Peek Inside A YOUNG DOCTOR'S NOTEBOOK

Article first published as Peek Inside A YOUNG DOCTOR'S NOTEBOOK on TheTVKing.

Ovation is currently airing the four-part series A Young Doctor's Notebook. It is the story of a medical professional, fresh out of school in Moscow, who heads out to the country to run a small hospital. It's funny, in a dramatic way, and completely charming. This is a review of the first episode.

The Young Doctor, who has no established name, is played by Daniel Radcliffe of Harry Potter fame. In the first episode, he arrives near the town, and has to drag his large trunk through the snow to reach his destination. He's not even settled in among the disapproving staff, who keep talking about his worshiped predecessor, a portrait of which looms large in the halls, when he has to jump into a surgery on a woman giving birth, made complicated by the fact that the doctor has never actually seen a vagina.

That is a heck of a set up for a story, and one easy to vividly picture. Everything about the tale is a little larger than life, from the way the former physician is idolized, to the extreme give in the doctor's bed, to the incessant smoking of cigarettes. It takes a realistic situation and heightens it in the best manner possible, until it's almost a tall tale or a fairytale, laid out on screen in beautiful grey tones.

The supporting cast is appropriately cartoonish, from the long-winded feldsher (Adam Godley, Suits, Breaking Bad) to the disapproving nurses (Vicki Pepperdine, Getting On and Rosie Cavaliero, Jane Eyre). They help set the mood of the piece, and somehow manage to be disapproving of the Young Doctor, who viewers instantly love. It helps build the world that these will be the Young Doctor's companions, those who don't laud praises on him, providing stark contrast to what is on screen from those watching it.

Radcliffe is perfect for the lead part, manically rushing around, stumbling through broad physical comedy, and yet maintaining an earnest naivety that is sure to connect with viewers. His fear is real and felt; his triumphs are accidental, but celebrated. And when his ego gets a little too big, his confidence running high, he's quickly pulled back to earth by a major screw up, delivered with laughter. Sure, the role is a little similar to the part he's most famous for, but now he has only his wits to rely on, not magic.

OK, there's a little magic, in that an older version of himself (Jon Hamm, Mad Men) appears to offer unwanted guidance. The Older Doctor is seen only by the Young Doctor, and isn't exactly generous with his younger self. The Older Doctor wants the Young Doctor to learn through experience, so he doesn't reveal quick solutions, and actually proves a hindrance at times, such as tearing out a page of a medical text that might be helpful for the situation, trying to teach himself to rely on his own mental acuity when there's no time for reading.

These scenes between the two are fantastic. I'm not sure I completely believe them as the same person, especially given the height difference, but it still makes for an entertaining series by two terrific actors. The Older Doctor is frustrating, but the Younger Doctor needs him, and likely will continue thusly.

Hamm only allows his Don Draper skills to emerge during the ending scene, set years later, and this is where the drama of the piece comes in. We don't know exactly what is happening to the Older Doctor, but it seems dangerous. The rest of the time, he gets to work his comedy chops, as he has done in 30 Rock and, Childrens Hospital, proving he can span the genres with ease, making him a great pick for A Young Doctor's Notebook.

I can't speak enough praise for A Young Doctor's Notebook. If you're dissatisfied with the lackluster batch of new pilots of broadcast television, this is sure to cure your doldrums in a hurry. I highly recommend checking it out.