A Young Doctor's Notebook

The screaming repetition of several jokes with a predictable plot and an incomprehensible combination of dark humor and graphic depictions of medical mishaps that I never needed to see graphically depicted. Casting Jon Hamm as an older version of the main character initially seemed incomprehensible to me, but over time, Daniel Radcliffe incredibly imprinted himself onto his future. It's just a shame that it had to happen in this unappealing conglomeration of lost souls. One good joke is enough to get easily two episodes past my perplexed blind eyes. (09/02/2022)

Surprisingly good fun popped up on HBO Go when I was scrolling for my next series to binge. It caught my eye as a “last chance to watch” and with only eight 20-minute episodes, I thought, why not? Plus, you’ve got Daniel Radcliffe fresh off Harry Potter and the always-classic Jon Hamm—how could I say no? If I didn’t already know how well Radcliffe can break away from his iconic wizard role, I might’ve been more shocked. He nails the young doctor character perfectly. And Hamm? He steps away from his usual blockbuster roles and dives headfirst into some brutally dark British humor. At times, I felt a bit of Blackadder vibes, only with more blood and an even sharper bite. (11/03/2020)

Season one: A bucket of cold Russian realism. The black humor (almost British) stories entertain and disrespect for human life has never been presented in such an entertaining form. Radcliffe has shaken off Potter and together with Hamm deal with morphine addiction and the trials and tribulations of villages in the middle of nowhere, consisting of (it seems) one house. My girlfriend finds this very depressing, but I think it’s great. :-) Season two: I really liked the reverse of roles when Radcliffe becomes that bastard who began reminiscing in episode one. With the arrival of Natasha reveals how things really are. A symbolic closure in the closing shots is very nice. Unpretentious. (09/11/2014)