Oooh Matron! (Casualty)

Member Name: Blurbubble

Product:	Casualty
Date:	17/05/01 (79 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Entertaining, realism

Disadvantages: Often too much focus on chracters personal lives

"Casualty" is a long-running TV drama on BBC1 in the 'traditional' time slot of 8pm-ish on Saturday evening. I've been pretty much an avid viewer since it began, oooh, I'm guessing at about ten years ago. Set in the Accident and Emergency department of fictional Holby City Hospital, it details the trials and tribulations of both staff and patients.

Throughout this time it has certainly had its peaks and troughs as far as storylines and characters go but it seems to maintain it's reality factor and watchability despite that.

I remember back in the first few episodes Nurse Duffin/Duffy (played by Cathy Shipton) had a most peculiar and unconvincing West Country accent which mysteriously disappeared after the first series! And I still miss nurse Megan (Brenda Fricker) sorely - but she has moved on to better and bigger roles in the film world! Seemingly a lot of now well-known stars, such as Robson Green (Soldier, Soldier etc), cut their teeth in this quality drama - he was the original hospital porter.

I think Casualty retains it believability in the well-balanced mix of action and personal dramas unlike dramas such as London's Burning which have strayed too far into the characters personal lives and forgotten the fires!

Indeed, as in 'real life' A & E departments the mix of patients coming in is credible from the time-wasters to those on the brink of death, the comical or the violent characters, and the occasional wino looking for a place to stay that night.

One main character, Nurse Charlie Fairhead (Derek Thomson) has been with the programme since the beginning and has undergone enough personal and professional traumas to defeat most of us!

The special effects, namely the accidents and resulting wounds are realistic and sometimes stomach-churning without going to the Hollywood 'sensationalism' extent.

I think it is fair to say this well written and
performed drama will retain it's popularity and, whether you love it or hate it, I think it will be around for some years to come.

Summary: