Dr. Death Season 1 Episode 1 Diplos
- July 15, 2021
- 43 min
-
7.7 (698)
Title: Diplos
Dr. Death is a true-crime drama series that follows the story of Dr. Christopher Duntsch, a neurosurgeon who was convicted of gross malpractice and sentenced to life in prison. The show is based on the podcast of the same name by Wondery.
Season one, episode one, titled "Diplos," begins with an introduction to Dr. Christopher Duntsch (Joshua Jackson), a charismatic and ambitious neurosurgeon who is revered by his peers and patients alike. He is shown performing a complex spinal surgery on a patient, during which he appears to make several critical errors.
As the episode progresses, Dr. Duntsch is revealed to have a history of botched surgeries, patient complaints, and malpractice suits. Despite these red flags, hospitals continue to hire him and patients continue to trust him.
We meet Dr. Robert Henderson (Alec Baldwin), a fellow neurosurgeon who becomes suspicious of Dr. Duntsch's capabilities after seeing the results of his surgeries. Dr. Henderson connects with Michelle Shughart (AnnaSophia Robb), one of Dr. Duntsch's former patients who suffered permanent nerve damage after a botched procedure. Together, they begin to investigate Dr. Duntsch's practices and the hospitals that employed him.
As the episode progresses, we see the devastating consequences of Dr. Duntsch's actions, as more patients suffer life-changing complications and even death. We also see the legal and administrative challenges faced by those trying to bring Dr. Duntsch to justice.
The narrative is intercut with interviews with real-life victims of Dr. Duntsch's malpractice, as well as with medical professionals who worked with him. These interviews lend a chilling authenticity to the story and underscore the seriousness of the situation.
Overall, "Diplos" sets up the story of Dr. Death with a mix of medical drama, investigative journalism, and true-crime storytelling. It sets the stage for the rest of the series, which promises to be a gripping and emotional journey through a cautionary tale of medical malpractice and the people who fought against it.