Juui Dolittle
Courtesy of choutensai
This pretty much sums up why I watched this drama.
Story and Characters
Tottori Kenichi is the best vet in town, despite his crass attitude. He'll do any kind of risky procedure as long as he's paid and he knows the pet can take it. However, he does not sell out for money in other situations -he has his pride too. His competition are Hanabishi and Domon.
Hanabishi is the one who dubbed Tottori "Dolittle" from their college days. He's the nice competitor who is more friends with Tottori. He struggles with a traumatic event from the past the prevents him from performing surgeries, and because he is more in the media limelight, he faces consequences of that secret getting leaked.
Domon is the more manipulative competitor and will do just about anything to get to the top. He has two sons, Yuzo and Junpei, the former already a vet and the latter aiming to be one. Both are striving to meet dad's expectations.
Tajima Asuka is Dolittle's 'first' customer; she comes in with a race horse that's very significant to her. The main idea behind Juui Dolittle is that euthanasia is not the way to go, so Dolittle does the surgery and is successful. However, Asuka can't afford the horse's lodging and works for Dolittle to pay off her debt. She progresses through the drama like an assistant, but grows to realize that her place is in helping animals.
Why you might like it/want to watch it
- If you like episodic shows where there is usually a happy ending. There is an overarching plot, so it's not entirely episodic.
- If you're not squeamish watching animals suffer through some trauma and be operated on. Even though it's fake, it can be hard to watch at times.
- If you like Shun pretending to be cold, but really is a kind person on the inside.
- If you want to find out how "Stand Up!!" and "Hana Yori Dango" reunions turn out.
- If you want to see Suda Masaki in yet another student role.
My Thoughts/Reactions
While there was a new pet to save each week, I liked that we see a little bit more of Tottori's kindness manifested/disguised in subtle gestures like giving a bunch of study material to Asuka, only to see that he wanted her to find a cure for the stray dog. He's the indirect type, I suppose you could say.
The first 4 episodes are mostly introductory stories. In the fifth episode, we're introduced to Domon's family situation and how Domon's father pushed him just as much as he pushes his sons now. I thought their family was quite twisted, because Yuzo practically uses sabotage to get his father's attention, and Junpei, well, he's got other issues which will expose itself in time. And Domon is not in the field to help animals, only to gain fame >:(
The lead into the last episode is a brilliant cliffhanger.
I had read spoilers about Masaki's screentime in the last episode, so I assumed that it had something to do with the overarching plot. Throughout the drama, there would be mysterious mishaps resulting in hurt animals. Since the last episode was supposed to be Masaki's, I could only assume that Junpei had anti-social disorder, finding pleasure in hurting things. Well, I was semi-right. He did hurt those animals, but his reasoning was to get attention from his father, to show him he didn't care for animals and didn't want to be a vet.
Tottori totally lashed out at Junpei when he heard this stupid reasoning. He moved to punch Junpei, Junpei flinched and got into a defensive stance, but Tottori never hit him.
"Animals can't defend themselves like humans can. Hurting animals and not wanting to save them are two different things!"
I was SO outraged with Junpei. No amount of love for the actor was going to save his character. But damn, Masaki surely gave an amazing performance.
But of course, in dramaland, there was bound to be a moral. So Asuka went out to comfort Junpei (they had built somewhat of a bond throughout the drama) and told him to make up for his crimes by becoming the best vet out there. Well, I really wouldn't want my vet to save my pet out of obligation and guilt versus truly liking animals, but okay XD
Overall, I'd say it was a decent watch. If you don't watch it, you won't miss anything spectacular, but I thought it was cool.