TV Mad Man

Shondaland continues to rule over ABC, will a new drama set in a glorious tropical setting, get glorious ratings…

What ABC Says:

From executive producers Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Private Practice”) and executive producer/creator Jenna Bans (“Grey’s Anatomy”) comes an uplifting medical drama that explores how far one has to go in order to truly heal. Six doctors who have lost their way will go to the ends of the earth to try to remember the reasons why they wanted to become doctors in the first place, on “Off the Map,” premiering WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2011 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. In the premiere episode, “Saved by the Great White Hope,” idealistic young Dr. Lily Brenner, along with fellow doctors Mina Minard and Tommy Fuller, arrive in “la ciudad de las estrellas” (the city of stars), a tiny town in the South American jungle which has one understaffed, under-stocked medical clinic. All of these young doctors are running away from personal demons, but they aren’t the only ones with emotional baggage. They’re introduced to the legendary and enigmatic Ben Keeton, who was the youngest Chief of Surgery at UCLA but who walked away from it all to found the clinic. Together with his right-hand doctor, Otis Cole, the mysterious Dr. Ryan Clark and local doctor, Zita Alvarez, he’llteach the newcomers how to save lives in the most challenging environment they’ve ever worked in — while taking them on adventures of a lifetime.

“Off the Map” stars Jonathan Castellanos as Charlie, Valerie Cruz as Zitajalehrena Alvarez (Zee), Caroline Dhavernas as Lily Brenner, Jason George as Otis Cole, Zach Gilford as Tommy Fuller, Mamie Gummer as Mina Minard, Martin Henderson as Ben Keeton and Rachelle Lefevre as Ryan Clark.

The Good: Lost meets medicine in this new drama on ABC, from executive producer Shonda Rhimes (Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice) and was created by Jenna Bans (Grey’s). Off the Map takes what is wonderful about Grey’s Anatomy, which is the medical cases and turns it on its head in a South American setting (although they film in Hawaii). Off the Map is more MacGyver than Grey’s as it requires its misfit brand of doctors to use their resourcefulness to solve complex cases, along with of course the drama.

After seeing two upcoming episodes of Off the Map, I can say it something I will be tuning into and its all because of the cast. Caroline Dhavernas (Wonderfalls) leads a gorgeous and young cast of doctors from Mamie Gummer (The Good Wife) to Rachelle Lefevre (Twilight) and the best thing, Zach Gilford from TV’s Friday Night Lights. They radiate inexperience in their characters while being innocent and fun. The show takes full advantage of its settings and admittedly the resources left over on the island of Oahu by ABC’s Lost.

The Bad: Although the cast and setting are the strongest points of Off the Map, due to the nature of the cases, the writing and plot can be a bit cheesy and over-played but that might be a nature of the beast, setting a show in such rural areas. With less people, means less things to draw from, and more outlandish tales.

The Verdict: While it may seen funny, and you may ask yourself why we need another medical drama, Off the Map is a welcomed change, and it’s enough a joy that I will be tuning in. Off the Map premieres tonight at 10/9c on ABC.

Below check out the poster for ABC’s new drama Off the Map, which is premiering January 12th on the network at 10/9c. The series, which revolves around doctors in a tropical location, is from the executive producers of Grey’s Anatomy and stars Martin Henderson, Mamie Gummer, Zach Gilford, and more.