You have called in sick from your work and have been feeling under the weather lately. That is why you have decided to go to your nearest hospital to get checked up. We entrust our lives to our doctors to treat us with our sickness – but what if your doctor is the one you should not trust, after all? Dr. Death Podcast, explores these situations of heinous true crime cases through medical malpractice.
Overview Of The Dr. Death Podcast
Dr. Death started with a bang and made a name when its first season was released. Hosted by Laura Beil, season one explored the story of Dr. Christopher Duntsch, a neurosurgeon who injured 33 patients during his career. With the season’s six episodes, we heard how Duntsch got away with his crimes until he could not. Beil’s retelling is simply brilliant, and she unveiled the stories of how Duntsch purposely botched his surgeries.
Where you will feel dread creep up on you while it unfolds. Nothing is more chilling than listening to the gruesome details of his surgeries and what kind of person Duntsch truly is behind his ‘charming’ persona as a doctor. With the spectacular release of season one in 2018, the podcast gained everyone’s attention and multiple recognitions as well throughout the years, such as the Ambies award for Best True Crime Podcast.
There is even a TV adaptation for it released in 2021. Then the next season, 2 and 3, focused on Farid Fata and Paolo Macchiarini, respectively. Fata prescribed chemotherapy to patients even if they did not need or want it. On the other hand, Macchiarini is a researcher who caused deaths due to unethical experiments.
What do I like about Dr. Death Podcast?
I love how the podcast is focused on a specific topic. The way how each season is focused on only one story. It all made a difference in the true crime podcast scene. No wonder they gained recognition in such a small amount of time. Besides being truly unique, the podcast was able to explore and provide an in-depth story for each season which will leave you satisfied. But at the same time, horrified.
The topic of malpractice piques everyone’s interest. Because it is a somewhat relatable situation and a terrifying thing to think about if it happens.
In season one, the retelling of the tragedies that the victims suffered at the hands of Duntsch was well-detailed. It will leave you on the edge of your seat. However, what I liked the most was the exploration of Duntsch’s behavior in the eyes of the victims and colleagues. It’s interesting how he kept being a doctor despite being fired from different hospitals. His obvious malpractice did not go unnoticed, but he was able to keep resurfacing in different hospitals in the area despite this fact.
In the following seasons, I enjoyed how the retelling of the stories here was different. In season one, the stories were focused on the surgeries and victims and how they had seen Duntsch. On the other hand, in season two, the focus is on the people working around Fata and how the reporting and, ultimately, how he was caught red-handed for his wrongdoings.
What Do I Not?
There is always criticism, even if you are dubbed the best true crime podcast. One take for some people is how the first season focused mostly on the oppressor and understanding his behavior. This take can differ from person to person depending on how you will take the story. In my opinion, they were able to convey the story without much of his actual perspective.
The victims were given the platform to talk about their stories better. I believe this has given the audience a better perspective on why he did what he did without sympathizing with him. Another issue the people raised about the podcast is how the podcast is under a “paywall,” and not all of the episodes are accessible.
Also Read: Casefile Podcast Review
Final Thoughts
Dr. Death is not for the faint-hearted, but it is a podcast that will boggle the mind on how a person. Especially a doctor, can commit such heinous crimes. I love the concept and retelling of the podcast, and I cannot wait for the following season to come. If you are looking for the next true crime that has a different take and will blow you away with good narration, check out the Dr. Death Podcast.
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