It’s official. We are now in 2024.
My holiday break went entirely too quickly, but I am happy to report that I almost no-life’d Christmas. Almost. Due to the incredible storms that lashed the countryside, I broke a many-years tradition and ended up having Christmas dinner with my neighbour. She was meant to travel and couldn’t – but everything was already shut. Small-town life, eh? We had plenty of extras so we shared – Char Siu pork and potato salad, with pavlova, of course! I played Cities: Skylines 2, watched movies and TV shows, Youtube and generally channeled my inner lounge-lizard. It was exactly what I needed.
In fact, you – like me – might find a weirdly familiar face in a show, and then go on a bit of a binge. For me, one of those shows, was Skymed. Or is it SKY + MED… ?!
Warning: Some spoilers ahead.. so proceed, as you please.
Skymed, a Canadian television medical drama series created by Julie Puckrin, takes viewers on intense character journeys and high-stakes medical rescues amidst the vast and challenging landscapes of remote Northern Canada. It premiered on July 10, 2022, on CBC Television and has completed two seasons, providing a glimpse into the lives of paramedics in the sky. Will there be a third season? We don’t know yet.
The ensemble cast, led by Natasha Calis, Morgan Holmstrom, Praneet Akilla, Thomas Elms, Kheon Clarke, Aason Nadjiwon and Mercedes Morris, brings a dynamic energy to the series. I couldn’t even tell you if I’ve seen them in anything before; although that is a story for another day…
Inspired by her nurse sister and pilot brother-in-law working aboard air ambulances, creator Julie Puckrin has crafted the foundation for a compelling series. The inclusion of Indigenous and queer writers in the writing staff adds authenticity to the storytelling. Practical effects are used extensively, showcasing a commitment to realism over green-screen technology; just read what Praneet Akilla said in an interview!
“There were scenes where I’m in a plane up in the air and as the plane was about to land on the water I had to switch seats with the main pilot,” he says. “For a scene where I had to stick my head out the window and wave to a character on the ground, they did that all practically. When I read the script I thought we were going to do that on a green screen but it totally wasn’t. We were in the air a lot.”
Calgary-raised actor Praneet Akilla flying high as heroic pilot in TV drama SkyMed
The narrative unfolds in the Manitoba province of Canada; a mindblowing 650,000 square km area, and focuses on the airborne medical service in Canada, similar to the concept of the Royal Flying Doctors here in Australia. The show seamlessly weaves together the triumphs, heartbreaks, and tribulations of these budding nurses and pilots flying air ambulances at 20,000 feet. The unique angle lies in the emphasis on team development rather than individual characters, distinguishing it from shows like Grey’s Anatomy. This might be an unpopular opinion, but I don’t think Skymed is like Grey’s Anatomy…
Skymed will, however, be known for its fast-paced storytelling which will occasionally make it challenging for viewers to catch critical story progression moments. I am thankful there is a full set of subtitles for this one, as I’m not sure I would have picked up on some of the more subtle story progression lines of dialogue.
Each episode combines medical plot points with character progression, offering a whirlwind experience. One moment there is an accident, and the next they are on-site assessing the situation. The show addresses the rapid transitions in season 2… sort of… adding a layer of realism to the challenges faced by the characters in maintaining professional boundaries. Unfortunately, the realism didn’t quite make it to the operation of the aircraft.
One standout feature of Skymed is its commitment to diversity and representation. The relationships portrayed, both among the SkyMed staff and the patients they assist, often have an LGBTQ+ spin, bringing a refreshing change to the narrative landscape.
AND…. It would be terrible of me if I didn’t mention that Skymed delves into the aviation industry’s challenges, including sexism and maintaining professionalism under tough circumstances. The show explores sensitive topics such as drug addiction and sheds light on the challenges faced by indigenous people when seeking medical care. It attempts to inspire and provide lessons about underserved Canada. Are all hospitals in Canada like this? Indifferent to diverse communities and shunning trauma-informed practice? Let me know in the comments.
Episodes tackle issues like a lone female pilot and the challenges she might face while on her own… touches on the challenges faced by pilots and ground crew, offering a glimpse into the complexities of the aviation industry.
For example, in one episode, Lexi is completing a solo cargo run. During her journey, a man boards her plane and refuses to leave, causing her to feel frightened and uncertain about his intentions. The uncertainty of the man’s motives and the potential danger he may pose create a tense and unsettling atmosphere for the pilot, as she grapples with concerns for her safety in the isolated setting of the plane. Thrilling…
And then… then there are the patients. You might be surprised to see a certain busy donkey being busy. Why yes, I did just write a whole article about a show I binge-watched because I saw the donkey being busy.
Darcy Michael’s appearance as Brendan in Season 1 adds a touch of humour to the series, showcasing his talent in a memorable episode. Spoiler Alert: he nearly gets shot because he is wandering the forest while Donnie is pretending to shoot deer. Despite nearly crashing the plane with his jacket… he lived… and got the guy. So happy feels all around.
Skymed may have faced some challenges in its first season, but its unique focus on team dynamics, diverse representation, and exploration of aviation industry challenges make it a noteworthy addition to the medical drama genre. With a 70% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.4/10 on IMDB, the show has found its audience and continues to soar through the skies of Canadian television.
Welcome to 2024. It’s going to be epic.
Till next time.