Coma

Coma is a gripping two-part miniseries that first aired on A&E in 2012. This thrilling narrative influences elements from science fiction, drama, and chilling mystery genres, presenting audiences with a unique viewing experience. Based on Robin Cook's bestselling novel from 1977, Coma, and the acclaimed movie adaptation by Michael Crichton, this miniseries offers an updated perspective, incorporating technological advances and current medical ethics.

The premise revolves around a young female doctor named Susan Wheeler, played by Lauren Ambrose. Susan is an ambitious medical student doing her residency at the Peach Tree Memorial Hospital. Not long into her tenure, she detects a strangely high rate of comas under routine surgeries. Each patient who slips into a coma is quickly transported to the Jefferson Institute - a creepy, remote facility designed specifically for comatose patients. The institute is more like a warehouse storing bodies than a hospital with a caring and healing environment.

Disturbed by the alarming frequency of these inexplicably induced comas, Susan decides to dig deeper. Through her probing, she stumbles upon the chilling possibility that something more sinister is operating beneath the surface than merely a series of unfortunate medical accidents. As she further investigates, it becomes clear that her own life and career are in peril as powers-that-be within the institution realize she's become a threat to their shadowy operation.

The lead character, Susan Wheeler, is particularly compelling. Ambrose's portrayal of Wheeler is well-executed, transforming Cook's likable, curious protagonist into a modern-day heroine as her earnest search for the truth draws us into the web of intrigue. Supporting her is the character of Mark Burroughs, played by Steven Pasquale, her fellow doctor and love interest. Mark offers Susan emotional support but remains skeptical about her theories until he begins to experience firsthand the sinister machinations at work.

The miniseries boasts a fantastic ensemble cast, including Geena Davis, James Woods, Richard Dreyfuss, and Ellen Burstyn. Their performances add depth to the series, lending it credibility and enhancing the suspense and mystery. Davis's contemplative portrayal of a seductive and powerful Psychiatry department head, Dr. Agnetta Lindquist, makes her a standout character. Ellen Burstyn's chilling performance as the head of the Jefferson Institute brings a disturbing touch to the series.

Coma superbly balances medical realism with speculative fiction. The strong narrative structure with tension and mystery keeps audiences hooked and deepens the intrigue around the hospital's workings. The series dives into moral and ethical debates about medical science, human rights, patient care, and corporate greed, which resonates in today's health care dynamics. The miniseries’ strength lies in its ability to blend these significant themes into an engaging, narrative-driven drama that has an unsettling undercurrent of sci-fi-based horror.

The creators also visually manifest the miniseries' tense atmosphere into multiple settings. The stark difference between the sterile, high-tech environment of Peach Tree Memorial Hospital and the eerie, cold warehouse-like aesthetics of The Jefferson Institute, matched with an evocative, chilly color palette, heightened visual drama, and memorable cinematography, all work together to create an unsettling vibe that is a crucial part of the series' appeal.

Despite its medical backdrop, it's essential to note that Coma is not your typical hospital drama. Its suspense-driven plot is bathed in conspiratorial undertones and moral quandaries that supersede the hustle and bustle of typical hospital life. While it maintains a scientific and medical realism, it expertly entangles viewers in a web of conspiracy, challenging them to solve the mystery alongside Susan Wheeler.

Taking a fresh approach to Robin Cook's novel and capitalizing on developments in the medical field and audiences' increased interest in medical dramas, Coma establishes its own identity in the television landscape. It's a compelling, thought-provoking and well-paced miniseries—an exploration of a dystopian nightmare that remains grounded in recognisable realities. For anyone keen on suspenseful dramas that weave elements of mystery and ethical dilemmas, Coma certainly ranks high on the list of must-watch television offerings.