Tom Ellis
Larenz Tate
Sarah Habel
Rick Gonzalez
Odette Annable

Created by:
Jonathan Levine

2014
Drama
USA Network
TV-14

USA Network’s “RUSH” is a medical drama with the look and feel of a crime procedural: It has hand-held camerawork, dark interiors, sharp cutting, and so on. “RUSH” has enough style and pace to qualify as a good summer series. The writing is surprisingly effective at being diverting enough to overcome its lack of inventiveness. There are even a few moments of humor that actually work without seeming forced. There are a few that don’t, though. For example, the joke about Rush’s CD skipping whenever he plays it didn’t warrant multiple references. They stopped referencing that joke at the beginning of the second episode, thankfully.

The first three episodes of “RUSH” reminded me of parts of the first few episodes of Showtime’s “Ray Donovan,” though this show probably won’t go as deep or be as serious. At the beginning of the pilot, the titular character is introduced effectively: We see that he has both flaws and expertise. That’s not a new character type, but it works well enough here. He’s yet another television character who’s an inappropriate yet brilliant doctor. But, of course, deep down, he has a conscience. And, of course, there’s a reason for his seemingly flippant personality and life troubles: He has daddy issues (something that’s fully revealed in the third episode). That’s also why he has a concierge service, instead of working in a hospital or via a traditional practice.

Another thing that works pretty well is the interplay between Tom Ellis as Rush and Larenz Tate as his conscientious, ER-doctor best friend. One thing that doesn’t work, however, is the moments of danger; I don’t buy them. But that’s a minor issue, because this show is focused mostly on other things.

Overall, “RUSH” has just enough layers to avoid seeming lightweight. It’s a credible addition to USA Network’s lineup. A lot of USA’s shows are better than you’d think, by the way, though not superb. They typically accomplish what they need to accomplish and little else.

Verdict: Good

About: (Source: rush)

USA’s new original series RUSH stars Tom Ellis (“Miranda”) as renegade physician Dr. William P. Rush, a “medical fixer” who privately caters to the elite of Los Angeles for a hefty price tag… but he didn’t always practice this type of medicine.

A few short years ago, Rush was a top attending surgeon at a prominent LA hospital. Working alongside his father, Dr. Warren Rush (Harry Hamlin), and his best friend, Alex (Larenz Tate), Rush’s career was on a promising track. On top of that, he was in love with his beautiful colleague Sarah Peterson (Odette Annable). But one fateful night, his world came crashing down. His position at the hospital was terminated, his relationship with his father combusted, and Sarah left him. Through everything, Alex was the only one to stay by his side. Shortly after, Rush began a private doctor service, treating his less-than-squeaky-clean clientele with no judgment or attachment.

The series picks up six years later, Rush’s unorthodox business thriving with the help of his savvy assistant Eve (Sarah Habel). And with Sarah in Los Angeles once again, Rush tries everything in his charming bad boy arsenal to get her back. It’s challenging to pursue an ex while on a strict regimen of substance abuse and navigating the medical needs of actors, gangsters, life coaches, bounty hunters, musicians, and other troubled inhabitants of Los Angeles. When Alex risks his career to help Rush out of a bind, their friendship is put to the test. To set things right, Rush opens a door he wanted to keep shut; reaching out to a well-respected physician – his estranged father.