By algorithmic chance I caught a glimpse of the trailer for SkyMed on Paramount+ one day and promptly added it to my watchlist. As someone who enjoys the occasional soapy procedural with over-the-top ‘cases’ of the week, this show looked right up my alley.
And after quickly binging its two seasons, I’m happy to report that it was. I’m also happy to report that it’s been renewed for a third season.
The official IMDB logline reads:
“Follows intense character journeys and high-stakes medical rescues, heartbreaks and tribulations of budding nurses and pilots flying air ambulances.”
If this sounds like something you might also like? Here’s three more reasons to add SkyMed to your watchlist.
All the Relationships
Found family, friendships, mentorships, hookups, romance… SkyMed has it all.
With a large cast of good looking people literally living under the same roof because of “convenience,” it’s no surprise that bonds form quickly. And one of the show’s greatest strengths is the evolution of those relationships.
The Breakneck Pacing of its Plots
Not only is SkyMed a literal quick watch – currently there’s just 2 seasons consisting of 9 episodes each, but the pacing of the series is crazy-fast too. And I mean that as a compliment.
Sure a well done slow-burn can be satisfying, but you know what’s even more satisfying, immediate gratification!
If you’re digging a particular pairing or plotline and hoping for payoff, SkyMed will deliver. Not feeling a particular storyline or relationship, don’t worry the series will move on or shake things up soon enough.
Its Unique Remote Setting
Medical dramas are hardly new to the television landscape; however, many of the most popular and long-running series like St. Elsewhere, Chicago Hope, Private Practice, Nurse Jackie, ER, Grey’s Anatomy, and Chicago Med were set in large metropolitan areas. SkyMed is not.
It’s set in the remote backcountry of northern Manitoba. And they actually shoot on location in northern Manitoba (and Winnipeg too), which means that SkyMed doesn’t look like every other medical drama. The landscapes are prettier and the rescues are wilder.
There appears to be no shortage of ways to get hurt in the woods. Each episode averages about 4-5 medical cases. And if you’re squeamish don’t worry, SkyMed doesn’t veer into graphic warning territory. The stakes are still high, but the blood and guts are kept to a minimum.
Additionally, and more importantly, SkyMed’s unique setting allows for more diverse storytelling, including meaningful representation of Indigenous people and their communities within that region. In an interview with Drama Quarterly, showrunner Julie Puckrin explained:
“It was important to us when we were casting Indigenous actors that we tried to cast actors who were playing their own nations, to make sure we were meaningfully casting those parts. But really it started at the story stage by having Indigenous voices in the room who could speak to the experience of being Indigenous, and also to the experience of being from a remote Northern community. We always encouraged a lot of discussion and communication to make sure these were all stories we felt were respectful and accurate.”
On the topic of representation, but unrelated to the locale, SkyMed has a lot of queer characters too. So not only is SkyMed delivering action-packed stories in a compelling location – it’s doing so with a diverse cast, giving voice to characters whose stories are often underrepresented. And I’m down for all of that.
