das Monkey

We're bobbin' along in our barrel ...

I like Berlanti and Olin, but this show needs work.

das

MrE

Who watches TV dramas for the science? I thought it was actually a pretty decent pilot.

BTW I just google'd "vaccine autism" -- the plot wasn't really that off base.

movielib

Not off base if you read the autistic parents' (who want to blame their children's problems on something) websites instead of the science.

It's not a matter of watching shows for the science. But when a program is that far off base and could possibly influence parents to not get their kids immunized because of irresponsibly filling the show with junk science, it becomes a factor.

My guess is that someone high up in the program has an autistic child and blames vaccinations and wants to "warn" people.

Jadzia

How was the science "off base"? The show was about a fictional company and a fictional ingredient.

If the court case was about an adverse reaction from any other drug, would it have stirred up such a controversy? Geesh.

I think the AAP doth protest too much. Maybe they should be more concerned with making vaccines safe then try and shut up anyone who ever questions them, even a fictional TV show. It makes them look desperate, like they have something to hide.

Barings

Seeing Jonny Lee Miller reminds me that I wished a proper conclusion to "Smith" (Ray Liotta CBS series) was filmed.

movielib

Right, any resemblance to any real company or product is purely coincidental. Mercurisal. Give me a break!

Depends on what the science says about them.

The vaccines are not 100% safe. Some people have adverse reactions, a very, very small percentage even die. All should be informed of the real risks and it should not be mandatory. However, the upside is far greater than the downside. You will never find any medication that is 100% safe for all people under all circumstances. Never. Yet overall they have enriched and extended our lives immeasurably.

Sure it's a fictional TV show. But when it treats real scientific matters it should at least be somewhat responsible enough to want to get it right. I am not and never would say the show should be prevented from being shown but I have every right to call them on their BS.

I'll agree that a fictional show doing this is not as bad as what the alleged news show 60 Minutes did with Alar, Audi and amalgams.

I remember an arc of episodes from David Kelley's The Practice. There was a case where a bunch of people in a community sued a power company, alleging the power lines gave them cancer. The firm's head, Bobby, said the case couldn't be won, they did not have the science on their side. Nevertheless he let Jimmy take on the case and Jimmy did a great job and actually won the jury verdict. The judge overturned the jury and issued a judgment notwithsanding the verdict (which was the correct thing to do as the evidence wasn't there; it was just that Jimmy did such a great job). Up until that time Jimmy had been thought of as pretty much a hack lawyer. The show was done for the TV character development purpose of raising Jimmy's credibility as a good lawyer. But the show always respected the actual science.

Tsar Chasm

Laura Benanti is very easy on the eyes and the Chinese acupuncturist has promise.

whotony

yes but why does she have the Dharma logo over her hooie.

Decker

Yeah, fictional show is a given, but presenting real concerns. Yes, fictional ingredient, but calling a preservative "Mercurisol" is pretty close to the mercury containing preservative thimerosal, isn't it. They presented the case as almost an accepted fact that vaccines cause autism and according to this mother, cause it instantly. Far, far from true.No, because talking about a fictional drug has no repercussions in the real world, but blaming autism on a flu vaccine, even a fictional one, does.
As a member of the AAP, I couldn't disagree with you more. I believe with all my heart that vaccines were the most important medical discovery in history and remain so. Every single day a parent comes up to me and asks if the vaccines cause autism or talks about "the controversy about vaccines" when within the medical field, there isn't one or even worse when a parent refuses all vaccines or wants to wait "until he's older", leaving their child unprotected when he's at the highest risk of dying from vaccine-preventable diseases. It's my job to be the child's advocate and as such I spend far too much of my precious time trying to undo and explain away the lies and fallacies that parent groups with an agenda and no science have spread to unaware and nervous parents. So I think they're right on the money trying to discredit the crap peddled on that show as soon as possible.

Ayre

I was really disappointed. It was all over the place. Miller was totally unconvincing and way to metro-sexual for me to identify with. His hair piece was unbelievably horrible and we haven't seen a cranium that large since the Oompa Loompa Dawson days.

The plot was too contrived and they were too busy introducing characters that there wasn't enough episode development for me to sympathize with the mother and child. They needed to spend the entire episode on introductions and save the first case for subsequent episodes.

I realize the latest trend is to blend 50/50 drama with comedy. I just don't seeing it working here. Eli Stone is this years Journeyman ... oh wait nevermind. This years Private Practice ... no that wont work. Just another slab of road kill on the 10 o'clock highway.

B.A.

The wife and I didn't find it to be that bad.

We'll tune in next week.

Jadzia

What agenda is that? There is no money to be made in promoting sensible approaches to vaccination, including delayed and selective schedules.

I am far more suspicious of Big Pharm and their intent to over-vaccinate our children for the mighty dollar. The AAP seems to get their marching orders from them.

I am my child's advocate. The doctor will not be responsible for a vaccine-injured child, only the parent will be. I do not appreciate a doctor that seems to scoff at my right to informed consent.

I undertsand the AAP is pro-vaccination. They are also pro-breastfeeding. I only wish they would promote breastfeeding even a tenth as much as they promote vaccinations. That would have a huge impact on childhood health. But they tap-dance around that issue, saying they don't wish to offend people who choose not to breastfeed. However, a parent who decides not to use a certain vaccine or wait until the child is older is treated like a terrible parent by the AAP. Their strong-arm tactics have only made them lose customers. Most of the online parents I know no longer use pediatricians, opting instead for family practioners who work with them as a partner in their child's health and respect their decisions.

Sorry to go off topic, but I just had to make that point. I really don't understand how the people who question the safety of the vaccines are the ones with an agenda here. We're just trying to do the right thing for our kids. Injecting a foreign substance into an healthy infant is a scary thing when you don't know everything that is in it or how they will react to it. A mother's instinct is invaluable and I have to listen to that more than a drug company.

Goldberg74

About half way through the ep... it dawned on me... that's the guy from HACKERS!

It's ZERO COOL!

Ayre

sssshhhhh its Crash Overide

Jadzia

I think he looked so much better as a blond. Him & Angelina were way hot in that movie together.

I just found out that his grandfather was "M" from the original James Bond movies!

Thrush

FYP

riley_dude

I enjoyed the show. I will watch again.

rkndkn

I'm one and done with this one. I've never thought Jonny Lee Miller has the charisma or weight to carry a show.

Finisher

Weird that a film just used "ashes in a Chock full o'Nuts tin needing to go to the top of a snowy mountain."

I'll probably give the show another episode or two but if it's all incredulous legal and medical TV BS and life-affirming do-goodery, I'm done.

JohnSlider

You all make me laugh. It was fun & creative, I was thoroughly entertained, and most importantly I ENJOYED it. I will tune in for the next episode.

Chew

It delivered exactly what I was expecting: a light courtroom drama with a quirky tilt to it. I'll be watching next week as well.

rfduncan

Dude, take a pill! ABC themselves post all the jargon about fictional characters and events, instructing people with concerns about autism to the proper websites. If people are stupid enough to have their kids stop getting innoculations based on THIS show, they have bigger problems and probably shouldn't have kids.

I enjoyed it and will return!

GradVT06

Anybody catch this show again last night? I thought the first one was interesting, the second episode last night was as well. I'm not sure if I like it or not yet.

And the accupuncturist, James Saito. I knew I remembered that name from something, so I checked out IMDB. It's the Shredder!!!! TMNT live action!

Jadzia

I was at Victor Garber singing. Was that actually his voice?

guywall

Tried it out and will give it another episode or two (since I have to record it to pad my LOST recording). Not that great though.

Now, if Victor Garber would open a secret wall somewhere to reveal his gun and explosives collection, then I'd be hooked!