You may be thinking that we have about as much Shonda Rhimes as we can take on TV right now, with Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice. But you know this woman, she is the Oprah of television screenplays. Not only is Off the Map premiering on January 12th, but she already has another project in the wings at ABC about crisis management (whatever the hell that is). Lady can do no wrong! Soon, ABC will be 100% Rhimes programming, all the time. They’ll have to change the ABC to SRC!
But, this is a preview of what we know is on the way, Off the Map. I daresay — I love it. You might expect a lot of similarity to Grey’s, considering it’s about young doctors and by Shonda Rhimes. From what I can tell, the similarities stop there.
Firstly, the characters on Off the Map are likable. That doesn’t mean they are perfect; far from it. But they don’t seem apt to whine, backstab and sleep their way around the compound. They have issues, but they’re not neurotic. Even the most unpleasant character (who happens to be played by Mamie Gummer, daughter of none other than Meryl Streep) is worth cheering, as her character has been written as multi-faceted rather than one dimensional.
Second of all, it takes place on an island. These doctors have exceptional skills and sometimes only rudimentary medical equipment. They would do well to have MacGyver stop in and give them a class on what to do with a couple reeds, some bubble gum and the clothes off their back. The surroundings are not only beautiful, but rugged and from what I have seen so far, it will be well used in the story telling.
Most of the players are familiar faces. We have Caroline Dehavernas from the wonderful Wonderfalls, Zach Gilford from the equally esteemed Friday Night Lights and a slew of others you will recognize and adore. My honest opinion was that I did not want to watch this show. I didn’t expect to like it. Oops! It reminds me very much of last summer’s Miami Medical — a show I felt got shoddy treatment at CBS. The cases were unique, the characters strong and the network and time slot were for crap. I feel the same sense of excitement watching Off the Map as I did when watching Miami Medical. I cannot wait to see more, to find out what other interesting cases are lurking on the island. Their space is so confined, and yet completely different than what we have seen in any recent medical shows; seemingly, the sky’s the limit.
Check out the first three minutes of the premiere below (doesn’t it give you flashbacks to a scene from The Event — {{{shudder}}}) and let me know — will you be tuning in?
Clacked by Carissa Pavlica 
on Dec 28, 2010 @ 16:24 EST5EDT
I saw a preview for this some weeks back and it definitely looks worth the time. I had heard about it before the preview and not being a fan of Grey’s I initially dismissed it, but the preview hooked me.
Brilliant! Let’s meet back here on the 13th to discuss. Fingers crossed you aren’t let down. :-)
“You might expect a lot of similarity to Grey’s, considering it’s about young doctors and by Shonda Rhimes. From what I can tell, the similarities stop there.”
Well that’s reassuring, did not want to see Grey’s in the Jungle.
Well, you won’t be watching Grey’s in the Jungle. What are you looking forward to with the new show? Or, are you not looking forward at all?
I am looking forward to Caroline Dhavernas, Zach Gilford and Jason Winston George but I was a bit hesitant after watching the trailer as it looked like the characters had their counterparts on Grey’s The George, The Izzie, The Christina, The McDreamy, etc.
I’m hoping it was just the editing on the trailer that made it seem that way.
I’m glad Carissa wrote this preview, because I had a much different opinion… While I still loved the Pilot, I thought it had a ridiculous amount in common with Grey’s, but I’m a big Grey’s fan, and don’t see that as a negative.
To me it looks like a sequel to lost and Darma sends out doctors to the island.