The new Polish medical drama "Anaesthesia," now available on Netflix, centers on Dawid Łazarz, a gifted neurosurgeon whose career implodes after a botched surgery in Warsaw results in a patient's death. Facing professional ruin and having assaulted his superior, Dawid retreats to a remote cabin, only to stumble upon a massive train accident in the small town of Suwałki. He immediately steps in to triage and treat the injured, demonstrating his surgical skills even before emergency services fully mobilize.
During the disaster, Dawid encounters Lezek Kott, a doctor at the local Suwałki Specialist Hospital. His decisive actions at the accident scene impress the hospital's administrator, who offers him a position, seeing him as a valuable asset. Dawid accepts, viewing the provincial hospital as a refuge to rebuild his reputation. However, the chief of medicine, who was unavailable during the emergency, harbors suspicions about this surgeon hired without his consent.
The series draws comparisons to American medical dramas like "ER" and "The Pitt," with veteran showrunner Neal Baer, who consulted on the show, having previously produced "ER." The initial episode attempts to replicate the high-intensity openings of shows like "ER" by thrusting Dawid into a large-scale disaster. However, the review from Stream It Or Skip It notes that the plausibility of Dawid's immediate and unchecked involvement in performing surgery on accident victims strains credulity. Despite the dramatic premise, the reviewer suggests the show may struggle to maintain the initial energy as it delves into Dawid's professional conflicts and personal fallout.
Despite the critiques of its chaotic introduction, the performance of Leszek Lichota as Dawid is highlighted for its intensity and arrogance. The review also points to the intriguing dynamics involving Dawid's family, suggesting their role may be secondary to his career ambitions. The series concludes its premiere arc with the chief of medicine initiating an investigation into Dawid's background.
Ultimately, "Anaesthesia" is deemed a "SKIP IT" by Stream It Or Skip It, due to its excessive suspension of disbelief required in the opening episode and the challenge of following such an explosive start. The show's reliance on a massive disaster to introduce its protagonist and setting is seen as a significant narrative hurdle, raising questions about the direction and pacing for the remainder of the season.