Three Rivers on CBS

By Ally Matteodo

Three Rivers, the new medical drama on CBS, gives viewers an in-depth look at the most advanced transplant hospital in the U.S. The program also allows viewers touching access to the lives of organ donors, recipients, and surgeons, thus earning the program the distinction of Best TV Show of the Week.  In the October 25th episode (9:00 p.m. ET), the doctors are slammed by an onslaught of grievously injured football players after the team’s bus blows a tire and flips over onto its side.  One of the star players of the team, Blaire, is pronounced brain-dead after suffering a critical head injury.  His organs will go to save eight lives.  Another player must undergo reconstruction of his leg from below the knee.  Meanwhile, Dr. Yablonski struggles to find a procurement team for his patient Brandon Ayers, a man in need of a new heart.  But Ryan Abbott, the coordinator of procurements, contacts a friend of Dr. Yablonski’s at a different hospital to transport the heart, and then goes to the airport to pick up the heart himself.       

After the football game and before Blaire boards the bus, his father berates him for not playing a better game, even though their team won and Blaire did an exceptional job.  These harsh words are the last ones the father utters to his son.  Following this, the team equipment manager, Bobby, is mercilessly picked on by another player named Antonio while traveling home.  Blaire stands up for Bobby, instructing Antonio to leave him alone, and even switches seats with Bobby to stop the harassment.  Heart-wrenchingly, Blaire perishes, but his life after death follows the example he set while still breathing. His generous nature continues giving as his organs are used to save others.  Another poignant point Three Rivers makes is that life is unpredictable and can change in the blink of an eye; words are powerful and once said, can never be undone.  We need to cherish the people close to us and let them know how much we love them at every opportunity.  Furthermore, Dr. Andy Yablonski once again shines as an accomplished and empathetic surgeon.  While discussing a possible amputation for a player’s leg below the knee, another doctor bluntly tells the player what needs to happen, and Andy criticizes him for his poor bedside manner.  In another instance, Andy exhibits extreme compassion for the Ayers family and what they must be going through, and always uses extreme finesse in discussing options, possibilities, and solutions.   He exhibits honesty without being cruel, and exercises hopefulness without being unrealistic. These elements all combine to paint a touching yet realistic portrait of transplant surgery, with its pains but also with the knowledge that out of death often comes new life.

Best TV Show of the Week

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