Thank You for the article. There are lots of interesting things and fun facts. Yet, I have some complaints and different opinions. Without House M.D. there would be no Doctor X, this is profound inspiration for show. Yet You have skipped some very important themes. House is Socratic outcast, who has character of saviour, without the saviour complex. By the way You can find lot of works comparing Socrates to Jesus, matter of saviour... House is flesh and blood, real with issues, past. Daimon is god, even the name, don't You have knowledge of classical Greek culture? Daimón is Greek word for god, or lesser god, for Socrates daimonion is his inner voice, spark of divine in You. You can find it in earnest dialogue, questioning, wondering. You can guide yourself with reason, but daimonion is something like god protection for You in most difficult cases, what to do. That is so profound! In other words, Michiko isn't real character, she's someting like demigod, You know very little about her past. She has no love life, no desire for money, that means no needs like real human. Other important topic, show is about power struggle, system of declining health care, very unpleasant things for Japan society.
Yet Michiko character is rebellious, she is something like relief for real world employees in Japan. Same pattern in Hanzawa Naoki, no one would dare to act that way! Others wouldn't accept such behaviour, You would be immediately discharged, or outcast. Did You contemplate about this theme, that TV shows aren't just fun, but also it can tell You something about culture and psyche of the nation? It's interesting question, are these show just escape fun, or real deal, subconscious desire to end old mores, high status class society, where powerful are abusing others.
Now to the quality of show, Season 1, almost perfect, Season 2, perfect, because there are better character, Fujiki is there as second lead, something what is missing in all seasons. Season 3, it's little bit weaker, Ryoko is sometimes too much overbearing with her role, her cases aren't so strong. Season 4 is perfect again, serious matters, stakes are high, Kitano is there and many other guest stars. Yet in Season 5 I see decline, more like oncology department, weak cases medically, also it's no fun there. It is above average, Ryoko looks too tired and old there. I didn't saw whole Season 6, but it's not interesting for me. Ryoko can do more, she isn't in the movies last 8 years, that's outrages! Her show Legal V is much better, than last two seasons of Doctor X. Milking more this concept isn't good for her, don't You wish her success and move on?! Actors hate to play same things again.
By the way House M.D. turned from medical detective show to personal relationship show, it's still fun, but first three seasons are the best. Many watched House due to medical interest, even doctors! (I know this from acquintance of mine 9 years back, who is a doctor). Look what happened with Doctor X, last two seasons are relationship drama, no true medicine issues, or power struggle, social comments to society, and this, what's the whole show about for me. I'm missing these things, ideas are gone. Doctor X was all about rebellion, defying masses, possible changes in character, Michiko just like Socrates can lead others to change. This show isn't primarily about, I'm best doctor in whole universe of all time, You get wrong, the message and original intentions of the show. Ben Casey and other medical dramas have 0 importance for concept and being of this show. Yet I'm glad, that it existed, it is show which left mark in this decade and it's beginner friendly for Westerners.
Honestly, only few remakes has raison d'etre and are functional like Japanese Suits or Korean Life on Mars. Overall I'm quite dissapointed how much money and time is wasted on copies, instead of making new original interesting content. Chinese aren't normal with their attitude to make any series for several dozens of episodes, when script is holding barely for a few. What's wrong with their senses? It seems cowards and incompetent people are calling the shots in TV industry, bad message for viewer and world...
Yet Michiko character is rebellious, she is something like relief for real world employees in Japan. Same pattern in Hanzawa Naoki, no one would dare to act that way! Others wouldn't accept such behaviour, You would be immediately discharged, or outcast. Did You contemplate about this theme, that TV shows aren't just fun, but also it can tell You something about culture and psyche of the nation? It's interesting question, are these show just escape fun, or real deal, subconscious desire to end old mores, high status class society, where powerful are abusing others.
Now to the quality of show, Season 1, almost perfect, Season 2, perfect, because there are better character, Fujiki is there as second lead, something what is missing in all seasons. Season 3, it's little bit weaker, Ryoko is sometimes too much overbearing with her role, her cases aren't so strong. Season 4 is perfect again, serious matters, stakes are high, Kitano is there and many other guest stars. Yet in Season 5 I see decline, more like oncology department, weak cases medically, also it's no fun there. It is above average, Ryoko looks too tired and old there. I didn't saw whole Season 6, but it's not interesting for me. Ryoko can do more, she isn't in the movies last 8 years, that's outrages! Her show Legal V is much better, than last two seasons of Doctor X. Milking more this concept isn't good for her, don't You wish her success and move on?! Actors hate to play same things again.
By the way House M.D. turned from medical detective show to personal relationship show, it's still fun, but first three seasons are the best. Many watched House due to medical interest, even doctors! (I know this from acquintance of mine 9 years back, who is a doctor). Look what happened with Doctor X, last two seasons are relationship drama, no true medicine issues, or power struggle, social comments to society, and this, what's the whole show about for me. I'm missing these things, ideas are gone. Doctor X was all about rebellion, defying masses, possible changes in character, Michiko just like Socrates can lead others to change. This show isn't primarily about, I'm best doctor in whole universe of all time, You get wrong, the message and original intentions of the show. Ben Casey and other medical dramas have 0 importance for concept and being of this show. Yet I'm glad, that it existed, it is show which left mark in this decade and it's beginner friendly for Westerners.