Fox's latest franchise that crossed over medical and teen drama has just aired. The network describes "Red Band Society" as a "provocative, unconventional and unique coming-of-age dramedy" that concentrates on the lives of teens and adults in the pediatric ward of fictional Los Angeles' Ocean Park Hospital. The show explores themes that are potentially relatable: friendship, love, hope and more.
Though set in a hospital, the story is not all serious. According to Fox, viewers can expect comedy.
"It is really about life," Dave Annable (who plays Dr. McAndrew) said in a report by E! Online.
Fox quotes the series, "When you're brought to the brink, that's when you laugh the loudest, love the strongest and cry the hardest...This is the story of the 'Red Band Society'."
The title is taken from the patients' red hospital bands that identify not only their admission, but the bond of friendship and ultimately, family.
"Red Band Society" stars award-winning actress Octavia Spencer (Nurse Jackson), Dave Annable (Dr. Jack McAndrew), Astro (Dash Hosney), Ciara Bravo (Emma Chota), Griffin Gluck (Charlie), Zoe Levin (Kara Souders), Rebecca Rittenhouse (Brittany Dobler), Charlie Rowe (Leo Roth), Nolan Sotillo (Jordi Palacios) and so much more. IMDB provides a full list of cast here.
The episode begins with a narration from a comatose 12-year-old, Charlie, who tells about a "band of unlikely friends." Jordi is a new patient who receives hospital admission for cancer treatment, realizing that not his illness but his friends will change his life. Cancer patient Leo acts as an independent "leader." Emma is Leo's girlfriend who suffers from an eating disorder. 16-year-old cystic fibrosis patient Dash is dubbed to be a rebel with a big personality. Kara is described as a "mean girl" cheerleader who shares room with Charlie. She owns a failing heart.
IGN noted the earlier patients to be Emma, Leo and Dash.
Nurse Jackson manages the pediatric wing, a one-of-a-kind caregiver who actually thinks of others before herself. She is portrayed as a disciplinarian, but within that strict exterior hides a big heart and compassion to all patients she handles. Nurse Brittany is another caregiver who is depicted to be gullible, perhaps the more "friendly" nurse in the eyes of rule-breaking teens. Dr. Jack McAndrew is the "country's top pediatric surgeon" who oversees the patients' medical conditions.
A review on the first episode was made by The Hollywood Reporter, "'Red Band Society' wants to take your emotions and manipulate them." TV.com commented that the pilot episode was "sugar-coated" for showcasing the patients' appearance not so appropriately. So far, the main characters were all introduced.
Watch the first episode here (requires sign-in to Fox).
See the series' official trailer below.
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