So many of the comments on this piece from Anne Helen Petersen are from healthcare workers who can’t watch the show. That is valid and fair.

And also, my partner works in emergency medicine in one of the toughest hospital environments in America. He is indeed one of the “brilliant, selfless, type-A adrenaline junkies” who is overtaxed, under-resourced, and yet shows up with skill and compassion for his fellow human on the worst day of their whole life, every day of his life.

Watching with him and seeing him repeatedly well up with tears and pause the TV to say “this reminds me of this kid that came in to us…” was a peak experience in our marriage. Moving, connecting, generative.

It is not a perfect show. (Yes, some parts were overstuffed, heavy-handed, annoying.) It might not be a good show for healthcare workers to watch if it feels like too much. But it is a GREAT show for healthcare workers’ loved ones.