Chicago Hope Season 1 [DVD]

I love Chicago Hope! When it first came out there was big competition between it and the other Chicago based medical drama ER, and ER won I suppose. But critics rated this show really well and my opinion (for what it's worth) is that this is a good watch.

I have seen every, or almost every, episode and the first season surely is a good one, though it lost it way a little later on (season 6 is weaker). Mandy Patinkin in particular is amazing but the whole cast are talented, and display complex and interesting characters with believability and humour. Patinkin plays an abrasive, irritating smarty pants but he is a brilliant surgeon unafraid to take risks and try experimental procedures- it is compelling to watch! It's also great to see other really 'big' actors like Adam Arkin, Peter MacNicol and Hector Elizondo. Other amazing actors appear later in other seasons (Mark Harmon, Rocky Carroll, Lauren Holly etc).

The medical issues are often difficult but I enjoyed seeing these situations approached and dealt with. It is to the series' credit that there is not always a happy, unrealistic ending. The often agonizing decisions are not solved with trite comments, profundities or patronising messages for the audience. Life is full of grey area dilemmas and I'm glad to see this accurately reflected for once.
This is the point where I believe Chicago Hope triumphs over ER because this is less 'soapy' and more like the medical depth seen in 'House.'

Although it is over 15 years since the programme was made, it hasn't really dated much. Apart from people having a bit bigger hair and one or two details you'd hardly know, especially as most of the cast are in scrubs a lot of the time.

NOTE: if you have come to this product via a search for Mark Harmon or Christine Lahti you will be disappointed. Although Amazon lists them as actors in this series they are not! Christine is not in it until season 2 and Mark only joins in season 3.

I am glad to see it is being put out on DVD but sorry that it is only season 1 (from 1994) and there are 5 more up up to season 6 in year 2000. Hope the rest will follow soon!

"Chicago Hope" is out on DVD at last!
I've been so surprised that it's taken so long for a lot of superior late '80's, early '90's shows such as CH, LA Law, St Elsewhere and the marvellous Hill Street Blues, to become available on DVD - one would think that boxed sets of all would be the way to go, but apparently not - the producers are going for the drip effect by releasing each series at three or four monthly intervals. Maximising profits, no doubt.

However, that doesn't take away from the wonderful writing, acting and directing that characterised Chicago Hope. Always more politically motivated than its counterpoint ER, it was nevertheless ground-breaking in terms of script and subject matter. Mandy Patinkin, always a joy to watch in any performance, was perfectly complemented by the likes of Adam Arkin ( underated, I think), Hector Elizondo and Roxanne Hart.

The writing was superb - David E Kelley at his best. I'm only sorry that after the first couple of series, his attention was focused more on the new show, Ally McBeal. Still, Chicago Hope will always remain in my heart as my favourite medical drama, ever. Go buy it folks, give yourselves a treat!

I rarely write reviews unless I am particularly moved to do so. Chicago Hope moves me. There is no need for me to give an account of what the series is about and its content as you will find those details in other reviews. I just want to say, that without any doubt, in my view, Chicago Hope is the best medical drama ever to appear on television - intelligent, witty, controversial, thought provoking, moving and greatly entertaining. It is up there with Hill Street Blues, The Practice and In Treatment. Buy it buy it buy it. If you don't we may never see the other seasons. Magnificent.