Asparagus? In July?

Continuing my trip down The Guardian's Top 50 TV Shows of 2022.  

#10 : This Is Going To Hurt

This darkly comic adaptation of Adam Kay’s memoir of life as a junior NHS doctor rapidly became one of the most talked-about shows of the year. For every spiky gag there was an emotional gut-punch, for every snippet of existential malaise about life spent on (literally) crumbling hospital wards, there were big-hearted characters desperately battling to help patients. It was moving, funny and unflinchingly honest in a way that, at its best, felt like a masterclass in ambitious, accomplished TV writing.

I'd heard the book was good, so bought it and then I heard this was good - and I've totally failed to either read the book or watch the series so far.  So let's change that...

Well, it certainly doesn't overly glamourise the life of a junior doctor.  We basically follow Dr Kay as he attempts to navigate his work and personal life, both of which are somewhat bumpy.  It spends a lot of time in the NHS hospital he works in (mostly because he spends a lot of time in it) but we're not exclusively there and the series benefits from this.

And, to be honest, that's probably all I need to tell you plot-wise - you're better off not knowing very much going in to this.  It's all very well written using a variety of devices - the mix and separation of work and personal lives works well and the fourth wall is also breached effectively, both with comments directly to camera (useful to explain things when it all gets a bit medical and, in one case, used devastatingly by an unexpected character) and discussions between characters which aren't always strictly necessary.  It also sticks the landing very well - a very satisfying conclusion that manages to make some points without being too preachy.  I certainly intend to read the book now - it will be interesting to see how it compares (I've heard it's a lot less structured, so that's further credit to Adam Kay for his screenwriting conversion job).

It covers a wide variety of issues - there's an interesting study of trauma, an amusing (but probably pretty accurate) portrayal of the levels of hierarchy in a hospital and it also has a lot to say about trying to fit in - nearly everyone in this is either trying to find their way in or actively excluding someone from doing so, within the context of work, social or familial relationships.  Yes, there's an argument that a lot of the characters are over-the-top stereotypes but, for me, they just work and it all hangs together well.  It also features a very nice normal gay relationship which experiences just the same sort of issues that any relationship would under the same circumstances.

Ben Whishaw is very good - he's given an emotional rollercoaster to ride, along with an overriding sense of exhaustion and he certainly delivers.  The other stand-out performance comes from Ambika Mod as Shruti, the student doctor - she's really very good in her first major role.  Rory Byrne also gets a name check as Harry, Adam's long-suffering partner,  Alex Jennings and Ashley McGuire are both amusing shits as the senior consultants and Harriet Walter is a very amusing snob as Adam's mother.

It's also well filmed - obviously there are challenges to how you film scenes when a lot of them are based in a labour ward, but it manages it all well.  By the way, you probably shouldn't watch this if you don't like blood - I didn't need to tell you that, did I?  Otherwise, I think this is well worth a watch - I really enjoyed it and it strikes home hard at times.  It's available to watch on iPlayer - but if you watch it there, then can I suggest you don't pay attention for the first ten seconds of episode six because the nice people give you a content warning which is very considerate of them, but is also very spoilery.

#9 - Another excellent season in an excellent series
#12 - Enjoyable, but inessential