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Bad Surgeon: Love Under the Knife
By Stephanie Morgan,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Tale of horrific consequences of unchecked power and ego.
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Bad Surgeon: Love Under the Knife
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What's the Story?
BAD SURGEON: LOVE UNDER THE KNIFE is the true story of Dr. Paolo Macchiarini, an infamous surgeon who was lauded as the brilliant pioneer of regenerative medicine before being revealed to be a monster and a fraud. His romance with a TV journalist is a significant part of the docuseries.
Is It Any Good?
A captivating, and deeply troubling, look into the meteoric rise and fall of Dr. Paolo Macchiarini, the supposed pioneer of regenerative medicine. Bad Surgeon: Love Under the Knife captivates with interviews, not only with those who investigated Macchiarini, but also with the surgeon himself -- as well as with shocking footage of him knowingly deceiving patients. Macchiarini's audacity brings to mind other infamous figures like Bernie Madoff and, once again, highlights how easily powerful individuals can operate outside the boundaries of ethics and truth. The series maintains a well-paced narrative throughout, regularly unveiling twists that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the power that Dr. Macchiarini had and how it allowed him to get away with the things he was doing for so long.
Talk about what the makers of this documentary are trying to say. What themes are explored around the importance of asking questions, standing up for the truth, and keeping power in check?
Do you think people making documentaries are doing important work? Why or why not? What does Dr. Macchiarini's story, and his ability to mask what was going on for so long, teach us about the importance of persevering in the name of getting to the truth?
TV Details
- Premiere date: November 29, 2023
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: December 6, 2023
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