VeteranLight I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

Chirphymium It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

Keeley Coleman The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

Logan By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

miguelb-99383 Diagnosis: Murder is an American reality medical documentary that provides a detailed, often eye-opening, insight into the healthcare profession, where, unlike in virtually every other country across the globe, doctors are also criminal detectives and private investigators. This particular documentary follows the day-to-day exploits of Dr Mark Sloan, a medical professional at Community General Hospital, or "CGH", for short. Some of you may recognise Dr Mark Sloan from his earlier acting career when he appeared in Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which was long before altering his life completely by becoming a medical doctor. After watching just one episode of Diagnosis: Murder I don't think anyone would believe that this change of career is anything but noble as Dr Mark saves hundreds of lives whilst simultaneously solving crimes and murders, thereby ensuring American streets are much safer.Now, before you start thinking that Dr Mark is some sort of miracle worker with a device that can stop time – I mean how can one person have enough time to be a full-time doctor at a busy and often underfunded medical establishment whilst also having time to investigate criminal activity? – Dr Mark regularly calls on the assistance of his friends, family and colleagues in his quest to heal people and fight crime. In the crime-fighting department, we have Dr Mark's son, Steve Sloan who is a police detective for the local police department. The Sloan family have much to be proud of and the fact that father and son can work together so productively is beautiful, often causing me to hold back an emotional tear. Steve is a warm, generous and kind-hearted guy that he breaks the mould of your stereotypical, hard-talking, tough-guy law enforcement officer; anyone who needs their faith rebuilding in the police need look no further than Steve Sloan, an all-round bloody nice guy! Steve really did deserve a fantastic woman/girlfriend and there were moments when I thought that he'd found the right person. *SPOILER* Unfortunately, this 'nice guy' persona gave Steve a slight sting in the tail, so to speak, when he started dating a beautiful dancer. As an avid viewer of this ground-breaking programme, I've noticed a few themes have emerged which has made me become a little distrusting of the many new people we're introduced to on a week-by- week basis; this young dancer was one of these people that I had a sneaking suspicion that she might be 'dodgy'. Suffice to say, I was disappointingly proved right.Dr Mark was able to call on the help of his (aforementioned) work colleagues whenever the situation arose. As each new series was filmed, we witness staff turnover at CGH resulting in Dr Mark needing to build new relationships with new staff members (i.e Dr Jesse Travis). I really enjoyed observing this particular dynamic of the programme because we are all aware of how the coming-and-going of team members can be disruptive. However, Dr Mark is able to deftly deal with these challenges and new team members immediately appreciate what CGH is all about and thoroughly understand the hospital's, and Dr Mark's, altruistic ideology. Another member of CGH's staff that needs mentioning is Dr Amanda Bentley. Not only is she absolutely dedicated to her job, she is kind, witty and a fantastic role model for girls wanting to become doctors. Whenever I visit the hospital the doctor, more often than not, is male. However, Diagnosis: Murder and CGH thankfully shows that women can become doctors as readily as men can! Regarding the 'business' side of hospital management, to help provide an even deeper perspective behind doctor/manager relationships at busy hospitals, we regularly see interactions between Dr Mark and CGH's administrator, Norman Briggs. As one would expect, tempers often become frayed between these two titans of the healthcare profession and emotions sometimes bubble over but I believe this is only because they are deeply passionate about healing people. However, I think CGH, and Norman Briggs especially, were extremely commendable for allowing camera crews to film these intimate discussions between doctor and administrator because the content of these talks would usually be of a sensitive nature.The only thing that baffled me week-in, week-out was that the episode's killer(s) / criminal(s) would often allow camera crews to film the criminal carrying out incriminating phone calls /discussions. If I'd committed a crime, I sure as hell wouldn't allow someone to film me when I was trying to cover my tracks. Aside from this bizarre feature of the programme, Diagnosis: Murder is a thoroughly engaging watch. On many occasions I've been on the edge of my seat as Dr Mark manages to save another life or when, right at the last minute, he's able to catch a criminal. *SPOILER* I did worry at one point that the series would have to be suspended when Dr Mark was captured by bunch of criminals, tied up and bundled into the back of a truck but two of Dr Mark's team had been watching the proceedings and were able to rescue him (and the programme, of course).Overall, Diagnosis: Murder is a must-see programme for anybody thinking about becoming a doctor or nurse as it highlights that your job will not be confined to the 'four' walls of the hospital, there's the opportunity to assist the local police department too. Personally, I can't think of a more exciting and fulfilling career. I'm actually sad that I didn't go to medical school but if Dr Mark Sloan is able to start off as an actor and then move into the medical arena, maybe there is hope for me yet!Diagnosis: Murder – 10 out of 10; I'd give it 11 if I could!!

CherryBlossomBoy I guess I'm one of those haters other reviewers refer to. I'm actually surprised there isn't more than a handful of bad reviews for this show here. I guess other "haters" just didn't want to bother.For reasons I don't care to explain I had to sit through a couple of episodes. Good grief! Where is the live studio audience when you need it? I don't know whether this was supposed to be serious or comical. For a serious show it's almost insultingly nonchalant, for a comedy it's terribly corny and lame. Overall it looks decidedly 70's as if the makers were unaware of contemporary groundbreaking series to be used as a template.Still, it successfully ran during the 90's, there must have been an audience. Yes, probably mostly geriatrics. And the people who happen to like Dick van Dyke, whose name promises more than the guy delivers. And the people who have such a low criteria that they wouldn't mind watching static on the TV for fun. Bless them.To others let this serve as a warning. This is the whodunit-type of crime series, featuring a jolly old laid-back doctor chap, who, instead of playing golf somewhere in Florida, solves crimes for kicks. He is played by Dick van Dyke who sports a list of traits that compete to irritate the most: fake tan, gray mustache, lame jokes, getting into people's faces with his mouth half-open. If you are spoiled with quality crime shows of the day, as I am, watching this will only drive you nuts.

tamstrat I liked the series in the early years, it leaned a little towards the geriatric set, kind of a male based "Murder She Wrote", but Dick Van Dyke is a great actor so I enjoyed watching him portray the amiable Dr. Mark Sloan. He worked well with his real life son, Barry Van Dyke. The series was well written in the beginning, but towards the end it got really lame. It seemed that every episode featured the whole "Van Dyke" clan, and sadly to say, none of them could act with the exception of Dick and Barry. I've heard of nepotism but this took the cake, and some of the story lines got really,really out there, especially "The Blair Nurse Project" which had the young Van Dykes searching (and yikes-finding) there is a ghost in the basement of Community General Hospital. The series was cancelled shortly thereafter and I wasn't surprised. Occasionally I will watch the reruns on the PAX network or Hallmark Channel and I do enjoy them in small doses.

cutie_gurl_05 Diagnosis Murder is one of the best medical dramas ever made. It is a show that centers around Dr. Mark Sloan's (Dick Van Dyke) perpetual habit of stumbling across murders and solving them. His son Steve (Barry Van Dyke) is a homicide detective who works for the L.A.P.D., and often has to let his dad help him solve some particularly difficult cases. Dr. Jack Stewart (Scott Baio), Dr. Jesse Travis (Charlie Schlatter), and Dr. Amanda Bentley (Victoria Rowell) assist Mark in solving the murders. Diagnosis Murder has adventure, mystery, humor, and romance. What more could you ask for? With a great cast, and excellent writers, this show really rocks. It should most definitely be brought back for a ninth season.