As the product of a long line of strong, independent women professionals, who in turn raised four such young women, it is particularly discouraging that a once promising series reverted to clichéd reminders of how such women are incapable of fulfillment without a man and child at the center of their lives.
Like Game of Thrones, Bramwell writers, directors and actors introduced strong women, only to abandon them as either hopelessly incomplete without pledging subservience to their man and/or hysterically incapable of compromise. The first three seasons were entertaining, if not somewhat overwrought at times. For one thing, Doctors Bramwell seemed incapable of interacting without screaming at each other, alternating between maximum volume accusations, immediately followed by distraught apologies - in every episode.
Nevertheless, the series effectively explored any number of social issues and medical practices of the time. I suppose that's why groundbreaking Eleanor Bramwell's story arc was so troubling. Her predilection to alternately detest and then hop into bed with manipulative Dr. Finn O'Neill, another strong-willed outspoken character who seemed equally incapable of asking or stating the obvious, never failed to elicit groans from my wife and I. At some point during that terminally tedious storyline, we began referring to the series as "The Slutty Doctor."
My wife was convinced she would end up with dedicated and loyal Dr. Joe Marsham, until the show runners inexplicably morphed him into a mean-spirited jerk, and substituted a military man with so little character development there seemed no earthy reason for any mutual attraction after their inebriated snog on a park bench.
The last ten minutes of the final episode brought a jolting, yet merciful, end to a series storyline in search of meaning. After a lifetime of struggles with interpersonal relationships in a misogynistic profession, our beloved Eleanor bizarrely found contentment by abandoning her life-long career commitment for a transition man with no discernable qualities beyond a natty mustache, but who just happened to have impregnated her.
And the only person to attend her wedding? The equally strong and independent Nurse Carr, who only found her fulfillment with another military man after a single stroll in the park.
What a sad message for young women.
Like Game of Thrones, Bramwell writers, directors and actors introduced strong women, only to abandon them as either hopelessly incomplete without pledging subservience to their man and/or hysterically incapable of compromise. The first three seasons were entertaining, if not somewhat overwrought at times. For one thing, Doctors Bramwell seemed incapable of interacting without screaming at each other, alternating between maximum volume accusations, immediately followed by distraught apologies - in every episode.
Nevertheless, the series effectively explored any number of social issues and medical practices of the time. I suppose that's why groundbreaking Eleanor Bramwell's story arc was so troubling. Her predilection to alternately detest and then hop into bed with manipulative Dr. Finn O'Neill, another strong-willed outspoken character who seemed equally incapable of asking or stating the obvious, never failed to elicit groans from my wife and I. At some point during that terminally tedious storyline, we began referring to the series as "The Slutty Doctor."
My wife was convinced she would end up with dedicated and loyal Dr. Joe Marsham, until the show runners inexplicably morphed him into a mean-spirited jerk, and substituted a military man with so little character development there seemed no earthy reason for any mutual attraction after their inebriated snog on a park bench.
The last ten minutes of the final episode brought a jolting, yet merciful, end to a series storyline in search of meaning. After a lifetime of struggles with interpersonal relationships in a misogynistic profession, our beloved Eleanor bizarrely found contentment by abandoning her life-long career commitment for a transition man with no discernable qualities beyond a natty mustache, but who just happened to have impregnated her.
And the only person to attend her wedding? The equally strong and independent Nurse Carr, who only found her fulfillment with another military man after a single stroll in the park.
What a sad message for young women.