I don’t know why I keep watch these intensely realistic looking medical shows. At least this one manages to inject a fair bit of humor into the drama. And that really is what sets This is Going to Hurt apart from other shows looking at such traumatic events.
This limited series just so happens to be based off the memoir of the same name written by Adam Kay. It only makes sense then that actor Ben Whishaw does in fact play Kay in the series. No sugar coating here! The memoir and the show cover Kay’s time as a junior doctor on the obstetrics and gynecology ward of the National Service Hospital. From the very first scene, this hospital is chaos. And severely underfunded. It’s kind of incredible what these nurses and doctors are able to rig up or just plain deal with on a regular basis. I did have to look up what a junior doctor was, and it turns out it’s just like American doctors doing their residencies.
Kay is not the warmest or fuzziest doctor out there, but he prides himself in doing good, consistent work. It’s this demeanor though, that he is a bit above it all that really leads to some serious downfalls. For instance, on a very buys and over crowded day on the ward, he sends a patient home only to have to perform an emergency caesarian on her and delivery the baby almost 20 weeks early. The guilt of that decision impacts him the rest of the season. His attitude is also very brusque to new junior doctor, Shruti, who is extremely relatable and very likeable. Despite Kay’s coldness, Shruti really likes working with him.
To be fair, everyone on this ward, Kay included, are completely over-worked. This not only bleeds into the small details of his job, but also all the relationships in his personal life. I so badly wanted his relationship with Harry to work out, but Kay is so closed off to any amount of vulnerability. It’s clear that’s come from his relationship with his parents growing up, but being so consumed with his career never gives him the proper amount of time to address those issues head on. Naturally, all of the stress and tiny mistakes come to a head and threaten to derail his entire life as he knows it, but perhaps it’s the wake-up call he needs to make some good changes in his life.
The second to last episode of the season is brutal, but honestly, most of the series is. It’s almost such a train wreck it’s hard to look away. With that being said, the show is excellent, just not for the weak-stomached. The performances are incredible, and it was fascinating to learn about the horrid conditions these healthcare workers had to endure at the NHS. Very eye-opening and intriguing. Go check this show out!