‘Midnight Family’ Apple TV+ Series Review - Life of Paramedics

The show opens with a gripping scene: Marigaby is frantically scrubbing blood from her clothes, leaving viewers to assume she's on the run from some heinous crime. The tense atmosphere makes it seem like she's hiding a dark secret. But just as quickly, the narrative shifts when she steps into her medical exam room. It becomes clear that Marigaby's life is far from ordinary, but not in the way we first expect.

For Marigaby Tamayo, life is anything but simple. By night, she works tirelessly as a paramedic, and by day, she attends medical school in pursuit of her dream to become a doctor. Despite the grueling schedule, she’s not one to complain. Her work is her passion, and the chaos that comes with it is something she thrives on.

Marigaby is no ordinary med student—her hands-on experience as a paramedic gives her a unique edge. While most students struggle to grasp concepts from textbooks, she excels in exams thanks to the practical knowledge she’s gained on the job. Her family has played a crucial role in shaping her journey. She often jokes that she "grew up in an ambulance," as her father, also a paramedic, and her two brothers have been a constant source of support.

Her father is battling a severe heart condition, and the family’s entire existence seems tethered to the ambulance they call their second home. The Tamayos are paramedics, living life in a constant race against time. Their ambulance is not just a vehicle for saving lives—it’s also their livelihood. They compete fiercely with other ambulances, always striving to reach emergencies first, as every life saved means they can earn a living. In a sense, emergency response has become the family business.

Though life is exciting, Marigaby sometimes wishes for a more typical student experience—going out with friends, enjoying carefree nights, and living the kind of youth many take for granted. But her nights are spent saving lives, and her reality is far from ordinary. Yet, despite the challenges, Marigaby wouldn't trade it for anything. She knows that the sacrifices she’s making today will ultimately lead her to the life she's always dreamed of.

Throughout the show, viewers are introduced to a variety of patients—each with unique and often life-threatening conditions. The Tamayo family helps them all, sometimes at great personal risk. Whether it's dashing into dangerous neighborhoods or navigating intense traffic to reach a critical scene, their dedication to saving lives comes at the cost of their own safety. The show reveals not only the toll this work takes on Marigaby and her family but also the strong bonds that hold them together. They are a family defined by resilience, sacrifice, and a deep-rooted desire to make a difference, even if it means sacrificing their own well-being.

What makes the show stand out is the intimate portrayal of the family at work. Viewers aren’t just watching another medical drama; they are immersed in the Tamayo family's reality, from racing against other ambulances to reaching life-or-death situations to the personal sacrifices they make along the way. The show does a fantastic job of balancing the chaotic moments on the job with the quieter, more emotional scenes that reveal the deep bond shared between the family members. This is definitely a good watch. Midnight Family is a compelling and fast-paced watch, especially for those who enjoy gripping, real-life dramas.

Final Score- [8/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times
Note: All 10 episodes are screened for this review.
Premiere Date: September 25, 2024, on Apple TV+ with its first two episodes, while the rest will be released weekly every Wednesday.