‘Medicine Woman’ a Tonic for TV

I wasn’t going to watch “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,” after reading Howard Rosenberg’s stinging review of the script (“ ‘Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman’ Is Bad Medicine,” Jan. 1). But when I was remote-searching for something else I paused at this show, because, as a scriptwriter, I was curious to see where the writer had gone wrong. Enjoying the story, my husband and I stayed with the show for two hours, and we look forward to the next episodes.

Refreshingly, except for a brief fight in defense of the woman doctor threatened by four bully men, there is no violence. When there is a potential for violence between soldiers and Indians, the doctor prevents it. Maybe preventing violence by explanation and negotiation is not realistic, but it could be! It is always a relief to have a TV or movie free from multiple killings, gun shootings and cars spinning out of control.

“Medicine Woman” is a simple story of a courageous woman stepping out of the typical female role. What a nice change for girls to have a role model when there are so many cop shows role-modeling for boys. Rosenberg says his criticism is of the script and casting. Possibly it’s something else.

JUNE STEPHENSON, Palm Desert