TV We've Just Watched discussion
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Off The Map
Zach Gilford is traveling a long way from Dillon, Texas for his next TV gig.The ex-Friday Night Lights QB is joining ABC’s Shonda Rhimes-produced medical drama Off the Map as a series regular.
Gilford will play a plastic surgeon in the South America-set drama, which is slated to premiere at midseason.
“The character is still being written, but I’ve heard him described as kind of an all-American frat boy,” says Gilford. “[Map creator Jenna Bans:] told me she loves FNL, but wants to distance me from that role as much as possible. [Something:] that excited me.”
This isn’t Gilford’s first time appearing on a Rhimes series. The actor guest-starred on Grey’s Anatomy back in season 5. “I didn’t have any direct contact with Shonda, but I have watched Grey’s since the beginning and I’ve also seen a little bit of Private Practice,” he says. “Her work speaks for itself.”
Gilford’s casting comes less than two weeks after news broke that Map star Enrique Murciano had been dropped from the show for creative reasons.
I imagine that the character of Ben Keeton will be something of a "House-type" with a strong background in jungle diseases and parasitology. The background stories of the new doctors will determine the story arcs. As the setting is the Amazon rain forest, it will be interesting to see how the production re-invents Hawaii locations and background actors to fit the story.
This sounds pretty good. I'll need a reminder when it premieres, by 'mid-season' I'll have forgotten all about it.
Okay. I'll find out what I can on my end here in Hawaii and will let the group know what I've learned. In the meanwhile, let's grow this group up. I think "Off The Map" could be as big as "Gray's Anatomy."
First shoot day for "Off The Map" is Monday, August 30.
This starts soon.... I'm loving the promos for it!
I know! It looks so good! I've already got it on my calendar.
Did anyone watch this last night? I liked it... I think it has potential...
I did watch it. I don't know. I didn't feel drawn to any of the characters like I did from the very beginning on Grey's. I will watch it again though.
It takes me two or three shows before I start feeling drawn in to a show....
I was wondering about the firefly lake. Is that real?
From TVline.com:Michael McKean, who endured quite the zipline crisis in the season premiere of Off The Map, was but the first of many guest stars to score a trip to Hawaii to guest-star on the new ABC series.
In the medical drama’s second outing, Cheech Marin (Lost) kicks off a multiple-episode run as Papa, a village medicine man who has a great love-hate relationship with Tommy (played by Friday Night Lights‘ Zach Gilford),” series creator Jenna Bans tells TVLine.
Also heading Off The Map is Elizabeth Peña (Down and Out In Beverly Hills), for “a great arc toward the end of the first season, as the mother of one of Lily’s (Caroline Dhavernas) ex-ex-ex-boyfriends,” says Bans. “She’s fantastic.”
Ed Begley Jr. (Gary Unmarried) will turn up as “a traveling dentist” who has a “great episode with Mamie Gummer,” while British actor Jonathan Cake (Six Degrees) will play “a guy who’s been in love with Zee (Valerie Cruz) for years and years,” setting up a brief triangle with Jason George’s Otis.
Last but not least, TV vet Ralph Waite (The Waltons, NCIS) has been cast in a role that Bans would only describe as “shocking.”
I feel the same as you Christine. I was underwhelmed where I expected to be wowwed. But like Holli, I will give it a chance. If it doesn't wow me by the third or fourth episode, well, I don't really need a new show anyway.I tried to find the firefly lake on the internet but couldn't find it. Doesn't mean it's not real, though. I didn't put that much time into it. But I would like to know if it's real and the proper name of the lake. The doctor called it Lagos de Luce (sp?)
but I couldn't find anything near that name.
I could not find a "firefly lake" but here are some cool photos that have to do with bioluminescence. These were taken in Australia.http://www.philhart.com/gallery/Astro...
I've heard of bio luminescence before in lakes so I'm sure it exists... as evidenced too by those beautiful photos Christine.I know jelly fish light up in the ocean like that...
One thing I really dislike about this show is that when they speak in Spanish, which they do a lot, there are no subtitles. I feel like I'm missing 1/3 of the episode.In tonight's ep, the doc didn't want pain meds for his tooth because he's an addict but didn't I see him on the porch a few times drinking beer? I despise inconsistency.
I really had high hopes for this show but I'm just not feeling it.
You're not missing a whole lot Jackie when they speak in Spanish. They usually repeat it in English back to them or they talk about it in English to another doctor and it sums up what the Spanish speaking person said.I haven't watched last night's episode yet.... I think the show is just ok. I don't think it's anywhere near as good as Grey's or Private Practice at all. I don't know if it will make it or not.
I just deleted it from my Series Manager. I'm just not that interested in the characters. And the one hot male doctor turned me off big time last night, you'll know it when you see it Holli.
I'm on the verge of deleting it so I just may do the same thing as you Jackie...
I have been enjoying this show, but Jackie brings up some good points that I missed. Seems to be a habit of mine. lolI think he was drinking a beer, but it could have been a non-alcoholic one. But if he was drinking a beer that is a major inconsistency.
The main thing I like about the show is the location and the weird things they have to do to save people and get them medicine.
And Holli's right. They aren't saying anything important in Spanish. I know some Spanish. You have to living in AZ.
I think I might give it another chance, nothing much better on anyway. And I do like the main doctor. He's hot.
I thought the main doc was hot too but he's a dick. I can't stand guys like him, hot or no. I wish he was a better person because then I'd probably keep watching. I can't stand the redhead from the second I saw her going into the taxi.If the beer was non-alcoholic then they should clarify. If find it ridiculous that they could import non-alcoholic beer with no problem yet can't get their own supplies from customs. The more I think about it, the worse this show is.
The Spanish thing, it's a courtesy I'm asking for. Not everyone speaks Spanish, and it is broadcast on an English speaking channel. And if they're repeating it in English then it's doubly idiotic as it serves no purpose.
The location and situations are what attracted me in the first place, but it's just not enough to keep me watching when I don't like the case. The only one I like is the Spanish lady doctor.
I don't remember that doc ever drinking a beer but he always is sucking on a piece of stick candy. Addicts can have a powerful sweet tooth. Sodas also come in bottles in other countries too, more so than in US. I can give the show some slack as far as that is concerned. The main doc who is supposed to be a tortured soul who has "lost" his wife, isn't getting much sympathy from me.
Notice me and the others who posted on this thread have not mentioned any names. I feel that is a tell to how the show is being received. If we liked it, we would know its characters names. I only know Brennan and she is the only one I like. I have to say it but I may be deleting this from my DVR also, especially with Justified starting next Wednesday.
Brennan is my favorite character too and that's a good point about the names. I can't even think of any of the other names. I was shocked to discover that the doctor's wife is still alive, in a coma. But he is hooking up with that female doctor. Not sure if I like that unless I know more about what he is feeling.
For me, it's the location and the way they do medicine that is the big draw for me. If that gets boring then I guess I have no reason to watch it anymore.
I can understand main hot doc needing sex because his wife's in a coma for 5 years. It's why she's kept in a coma for so long that disturbing to me. Humanitarian my ass.
She's been in a coma for five years? That is a long time. Maybe they took her off the machines and she breathed on her own.
Hot doc is keeping her on life support because her trust fund supports the clinic. It's digusting, selfish and cruel. This is why I'm turned off of him and that's why he's not a humanitarian because he treats his own wife in a callous undignified manner. There's nothing he can do to redeem himself in my eyes and it's the deciding factor in dumping this show.
Interesting conversation here.... I need to watch this week's show! Sounds like a major thing was revealed.... I'll be back once I've watched to weigh in.... :) Good point too about us not knowing their names. I don't know any of their names either!
Wow, did I miss something or is that info about him keeping his wife on life support something revealed in Grey's Anatomy? I never watched that show and didn't even know at first that Off The Map was a spin-off. If I knew his reasons for keeping her alive, I don't think that I would have watched the show.
Yep, you missed it. This last episode of Off The Map revealed that tidbit. Brennan saw him with a patient at the hospital in San Miguel or whatever the town was called, he said it's his wife and when they left she was simpering about how noble he is and he told her not to, that his reasons for keeping the wife on life support was for her trust fund. It was towards the end of the episode.
Thanks, Jackie. I did miss that. I must have got distracted. It does sound cruel. I was thinking about it and if he isn't doing it for himself (but for the poor people of that town who need medical help), then it's not as bad, but if she is suffering, there is no good reason for that.
Very weird situation and not sure what I think of him now.
It's for the clinic so he's not a total ass. Greater good and all that. But I can't admire a person capable of treating a loved one in such a way.
It wouldn't be so bad if she requested he do that, but how could she if the coma was sudden. I'd like to know what put her into the coma. I think someone said he also lost his child so it must have been an accident.
Kelley, Off The Map is a stand alone show.... it's not a spin off of Grey's... I thought the same thing for awhile until Shonda Rimes adamantly corrected everyone on her Twitter! lol
He said she was shot in a robbery. No matter how you slice it, it's about money in the end.
Holli, speaking of Twitter...did you see last night's Grey's Anatomy?
I must have dozed off during that scene. Thanks, Jackie. And thanks for that info, Holli. I heard somewhere that it was a spin off of Grey's. Probably online.
Sure thing Kelley! I haven't yet Jackie... Off The Map and Grey's Anatomy record in my bedroom on that DVR and I'm SOOO behind on shows in there. I'm on last Sunday's stuff right now.
Holli, You'll enjoy Grey, it was a good ep.
Another Shonda Rimes' show:Kerry Washington will headline Shonda Rhimes' new ABC drama pilot, Deadline reports.
Based on famous crisis management consultant Judy Smith, In Crisis follows the life and work of a professional fixer, Olivia Price, and her dysfunctional staff. Washington, who was most recently seen in For Colored Girls, will play Price, who's described as a formidable and fearless woman.
Actor-choreographer Columbus Short (Stomp the Yard) has also been cast as a lawyer on Price's team.
Rhimes, who wrote the script, will serve as executive producer, alongside fellow Grey's Anatomy executive producer Betsy Beers.
Smith, who has guided such public figures as Monica Lewinsky and Michael Vick, will co-executive-produce the project.
I watched last week's Off The Map episode and I agree the hot dr is an ass. I like the red headed curly haired girl and the Spanish speaking woman dr and the plastic surgeon dr. I think the reason we never know their names is that I don't hear them call each other by their names very often....I still don't know if I like this show. I keep watching it in hopes it gets better... maybe the networks will decide for me on this one.
There must be something wrong with me because I like the main doctor even though I agree that he is an ass, kind of cold even. I guess I like guys that are asses. lolFor some reason I am still watching it and Holli, I'm with you, maybe the network will decide.
Kelley, he's an ass but he doesn't bother me... I'm cool with him! :)
Because he is hot. I love guys with long hair.
I was going to delete this from my DVR but decided to watch again this last week and I liked this episode. I thought we got to see a little more of the other docs instead of the hot one. I just want to look at him and he can keep his mouth shut.
I got the impression that this series would diverge from the expected plot line, but it did not. Because of Abram's involvement, many of us Losties thought we would be viewing something along the "Lost" story line. I was disappointed it did not meet our expectations. I'm not a fan of 'medical' series. I don't watch Gray's Anatomy, House, etc. They just aren't my cup of tea, so I can't get into it.
I watched three episodes, and decided to forgo any further viewings. Instead, I read during this hour of television.
Kate, JJ Abrams doesn't have anything to do with Off The Map does he? He did Undercovers this season but that's been pulled already. Off The Map was created by Jenna Bans and Shonda Rimes is associated with it.
Here's some info:
Executive producers Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers (Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice) and creator Jenna Bans (Grey's Anatomy) bring you an uplifting medical drama that explores how far you have to go to truly heal.
Welcome to "la ciudad de las estrellas" (the city of stars), a tiny town in the South American jungle which has one understaffed, under-stocked medical clinic. That's where idealistic young Dr. Lily Brenner just landed, along with fellow doctors Mina Minard and Manny Diaz. All of these young doctors are running away from personal demons, but they aren't the only ones with emotional baggage. Take the legendary and enigmatic Ben Keeton, who was the youngest Chief of Surgery at UCLA. He walked away from it all to found the clinic. Together with his right-hand doctor, Otis Cole, he'll teach these newcomers how to save lives in the most challenging environment they've ever worked in.
In this ensemble drama, five doctors who have lost their way will go to the ends of the earth to try to remember the reasons why they wanted to become doctors in the first place.
Off the Map stars Martin Henderson as Ben Keeton, Caroline Dhavernas as Lily Brenner, Enrique Murciano as Manny Diaz, Mamie Gummer as Mina Minard, Jason George as Otis Cole, Valerie Cruz as Zita (Zee) and Jose Julian as Charlie.
Off the Map is executive-produced by Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers, and created/executive-produced by Jenna Bans. The series is from ABC Studios.
starring:
Caroline Dhavernas as Lily Brenner
Mamie Gummer as Mina Mital
Enrique Murciano as Manny Diaz
Martin Henderson as Ben Keeton Valerie Cruz as Zita (Zee)
Jason George as Otis Cole
José Julián as Charlie