Crossing Jordan

Crossing Jordan is an engaging American crime drama television series that aired on NBC from September 2001 to May 2007. Created by Tim Kring, the show is named after its lead character, Dr. Jordan Cavanaugh, brilliantly portrayed by the talented actress Jill Hennessy. The plot of the series revolves around Jordan and her professional and personal journey as a forensic pathologist in the Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

The protagonist, Jordan, is not your typical medical examiner – She's irritable, obstinate, and has a somewhat loose grasp of protocol and procedure. Jordan's hard-driving, insubordinate, and impetuous personality sometimes overshadow her brilliant mind, tenacity, and unwavering commitment to justice. Her character traits differentiate her from the rest and make Crossing Jordan a unique watch in its genre.

A notable element of excitement and suspense comes from how keenly Jordan delves into solving crimes, which she often does by bending the rules and stepping on toes. She's willing to push boundaries to uncover the truth, driven by her own tragic past – the unresolved crime involving her mother's murder.

Miguel Ferrer plays Dr. Garret Macy, the Chief Medical Examiner and Jordan's boss. Macy is a recovered alcoholic. His many years of experience and empathy contrast with Jordan's impulsive nature while his relationship with Jordan evolves from boss-employee to firm friendship and mutual respect.

The show introduces an array of diverse characters who contribute to its appeal, each having their unique personalities and backgrounds. These include Dr. Mahesh "Bug" Vijayaraghavensatanaryanamurthy, portrayed by Ravi Kapoor, a geeky but skilled medical examiner. Kathryn Hahn plays Lily Lebowski, the intake secretary, whose warm, compassionate nature often provides the emotional grounding amongst the corpses and medical jargon.

Steve Valentine portrays Dr. Nigel Townsend, an acerbic but brilliant British criminologist with a penchant for technology, while Jerry O'Connell, as Detective Woody Hoyt, adds a touch of conventional law enforcement to the otherwise unorthodox team. Woody's relationship with Jordan introduces romantic tension and provides an intriguing subplot to the series.

Crossing Jordan successfully juxtaposes crime-solving with the exploration of its characters' depths, making it an ensemble drama. The series doesn't shy away from challenging topics, including child abuse, religious beliefs, addiction, and death, yet often lightens the mood with a wry sense of humor.

Another notable aspect of Crossing Jordan is its clever use of music and cinematic techniques. There is an unusual narrative structure evident in some episodes. Certain episodes often begin by depicting the crime's aftermath, while others occasionally narrate the story from the victim's perspective.

What set Crossing Jordan apart from other crime dramas of its time were its strong and nuanced female lead and its emphasis on the forensics process. While the crime-solving aspect is important, much of the story and character development takes place in the morgue, with the forensic examinations illuminating not only the victims' causes of death but also insights into the lives and personalities of Jordan and her colleagues.

Crossing Jordan successfully blends forensics, crime-solving, occasional action, and character-driven drama, peppered throughout with humor, making it an enjoyable thrill ride. Its six-season run features myriad intriguing cases woven into the characters' personal stories, keeping viewers hooked from start to finish. With its layered characters, compelling stories, and takes on justice and truth – Crossing Jordan is a must-watch for lovers of crime dramas mixed with personal narratives.