Doctor X 7 (2021) [Drama Review]

Doctor X 7; or, Michiko to the Rescue
     I can only save a patient who is in front of me.
When I heard about the seventh series of Doctor X being in development, I just could not believe it. I absolutely love this drama and regard the previous six seasons as sheer epicness. However, I got a little worried when I read that this time round the events are indeed going to be set within the Covid-19 pandemic. Here are my thoughts on the latest (mis)adventures of the infallible surgeon Daimon Michiko:

Release Info

Developed by: Miho Nakazono Starring: Ryoko Yonekura, Yuki Uchida, Ittoku Kishibe

Language: Japanese Original Title: ドクターX～外科医・大門未知子～ No. of eps.: 10

Synopsis
It’s the year 2021. Obviously, the Covid-19 pandemic has spread across the globe and impacted (negatively) each and every single human being out there. The infamous Totei University Hospital has somehow managed to withstand the crisis in the field of healthcare. Doctor Shigekatsu Hiruma (Toshiyuki Nishida) has been removed yet again from his directorial position at Totei. The new manager of the hospital is Doctor Ryotaro Hachisuka (Mansai Nomura), a specialist in virology and internal medicine. This man believes in treating patients as efficiently and as non-aggressively as possible. Nevertheless, some extreme cases require extraordinary intervention. In order to ensure the “100%-flawless” surgery, Hachisuka starts cooperating with Daimon Michiko (Ryoko Yonekura), a freelance surgeon who is always against authority, crowds, and herd mentality, a physician who is also known as… Doctor X.

All Quiet on the Totei Front
For years I have been meaning to review Doctor X, but I waited for the show to end. Nevertheless, it is never really certain if the show is going to end someday. It’s basically a flagship property of TV Asahi now. In addition, I already wrote an MDL article about the show with my friend ReikaBleu, so I will just share my opinion only on Series 7 here.

Well, after watching the first episode, I was convinced that this season is going to be something special. Doctor X is not only about the brilliant female lead and gripping medical cases, it is also a commentary on medicine and how the figure of Doctor-Hero is portrayed in the media. Episode 1 promises to viewers that the series is going to tackle and expose the pandemic with all the negative baggage of pathologies that developed in the course of its duration. Nevertheless, after episode 2, the whole concept is thrown out the window and we are back to the “good old” conventional episodes we have seen 60 times already!

I could forgive the writing team the shameless attempt to bait the viewers with the pandemic had they actually had something meaningful to convey in these 10 new episodes. Up until this point, each season surpassed the previous one with the level of excitement and unexpected twists. Season 6 ended on such a high note, that (I’m sorry) it makes Season 7 pale in comparison, especially when the writers repeatedly dismiss the supporting characters in order to provide comic relief.

This is my biggest issue with this outing. The supporting characters such as Kaji (Masanobu Katsumura), Ebina (Kenichi Endo), Hara (Kosuke Suzuki), and even Morimoto (Kei Tanaka), although good at heart, are unable to redeem themselves in the operating room. Daimon in action inspires them to do good, they want to save lives, but always in the moment of greatest crisis, they are unable to overcome the challenge, and Daimon has to step in to save the day…

Doctor X is no longer just centred on Daimon. The screenwriters should recognise and address that. It’s been 10 years since the show began and we have some many recurring, colourful characters who can have their own story arcs. For instance, episode 7 had the potential of developing Morimoto’s story and ending it on a grand scale. After all, through this character’s perspective, we met Daimon in Series 1 (2011). But no, everyone has to be incompetent and irredemable because we need at least five scenes of Hiruma and Ebina scheming about shady stuff.

Still, I appreciate this season for what it is. I love the Hara-centred story (episode 6), and the bromance level between him and Kaji is just amazing. Episode 8 was simply perfect for Jounouchi. Episode 9 focusing on Hiruma’s wife (played brilliantly by Mariko Fuji) is top notch across the board. The new characters are great as well, such as Masako Oma (Mio Imada), assistant Mikuni (Kaoru Sugita), and Doctor Kuwagata (Kazutoyo Koyabu). The absolute show stealer of the finale is Mansai Nomura as “Hachi”. The chemistry between his character and Daimon is off the freaking charts! Normally, you would not think that there is something like “a male love interest” for Daimon, but he manages to pull it off so well. Yeah, I’m not in Daimon/Jounouchi camp anymore. Now I ship Hachimon pairing all the way.

Recommendations
All in all, this is the first Doctor X season, I have had major problems with. Still, it was by no means a bad ride. The scripts may be wonky, but the actors and actresses really care about the legacy of this show and give their best performances. Now, I am hoping for Season 8 where (fingers crossed) we will see Daimon at her very own hospital! On a side note, please support the hard work of fansubbers and download subtitles directly from them. Do not rely on sites that shamelessly steal their work and capitalise on that through ads. My thanks go to MadmanSubs for translating Doctor X 7.

Overall score: 7/10

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