I originally had a totally different article typed up for this issue, but it instantly became clear that I needed to put it on the back-burner to make room for this one. As some of you might know, a new show called Red Band Society premiered on FOX Wednesday night. If you tuned in to the pilot, you’ll know exactly what I’m going to be talking about. But if you haven’t, let me be among the first to tell you: this show is worth checking out.
Without giving any plot lines away, Red Band Society tells the stories of the patients and staff of the fictional Ocean Park hospital, specifically the pediatric ward. Unlike other fictional TV hospitals, Ocean Park appears to be home to long-term or even permanent residents, as we see the kids attending school within the hospital; and their hospital rooms are full of décor and personal belongings as if it were a bedroom at home. (Speaking of other TV hospitals, diehard fans of Grey’s Anatomy or Private Practice may see a familiar face or two.)
Although it’s currently only one episode deep, the show is already shaping up to be a great series. The main characters navigate the ins and outs of teenage life (as if that wasn’t hard enough,) while simultaneously dealing with serious or even life-threatening illnesses. No matter what kind of drama goes on between them, and there has already been plenty, at the end of the day they’re all there to support and lean on each other.
During the premiere, twitter was abuzz as the official @RedBandSociety account as well as several of the show’s stars were live tweeting the episode. Following one of many extremely emotional scenes, the hashtag #bandtogether spread quickly, as new fans of show rushed to “join” the newly formed Red Band Society.
To find out exactly what happened on this week’s pilot, and to keep up with future episodes, tune in to Red Band Society, Wednesdays at 9pm on FOX.
Written by: Maddy Kratz