OMG BEST MEME EVER
THE MEME
1. Comment to this post with "I surrender!" and I'll assign you the basis of some TV show idea. (Science fiction show, medical drama, criminal procedure, etc...)
2. Create a cast of characters, including the actors who'd play them.
3. Add in any actor photos, character bios and show synopsis that you want.
4. Post to your own journal.
THE PROMPT (via austen):
A doctor fresh out of med school takes a chance and joins the army to assist in the thick of things. Will they be able to stick it out in the most intense of situations? You choose the era.
TYPE:
Futuristic medical drama, probably on a network. (I'm thinking CBS.)
RATING:
TV-14
OPENING CREDITS SONG:
From 0:00-1:15 would be the closing credits
From 3:42-4:40 would be the opening credits
FINALE ENDING CREDITS SONG:
From 2:02 on
SYNOPSIS:
Background:
The war started in 2038. The question "Who shot first?" was never really answered. All the American public knew was that the President was suddenly on TV one evening declaring the outbreak of intense bombing in the Sahara desert. Nomadic tribes were obliterated, and villages burned to the ground. Niger, Chad, Algeria, and Libya were fighting over the lifeblood of the Sahara: water. For months, no one wanted to even whisper the words "World War III," but by three years later, the phrase was everywhere.
Where Our Story Begins:
Irene Dalton has finished medical school at Columbia University and is weighing her job offers. Having only been an average student compared to her classmates, she only has offers that are anything but enticing. During a night out with her friends, Irene's best friend announces that he has enlisted in the US military. He's flying to Africa to assist in the effort to restore the boundaries of Niger, which has been taken over by the Algerians. After a great deal of thought, Irene decides to enlist as well and join the medical teams that support the army, hoping to finally do something meaningful with her life.
MAIN CAST:
The Leading Lady: Irene Dalton (Maggie Gyllenhaal)
Irene has always felt mediocre. She just barely got into med school in the first place, and was never one of the top students. Though she is truly very bright, she doesn't see herself that way. Going with Mike to Niger is her shot to be really good at something, to make a difference and do something worthwhile. She's excited at first, but after a few days, she realizes exactly what she's gotten herself into. Things only get worse when Mike is sent to a different front, and her only connection to him is through their letters. Most of the series follows her, but we also get glimpses of what Mike is doing and what's happening back home.
Her main plot line for season 1: Irene usually stays at the base and treats the wounded who return from battle, but about halfway through the season, she is sent into the field. The Algerians open fire on them, and she is separated from the rest of the medical team. After taking shelter in an oasis for a day or two, she is found by some members of a nomadic tribe. She doesn't know if they are friend or foe, but they take her back to their home and feed her and share what little water they have. Irene was able to hold on to her medical supplies, and when the tribe finds them, they immediately bring their sick and infirm to her. Heartbroken for these people who have never received medical attention before, she does everything she can for them in the weeks that she is with them. Eventually, she is found by the military and brought back to the base, but she keeps thinking about the nomads and how badly they need doctors. Conflict arises when The Team Captain orders her to forget them and remember why she's here - to do her job. But what if she's supposed to be here not to help the Americans, but to help the Africans?
The Man She Leaves Behind: Ben Gallagher (Sean Maher)
Ben is a graduate student of History and Political Science at Columbia, which is where he met Irene. They have been dating for two years and share an apartment. He is, of course, shocked about Irene's sudden decision to join the military and go to Niger. But he supports her decision and helps her out in any way he can. They contemplate breaking up, but decide to try to stick it out. They try to write letters as often as possible, but the strain of not communicating regularly begins to wear down their relationship. Ben flies out to meet her in Cairo for Christmas, but they find that their spark is gone, and they ultimately decide to ends things. Ben won't disappear entirely after the break up; he just has his own journey to go on.
The Best Friend: Mike Hardman (Lee Pace)
Mike and Irene met in their very first Biology class as freshmen in college. Since then they have suffered together through final exams, bad relationships, and homesickness. He graduated with a degree in Criminal Law and went on to the New York Police Academy. After being on the force for a few years, he enlists in the army. He's always been a little protective of Irene, treating her like the sister he never had, so it breaks his heart when they are separated. Mike is on the team that finds Irene with the nomadic tribe. He wasn't even aware that she was missing, and immediately requests re-assignment so he can be nearer to her again. Irene acts upset, claiming that she doesn't need a babysitter, but secretly she's glad that he's back. SPOILER ALERT: He's killed in action at the end of season 2.
The Handsome, Compassionate Nurse: Sergeant David Gray (Shemar Moore)
Known as "Gray" to just about everyone, he's a charming, kind-hearted nurse who has served several tours in Africa. He and Irene hit it off right away, and he enjoys harmlessly flirting with her. He knows that she has a boyfriend back home, but they still tease each other and banter back and forth. When Irene and Ben break up, Gray tries to make a more serious play for her, but she keeps her distance... at least for the time being. Gray likes being around someone he can laugh with, since there's so much death and destruction around them. Irene helps remind Gray that there is some good in the world. Irene turns to him for support and friendship when Mike is sent away. He is the first one whom Irene tells about wanting to help the nomads, and he encourages her to pursue it.
The Cynical Mentor: Major Eli Kaufman (Jeffrey Tambor)
Like Gray, Major Kaufman (known simply as "Major") has been in Niger for a while. But unlike Gray, who has kept his humor and charm, Major has become sullen and cynical. He knows deep down that he is doing good work, and he finds some fulfillment in being a mentor to the young people around him, but he views the world as ultimately dark and evil. He is a devout Jew; he starts every day by reading from the Torah and praying that YHWH would give him strength to get through the day. He's extremely good at his job, but if he had it to do over again, he never would have signed up for the tour in Vietnam that started his military career.
The Team Captain: Captain Greta Morris (Mary McDonnell)
Captain Morris is a doctor by trade and a soldier by necessity. She's not a major player in the show, because she's usually in an office somewhere planning strategies and organizing personnel. It is Captain Morris who orders Irene to forget about the nomads. She's a bit rough around the edges: brusque, mechanical, and proud, but there may be more to her than meets the eye.
The Friends Back Home: Lydia Franks, Chris Chen, and Beth Mays (Charisma Carpenter, John Cho, and Kaley Cuoco)
This tight-knit group also includes Irene and Mike (and sometimes Ben by association). They met one another at various times throughout their college careers and formed a strong bond. Chris and Beth dated for a while, but now they are back to being friends. The group sends lots of care packages to Irene and Mike, and they worry constantly about their friends' well-being. Irene purposefully doesn't tell them about going missing for weeks on end, but Mike lets it slip and Irene chews him out for it. Shortly thereafter, Lydia (whose parents are wealthy) pays for the three of them to fly to Agadez, Niger's capital, to visit.
Okay, I don't ask for comments very often, but I spent oodles of time on this and I absolutely adore it. I'm seriously considering hanging onto it and writing it as a novel for NaNoWriMo in November. Anyway, I'd love to hear what you guys think, even though I know this is super long.
And I'd be happy to give you guys prompts, too. This is seriously super, SUPER fun if you have some time to put into it.
1. Comment to this post with "I surrender!" and I'll assign you the basis of some TV show idea. (Science fiction show, medical drama, criminal procedure, etc...)
2. Create a cast of characters, including the actors who'd play them.
3. Add in any actor photos, character bios and show synopsis that you want.
4. Post to your own journal.
THE PROMPT (via austen):
A doctor fresh out of med school takes a chance and joins the army to assist in the thick of things. Will they be able to stick it out in the most intense of situations? You choose the era.
TYPE:
Futuristic medical drama, probably on a network. (I'm thinking CBS.)
RATING:
TV-14
OPENING CREDITS SONG:
Click to viewFrom 0:00-1:15 would be the closing credits
From 3:42-4:40 would be the opening credits
FINALE ENDING CREDITS SONG:
From 2:02 on
SYNOPSIS:
Background:
The war started in 2038. The question "Who shot first?" was never really answered. All the American public knew was that the President was suddenly on TV one evening declaring the outbreak of intense bombing in the Sahara desert. Nomadic tribes were obliterated, and villages burned to the ground. Niger, Chad, Algeria, and Libya were fighting over the lifeblood of the Sahara: water. For months, no one wanted to even whisper the words "World War III," but by three years later, the phrase was everywhere.
Where Our Story Begins:
Irene Dalton has finished medical school at Columbia University and is weighing her job offers. Having only been an average student compared to her classmates, she only has offers that are anything but enticing. During a night out with her friends, Irene's best friend announces that he has enlisted in the US military. He's flying to Africa to assist in the effort to restore the boundaries of Niger, which has been taken over by the Algerians. After a great deal of thought, Irene decides to enlist as well and join the medical teams that support the army, hoping to finally do something meaningful with her life.
MAIN CAST:
The Leading Lady: Irene Dalton (Maggie Gyllenhaal)
Irene has always felt mediocre. She just barely got into med school in the first place, and was never one of the top students. Though she is truly very bright, she doesn't see herself that way. Going with Mike to Niger is her shot to be really good at something, to make a difference and do something worthwhile. She's excited at first, but after a few days, she realizes exactly what she's gotten herself into. Things only get worse when Mike is sent to a different front, and her only connection to him is through their letters. Most of the series follows her, but we also get glimpses of what Mike is doing and what's happening back home.
Her main plot line for season 1: Irene usually stays at the base and treats the wounded who return from battle, but about halfway through the season, she is sent into the field. The Algerians open fire on them, and she is separated from the rest of the medical team. After taking shelter in an oasis for a day or two, she is found by some members of a nomadic tribe. She doesn't know if they are friend or foe, but they take her back to their home and feed her and share what little water they have. Irene was able to hold on to her medical supplies, and when the tribe finds them, they immediately bring their sick and infirm to her. Heartbroken for these people who have never received medical attention before, she does everything she can for them in the weeks that she is with them. Eventually, she is found by the military and brought back to the base, but she keeps thinking about the nomads and how badly they need doctors. Conflict arises when The Team Captain orders her to forget them and remember why she's here - to do her job. But what if she's supposed to be here not to help the Americans, but to help the Africans?
The Man She Leaves Behind: Ben Gallagher (Sean Maher)
Ben is a graduate student of History and Political Science at Columbia, which is where he met Irene. They have been dating for two years and share an apartment. He is, of course, shocked about Irene's sudden decision to join the military and go to Niger. But he supports her decision and helps her out in any way he can. They contemplate breaking up, but decide to try to stick it out. They try to write letters as often as possible, but the strain of not communicating regularly begins to wear down their relationship. Ben flies out to meet her in Cairo for Christmas, but they find that their spark is gone, and they ultimately decide to ends things. Ben won't disappear entirely after the break up; he just has his own journey to go on.
The Best Friend: Mike Hardman (Lee Pace)
Mike and Irene met in their very first Biology class as freshmen in college. Since then they have suffered together through final exams, bad relationships, and homesickness. He graduated with a degree in Criminal Law and went on to the New York Police Academy. After being on the force for a few years, he enlists in the army. He's always been a little protective of Irene, treating her like the sister he never had, so it breaks his heart when they are separated. Mike is on the team that finds Irene with the nomadic tribe. He wasn't even aware that she was missing, and immediately requests re-assignment so he can be nearer to her again. Irene acts upset, claiming that she doesn't need a babysitter, but secretly she's glad that he's back. SPOILER ALERT: He's killed in action at the end of season 2.
The Handsome, Compassionate Nurse: Sergeant David Gray (Shemar Moore)
Known as "Gray" to just about everyone, he's a charming, kind-hearted nurse who has served several tours in Africa. He and Irene hit it off right away, and he enjoys harmlessly flirting with her. He knows that she has a boyfriend back home, but they still tease each other and banter back and forth. When Irene and Ben break up, Gray tries to make a more serious play for her, but she keeps her distance... at least for the time being. Gray likes being around someone he can laugh with, since there's so much death and destruction around them. Irene helps remind Gray that there is some good in the world. Irene turns to him for support and friendship when Mike is sent away. He is the first one whom Irene tells about wanting to help the nomads, and he encourages her to pursue it.
The Cynical Mentor: Major Eli Kaufman (Jeffrey Tambor)
Like Gray, Major Kaufman (known simply as "Major") has been in Niger for a while. But unlike Gray, who has kept his humor and charm, Major has become sullen and cynical. He knows deep down that he is doing good work, and he finds some fulfillment in being a mentor to the young people around him, but he views the world as ultimately dark and evil. He is a devout Jew; he starts every day by reading from the Torah and praying that YHWH would give him strength to get through the day. He's extremely good at his job, but if he had it to do over again, he never would have signed up for the tour in Vietnam that started his military career.
The Team Captain: Captain Greta Morris (Mary McDonnell)
Captain Morris is a doctor by trade and a soldier by necessity. She's not a major player in the show, because she's usually in an office somewhere planning strategies and organizing personnel. It is Captain Morris who orders Irene to forget about the nomads. She's a bit rough around the edges: brusque, mechanical, and proud, but there may be more to her than meets the eye.
The Friends Back Home: Lydia Franks, Chris Chen, and Beth Mays (Charisma Carpenter, John Cho, and Kaley Cuoco)
This tight-knit group also includes Irene and Mike (and sometimes Ben by association). They met one another at various times throughout their college careers and formed a strong bond. Chris and Beth dated for a while, but now they are back to being friends. The group sends lots of care packages to Irene and Mike, and they worry constantly about their friends' well-being. Irene purposefully doesn't tell them about going missing for weeks on end, but Mike lets it slip and Irene chews him out for it. Shortly thereafter, Lydia (whose parents are wealthy) pays for the three of them to fly to Agadez, Niger's capital, to visit.
Okay, I don't ask for comments very often, but I spent oodles of time on this and I absolutely adore it. I'm seriously considering hanging onto it and writing it as a novel for NaNoWriMo in November. Anyway, I'd love to hear what you guys think, even though I know this is super long.
And I'd be happy to give you guys prompts, too. This is seriously super, SUPER fun if you have some time to put into it.