TVSquad

I watched Hopkins this week for the first time. It's a six-part documentary from ABC that delves into the lives of the real-life doctors who work at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, as well as the patients who come through its doors. It's reality TV at its grittiest and most heartbreaking, in some cases.

When I first heard about the show, it sounded like an interesting premise -- learn about the doctors and caregivers who work at this medical center I've heard about all my life. When not performing medical miracles, they're just regular people. And from what I gathered watching Episode 4 this week, the hospital pretty much takes over their lives, leaving little time or energy for the outside world and relationships.

I can see how that would happen. Working such a stressful job in a prestigious hospital must be all-consuming. Your coworkers probably seem more like family than your biological family. And your coworkers can certainly identify with the stress in a way that no one else can. Then again, it's probably that way in a lot of professions. In my case, people outside of the writing business don't really know what I do all day. But my writer-friends do, and I've formed some pretty intense bonds with them. I'm sure the folks who work in any hospital have that same feeling, intensified about 1000 percent.

The other thing that strikes me about Hopkins is the patients, many of whom are in the worst possible situation of their lives. Having been in a crisis situation where a doctor is looking at you (or in my case, my husband) and saying, "If you don't have this surgery, you will not survive," I cannot ever imagine having a camera pointed at me during that bleak moment. I'm sure the patients must have signed a release in order to be filmed for the show, but how awful for them. To know that they might die or lose a treasured loved one, and have a camera filming their emotions? I simply can't imagine it.

But the stories don't all have sad endings. Last week's episode profiled little Peyton, a toddler who suddenly fell ill and was rushed by helicopter to the Hopkins pediatric ICU. The parents had two options: watch their child die or attempt a risky heart transplant, should one become available. Fortunately, a heart was found, the transplant was successful, and Peyton left the hospital a few weeks later. That's one of the good stories.

Will I watch the last two episodes of Hopkins? I don't really know. I tend to "take on" other peoples' problems, so it probably does me no good to watch a show and grieve for complete strangers. On the other hand, it's truly interesting to see how the doctors and caregivers in the hospital work. One thing's for sure -- I could never do that kind of work, and I'm in awe of people who can -- and do.

By the way, the show airs Thursday, 10 p.m., on ABC. You can also watch full episodes on the show's official site.

What about you? Are you watching Hopkins? Care to weigh in with your thoughts on the show?