From executive producer Peter Berg (NBC's "Friday Night Lights") comes "Trauma," the first high-octane medical drama series to live exclusively in the field where the real action is. Like an adrenaline shot to the heart, "Trauma" is an intense, action-packed look at one of the most dangerous medical professions in the world: first responder paramedics. When emergencies occur, the trauma team from San Francisco City Hospital is first on the scene, traveling by land, by sea or by air to reach their victims in time. From the heights of the city's Transamerica Pyramid to the depths of the San Francisco Bay, these heroes must face the most extreme conditions to save lives -- and give meaning to their own existence in the process.

http://www.nbc.com/trauma/about/Nicely shot and produced pilot but still full of the usual medical cliches. Even so I thought it was much better than "Mercy." Rabbit being the kind of arrogant and self-assured character that audiences remember - like Benton in ER and Geiger in Chicago Hope.

It's hard to fill the shoes of "E.R." and it seems NBC have decided the best way to do that is to make two separate shows to fill the gap it let behind. If Mercy takes the lightweight dramedy elements of ER, then Trauma takes the high-speed gurney-pushing urgency that flooded the ER every other week.

All things considered I prefer the latter so I'll stick with this to see how it goes. Not sure the general audience will though. The gritty look and feel doesn't usually spell success.

And anyone else spot the McIntosh hardware? The first thing that I noticed in that one scene. I'm sure I'm not the only one who started wondering just how much money those flight medics make.

Thought it was a bit over the top. I was a big fan of Third Watch and was hoping for something closer to that. I will give it a few more weeks to see if it can settle into something enjoyable.

Thought it was a bit over the top. I was a big fan of Third Watch and was hoping for something closer to that. I will give it a few more weeks to see if it can settle into something enjoyable.

Third Watch was a great show....Trauma left much to be desired. Some of the action was way overboard. Hopefully the second episode is better.

I liked it! Definitely a better show than Mercy. While it's not ER, and it's not Third Watch, it's the only show like it on TV right now and I'll take it. I think the characters will develop nicely and we'll get to see a lot of a-holes getting what they deserve by doing stupid things like texting while driving. I loved the first 5 minutes, by the way, nice way to jump start the action, although it bothered me a bit after seeing the TV news copter crash last year in a similar fashion while covering a news story.

I found it, like some of the other new ensemble dramas I've sampled, to be strangely uninvolving. With Mercy, I thought it was the casting, particularly the lead actress. With Trauma, I felt the writing was more to blame. Substituting action for character development doesn't work for me. If I want that, I'll go see a Michael Bay movie. Successful TV is all about great characters that you want to spend time with every week. Neither of these shows made me want to come back for more.

show is shot primarily in SF. not vancouver. what a novel concept.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/28/BA0M19P9JA.DTL&type=entertainment

Couldn't make it five minutes into the show. Unwatchably dumb.

Also, yet another show this season with the giant fireball helicopter crash. ENUFF! Helicopters don't do that outside of bad TV, film and YouTube.

Clearly the exploding helicopter is this year's cheap effect every TV show can get. Kinda like how they did that same car crash scene from the pilot for the new Bionic Woman in every damn show that season.

After suffering through all the promos for this show I had absolutely no interest in watching this at all.
Do we really need another knockoff medical drama trauma show?

And anyone else spot the McIntosh hardware? The first thing that I noticed in that one scene. I'm sure I'm not the only one who started wondering just how much money those flight medics make.

Caught that as well, was thinking that seemed rather on the high end as far as affordability - they usually tell us these characters make next to nothing even though it's not true - but then I thought, given the view out his window, he may have gotten an insurance settlement from the crash. McIntosh kit would be a good way to spend it in my book as well. :D

I'm with jandron regarding action versus character development, seems to be a crutch lately. Either that or they go overboard, the black EMT they already have looking suicidal over his job pressures/traumas and we haven't even got to know him yet. It's like there's a rush to get it all out there for the audience before the network has a chance to pull the show.

I don't expect this or Mercy will last beyond a few eps for me.

show is shot primarily in SF. not vancouver. what a novel concept.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/28/BA0M19P9JA.DTL&type=entertainment

That was Mayor Newsom's wife with the broken wrist by the way. :)

After reading the USA TODAY preview (really vicious) I decided not to watch and didn't.

From the posts here, it appears I didn't make a mistake.

That was Mayor Newsom's wife with the broken wrist by the way. :)

Darn, now I really miss the show Life, she played Charlie exwife...

I'd be surprised if this made it past 3 episodes...

Horrendously bad writing...and totally unbelievable...

Incredibly forced writing with predictable special effects. I may watch one more time, but this year's crop of new shows are dropping off my DVR at an alarming pace. Couldn't watch Mercy. Forgotten already deleted.

I'm having trouble getting through some older shows too, like Heroes and Dollhouse.

I'm actually looking forward to V. Now that's scary!

Darn, now I really miss the show Life, she played Charlie exwife...

Really, after sampling some of this new stuff you wonder how they could let that one go, it was infinitely more interesting than these medical dramas, so far anyway. In "Life's" defense though, I really think it was Shahi's pregnancy that torpedoed it, along with the mediocre ratings, which were no doubt driven at least in part by the cast shakeup/pregnancy.

And anyone else spot the McIntosh hardware? The first thing that I noticed in that one scene. I'm sure I'm not the only one who started wondering just how much money those flight medics make.

Did he have Martin Logan speakers?

Did he have Martin Logan speakers?

I didn't even notice those, I was too busy looking at the blinking lights.

Couldn't even make it through one episode. It's like they took the worst parts of the worst ER episodes and made a series out of it.

I liked "Mercy" better than "Trauma".

I liked last night's episode better then the first one. The helicopter seems to be used way too much, and why do all of them have to want to have sex with everyone? But otherwise this could work into a good show.

Great episode; lot's of really nice moments with stars and "special guest stars". It's like Emergency on steroids and with women other than Dixie McCall (Julie London). I like it!

Ok, this episode was a little better then the first. As mentioned before, the helicopter is being used way to much. Maybe this show has a little hope?

NBC books 3 more weeks of 'Trauma'

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=17430244&postcount=43724

Good, I'm starting to like this show.

NBC books 3 more weeks of 'Trauma'

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=17430244&postcount=43724

Good, I'm starting to like this show.

Nope, it will be pulled because I'm a devoted fan; just like with Life on Mars, Pushing Daisies, Worst Week, Carpoolers, Arrested Development, Sportsnight, The Unusuals, etc. But I hope I'm wrong; it's such a good show!

Only difference is Life On Mars, Pushing Daisies, Worst Week, Carpoolers and especially Arrested Development were good shows. Trauma is, ehhh, :(.

Only difference is Life On Mars, Pushing Daisies, Worst Week, Carpoolers and especially Arrested Development were good shows. Trauma is, ehhh, :(.

Er...in your opinion, that is. I agree that Trauma is not quite up to the standards of the shows I mentioned, but the thread connecting them all is that I loved these shows and they all were pulled; it doesn't matter how good they are, if I like them, most likely the show will be canceled. Oh well.

NBC cancels "Trauma"; network will still air already-completed episodes (13 total): http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/10/nbc-cancels-trauma-.html.

The networks have a very quick trigger finger lately.

See, I told you. Rats. Maybe TNT will pick it up.

The networks have a very quick trigger finger lately.Sorry: In the context of Trauma, I don't feel that way. They gave Trauma far more rope than it deserved.

Sorry: In the context of Trauma, I don't feel that way. They gave Trauma far more rope than it deserved.

Yeah, because other shows that suffered during their first season never went on to be hits -- Seinfeld, MASH, All in the Family, Dick Van Dyke Show, The Office (US), etc. Now, while Trauma is not as good as any of these shows, it was better than much of what NBCrap has on the air this year; it's certainly better than the god-awful Mercy which got a full season for some reason (a few hundred thousand more viewers a week?)

Given that Trauma is the most expensive show on NBC's schedule, it's very likely that cost played just as much a factor, if not the factor, in it being canceled than whether it was actually any good or not.

Oh please. Trauma was awful---I could tell that from the first promo in June. I also predicted it would not get a full season too. As soon as I saw the exploding helicopters and cars in the commercials I knew what kind of show it would be. Just another ridiculous, over dramatized explosion fest. The part of the episode I did watch seemed more like Grey's Anatomy set in an ambulance. Just what we needed. :rolleyes:

I sure hope TNT doesn't pick this up or they will be an even bigger joke than they already are. TNT HAD a great paramedic show a couple years ago. "Saved", also lasted about 12 episodes before it was canceled. Except this show was far superior to Trauma. Like comparing F/X to the CW. Saved didn't have to rely on dramatic crap and explosions, it had a good plot and good characters. Reminded me of Rescue Me.

Yeah, because other shows that suffered during their first season never went on to be hitsNo, because Trauma sucked, and it wasn't worth the money it was costing them, and because the small number of anecdotal counter-examples you came up with pales by comparison to the number of first-season cancellations that would not have become hits.

If you ever win a round of roulette, then by your logic you will always win a round of roulette. That's ridiculous. When it is your money, go ahead and gamble. I dunno if any of my mutual funds invest in GE, but if they do, I'd be outraged if NBC actually used your logic to invest what is essentially my money.

Oh please. Trauma was awful---I could tell that from the first promo in June. I also predicted it would not get a full season too.

Well, gee; I guess we'll all just ask you the next time a new show comes out. What a TV god you are.


The part of the episode I did watch seemed more like Grey's Anatomy set in an ambulance. Just what we needed. :rolleyes:

Yeah, because Grey's Anatomy isn't a hit or anything; I'm sure you predicted THAT show wouldn't get a full season too.

:rolleyes:

No, because Trauma sucked, and it wasn't worth the money it was costing them, and because the small number of anecdotal counter-examples you came up with pales by comparison to the number of first-season cancellations that would not have become hits.

If you ever win a round of roulette, then by your logic you will always win a round of roulette. That's ridiculous. When it is your money, go ahead and gamble. I dunno if any of my mutual funds invest in GE, but if they do, I'd be outraged if NBC actually used your logic to invest what is essentially my money.


Well, Bicker, I guess if you think a show sucks, then it must actually suck. I was so wrong to think that I was enjoying it. Thanks for setting me straight. I think NBC should just hire you to tell them if a show is good or not, seeing as you know everything and all.

NBC has such a great track-record lately, picking new shows and deciding which should get picked-up. Parks and Recreation is sooooo good and gets such great ratings; and that Leno idea, what a great idea; it's doing sooooo well. Some nights he actually finishes 3rd instead of 4th -- what a hit. If you do have stock in GE, you should be outraged already, because apparently they use logic even worse than my logic; but then, you already know that, being so smart and all.

Well, Bicker, I guess if you think a show sucks, then it must actually suck. I was so wrong to think that I was enjoying it. Thanks for setting me straight.

You can save yourself some time and just put him on ignore. I did long ago. I've never seen a post from him in the programming forum that was either useful, funny or deviated from just being plain argumentative for the sake of it.

I'm not particular sad that Trauma is canceled. I've been watching all of them (mostly in the background) and the only episode so far that I thought was attention grabbing was the gunman in the office building. The rest don't seem to build on anything substantial apart from the accidents (which are pretty good) and the characters haven't evolved that much since the first episode. But it hardly sucks. The writing is weak, but the production and cast are as good as any other show in this mold.

Well, except for the gay character "surprise" last week. I think there is a new drama rule that every show now has to have one gay character. It seems to be the new token inclusion. Like forcing a single white character into a predominantly black sitcom or a black character into a predominantly white sitcom. At least Modern Family introduced two, so it doesn't seem as cliched.

Next week could up the stakes with the EMT collision, but it's too late now to shake up the cast and break them away from the routine.

Well, Bicker, I guess if you think a show sucks, then it must actually suck.You've missed the point. That was not part of what I put forward as the point from the start... that was simply put forward as a demonstration of the ludicrous nature of the reply to my original point: i.e., the ignorance of the reality of the business.

I was so wrong to think that I was enjoying it.The problem comes from thinking that because we enjoy something that it is therefore worthwhile to present. That implication simply doesn't hold water.

You can save yourself some time and just put him on ignore. I did long ago. I've never seen a post from him in the programming forum that was either useful, funny or deviated from just being plain argumentative for the sake of it.Or perhaps you just consider any post that disagrees with your perspective to be argumentative. It should have been a good indication to you that since that disagreement was so consistent that it was because we simply have different, oppositional perspectives. But your point is well-taken: If you never want to see a perspective posted that isn't 100% in the viewer's favor, then do put me on Ignore.

Only reason I watch this show is because of Anastasia Griffith and Scottie Thompson. Otherwise, I don't see this show sticking around that long.

Only reason I watch this show is because of Anastasia Griffith and Scottie Thompson. Otherwise, I don't see this show sticking around that long.

Same here, and frankly I like her better in a dress(Damages) than the jumpsuit. She looks freakishly like her brother(Jamie Bamber - Apollo/BSG) which is a little weird...

Have Anastasia and Jamie been seen together in public? Because if they haven't... well, there's your answer! :eek:

Welp... I'm hooked. Sucks. Oh well. Anyway, good episode. Dunno why I like it, just a lot of stuff about this show that started to be appealing. Besides having a legit HDTV now and the cute chicks xD

IMO, this show is better than Mercy.

Ack. I'd have to disagree. :( Mercy started rough, but has really improved.

I'm only gonna look into it because of Michelle Trachtenberg.

Gonna miss this show when it's over. Hope Mercy can fill in... have to catch up on that show.

Mercy is a great show. I wrote it off at first but now I'm catching up with the Saturday night repeats(which are about a week behind the regular night so you can get caught up).

If you're into cute chicks and special effects... now I understand the audience of "Trauma". :rolleyes: I'm into story and substance... ;)

If you're into cute chicks and special effects... now I understand the audience of "Trauma". :rolleyes: I'm into story and substance... ;)

You horse is too high and the air must be really thin up there if you think that Mercy has "substance."

It's just another hospital drama with dramedy elements. It's not going to win any writing or acting awards any time soon.

I think Trauma has actually improved lately, enough so that I will at least watch the few that are left.

Mercy is one of those shows that sits on the DVR until there's nothing else left to watch.

Story and substance? lol so... go back to Grey's Anatomy then. Also, it's called... Drama, like daytime soaps.

Anyway, I'm liking Mercy a bit more. There are a lot of actors/actresses I haven't seen in a while on this show. I'll be keeping up with this show too, granted yeah... it's not as good as some of the shows I've seen before. As for Trachtenberg... ugh. Mistake. She's such a dits.

Edit: Wow... Christ. Actually this show is right down there with Grey's Anatomy and Desperate Whores. Maybe it should be called Grey's Anatomy two or Private Practice 2.

'Trauma' receives surprise order for three more episodes.

"Chuck" and "Heroes" will be paired once again on Monday's starting in January, that leaves 9 p.m.'s "Trauma" without a chair -- but NBC is not halting production on the show. NBC is ordering three more episodes, for a total of six to air sometime in 2010. Though the medical drama has been struggling in the ratings, the move gives NBC some added inventory to use somewhere else on its schedule.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=17567731&postcount=44754

You horse is too high and the air must be really thin up there if you think that Mercy has "substance."

It's just another hospital drama with dramedy elements. It's not going to win any writing or acting awards any time soon.

Story and substance? lol so... go back to Grey's Anatomy then. Also, it's called... Drama, like daytime soaps.

Funny you mention Grey's in the Trauma thread. Mercy is nothing like those two, I see it being more like ER. You know, actually having **GASP** involved medical plots. There are romantic elements in Mercy(as in real life) but at least the entire show isn't "Shagging In An Ambulance" or "Shagging in the On Call/Scrub Room". And when you add in BS special effects and explosions. X_x

LMAO, so... what was today's episode of Mercy? oh... right.

LMAO, so... what was today's episode of Mercy? oh... right.

I don't know. Why don't you tell me. There wasn't an episode of Mercy today. :p

But I'll gladly let you know on Satruday at 9pm after I watch it! ;)

Good lord... If anything is going to get this show canceled faster it should be the absolute garbage CGI they threw in. Christ.

BTW, this show has the LEAST drama out of the 3... and when I say Drama I mean Day time soaps drama.

The six remaining episodes of "Trauma" will air starting Monday, March 8 at 9:00.

Oh cool, I thought it was over over. Sucks to see this show end while that FAIL show Mercy continues.

The six remaining episodes of "Trauma" will air starting Monday, March 8 at 9:00.So that pushes Parenthood to 10PM?

So that pushes Parenthood to 10PM?

TUESDAYS
10-11 p.m. – “PARENTHOOD” (premieres March 2)

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=17925313&postcount=47178

The six remaining episodes of "Trauma" will air starting Monday, March 8 at 9:00.

It's looking like NBC is actually going to pick up more new episodes.

It's looking like NBC is actually going to pick up more new episodes.

I think this says they picked up four more on top of the previous announced pickup, which will then give them 10 new ones to air and take it into May.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=17966884&postcount=47731

I'll be surprised if anyone watches it when it returns to anywhere the same ratings level.

It's been off so long that forgot it existed and it never ended in a way that made it memorable last year. That and thinking it was in burn off mode made it a bad investment.

I haven't forgotten the Blondie. I'll be watching it when it's back.

New episodes start next Monday at 9:00 ET. My DVR picked it up today.

I'm wondering if they should have started off with a clip show or something, or maybe a repeat or 2 to re-familiarize viewers with it. I for one didn't forget about it, but I'm sure lots of people did.

I'm wondering if they should have started off with a clip show or something, or maybe a repeat or 2 to re-familiarize viewers with it. I for one didn't forget about it, but I'm sure lots of people did.

Crap blows up all the time, people shagging in an ambulance. Clip show recap complete!! :rolleyes: A phonebook has more substance and story than this show.

Most people 'forgot' about this suckfest from the beginning. :D:D

Only reason why it got "uncanceled" is it sucks slightly less than "The Jay Leno Show". ;) Though that's debatable with me! :p

i really liked the potential, but not the execution of this show.
i'll give it another chance.

Crap blows up all the time, people shagging in an ambulance. Clip show recap complete!! :rolleyes: A phonebook has more substance and story than this show.

Most people 'forgot' about this suckfest from the beginning. :D:D

Only reason why it got "uncanceled" is it sucks slightly less than "The Jay Leno Show". ;) Though that's debatable with me! :p

Yeah, maybe your ADD is why you didn't enjoy the show; there's a whole bunch of back story stuff that new viewers won't understand at first, you know, beyond the shagging and things blowing up. At least you have Two and a Half idiots to watch; it seems that that type of show is more your speed anyway.

At least you have Two and a Half idiots to watch; it seems that that type of show is more your speed anyway.

No, actually I'd watch "Arrested Development" on DVD to kill time until "The Big Bang Theory" starts. :D:D I hate Two and a Half Men. Sounds more up your alley though, since I see you commented on the 'Southland' page. Trauma, 2.5 Men, Southland, three of the worst shows on TV today. :D

Returns tonight at 9/8 Central.

Is this show sticking around for a while? I'm really liking it. Mercy must die.

I am sticking with Mercy; it's pretty good actually. By comparison, I gave up on Trauma right after the second episode. It was painful to watch.

Both shows, though, are in big trouble, and very unlikely to be renewed.

Why don't you just go watch Grey's Anatomy... ?

Mercy and Trauma are both sure to be canceled come May, Trauma only getting a full season because of the massive primetime hole due to Leno.

Hmmm, a Bell 212 low on oil? I wonder if that is even likely. These are turbines after all, not piston engines. Also, an aircraft technician has to sign off on it every 24 hours if it's flying, so the bit about the tech finding out that it was close to complete failure doesn't work either. They could pick something that does happen and fits the scenario, like a fuel boost pump failure, in which case they still are flying with the second pump but are technically required to land.