Crime
Prime Target
This math-centric thriller comes with an interesting premise. But Prime Target comes with some primary problems, too.
When Dr. Amy Larsen walks into your hospital room, it’s a bittersweet thing.
She’s the Chief of Internal Medicine at Westside Hospital. And chances are, she’ll be able to figure out what’s wrong and get you right on your way.
Just don’t expect a kind word or a lollipop during your treatment: Amy’s the worst-rated doctor when it comes to bedside manner. Her work-focused attitude extends to those around her, with many of her fellow staff members merely putting up with her rather than liking her.
But then, Amy wakes up as a patient in her own hospital. She’s been in a severe car crash and has undergone significant surgery. It quickly becomes apparent to the doctors treating her that she’s suffering from a condition called partial retrograde amnesia.
She doesn’t remember anything from the last eight years: her divorce four years ago; her current boyfriend of five months, fellow doctor Jake Heller; or even the death of her son seven years ago.
They aren’t sure if Amy will ever remember what she’s forgotten, and those close to her don’t know how to respond, either. Her ex-husband and estranged daughter both struggle with Amy’s sudden desire to speak with them after years of enduring a broken relationship. And Jake can’t help but hurt that his girlfriend doesn’t even know who he is anymore.
There seems to be only one constant from before the accident: When Dr. Amy Larsen walks into their room, it’s still a bittersweet thing.
Medical dramas tend to contain the same general content issues: injuries and romance. And Doc, so far, charts the same.
The romantic focal point of the show centers on Amy’s rekindling relationship with her ex-husband, a man who’s moved on and gotten married again. And given that the series starts with Amy and Jake passionately kissing in the back of a car (with the intent to do more), it’s only a matter of time before romantic drama ensues.
If the first episode is anything to go on, we’ll be seeing a lot more injuries and surgeries as the show continues. The most graphic, so far, involves a surgeon removing a piece of Amy’s skull during surgery to reveal the bloody mess beneath. And speaking of mess, bad language occasionally pops up, too, including “a–,” “b–ch” and “h—.”
Doc has the opportunity to tell an interesting story about fixing broken relationships and second chances. But with the potential for the show to slip into salacious content, time will tell if Doc is worth remembering.
(Editor’s Note: Plugged In is rarely able to watch every episode of a given series for review. As such, there’s always a chance that you might see a problem that we didn’t. If you notice content that you feel should be included in our review, send us an email at [email protected], or contact us via Facebook or Instagram, and be sure to let us know the episode number, title and season so that we can check it out.)
Following a car crash, Dr. Amy Larsen returns to her hospital as a patient. But when it becomes apparent that she can’t remember anything from the last eight years, her closest friends and family wonder how to move forward.
Amy’s car slams into the back of a van and flips, smashing her head against a window. Blood drips from her head, and we see surgeons operate on her. They remove a piece of her skull, exposing a heavy brain bleed.
Elsewhere, Amy accuses someone of committing euthanasia. A pregnant woman seizes, but she’s resuscitated with a defibrillator. We hear a reference to the death of a child.
A man and woman passionately kiss as they begin to take off their clothes, intent on having sex. But they’re interrupted before anything else happens.
Amy chides a hospital worker: “You’re a physician, not a priest.” We hear a reference to karma.
Someone jokes about getting a prenuptial agreement. Another character jokes about taking advantage of Amy’s amnesia to trick her into giving him money that he already “lent” her.
We hear one use each of “a–,” “b–ch,” “d–n,” “h—” and “crap.” God’s name is used in vain four times.
Kennedy Unthank studied journalism at the University of Missouri. He knew he wanted to write for a living when he won a contest for “best fantasy story” while in the 4th grade. What he didn’t know at the time, however, was that he was the only person to submit a story. Regardless, the seed was planted. Kennedy collects and plays board games in his free time, and he loves to talk about biblical apologetics. He thinks the ending of Lost “wasn’t that bad.”
This math-centric thriller comes with an interesting premise. But Prime Target comes with some primary problems, too.
In Netflix’s new anime series Babanba Banban Vampire, a 450-year-old vampire longs for the untainted blood of a 15-year-old boy.
Severance takes us on an unsettling ride—one with few thrilling loops and dips, but strange turns that may still make you a little queasy.
What’s shown here may be reminiscent of what real police officers have seen on the job. I’m not sure the show’s message is strong enough to justify depicting it.
Our weekly newsletter will keep you in the loop on the biggest things happening in entertainment and technology. Sign up today, and we’ll send you a chapter from the new Plugged In book, Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family, that focuses on how to implement a “screentime reset” in your family!
