Monday, December 27, 2010

Godhand Teru

Synopsis:
The story revolves around a young man named Mahigashi Teru. When he was young, his father, a brilliant surgeon, died in an accident, but not before saving Teru's life. As a result, Teru also aims to become a great surgeon like his father, devoted to never letting a patient die. As a clumsy newcomer at his hospital, he seems to be an unlikely savior. But whenever a patient's life is in danger, his true powers emerge in the form of his "god hands," allowing him to successfully perform even the most difficult operations.

My opinion:
I was so eager when I knew this dorama would come out since I love the manga so much! There is a healthy mix of human drama, humour, as well as medical stuff. Unfortunately, the moment I read that there are only 6 episodes, I somehow feel that this is gonna be a disappointment.

My first disappointment is about the cast. I don't think they manage to display the comical effects as in the manga. Some look way too old for people in their 30s. Oh well.. And it was crazy that they replace Teru's rival to a woman in the live action! Yeah I know they want to have some pretty girl to spice up the show but I thought the nurse is good enough (Ayano is played by the girl in Rookies ^^). My problem is: females do not understand rivalry! When females are involved, rivalry and healthy competition turn into bitchiness and jealousy. Urgh.. And I cannot stand to watch another actress that I like to be this bitchy woman. Haha..

Story-wise, I am glad that Japanese never fail to show the more human side, rather than the medical side, of the stories. As compared to Voice (another medical-theme dorama), Godhand Teru is less touching though. And the biggest mistake is that the producer somehow makes this into a science-fiction/fantasy genre rather than a medical drama. In the story, clumsy Teru suddenly becomes serious and good when his patient is near death. In the manga, the transformation is due to his desire not to let the person die.. But in the dorama, it seems like a magic. It seems like Teru is a lousy guy who suddenly transformed into having his father's ability after a "heart attack" is triggered. The term "Godhand" also becomes "like God's hand to pull back the dying into the living" in the dorama rather than referring to a very skillful surgeon as in the manga. And I absolutely have no idea how the idea about "jealousy from other doctors" come into play in the dorama. Bleah.

In short there is nothing fantastic about this dorama. It has failed to reproduce the same effects like the manga. It is not funny, the story is not touching enough, the medical parts are explained in a very quick pace for people to even regard this as a medical dorama, there is no romance whatsoever. No idea what genre this show will fit into.

My afterthoughts:
Medical-related shows always show the 'dark' side of the medical world (read: hospital). Haha.. It is not a lie.. I am sure that some unethical profit-oriented doctors are present in real life too! Being admitted into a hospital or undergoing a surgery is really a matter of luck in regards to what types of medical professionals who handle your case.

The theme which continously being echo-ed throughout the series is: there is no such thing as luck in medical treatment. In my opinion, there is! Call it luck or call it fate. I am not a doctor/surgeon so I don't know how true the surgery situations depicted here. But certainly, it is kinda scary to see almost every patient goes into "asystole" state during the surgeries here. It is really life or death at any moment during the surgery.. And like in one of the episode, after the procedure is done, the surgeon can only say "We have done what we can as doctors.. The rest depends on the patient's body.. and her willpower to survive". For me, when it is time for you to die, you will die no matter what treatment you get.. When it is not your time yet, no matter what disaster (or medical error) befalls you, you will still survive. Haha..

One wonderful thing (which I know will never ever happen in reality) depicted here is the good working relationship between the doctors, nurses, and patients. Wow! If only such things are REAL, my profession will be much more interesting and enjoyable one.. Seeing how they work together as a team (during surgeries) make me realise how sad pharmacy as a profession is. Pharmacists don't really get to work together or even be engaged in  life-or-death situation.. I guess that's where the lack of passion stems from. Facing life or death situation makes people more human.. There is certainly an invisible string which bond the people together when they all work to save this poor man/woman/child. When faced with this kind of thing, we realise that we can be that poor man/woman/child we are helping now. Thus, we should be thankful that we are in the position to help them.. But well, that's the ideal.. In reality, most people grow heartless as they watch people live and die day after day.. And that is the problem with healthcare system: to find people who really have the passion to help.. Heart should come first... brain second... :)

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