Complications

I really looked forward to watching this show every week. I was never disappointed, thought it kept you on the edge of your seat. The actors fit their characters perfectly. The episodes, each filled with unexpected twists and turns, always left one intrigued, wondering what next week's show will bring.

I just read a couple days ago that they're taking it off the air. Totally unexpected. Why they would do this to a perfectly great show is beyond me. I'm really disappointed. So many shows that I started getting interested in have been axed over the last couple years. I thought Complications would be one that could be enjoyed for a few seasons.

The context for "Complications" seems wild: A stressed-out ER doctor out for a drive comes upon a drive-by shooting. He ultimately saves the boy who is shot and kills members of a rival "Loco" (read: Mexican) gang who are coming back to finish the job.

Turns out the boy is not just a random ghetto statistic: He is the son of a prominent imprisoned gang leader. The E.R. doc - Dr. John Ellison, played very well by Irish actor Jason O'Mara - is unwittingly drawn in to their world and ultimately lives or dies at their behest.

Dr. Ellison bouncing from one admittedly absurd scenario to another forces you to either embrace the show as an edge-of-your-seat action-drama show or reject it as a ridiculous farce. Some will certainly choose the latter. Any drama - nor comedies or kids' shows, either - is nothing without conflict and "Complications" has plenty of it.

"Complications" was created by Matt Nix, the creator of "Burn Notice," one of my favorite USA shows - though admittedly the premise of "Burn Notice" wore quite thin after a few seasons. To Nix's credit he pushed the show into fairly dark territory as the stock show formula of Michael saving X person from bad guys and getting some form of revenge got pretty dull.

Now that Dr. Ellison in "Complications" is being setup as a kind of gangland doctor one wonders if Nix will follow something of a similar formula with various scenarios involving he and numerous somewhat or entirely outlandish setups where only the doctor can help.

It's great to see Beth Riesgraf - the very quirky Parker from the wonderful and frequently overlooked show "Leverage" - as Ellison's wife. Nix also seems to be drawing on some "Burn Notice" regulars as well, notably Lauren Stamile as another E.R. doctor (IIRC she played an FBI agent who was at first against Michael in "Burn Notice" but ultimately worked with him).

Whether you love or hate this show - I'm close to "really like" - there is no denying the direction, writing, and acting are all very good. Unlike a lot of pilots and new shows the actors seem incredibly comfortable and believable in their respective roles. The plots are at times pretty absurd - why doesn't the doctor, for example, simply go to the cops if a gang leader is threatening his life and that of his family? - but they're also designed quite well to keep you interested in the story. I have to wonder what direction they'll be taking next.

I had no intention of watching this show. I knew that it was created by Matt Nix, the genius behind Burn Notice, and was interested. To be honest, I was quite annoyed at the USA network for cancelling so many of their shows such as Burn Notice, Psych, and Covert Affairs and in turn putting on useless shows such as moronic chrisley and playing house. I thought USA was a sunken ship until I found Complications. The show is unique and not a cookie cutter type procedural. The actors have been phenomenal thus far and the writers do a wonderful job of creating conflicts and back stories for them all. It is very much a show that stems from a single action and though the series is very emotional and drama filled, the problems are reasonably connected and the episodes flow very well. The characters are driven by their moral and compassion for others and often resort to drastic measures which push them to their extremes. As an Atlantan I find the show does a wonderful job of portraying the area realistically. I noticed a negative review criticized the lack of a southern accent, which anyone who lives in Atlanta would find downright hysterical. No one in Atlanta processes one and hasn't for quite some time:) Overall I am pleased with the show and truly believe this is the last saving grace for USA as their old shows are leaving vast voids. I can't wait to see the show's progress and hope that it becomes successful.

Disillusioned Dr. John Ellison (Jason O'Mara) saves a child during a gangland shootout and kills one of the attackers. Antoine is still targeted and he hides him with the help of nurse Gretchen Polk (Jessica Szohr). Antonine's father is a gangleader in prison and he threatens John with the help of his underling Darius Bishop. Unbeknowst to John, Gretchen is deep in a fraud scheme at the hospital with her friend Jed. Dr. O'Neill is suspicious. John is attacked at home and detective Holden of the Gang Task Force is digging. Even John's wife is suspicious.

The problem of the show is that Ellison does unreasonable things. I was confused by his actions for the first several episodes. Then I change my mind and see him with serious mental health issues. His frustrations and inner anger cause his irrational ways. That excuses some of the problems of the show but not all of them. Jason O'Mara is the picture of intensity and the acting is generally good. The plot has a few too many complications piling on too quickly. A little simplification would really help.

Don't listen to the trolls. These are people who yell at a hamburger because it is not prime rib!

This new series is dark and edgy fun for viewers who like Dexter and Banshee. Yes, 'Complications' is absolutely preposterous. It is also absolutely entertaining, for those of us willing to suspend our disbelief. No, an E.R. surgeon would never be put into such extraordinary circumstances, but so what? This is escapist pulp fiction, and it's very entertaining pulp fiction.

This show is a vigilante story combined with the delerium of '24' and the background of medical procedurals. The frenetic plot is established within minutes; 15.25 minutes, to be exact. If you don't like the show in that time, then this series is not for you.

Jason O'Mara is excellent as the protagonist lead. It's impossible not to cheer for his character to succeed! He is very believable as the tormented father with every mercurial mood swing. His face is capable of tremendous expressiveness. And he is given compelling reasons for his character's outrageous decisions. Jessica Szhor is similarly brilliant in her contribution as the fringe-personality nurse; the two of these actors bring a real chemistry and grit to the storyline.

Go watch the first 15.25 minutes of episode 1 and see for yourself. If you like lurid pulp fiction, then you'll like Complications.

Updated: after following the series to the end, I will say that the show does suffer from repetition. It's entertaining, for sure. The tempo of delirious plot points does not let up until the end.