As a generalization the American television audience tends to follow trend in what rises to become the most popular genre as evident by the ever important ratings. As a nation of viewers we have gone through phases that have encompassed westerns, medical dramas and courtroom mysteries. The flavor that has most recently captivated the focus of the public is the forensic crime procedural. The basis of this exceptionally popular type of show is the use of cutting edge technology and advanced scientific methodology to gather and analyze infinitesimal clues to bring the heinous criminal to justice. This is in sharp contrast to the traditional format that helped make TV the basis household entertainment, the detective series. Over the years this tried and true type of storytelling has undergone innumerable permutations each attempting to incorporate some novel twist or hook to differentiate their series from the ever grow pack of fundamentally identical shows. Over the years we have seen rogue cops doing things their own way or private detectives dishing out their own brand of justice. Even vampires, immortals and robots have had their time in the spotlight of the procedural crime drama but the list of potential variations has far from being exhausted. One of the latest spins given to promote such a series is demonstrated in one added to the ABC lineup, ‘Body of Proof’. This series successfully incorporates the mandatory elements of established shows while being sufficiently different as demonstrated its ability to project own narrative voice. The premise is fairly straightforward with the proper amount of medical terminology to make it sound believable. It pulls back on the use of techniques and equipment that is about ten years of from common use and experience that no city crime lab budget could possible sustain. There is the infusion of soap opera elements that seem to have become mandatory in every possible type of show on TV. This was something that I admit was not part of my DVR season pas list but I began watching episodes on an online streaming service and quickly became a fan, a status that carried forward to its second season.

Dr. Megan Hunt (Dana Delany) had a career that most physicians could only dream about. She has built a lucrative neurosurgical practice base in Philadelphia. Dr. Hunt meticulous attention to detail and near obsessive drive to succeed made her a world renowned practitioner at the very apex of her profession. Then a car accident destroys the life Megan so carefully planned and built. Although she readily recovered from the crash there were tragic repercussions. During a cerebral numerical procedure Hunt normally would find routine she experienced a loss of sensation in her hands resulting in losing her patient. Although determined not liable Hunt realizes the paresthesia means she can no longer work as a neurosurgeon. Unable to face patients or her former colleagues she eschews the living to become a medical examiner. There she could not be responsible for a person’s life and could distance herself from the daily painful reminder of past glory that would accompany switching to any other medical specialty. Her recent turmoil was the last straw for her marriage which was already teetering and divorces her husband Todd Fleming (Jeffrey Nordling), splitting the custody of their pre-teen daughter, Lacey (Mary Mouser). This sounds move involved than most of the traditional procedural crime dramas in the past and it is. Certainly Dr. Qunicy never encountered such trying circumstances. What I did find as I began to get into the series is the writers for the most part manage to avoid going full blown melodramatic and use this somewhat intricate back-story it excellent advantages fleshing out the characters. One thing that always bothered me with Quincy is explaining how such a ‘brilliant’ deductive mind would be content with a civil service job far below an average physician’s earning potential. The premise forwarded here is rational. Hunt is a perfectionist. If she couldn’t be the best neurosurgeon then she would distance herself completely from that type of medicine, overwhelming guilt would drive her away from the living but her drive and innate curiosity must still be appeased. The medical examiner’s office is the ideal location for her with the added benefit of allowing her to channel her inner Nancy Drew by solving mysteries. There her keen eye for details and deductive mind could be focused in a positive direction.

Megan’s focus and drive are also among her most negative personality traits. She is unable to consider any balance or compromise. While this laser like focus made her a great surgeon it is exacerbating to any one close to her. This was a major factor that drove her husband away and estranged her from Lacey. The need to be perfect could not be denied so Hunt wisely found a way to refocus it. The scenario also logically explains her almost inhuman attention to details and uncanny ability to extrapolate the details of a crime from the smallest evidence left behind. She is Columbo in Jimmy Choo heels and the latest Prada dress. Although her income undoubtedly took a significant cut her former surgical prowess and preexisting family money made sure she would not have to make any significant alterations to her established style of living. This persona is not depicted without dire personal consequences. Lacey has always felt that she was secondary to her mother’s career, not at all a founded sentiment. Much of this first season revolves around Megan trying to reestablish her priorities and gain a new equilibrium in her personal and professional lives. Towards the end of season one a soap opera twist is introduced by having her ex husband start a romantic relationship with Megan’s boss Dr. Kate Murphy (Jeri Ryan), the chief medical examiner. Now orbiting within Megan’s daily influence are the required featured characters’ the ruggedly handsome medical investigator assigned to her, Nick Bishop (Peter Dunlop) and the industrious yet comic relief oriented pair in the lab Deputy Chief M.E Dr. Curtis Brumfield (Windell Middlebrooks), ostensibly her superior and the young forensic pathology fellow Dr. Ethan Gross(Geoffrey Arend). Megan’s foil out in the field is the constantly annoyed police detective, Bud Morris (John Carroll Lynch) and his more even tempered partner Samantha Morris (Sonja Sohn). The series caught my attention with its solid writing, professional acting and strong presentation. It can be a little predictable but overall it demonstrates an amazing amount of potential.

Examining The Proof - Cast, Crew And Producers Discuss The Fascinating Elements That Go Into Making Death Look Real With The Help Of Designers, Make-Up And A Team Of Medical Advisors
If Looks Could Kill - Go Behind The Scenes With Costume Designer Roberta Haze As She Dresses The Actors, Creating Looks That Kill
Body Of Goofs - Body Of Proof Blooper Reel

Posted 01/13/12