I'm going to review this as "Season one" for now, though I wouldn't be at all surprised if this single run, which tells all the story it really needs to, was the end of the show. I'll duplicate this review on the main page, if that is the case.
Adam (Ben Whishaw) is a doctor in the busy Genecology and Obstetrics department of an NHS hospital in London. Exhausted and stressed to breaking point, he masks his problems at home with a defensive front, but at work takes out his frustrations on Student Doctor Shruti (Ambika Mod). Shruti is perhaps the one person at the hospital worse off than Adam, combining the hours, and the abuse, with trying to revise for upcoming exams.
Based on the book by the real Adam Kay, inspired by his genuine experiences as a junior Doctor, "This is Going To Hurt" is a love letter to the men and women that labour in the NHS. Not perhaps to the NHS itself, as it shows the UK's greatest achievement is limping along chronically underfunded and dealing with mountains of job justification bureaucracy. This is no more apparent than in Adam's monologue to a complaints tribunal towards the end of the season, in which he discusses the suicide rates within the profession.
Wishaw is the star of the show here, utilising white, educated, privilege to good effect, without ever alienating the audience to his character. One of the tricks that helps is that Adam talks directly to camera from time to time "Fleabag" style and that he, and the rest of the cast, are capable of delivering well written put downs that provide the show with vital comedic moments. It is a tough watch at times though, particular for anyone, like me, that has firsthand time spent in neonatal intensive care. There is enough blood and surgery footage though that anyone remotely squeamish is likely to struggle.
I enjoyed it, overall. Though, as I say, I feel the like point has been made and we don't need to specifically revisit these characters for a continuation.
Adam (Ben Whishaw) is a doctor in the busy Genecology and Obstetrics department of an NHS hospital in London. Exhausted and stressed to breaking point, he masks his problems at home with a defensive front, but at work takes out his frustrations on Student Doctor Shruti (Ambika Mod). Shruti is perhaps the one person at the hospital worse off than Adam, combining the hours, and the abuse, with trying to revise for upcoming exams.
Based on the book by the real Adam Kay, inspired by his genuine experiences as a junior Doctor, "This is Going To Hurt" is a love letter to the men and women that labour in the NHS. Not perhaps to the NHS itself, as it shows the UK's greatest achievement is limping along chronically underfunded and dealing with mountains of job justification bureaucracy. This is no more apparent than in Adam's monologue to a complaints tribunal towards the end of the season, in which he discusses the suicide rates within the profession.
Wishaw is the star of the show here, utilising white, educated, privilege to good effect, without ever alienating the audience to his character. One of the tricks that helps is that Adam talks directly to camera from time to time "Fleabag" style and that he, and the rest of the cast, are capable of delivering well written put downs that provide the show with vital comedic moments. It is a tough watch at times though, particular for anyone, like me, that has firsthand time spent in neonatal intensive care. There is enough blood and surgery footage though that anyone remotely squeamish is likely to struggle.
I enjoyed it, overall. Though, as I say, I feel the like point has been made and we don't need to specifically revisit these characters for a continuation.
