What a refreshing new series. While it’s not perfect, it is different enough in the category of hospital series to consider Pure Genius a keeper. I’m willing to bet most people feel when one is faced with a fatal disease, the FDA’s bureaucratic rules only stand in the way when there’s a potential treatment out there they won’t allow you to participate in because they haven’t done the years of testing they feel is necessary for approval. When you only have a few weeks or months or even just year to live, does it matter? If it does, say no, if it doesn’t, say yes.
Pure Genius is about the cutting edge of technology. Originally called Bunker Hill, it’s not about defying the FDA, it’s about thinking outside the box and saving lives. The staff is often at odds with the FDA, trying to get them to approve treatments using new techniques that shows promise toward a cure for a patient that has some awful, otherwise incurable disease. James Bell, (Augustus Prew) who just so happens to have a fatal, degenerate disease (GSS) only one doctor knows about, is dedicated to saving lives and has a heart bigger than anyone you’ll probably ever meet, is also a Silicon Valley tech billionaire and the founder of Bunker Hill. Dr. Walter Wallace (Dermot Mulroney) has come on board since getting fired for administering a non-FDA approved procedure on a dying 8 year old in order to save his life, except the child died anyway. Dr. Talaikha Channarayapatra, (Reshma Shetty) is a brilliant Neurosurgeon and a former Miss Indiana. Dr. Zoe Brockett, (Odette Annable) is a double board-certified doctor of pediatrics and critical care. Dr. Malik Verlaine, (Aaron Jennings) is head of the Ehub, which does remote monitoring of patients. Dr. Scott Strauss, (Ward Horton) is also a Catholic Priest. Angie Cheng, (Brenda Song) can build almost anything, be it on a 3D printer or just a mechanical device made by hand. This staff actually goes out scouting for rear cases — the harder, the better.
The ratings are not so high on this series, which means it may not be around for long. I read somewhere, the personal stories surrounding the supporting characters was not strong enough to develop the concept and message being created. Despite what critics say, I really like Pure Genius. It often gives me warm fuzzes and new information about the latest technology. Pure Genius is currently airing on CBS. I urge folks to at least, check it out.
CAROL's WORLDS 