Remedy (2014 TV Series Review)
- Feb 19
- 5 min read
The Canadian medical drama landscape has produced several notable entries, but the Remedy TV series (2014–2015) offers a distinct perspective on the genre. While many shows focus exclusively on the high-level heroics of surgeons and specialists, Remedy grounds its narrative in the "bottom-up" view of the hospital hierarchy. Centered on the fictional Bethune General Hospital in Toronto, the series explores the intersection of high-stakes medicine and complex family dynamics. With Enrico Colantoni leading an ensemble cast, the show balances the clinical with the personal, following a family of medical professionals—and one medical school dropout—as they navigate life, loss, and the chaotic environment of an urban hospital.
Series Profile
• Director names: Kelly Makin, Enrico Colantoni, Don McBrearty, David Frazee, Stefan Pleszczynski, Jeff Renfroe, Anne Wheeler, and Stephen Reizes
• First release date: February 24, 2014
• Number of seasons: 2
• Rating: Not specified in the provided sources
• Country of origin: Canada
• Original release network: Global (Canada)
• Distribution: Shaw Media and Corus Entertainment
• Original release network: Ovation (United States)
Synopsis and Plot
The Remedy TV series centers on Griffin Conner, the "prodigal son" of the Conner family. Griffin is a medical school dropout who returns to his family home and his second home—Bethune General Hospital—under a "haze of disgrace". Unlike his high-achieving family members, Griffin finds himself back at the hospital not as a physician, but as its newest porter. This shift in status provides him with a unique perspective on the healthcare system, as he interacts with a "colourful cast" of cleaners, transport workers, and project aides.
In the first season, Griffin struggles to find his footing while his father, Enrico Colantoni as Dr. Allen Conner, serves as the Chief of Medical Staff. His sisters, Mel (a surgeon) and Sandy (a nurse), are also prominent figures at Bethune General. The plot follows the family as they are "thrown back together" in a world of medical emergencies and professional rivalry.
Season two picks up nine months after the initial finale, introducing a "colossal shake-up" at the hospital. The status quo is disrupted when an explosion rips through the facility, and the Conner family is pulled out of their comfort zones. While Griffin attempts to get his life back on track and return to medical school, he is haunted by a "dark and troubled past," eventually spiraling into a "drug-fueled odyssey" and addiction. Simultaneously, his father Allen must adjust to a demotion from Chief of Staff, while his sisters navigate the challenges of co-parenting and career pressures.
Critics' Response and Accolades
During its two-season run, the Remedy TV series earned significant critical recognition within the Canadian television industry. In 2015, the show received several nominations at the Canadian Screen Awards, including:
• Best Dramatic Series (Greg Spottiswood and Bernard Zukerman)
• Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role (Dillon Casey)
• Best Production Design or Art Direction in a Fiction Program or Series (Oleg Savytski)
The series was also recognized for its guest performances, with Nicola Correia-Damude receiving a nomination in 2015 and Christine Horne winning the Canadian Screen Award for Best Performance in a Guest Role in 2016. Beyond the Screen Awards, the show earned a Directors Guild of Canada Award nomination for Lisa Grootenboer for Best Picture Editing in 2014. Brendan Heard was also nominated for a Young Entertainer Award in 2016 for his guest-starring role.
Cast and Characters
The Remedy TV series features a dedicated ensemble of actors bringing the staff of Bethune General to life:
• Dillon Casey as Griffin Conner
• Enrico Colantoni as Dr. Allen Conner
• Sara Canning as Dr. Melissa (Mel) Conner
• Sarah Allen as Sandy Conner
• Matt Ward as Dr. Brian Decker
• Martha Burns as Rebecca Baker
• Genelle Williams as Zoe Rivera
• Diego Fuentes as Bruno Dias
• Stephanie Belding as Lonnie Masterson
• Patrick McKenna as Frank Kanaskie
• Niall Matter as Dr. Peter Cutler
• Catherine Disher as Linda Tuttle
Main Characters Description
• Griffin Conner: A medical school dropout working as a porter who battles a "dark and troubled past" and eventually addiction.
• Dr. Allen Conner: The patriarch of the family and Chief of Staff (later demoted), who struggles to balance his professional status with family crises.
• Dr. Melissa (Mel) Conner: Griffin’s sister and a dedicated surgeon who often clashes with colleagues over patient care.
• Sandy Conner: Griffin’s other sister, a nurse and new mother who attempts to balance work and co-parenting.
• Dr. Peter Cutler: A "heartthrob ER resident" introduced in season two who "ruffles feathers" and creates tension for the Conners.
Production
Produced by Indian Grove Productions, the Remedy TV series was created by Greg Spottiswood. Production and casting were officially announced in the fall of 2013, with the show filmed and set in Toronto. Executive producers included Spottiswood, Bernie Zukerman, Kelly Makin, and Adam Barken. Despite its critical success and a renewal for a second season in May 2014, the show was ultimately cancelled by Global in May 2015, as confirmed by Spottiswood via Twitter.
Seasons
The series aired a total of 20 episodes across two seasons:
• Season 1
◦ Number of episodes: 10
◦ Release date: February 24, 2014 – April 28, 2014
◦ Years in air: 2014
◦ Description: The season introduces the Conner family at Bethune General Hospital. Key storylines include Griffin’s first day as a porter, an outbreak in the Paediatric ICU, and the lead-up to Brian and Sandy’s wedding.
• Season 2
◦ Number of episodes: 10
◦ Release date: March 23, 2015 – May 19, 2015
◦ Years in air: 2015
◦ Description: This season begins with an explosion at the hospital and focuses on the "chaos" that follows. It deeply explores Griffin’s addiction and the family's shifting roles after Allen’s demotion.
Spin-offs and Adaptations
Based on the provided sources, there are no spin-offs or adaptations of the Remedy TV series mentioned. The show concluded its narrative arc with the season two finale, "Day One".
Ratings and Review
The Remedy TV series debuted on Global with 0.754 million Canadian viewers for its premiere episode, "Bad Blood". The show saw its highest viewership during the first season, with the episode "Shadow of Doubt" reaching 1.061 million viewers. However, viewership numbers fluctuated, with the season two premiere drawing approximately 0.538 million viewers. Critics and industry peers regarded the show as a high-quality Canadian medical drama, evidenced by its Best Dramatic Series nomination. The show’s review profile is characterized by its ability to blend "family drama" with medical procedural elements, providing an engaging look at both the clinical and human sides of a hospital.
🔖 Key Takeaways
🗝️ Unique Point of View: Remedy follows Griffin Conner, a medical school dropout working as a porter, offering a "bottom-up" look at hospital life.
🗝️ Strong Lead: Enrico Colantoni anchors the series as the patriarch and medical leader of the Conner family.
🗝️ Award-Winning Quality: The series received multiple Canadian Screen Award nominations and a win for guest actress Christine Horne.
🗝️ Setting: The drama is centered around the fictional Bethune General Hospital in Toronto.
🗝️ Short Run: The series was cancelled after two seasons and 20 episodes.
Keywords: Remedy TV series
Remedy TV series
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