Ep 1. How to Get Ahead in Medical School

Bloodletting and Miraculous Cures is a Canadian medical drama series based on a book of the same name by Vincent Lam. The show explores the personal and professional lives of four young doctors, eccentric and brilliant Fitz, the poised and confident Ming, the wealthy and entitled Chen and the ambitious and competitive Sri. The first episode, "How to Get Ahead in Medical School", follows the doctors as they navigate the challenges of medical school and the high-pressure world of medicine.

The episode opens with a group of medical students, including the four main characters, sitting in an auditorium listening to a lecture on infectious diseases. Fitz, played by Shawn Ashmore, is the first to arrive, looking disheveled and hungover. Ming, portrayed by Mayko Nguyen, arrives shortly after, poised and confident as always. Chen, played by Byron Mann, is fashionably late and apologizes to everyone for holding them up. Sri, played by Pooja Handa, is already seated and looking at her notes intently.

The lecture is interrupted by the arrival of the tough and intimidating Dr. Chen, who introduces himself as the head of Pediatrics and warns the students that his course will be the toughest one they take in medical school. He also warns them that only six students will be allowed to advance to pediatrics, and the competition will be fierce.

After the lecture, the four friends meet up and discuss their plans for the upcoming school year. Fitz is worried about his grades and is considering dropping out of medical school altogether. Ming is confident that she will excel in her courses and has already started networking with doctors at the hospital. Chen is more concerned with the social scene and invites the group to a party at his family's mansion over the weekend. Sri is the most competitive of the group and is determined to do whatever it takes to come out on top.

Throughout the episode, the four doctors encounter various challenges, both personal and professional. Fitz struggles to keep up with his studies and is chastised by his mentor for not taking his future seriously. Ming is rebuffed by a doctor she was hoping to network with, and Sri gets into a heated argument with one of her professors. Chen, meanwhile, becomes involved in a dangerous love triangle with another medical student and a married doctor.

As the episode progresses, tensions rise between the four doctors as they compete with one another for the limited spots in Dr. Chen's pediatrics class. Their personal lives become increasingly entangled as they grapple with their ambitions and the pressure of medical school. The episode ends on a cliffhanger as the four friends receive their grades for the first semester and face the reality of their situation.

Overall, "How to Get Ahead in Medical School" sets the tone for the series, exploring the lives of young doctors as they learn to navigate the complexities of medicine, love, and life. The show offers a unique and insightful perspective on the medical profession, highlighting the highs and lows of a career in healthcare. With strong performances from the cast and a compelling storyline, Bloodletting and Miraculous Cures is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys medical dramas.