HawthoRNe lacks substance

I am in awe of Will Smith. I think that he’s not only a phenomenal actor, but I truly believe that he’s a great guy, under all of that success and fame. So, I’m a bit hesitant to criticize him … but, what the hell: he kind of, sort of, pushed his wife (Jada Pinkett Smith, star and executive producer of HawthoRNe) to do a bum show.

I’m sorry, Mr. Smith!

Alright, all you feminists, who think I’m detracting from Pinkett Smith’s success by even mentioning her husband here, that was all I had to say about him. But, seriously, I’m surprised that people with as much acting pedigree as the Smiths didn’t see HawthoRNe for what it is: a show lacking in any substance.

Look, I’ve only seen as much of the series as you have, and I fully believe that the writers are slowly building up the characters. However, the hook of the series eludes me. The show is billed as headlining a strong, female character, but I don’t see what’s significant about Christina Hawthorne. In fact, if she weren’t constantly being thrown in our faces, she could even drift into the background.

What I have picked up on at this point is how hard the writers are trying to convince us that Christina is all-powerful. Apparently, nothing in the hospital will function without her steady hand to guide it. And, you know, I get that we need to see her compassionate side in dealing with patients, but how beyond the realm of possibility was it to see Christina, Chief Nursing Officer (what the hell kind of title is that?), and Dr. Tom Wakefield (Michael Vartan), Chief of Surgery, conferring over the treatment of one patient? Fantastic use of hospital resources, Richmond Trinity.

The rest of the ensemble are just a bunch of overblown caricatures, thus far. Ray Stein (David Julian Hirsh) suffers through male-nurse jokes, and can’t seem to get paid for his overtime. Bobbie Jackson (Suleka Mathew) is the solid, strong-willed friend, who, in her own life, is scarred and apprehensive about getting close to people (by the way; her EMT is not attractive, let alone a pretty guy). Candy Sullivan (Christina Moore) is meant to seem like an airhead, but probably has the stereotypical ocean of depth lying beneath her lighthearted exterior. And Christina’s daughter, Camille (Hannah Hodson), adds nothing to the show, and is likely only going to be detrimental to where Pinkett Smith might potentially take her series.

And, of course, all of the doctors are buffoons, from the ones who can’t speak English, to the ones too busy playing golf to monitor their patients. Because, how else can you portray strong nurses on television?

Unfortunately, I am unconsciously making some unfavorable comparisons between HawthoRNe and Nurse Jackie, but I believe that a lot of that has to do with their premiering so close together, and both being shows that I’m monitoring. There are a lot of points that seem to be standard for nurse-based shows, judging by these two, and so what annoys me on one hits me harder on the other.

But, to be fair, HawthoRNe is really, thus far, innocuous. I truly believe that there must be some meat on those bones; why else would TNT have picked it up? I just don’t see how, up to this point, it’s trying to be anything but a nice little show with some semi-decent writing, and boring stories. What’s the angle? Where’s the hook?

To be sure, Jada Pinkett Smith is talented, so I know that she can bring the heavy. Is there any to be found on HawthoRNe? I am going to watch next week, but I still wouldn’t bet on my getting into the show (I shockingly got more from this week’s premiere of Merlin, on NBC).

If this goes nowhere, I do think that Pinkett Smith should give TV another shot. She could do a lot with the right vehicle. Don’t quit too soon!

What do you all think about HawthoRNe? Is anyone else watching it?

Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Jun 24, 2009 @ 16:00 EST5EDT