Product Description

Dr. Dana Stowe (Janine Turner, Northern Exposure, Cliffhanger) is the head of women’s medicine at Rittenhouse Hospital and doesn't let her emotions get in the way of her work. Dr. Luisa "Lu" Delgado (Rosa Blasi, Noriega) runs an inner city clinic and does whatever it takes to get her poverty-stricken clients the care they need. When the two women are paired up to run the Rittenhouse Women's Health Center, they must learn to work together even with their respective approaches clearly on opposite sides of the operating table. But can they get past it? From Executive Producers Whoopi Goldberg and Tammy Ader, this long-running Lifetime series contains all 22 first season episodes on a 5 disc DVD set.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #28285 in DVD
• Brand: BLASI,ROSA
• Released on: 2006-01-10
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Box set, Color, DVD, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Spanish, Portuguese
• Number of discs: 5
• Dimensions: .75 pounds
• Running time: 60 minutes

Amazon.com
Two strong-willed, capable female doctors with differing approaches to medicine must forge a working relationship when their practices are merged in this premier season (2000) of Lifetime television's longest running original series. All 22 episodes are included in this five-disc DVD box set beginning with the "Pilot," which introduces the characters and frenzied setting of the visceral drama. In an award-winning role, Rosa Blasi plays Dr. Luisa "Lu" Delgado who runs the inner city South Philly Women's Clinic serving a full caseload of indigent, drug addicts, and abuse victims. A straight-talking maverick, Dr. Delgado is sympathetic to the plight of her patients as she fights to keep her free clinic afloat despite financial hardships. Janine Turner (Northern Exposure, Cliffhanger) plays Dr. Dana Stowe, a polished-if-not-sterile surgeon at the prestigious Rittenhouse Hospital treating patients on the opposite side of the city and socio-economic spectrum. Practicing textbook medicine, Dr. Stowe chafes at Delgado's unconventional methods. (Turner will remain in the series until the early part of season three). A stroke of fate pairs the women to run a brand new women's heath center and, although sparks fly professionally, the doctors haltingly approach a level of understanding. The season explores a variety of women's health issues: infertility, abortion, rape, genetic testing, co-dependency, breast cancer, and right-to-die. Complex medical questions are explored from several perspectives without succumbing to quick resolutions. Undoubtedly, the series has grown in popularity because of the underpinnings established this first season. Blasi and Turner develop a compelling rapport—alternatively appreciating and opposing each other—while a supporting cast adds depth in standout performances by Josh Coxx (as nurse/midwife Peter Riggs) and Jenifer Lewis (as receptionist Lana Hawkins). Intense drama is tempered with comic relief, usually by way of Hawkin's banter and, in one case, her correct diagnosis of a patient's phobia of bald men. Season one introduces a budding romance and ends with a cliffhanger. Lending their vision are executive producers Tammy Ader and Whoopi Goldberg, who also plays a prominent role in the Pilot episode as Dr. Lydia Emerson, a women's health pioneer who returns in three additional stories. The only deficiency is the absence of bonus material: interviews, audio commentaries, or outtakes would strengthen the package. (Caution: violence, language, and adult themes). --Lynn Gibson

Customer Reviews

A `Strong' TV Show!
I have seen a lot of the episodes of `Strong Medicine' on Lifetime, and I feel that it is one of the most underrated TV shows being show today. It is a great show that portrays hope, life, relationships, and emotions in each episode. I am glad that this show is finally releasing on DVD, as we can get to watch the series from the beginning.

The story mainly revolves around Dr. Lu Delgado and Dr. Dana Stowe, two women who have nothing in common with each other, except for their passions in the field of work. They work in the Rittenhouse Women's Health Clinic, where they face new challenges, and solve new problems from performing plastic surgery to treating HIV positive patients. This DVD set contains the first 22 episodes of Season 1, which are:

01. Pilot
02. Preexisting Conditions
03. Misconceptions
04. Second Look
05. Performance Anxiety
06. Drug Interactions
07. Do No Harm
08. Miracle Cure
09. Dependency
10. BRCA1
11. BRCA2
12. Brainchild
13. Second Opinion
14. Side Effects
15. Blessed Events
16. Fix
17. Maternity
18. Complications
19. Childcare
20. Drugstore Cowgirl
21. Wednesday Night Fever
22. Mortality

Not only is this show moving, but you also learn something in each episode. Developed by Whoopi Goldberg and created by Tammy Ader, `Strong Medicine' has won numerous awards. Rosa Blasi (who plays Dr. Lu Delgado) won an Imagen Award for Best Actress in a Drama series. I doubt this DVD set will contain any special features, except for the standard ones like languages, and subtitles, but nevertheless, it is worth buying this DVD just to see the episodes.

Being sweet and sour at times, `Strong Medicine' is a wonderful drama that will definitely make you feel better.

An inspiring series
This is one of the most inspiring series that I've ever seen. I have seen in the online message boards how many young girls have written to the actresses, talking about how this show has inspired them to become doctors. Many women are out there without good medical care or the means to provide for themselves. This show inspires us women who have nothing to become something. It is also a really cool drama that will open your eyes to diseases and other health related issues in a way that ER will not. ER is more focused on the relationships between the actors, where this show is focused on the health issues and their impacts on the people's lives. A very, very good show. I've gone as far as calling Sony directly, asking them to publish the rest of the seasons!

Lively Weekend Discussion
When Strong Medicine first came out, I indicated to to my girl-friend that she might like it. Strong Medicine quickly became her favorite series. While I normally avoid spending time in front of the television, I made a point of sitting with my future wife on Sunday evenings to end the week with a provocative episode of Srong Medicine. We always seemed to have an inteligent and lively discussion on the issues presented. When the first year of episodes came out, I was pleased to order a copy for Valentine's day. My wife was thrilled and we both are looking forward to the release of the second season.