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Andy Gonzalez
Professor Malvin
English 103
10/12/15
Code Black is Not Necessary for Feminism
Seconds pass faster than usual when having fun but as soon as tragedy occurs the seconds
seem like minutes. In a car accident to saving a persons life everything seems to slow down.
Especially in Code Black, a reference to which a hospital literally goes Code Black. While in
Code Black the hospital has more patients than machines, medicine, and staff. Every second
counts as the hospital gets crowded. In this TV show called Code Black where Doctors and
Registered Nurses are trying to save peoples lives shows us just how every second counts. The
protagonist, Dr. Leanne Rorish takes every second serious and even manages to break the rules
for the sake of the patients. Dr. Rorish gives us this feminist view that we have not seen in a
while. Trying to lead a group of new nurses as well as trying to save each and every life that
comes into the Emergency Room is nearly unfathomable. Dr. Rorish exceeds in ways that the
other Doctor cannot. She is willing to do what is necessary for the well-being of the patients in
critical emergencies. Dr. Hudson which could be put as her opposite. He is sweet and caring for
his patients taking the time out of day to visit them and briefly talk to them. He gives them
comfort when they need it the most. Something that Dr. Hudson completely does not like to do
and will even cross his emotions with patients as well.
Dr. Rorish is perfect for the role modeling position plus being a female gives helps her
this different aspect of being in charge. Being a female in such a critical position in the show is
amazing. This position gives the viewers a different aspect of how a woman would run the
Emergency Room. With efficiency and punctual character she is a remarkable leader, can leave

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her emotions out of the job, and a rule breaking doctor for her patients well-being. This is what
makes her a good candidate for the feminist lens.
Dr. Rorish has lost someone dear to her long ago and she has never forgotten about it.
When she gets new nurses or doctors under her domain at Angels Hospital, she does not sugar
coat then with step by step procedures. Her leadership skills give this show a reality check as Dr.
Rorish stated, Hesitate and people die! (Thomas) She gives these commands not to scare her
recruits, but to help them understand this is not a test in a classroom. These are real life human
beings that could die in a matter of seconds. Her words as a leader help give these freshmen a
real life understanding that you would not get if someone else would speak them. Her words are
just a part of what makes her a true leader, she also acts upon them as well. In the introduction of
her scene, she comes rushing out with nurses to a Homeboy drop off. The main nurses that the
show is about are there with her and she holds the carotid artery then tells the nurse next to her,
you feel this thing wiggling like a worm that is trying to get away, the carotid artery. Your finger
is the only thing that is keeping this man alive. (CBS) She goes hands-on to help them get a
sense of everything around them. She does not just give orders and stand around like many other
leaders. Dr. Rorish even further accredits it with saying you are keeping this man alive. Action
and then demonstrating, which not many female characters show on TV. Great example for using
her actions do all the talking is Jeanne Louis Finch from To Kill A Mockingbird. She not only
was tenacious but she was also determined to find out about the adult society. She became the
leader of her older brother and did what she wanted to do. Her leadership role in this show is
tremendous and even as a female makes it that much more appealing. Males are usual known for
this type of trait but seeing her perform better than a male could give this show a better rating in
the long run.

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Women are known for being more emotional and uncontrollable than men are but that
was never the case. Men are less capable that is why they undermine the women as a whole
because they cannot accept themselves are being weaker than their gender counterpart. Dr.
Rorish is a tough woman that can put her emotions aside to do her job proficiently. She breaks
the norms of society and especially for being a Doctor in the Emergency Room. She is so far the
best doctor that the ER has on hand because of her strong commitment to not breakdown in
difficult situations. Dr. Rorish stated, Youre the doctor they want. Im the doctor they need.
(Thomas) The background behind this is a disagreement between her and another doctor named
Neal Hudson. We are going to kill him to save him (Hyman) She killed a patient to bring
him back to life again which Dr. Hudson did not approve. Dr. Hudson is your typical good
looking guy and puts his emotions into each and every patient. This is what separates the two and
makes this show a feminist one rather than another male dominated show. She is willing to put
emotions on hold for any patient just to save them from dying. Doing what it takes in order for
her patients to live is what makes her the doctor they need. We can see how this character is a
strong feminist and she does not take her job likely. This show gives this feminist view to all its
viewers that it is hard not to watch the show just for the drama happening inside the show.
In an opening scene where some gangsters left the homeboy in front of the Hospital to
die. Dr. Rorish and the team of nurses come rushing out and she automatically assess the
problem. She tells one of the nurses, Nurse Angus Leighton to go around the drivers side. You,
get on the other side and push with both legs. Rorish stated. She told Nurse Leighton to push
with his both legs to get the gangster out of the car. It is not ideal to use your legs to push
someone out of a car let alone if they are injured severely. Yet she breaks the rules in order for
this man to survive she had to do something fast. Another example is in a scene where a

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skateboarder came in with a broken arm. The skateboarder forgot to mention that he got a
concussion in which he fell on the floor of the hospital around the end of the show. Dr. Hudson is
interacting with Dr. Rorish while with another patient in the Emergency Room, what is that for?
Dr. Hudson asked Dr. Rorish. Were innovating the suture move. stated Dr. Rorish. You cant
put a hole in that kids skull in the ER Leanne you need a neurosurgeon. Dr. Hudson exclaims.
He is out cold and bleeding sometimes you got to be a cowboy, Neil. Dr. Rorish states.
(CBS) She has no consent to do this operation let alone in the Emergency Room without a
neurosurgeon. She is not supposed to open a skull without a neurosurgeon on duty, yet she is
doing this for this teenager. Breaking the rules to save this teenagers life, she could get fired for
this, but she goes along with it. She drills a hole into the teenagers skull and lives all due to her
fast thinking. Breaking the rules does not mean she is a horrible person and should not work as a
doctor in the hospital instead it should be looked upon as heroic. Saving people is what she does
best even if that means that she has to break a couple rules here and there. All that matters is that
instant when that person is dying is to save them at all costs.
Dr. Rorish is breaking the stereotypes that men have placed on women for centuries. Men have
undermined women so much that their roles in tv shows or movies have become basic. So basic
to the point that there in the role just to fill up a spot. "This simplistic view of men as
perpetrators and women as victims breaks down (Lehcozky) It is a gender role that has been
taught since who knows when. Not only this T.V. show breaking this barrier and pushing forward
but it shows the viewers just how powerful women truly are. They can do the same a man can, so
why inhibit a womens ability if she is capable of so much more. Being a man automatically
gives someone extra privileges and being a woman its just a woman. No power and fame comes
from the word female/women. This is what Dr. Rorish is giving the viewers, this feminist plate

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that women can do what men do but better.
She shows us what true feminism is in her way of being a leader to her students in
training. Gives the viewers a full human being that is capable of performing at her best by not
breaking down. Being emotional stable to do things other women and men could not do. Finally,
being able to break the rules because her patients deserve to live whether or not they are convicts
or everyday working citizen. Nothing can stop doctor Rorish in being the best she can be even.
Feminism is truly working in this show and she is showing it with all she can do in that hospital.

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Works Cited
Code Black. Dir. Michael Seitzman. Perf. Marcia Gay Harden and Luis Guzman. CBS, 2015.
Online.
Hyman, Vicki. "Fall 2015 TV Review: 'Code Black' Has a Pulse." NJ.com. NJ Advance Media,
30 Sept. 2015. Web. 12 Oct. 2015.
Loheczky, Etelka. "Gender Roles Sow The Seeds Of Violence, Researchers Say." Tribunedigitalchicagotribune. Chigaco Tribune, 08 Nov. 2000. Web. 08 Dec. 2015.
Thomas, Kaitlin. "Code Black Series Premiere Review: This Show Could Use Some
CPR." TV.com. N.p., 1 Oct. 2015. Web. 12 Oct. 2015.