Well how much can you expect from a medical drama !!! Here is the catch this show does not revolve around a single patient or a doctor, it is very well balanced considering the other characters apart from Erica Durance.I had really high hope from Erica Durance's character after seeing her perform amazingly in Smallville, many might think she can not completely come out from the Lois Lane character but she proved everyone wrong.She is an amazing actress and Saving Hope might be saved by her.On the other hand Michael Shanks plays his part quite well considering hes in a coma and his spirit walking around the Hospital.Daniel Gillies also plays an important role in the show who is actually quite funny.But then again when you see Erica Durance on the show she just catches the spotlight.
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shishir18127 July 2012
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bjarias18 December 2014The doc that swears he loves her more than life-itself leaves her flat-out cause his love for her is so great, and he's so screwed up (seeing ghosts and all), it would just 'do-her-in' having to help him. So she then goes out and hooks up for a second time with her 'hound-dog' first love-doc.. and this new (old) squeeze then proceeds to go out sniffin-round new females crossin his path. Oh yea, it really is somewhat more complicated (and ghosts keep popping up everywhere), with none of it making much of any more sense. This is not a totally bad-show, but it does ask an awful lot from its audience. They didn't want to be another run of the mill hospital series.. but this quacky storyline they've come up with just makes it hard to take seriously. And really the bottom line anyway, is who she's finally going to wind up with. Just might depend on when the series gets shelved, and that's probably the more interesting thing gonna happen worthwhile talking about anyway.
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slkent-292893 August 2017This ending was far too sad for my liking, I had enjoyed this show up till this final episode. (Except for Joel dying) The cast was convincing for the most part but the story line of Charlie dying and Alex feeling "lucky" and " blessed" so soon after his death seemed unreal to me. The couple meeting in heaven 50 years later and knowing their children were fine adults did not make up for the sadness I felt about Charlie.
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lynnrj211 July 2012I first came to this show as a fan of the Vampire Diaries, following Daniel Gillies. I have never before been a big fan of the medical drama genre in general. However, all it took was one episode, and I was completely hooked, and become moreso with each show. Saving Hope draws you in with the wonderful characters, emotions, dialogue, drama, and humor. From just being a Daniel Gillies fan, I've become a fan of the entire cast.
Michael Shanks perfectly portrays Charlie's frustration at being unable to wake up or communicate with Alex, and his frequent surprise and confusion about how things work on "the other side." His observations often provide deep insight into both Alex, and sometimes humanity in general, as he is being forced to see everything from a new perspective.
Erica Durance is brilliant as Alex. Every emotion that Alex feels can be seen on Erica's face so clearly you almost don't need words most of the time. She is so believable in this role, it's heartbreaking. You want to cheer her on during her moments of success as a doctor, and cry with her at those times when she breaks down, missing Charlie.
Daniel Gillies is spot-on in the character of Joel, with the perfect balance of confident arrogance in his abilities as a surgeon, and a soft side that drives him to dig into his patients' lives to find out more about them. He wants to know what will help them the most, not just what the statistics say should be done. Joel is also a rock for Alex - always ready to defend her, boost her up, and be a shoulder to cry on when needed. Daniel blends Joel's multi-faceted personality seamlessly.
Beyond these three, there is also an amazing supporting cast. Dr. Shahir Hamza is a brilliant yet delightfully socially awkward brain surgeon. Victor Reis is Shahir's outgoing, wise-cracking nurse boyfriend. Maggie Lyn is a cute, perky medical resident who has her eye on Joel, and is not afraid to go after what she wants. Gavin Murphy is the sweet, kinda nerdy & shy psychiatric resident. Jackson Wade, ICU nurse, provides the best one-liners in the show, hands-down.
There are more regular characters on the show, but you get the idea - the show does not rely solely on its main three, as amazing as they are. We are given a rich variety of characters and personalities, and we come to know them more as individuals with each episode.
Give this show a chance, don't try to constantly compare it to any pre-conceived notion of how it is "like" or "unlike" other shows, and I really think you'll love it! -
tert726 April 2020I liked the premise of the show, first 3 seasons were pretty good. (Alex was an idiot though and got worse) as to the person that said it was too religious? What? I can count on one hand the number of times anything even remotely mentioned religion. The thing that was the worst, besides being a social justice experiment (if I wanted that I would be on Twitter) was Alex is one of the worst female leads on any show, that wasn't a villain. Elizabeth from the blacklist is the other. I started watching because mainly shanks from sg1. Even though after season 3 we saw a lot less of Charlie, and a lot more social justice. A lot less ghosts and Charlie helping, and more emotional teenage crap. They really needed more Shahir, the character was funny. And the one character I hated at first, Dawn, seemed to have the best character development out of everyone. But Alex Reid, definitely not someone that most people would want as a friend, let alone a doctor. And oh, unless I missed it, people disappear off this show without any explanation. Would of it been that much to give them a minute of explanation. Or maybe a scene?
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megan_chatterton14 August 2022This show is pretty much like every other medical drama. It started out with a unique premise, but sadly drops this after a while in favor of the usual soapy relationship drama. Most of the characters are pretty decent, except for Alex. Extremely frustrating decisions made regarding her (that may be the result of actress's pregnancies during the show and a major character departure). The way it all ends is heartbreaking...but worth a watch if you like the doctor dramas.
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xetaprime-6425713 November 2015So, I'm 59 years old. I have seen just about every medical drama ever on TV, going back to Medical Center with hunky Chad Everette. What a wonderful medical drama with a twist this is! Full of real life feelings and doubts and every gender or racial concern under the sun this series touches on. And then something extra...
Michael Shanks, so good to see him again doing a wonderful job post Stargate. In fact I love the entire cast and all the extras and side characters. If you haven't found this series yet watch it from the episode one. You won't be sorry.
I found this series by accident on-line and am very happy I did. I love this show! Thank you creators. Joyous journey to you all! -
jcook5605012 July 2012I've given this show a six with the "hope" that the producers have not pinned themselves into a corner from which they cannot extricate themselves. A man in a coma walking the halls of a hospital while discussing philosophy with the forth wall cannot sustain itself for an entire series. That said, the plot and the handling of the general story line are enough to keep me coming back for some pleasant TV. The acting is good, though the characters have not excited me all that much. I remain hopeful.
As with so many recent entries into the prime time television fold, the most disappointing trend of all is the general lack of real character types with an age spread. My wife worked at a hospital for 15 years, and I can say with some authority that there are indeed a small selection of babes and hunks who ply the medical trade. However, there are also plain Janes, gray hairs, odd faces and attitudes and the obese. And, doctors come in all sizes, shapes, attitudes and backgrounds. Some speak with accents, and some just jerk your cookies with their "I'm just here for the check," attitude. Some even break many of the cardinal rules of hygiene by not washing their hands and entering rooms dressed in dirty wool suits. What I'm trying to say here is that no hospital has a top heavy staff of perfectly healthy photo models running the show with no real oversight by bothersome administrative suits. I'm hoping that Saving Hope soon begins to explore those realities and reasonably resolves the issue of a nice, lonely, comatose wandering spirit so that the story can move into other realms. Stop letting one spirit hog the show. We want to see Dr. Reid and Dr. Harris experience real life in a real hospital environment together. You don't have to remove the ethereal side of the story - just mix it up a bit and make it more interesting. -
rebe5796 July 2012I will admit, I came from a Stargate SG-1 background, so naturally I already fell in love with Michael Shanks. His performance is no less than flawless, as it has been in past shows and even low budget movies. His presence is great and just makes the show for me. It is sort of a mix of the "Grey's Anatomy"'s medical problems and a hint of "Awake". The only thing that does not remind me of another show, is that this show is AMAZING. I have cried for good and bad in every episode so far, and I believe that will continue but I don't mind. It is a tear-jerker for sure, but again I don't mind. The other great aspects of the show, are the excellent cast. Erica Durance and Daniel Gillies are the other main characters and their performance is no less than stunning either. Personally, there is not a single part of "Saving Hope" that I do not enjoy week after week, even five shows in. I have the want after every episode, to watch the next, then the next day, I watch the episode again on Hulu. No negative comments. I will be severely hurt if this show doesn't last a while.
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Jackbv12322 July 2020I'm not surprised this show gets cancelled in the US after the first season. The first season is a total downer with almost all unlikeable characters. And I was a Smallville fan and I thought Durance was a big part of keeping that show going as long as it did. Alex certainly generates sympathy, and she is usually the star surgeon in the hospital, but Alex Reid is not as good to watch as (Durance's) Lois Lane.
The writing is ... weird at times. A lot of plot lines throughout the 5 seasons don't make sense.
Having watched later seasons first, it appears that many of the characters were rebooted after the show was picked up in Canada. The Maggie of season 5 was to me a truly lovable character, not the shallow flirt of season 1. And it seems like more than character development. And I don't see how anyone in that hospital could ever work with Dawn after what happens in season 1. Dana is different, although part of that could have been tough love in season 1.
To summarize, there are times the show is good to watch and there are times it is just blah and there's times you want to throw a brick at the TV. (The first and the last might characterize a good show, but the middle point does not.)
The final episode is just a total disappointment. -
maryvdcpp28 April 2017I was hooked at first but the storyline is now really stupid. So Alex loved Charlie so much but said no to his proposal?? She can't lose him but yet decides to leave him? She loved him but it was so easy to break it off and already ready to date? Really? Wow. What are these writers thinking?? Unrealistic. It just doesn't make sense. I don't watch it anymore.
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solstice06127 June 2012I am totally hooked on Saving Hope. This is not an easy thing to achieve by a TV show, mind you. It has been years since I regularly followed anything on the tube. But finally I found a show that has really good actors, it is well made, has entertaining stories, and features compelling characters. In other words, it is a high quality program that can be heart-wrenchingly dramatic, wittingly ironic, and yes, sappy and emotional too when necessary. While the set up of the show is not all together original--what medical show can be so by now?--each episode avoids being predictable. The subtle turns, the character growth, and the interesting challenges all make me care for what happens to the diverse characters in Saving Hope. As an extra element, many of the members of the cast are often on twitter and freely interact with their fans. The fandom of this show is amazing, so one can watch the show and be part of a very dynamic online community.
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thefastereagles24 March 20211st episode in 2nd season, didn't show main doctors recovery.
I dont like shows that use Gods name in vain. So it ended it for me.
Alex as a doctor started getting unprofessional.
Too bad was a good show. -
seraph9136 April 2018The show hooked me from the beginning and has a great cast but by Season 4 it was just dragging out unnecessarily. The best part was the cases with the dead people Charlie would meet. But c'mon, it's basically the same storyline over and over. Right down to the final episode.
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seeyaroundsv7 July 2012From the creative team that brought us the hit Canadian summer series "Rookie Blue" comes "Saving Hope", a new hospital drama with a supernatural twist. Boasting the same high quality ensemble cast and plenty of star power, it features the trio of Erica Durance (Smallville), Michael Shanks (Stargate SG-1) & Daniel Gillies (The Vampire Diaries). The hook to this series is not that it's a medical drama, or even the premise of one of the leads living in a parallel universe of sorts while in a coma. What makes "Saving Hope" a winner are the characters who roam the halls of Hope Zion. A diverse group of charismatic heroes, each with their own virtues, flaws and most importantly, heart.
Much like its predecessor "Rookie Blue", "Saving Hope" features a large cast of supporting characters that recur throughout the season, giving a real sense of authenticity to the hospital. We get to know not just our leads but their friends, co-workers and rivals. And in that spirit, each story of the week ties into the overarching love story between Dr. Alex Reid (Durance) & Dr. Charlie Harris (Shanks), and their fight to get back to one another. As a result, you get completely invested in not only their story, but everything going on at Hope Zion.
The supporting cast is a fantastic mix of young and veteran Canadian talent, led by accomplished actress Wendy Crewson (Air Force One) as Alex's biggest rival, Dr. Dana Kinney. Daniel Gillies plays Dr. Joel Goran, hotshot surgeon and Alex's ex-boyfriend. Daniel does a wonderful job of balancing Joel's arrogance & heart-breaker tendencies with his caring nature (towards Alex in particular). Michael Shanks plays Dr. Charlie Harris, Alex's fiancé in a coma, stuck between the spirit world and the real world. Charlie is the male protagonist of the series, and it's thanks to Michael's skillful blend of wit, dry humor and genuine emotion that we cheer for Charlie to beat the odds and wake up.
Last but certainly not least, the center-point of the series, Dr. Alex Reid played by Erica Durance. Known for her chipper and optimistic spitfire portrayal of Lois Lane on "Smallville", here Erica portrays an equally strong woman, but that is where the similarities end. No matter how closely identified she'll always be for her arguably definitive portrayal of the iconic Lois Lane, after watching a couple of episodes of "Saving Hope", you'll simply see her here as Alex. A true testament to Erica's talent. She presents Alex as a caring, driven and practical woman whose life is thrust into chaos, and it's this test of her love for and bond with Charlie that leads her to start to question where science ends and hope begins.
"Saving Hope" is an amazing series which Canadian audiences have discovered & are loving, but which US audiences sadly as of yet are mostly missing out on. In a landscape littered with disposable 'reality' show tripe, this is a high quality, brilliantly acted and emotionally powerful scripted drama with heart. I for one hope that we get to share in the lives of the residents of Hope Zion for many more seasons to come. -
louiseinpdx9 August 2017This was my favorite show, It was the only show that I looked forward to and could not wait to see. If you kill Charlie off I will not watch it again. They finally get back together and you kill him off no way. Well the show is over. Even though you sugar coated it . I am done. How could you do that to them, I have been waiting for them to get back together for some time now, so it happens and you kill him thanks but no thanks.
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cayennep28 December 2023The constant 'you/they are gonna be ok' and 'they don't have the virus' is SO annoying!! Doctors do not do that, even regular folks don't! Completely meaningless
They make a LOT of big mistakes, wow! Not securing a violent sleepwalker, sewing closed the main heart artery - hard to believe in them with that level of incompetence! I hope these are not 'usual' things that happen in hospitals!
Latest - new psych just leaves LSD out on a desk! So dumbass!
Also, SO much angst about the ghosts, sheesh. If they could just accept the supernatural they wouldn't think they're having psychotic episodes. Always amuses me, esp when people torture themselves about it. Bit surprised anybody still doesn't think the supernatural is real, what a way to live!
Lots of good with this show, but these things are big detractors. -
judyscott928 June 2013I personally find this show very entertaining and demonstrates reliable emotions that occur in everyday life. The actors are excellent choices and the directing is flawless. The plot is well written and demonstrates life for doctors and patients, and the problems they face on a daily bases. But it also focuses on the fiction of what a person may think they are experience while being in a coma. "Saving Hope" is an exciting drama, that allows the watchers to expand their knowledge on medical procedures (eg. various surgeries). I personally think many people will enjoy this TV series especially if you have watched and enjoyed shows like "Grey's Anatomy", "ER" etc.. This show is available to buy on DVD and can also be found on the CTV website. You won't regret watching "Saving Hope".
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Top_Dawg_Critic13 July 2017Having watched this entire series from start to end (only a few episodes left), I am impressed with the writing and acting, particularly the roles played by Erica Durance and Michael Shanks.
The first season was a great introduction to the characters and the premise of the show. I will admit, I had my doubts this would work, but it did, and in excellent fashion. As the seasons progressed, they became very much more appealing.
My two complaints are that in the last season, it seems the writing got lazy and repetitive. Maybe it's because the episodes were cut short and everyone knew the end was near, but I wished it had maintained the pace and drama from the previous seasons. My second complaint is the fact the show did not get renewed. It's a shame as it has much more potential to keep going on.
Nevertheless, it's a fantastic Canadian production, and it will be sadly missed.
A well deserved 9/10 from me! -
samba532112 July 2017I usually like medical shows, but this one has some serious flaws . . . Aside from the fact that it's no "Gray's Anatomy" or even "ER." I started watching it because I was a big fan of Stargate. Michael Shanks played a likable enough character on that show, but that was 10 years ago, so I rather expected him to have more depth as an actor by now. Unfortunately he's quite flat as Charlie Harris. Then there are all the unlikeable characters on the show: Alex, who falls in and out of love like a 12-year-old (compare her to Dawn Bell, who has real depth); Dr. Murphy, who's a clone of Sweets from the show "Bones"and just as naive and vulnerable; Charlie Harris, an overbearing, self-important control freak; Joel Goran, who has no impulse control whatsoever; Dr. Lin, a real throw-away character in this ensemble. The saving graces in this show are the performances of Michelle Nolden as Dr. Bell, and Huse Madhavji as Dr. Hamza.
The only thing different about this show is the supernatural element: Dr. Harris sees and talks to ghosts. That does nothing for me, but with the current emphasis on the supernatural and superheroes, I get why did it. However, what in the world is up with the glowing blue light that invades almost every scene?!! It is just so annoying; I can't understand why anyone would introduce such a distracting element.
And why don't these doctors know how to use birth control?!!
I'll probably continue binge-watching to the bitter end, if only to see the characters get what's coming to them. -
sandersuk7 July 2012Saving Hope is a rare gem of a show. It not only brings the medical world to life, but also the often overlooked dilemmas which medics,patients and loved ones battle with as life is saved or lost on a daily basis.Not for this show the slick, ultra cool over production of many USA dramas,this show is driven by the emotions. Story and character come first which gives this show a more humane feel. There is a reality, both in the writing and the performances of the actors which drags you into the show and you feel actual empathy with them.
Each episode contains the expected mini story lines which the characters play parts in, but intertwined with those is the main sub plot of the two main characters and their battle to recover what they have lost. There is no "happy ever after" answer to their plight, and so their interaction with all is tainted by their emotions. We get to see all sides of the stories told. From the medical practicalities, the patients fear, the recently departed,s regret/anger etc. This is something which is sadly lacking in some medical dramas which can often mean the viewer is left with a rather one sided impression of the situation. The writing, production and acting in the show are consistently to a high standard, with exceptional performances from the main actors. Watching this show makes you want to see more. I hope it continues for further seasons and that the characters continue to evolve. I also hope that Charlie does wake up eventually, but with the long road of recovery that a coma can demand,I,m sure there are many more brilliant episodes to come.......I can only Hope....... -
acres-0454819 May 2016I have been watching Saving Hope from the beginning and loved it. However, now it seems Homosexuals are top priority. Is it really necessary to portray that? I seriously doubt that hospitals have that many doctors and patients that are "gay"?????? Please consider limiting that and get back to a basic great hospital series. On a more positive not, I love how Saving Hope shows that Doctors (mostly) are very concerned about patients and try every means possible to help and save them. The chemistry between different Doctors is great also.....also, the forgiveness shown, emotions on all levels. The acting is incredible.
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jodie_04068 September 2012I'll admit that what first peeked my interest in this show was Michael Shanks. As a HUGH Shanks fan I'd happily listen to him read the phone book. However, I'm not a fan of medical dramas, so I was not expecting to become as gripped in the storyline of Saving Hope as I fast became. Though I could tell from the trailer that this show was going to be good I was not expecting it to be GREAT! Each week I (and many others from the UK) stayed up until 3am to watch the show stream live, completely hocked with the gripping and heartfelt story lines. Erica Durance's performance moved me to tears (not an easy task I can tell you) more than once and the on screen chemistry between her and Shanks is top rate. One moment I'm giggling, next gasping in shock and the next tearing up. This show has something for everyone. Whether you're into medical dramas, supernatural story lines, mushy "love trying to over come the odds" plot lines, or simply enjoy good writing and quirky characters, this show has it all. I would highly recommend Saving Hope to anyone.
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As a retired nurse of 50 years, I have watched every medical show from Medic with Richard Boone to the present ones. Somewhere I missed Saving Hope tho until recently, when I found it on ION. I came in early in season 2,but was able to catch up on season 1 on line. I was hooked before the first episode ended. I never watched Stargate or Smallville so was not familiar with the actors portraying Charlie and Alex but immediately felt they were not just actors in a part, they WERE Charlie and Alex. They are excellent! As a nurse, I've seen a lot of hospital "life" and what goes on with both patients, and staff, and Saving Hope is right, on both counts. The story lines for the entire cast are believable, because it's life in a hospital, and who knows how many souls are wandering around the halls, trying to "right" their lives, before they pass on to a better place? I read all the reviews, even spoilers, and was sorry to find Joel dies at the end of season 3. I will miss him, but am sure the writers will continue to keep me glued to my TV.
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Moon_Path20 January 2016Considering that I love to spend my free time watching medical dramas with a twist of supernatural, I really can't comprehend how I've missed Saving Hope so far. Being a moderate Stargate SG-1 fan, it's quite natural that Michael Shanks brought me here, but while I was expecting another fairly drama-packed, standardised medical show, I was quite surprised to see a really good character development. And while I resisted in the beginning, I'm really enjoying the dedication of Alex, the reserved but caring demeanor of Joel, the quirkiness of D-r Hamza and the amusing yet adorable way that Charlie deals with his gift/curse.
There are a few things that actually remind me of Grey's Anatomy (the high school-like relationships and dramas around the hospital, the constant endangerment of the hospital staff etc.), but unlike the other show Saving Hope is quite realistic when it's portraying the personal issues and musings of the staff when it's challenged with seemingly unbearable situation. Throughout the three seasons I've watched so far, I was amused, shocked, saddened and caught hoping and coping side by side with the characters - a thing I never do when the spirit of a show just isn't there.