A New NBC Drama

Inconceivable (NBC) - Drama
Daring. How else you do you describe a show about a Fertility Clinic and Test Tube babies in an era of raging debate over embryonic stem cells, abortion rights, and ethical science? This show will certainly drum up a lot of controversy, almost guaranteeing a strong opening. In the pilot, a white couple discovers that their surrogate has given birth to a black baby, instead of theirs; a minister and his wife try to implant embryos; a test-tube son begins to ask his mom about his dad; a single woman wants to adopt; a gay couple gives birth via surrogate; and a spurned lover (an office assistant) seeks revenge against the womanizer who used her (the fertility doctor). I was once told that good art doesn't meet a need, it's creates a need. This show has created a need for me to think further and more deeply about these issues, so I guess that makes it good art. But in this case, I'm still not sure whether that makes for entertaining television. Anyway, you should probably watch this show at least once. As far as quality performances, technical proficiency, or compelling writing, there's nothing to make this show stand out from any other drama. The subject matter overshadows it all. (B)