Couch Potato: ‘Trauma,‘ new NBC medical drama, better than expected

NBC’s “Trauma” is full of explosions, blood and plenty of action.

But the show, which NBC is billing as a “high-octane medical drama” that follows the daily lives of first responder paramedics in San Francisco, also has a lot of heart.

Premiering at 9 p.m. Monday, it was surprisingly emotional and better than I expected, mostly thanks to the cast — led by Derek Luke (“Antwone Fisher”) as paramedic Cameron Boone. A husband and father of two, Boone quickly distinguishes himself as a calming presence that you’d want around in an emergency.

Not quite so calm, but plenty entertaining, is Cliff Curtis (“Whale Rider”) as maverick flight medic Reuben “Rabbit” Palchuk.

He’s a type we’ve seen before: lives by his own rules, defies authority and uses sarcasm instead of processing his emotions. But Curtis makes it work and, because of him, the character isn’t as much of a cliché as he could’ve been.

The rest of the cast also clicks, especially Anastasia Griffith (“Damages”) as haunted paramedic Nancy; Aimee Garcia (“The George Lopez Show”) as rookie helicopter pilot Marisa, fresh off a tour in Baghdad; and Jamey Sheridan (“Law & Order: Criminal Intent”) as Dr. Joe Saviano, everyone’s mentor back in the hospital.

All of the main characters are carrying around some serious baggage from an incident that happens early in the first episode.

I don’t want to reveal much more, because it was a genuine surprise that turned the show into more than your standard medical drama.