBS threw its name into the medical drama hat to hedge its bets with 3 lbs. If anyone can pull off a character like Dr. Hanson, it’s Stanley Tucci, who is an exceptionally talented and versatile actor. His characterization of Dr. Hanson is complex and intriguing. He’s not as blatantly obnoxious as House, but he can be difficult. Patients seem to appreciate his candor when speaking about their cases. He gives it to them straight, no matter how bad it sounds. If the patient is going to die, he tells them that.
In contrast, Dr. Seger tries to soften Dr. Hanson’s steely approach, offering the patient more possible options. Still, the methods of the two doctors are meant to enhance the diagnosis and treatment to serve the patient. It’s just that their personalities are so different. Conflict is a key device that connects the various story elements to make this show work.
Whereas Dr. Seger feels that it’s important to know the patient’s history and to find clues to their brain’s anomalies, which leads to a more complete diagnosis, Dr. Hanson could not care less. He is only interested in the 3 lbs of brain matter under his care–“wires in a box.” Between them they make a great team, but one gets the impression that Dr. Hanson could do without Dr. Seger’s humanistic methods. So the conflict creates the tension that drives the dramatic elements.
Of course, every week there is a new case that needs the diagnostic talents of both doctors. They seem to complement each other while they’re butting heads. Yes, 3 lbs does have many similarities to House, but with major differences. As a medical sleuth, House is dealing with the entire body. His CBS rival, Dr. Hanson, is focusing on the brain. In the final analysis, both shows are well worth viewing. 3 lbs got off to a slow start but it’s gaining momentum on Tuesday nights at 10:00 pm. Imagine an episode that included Dr. House and Dr. Hanson as dueling diagnosticians in some crazy case. Wow, that would be a milestone television event.
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