"It's coming up on 7:00 AM,
and it's another scorcher here in Barco."
"I'll be here till ten to ten, with all your favourite hits,
but first, here's Priya with the news and sport."
.."and a warning of record-breaking temperatures within the next 24 hours."
_
Just one more day. That's all I'm asking for.
Please?
Acute dehydration. He'll need another bag or two of saline --
that's assuming we get the delivery.
Mr Sharna, I have told you to stop scratching.
I know it's uncomfortable, but you're making it worse.
You're early! Worms to catch?
- I couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd get a head start. - Snap.
Great minds, et cetera! Although maybe it's a female thing.
Thank you. Oh, yeah. Incipient heatstroke.
We'll have to re-check her renal functions later this morning,
- and if it's OK, she walks. We need every bed we can get. - Sure!
- How's your new place shaping up? - Great,
- although my landlady's very keen that I marry her nephew. - Consider it!
Long engagement. You can save on rent.
What happened to him?
Tourist. Got too close to a ceiling fan.
Of course, what he really needs is a brain transplant,
but some things are beyond even my considerable talents.
- Why aren't you writing this down? - It's all up here. Steel trap.
In that case, how about a new challenge -- your first solo night shift?
- Unless you have other plans. - Tragically, I'm all yours.
Good! Then, consider yourself on trial.
Right! Time for morning briefing.
Stragglers should've arrived by now. Ready for action, Dr Walker?
*CREDITS*
Now, this damned heat wave is still causing us problems.
We've treated 16 cases of heatstroke already this week.
Terribly oppressive. I've never known anything like this.
Heat is simply a state of mind.
The human body is perfectly adapted to deal with it.
If you wish to be cool, you simply have to believe.
Clearly my faith is lacking.
So, Dr Varma aside, we shall all just have to cope --
although we're low on IV fluids, I think.
- Sister? - Sorry. New supplies were ordered yesterday.
- I can chase them this morning. - Please do.
And finally, Dr Walker will complete our outstanding home visit.
There's been an urgent request from the Mathew farm.
- It's about 20 miles up in the hills. - Is that prudent,
sending her alone? Murali Mathew can be difficult.
She needs to be able to handle our most challenging patients --
- unless you don't feel you're up to it. - I'm sure I can handle him.
Come this way. Make way for the wheelchair, thank you!
Not now. Female ward! What is this?
- Do you have enough gauze? - Yep.
Murali Mathew is a tricky customer.
Maybe you should take your boxing gloves.
Dr Walker?
Dr Ruby Walker?
- See you later. - Dr Ruby Walker? This way.
- You need to sign here. - Oh. Yeah.
What?!
I decided to upgrade.
Capable off-road, more range, higher top speed...
oh, and so much more stylish.
Looks aren't everything. I prefer something I can rely on.
- Call me when it breaks down in the middle of nowhere. - It won't.
- I don't need rescuing. - I'm not rescuing you.
I just want to be the first to know when it happens.
OK!
Your mother has been severely affected by the heat.
She's critically dehydrated, and I suspect her kidneys are failing.
How old is she?
99 years, Doctor.
We'll help her as best we can,
but in circumstances like these, there's not much we can do.
Oh, please, Dr Fonseca! We've travelled many miles in this heat
for your help. Only you can save her.
I understand, but sometimes a dignified death in your own bed --
My mother has seen such things in her life.
Do you know she touched Mahatma Gandhi's dhoti? Ask her!
She'll tell you. Still everything is clear, like yesterday.
And these are her wishes too, are they?
Of course. She wants to live.
On this she's very clear.
So am I.
People should listen to reason. Suddenly every patient and their wife
thinks they're a doctor. I blame Google.
Sometimes it takes a little while for reality to sink in.
Well, let's hope it doesn't take too long, for everyone's sake.
- Is everything all right? - Of course. Why?
It's usually me getting irritated by the patients.
My apologies, Dr Fonseca.
It must be the heat beginning to get to me.
OK. Hello. Oh! Hey, give that back!
Give me that. Don't touch that.
~ Jasprit Mathew?
You! You strong?
Show me your muscles. OK. 100 rupees, yeah?
Get all these kids off my bike, and you get another 100 when I'm back.
Good work!
- Let me know where it hurts, OK? - OK.
How's that?
You need to let me know where it hurts.
Is it hurting?
Just a little. It's really not too bad.
- See? The boy's fine. - Your son's heart is racing,
- and he has a temperature. - Then, treat him,
and let him get back to work. The crops must come in today.
- They're dying in this heat. - I think your son has appendicitis.
It could already be ruptured. I need to get him to hospital.
Enough of this now. See, you've seen the doctor.
- Stop this nonsense and get up. - Don't touch him. He's sick!
I need to treat your son. He needs antibiotics into his veins,
maybe surgery. He needs to get to hospital fast.
What are you -- a girl of 15 or 16?
How dare you defy me? Now get out of my house,
- or you will get a taste of this! - Papa...
I'm not going anywhere.
I need an ambulance to the Mathew farm immediately.
I've got a septic patient with acute appendicitis.
Well, where the hell is AJ?
Not again!
Speeding, third offence! For God's sake, AJ.
Dad, she hates me, OK? I dated her once.
All she wants is a bribe, then we can forget all about it.
Huh?
Officer?
- My son apologises. - Uh-huh?
I will drive him home. You can keep the licence.
Just give me the keys.
Thank you.
Get out. Get out!
Even I expected it to last more than a morning!
Hurry up and help!
Patient! Stretcher! Come!
Acute abdominal pain, query inflamed appendix.
One, two, three! Go.
- Careful! - Easy! OK.
One, two, three. Lift!
No.
- But, Dad... - AJ, the ambulance keys. Give me the keys!
- Fine! - Ranjit, please come. - Why are you calling Ranjit in?
- He's got nothing to do with this. - You'll soon come to know.
Ranjit, you are our new ambulance driver. Take off that uniform.
- This is ridiculous! - Yes. - What am I supposed to do now?
- You are supposed to do this. - You're gonna make me an orderly?!
That's right. You'll report to Sister Mari,
and when she says jump, you'll ask how bloody high.
- Dr Fonseca, please! - Sorry! This is out of my hands.
But it does seem like an excellent idea.
I'm rather ashamed I didn't think of it myself.
Fine!
The pain seems better.
He's had morphine and a litre of saline.
And his belly is soft.
It's probably just mesenteric adenitis.
Now, your son has a mild viral infection.
It has affected the lymph nodes in his belly,
and he should make a full recovery.
Finally, a real doctor has seen him!
I don't agree. He had all the signs of appendicitis -- fever...
Quiet! The doctor has seen him now!
Er, Dr Walker?
- You asked me for my opinion. - No. I asked for your help.
I'm a more experienced surgical colleague.
It could still be an appendix. The morphine could mask the pain.
- Highly unlikely. - But possible. He could die.
That is exactly the kind of decision a surgeon makes every day.
- It's not nothing to -- - If you can't handle that pressure...
- What? - OK. Let's ask Lydia.
I agree with Dr Varma.
It's probably just mesenteric adenitis.
But we can't take any chances,
not when you live 20 miles past the back of beyond.
The appendix comes out today.
In fact, it's a perfect teaching case for Dr Walker.
It's about time you tried your hand at surgery.
And I'm sure you'll be delighted to assist.
It's just a consent form to say that you agree to us operating.
If you like, I can read it out for you.
Er, thank you for the offer. But I can read.
I just like to know what it is that I'm signing.
I'm sorry. Of course.
I think you are blushing.
Or maybe it is just the heat.
Definitely blushing. Of course you can read.
This is your first operation?
Not only can I read and write, I also have fully functional ears.
I'm going to be fully supervised. Dr Varma is an excellent surgeon.
Then, I am in two pairs of safe hands.
Are we ready?
Knife, please, sister. No -- Dr Walker is our surgeon today.
Bolder. There's no room for doubt.
If you can't trust your own judgement,
how can you ask the patient to trust you?
Swab, please.
Retractors.
Lift the peritoneum.
Make the incision with the Metzenbaum scissors.
I'm through. Now what?
Identify the inevitably normal appendix at the base of the caecum,
then deliver it into the wound.
- You're quite sure it's going to be normal? - Absolutely.
- Because you're always right? - I trust my own judgement. Deeper.
- Feel for the bowel wall. - Clearly I'm just in time for the main event.
Carry on, Dr Walker.
Acutely inflamed -- in fact, on the verge of perforation,
so I'd say Dr Walker has won this little battle.
- Send it to the lab, and I'll prescribe antibiotics. - No problem.
Dr Nair could use a hand in the incontinence clinic.
Dr Walker seems to have everything under control here.
AJ?
AJ!
AJ?
AJ!
Someone has vomited in Outpatients -- twice.
Poor Dr Varma! I simply assumed he was sucking lemons again.
He'll get over it. In fact, regular humiliation does him the world of good.
Yeah.
Um... can I ask you a question, Lydia?
Yeah! Course.
Much as I value your friendship --
No!
It's for Mala.
I think it's beautiful, as is she.
- Do you think she'll accept? - Only one way to find out!
Gonna ask her tonight?
Tonight? You think I should?
There's only one cure for cold feet. Hold them to the fire.
Hey.
Thanks for helping me.
It was... fun, if that's the right word.
You're on call tonight, yes? First night in charge on your own.
Mm, for my sins.
I have some patients you need to review.
Sure. No problem.
Got plans?
Actually... I have a date.
The only thing a doctor likes better than being right is proving another doctor wrong.
I don't think Dr Varma sees it that way.
Sometimes it's hard being a man in a woman's world.
Being born with a penis is a huge disadvantage.
There she is -- the oldest woman in India...
probably. Her daughter won't let her go.
- What do you want me to do? - The kidneys are failing,
so more fluids if her pressure drops. Nothing more.
If the good Lord wants her, we shouldn't stand in her way.
Right! I'd better go home and see what devastation awaits.
Apparently my supper's on the table -- something special, it seems.
- Mmm! Have fun. - I'll try. I expect I'll have to have sex first.
A woman's work...! Call me if you need me.
- Of course. - My ship is in your hands tonight.
Keep her from the rocks, please.
Hey! How you feeling?
Better, thank you.
Very neat! Not bad for a first effort.
- David Copperfield? - Yeah. Have you read it?
Honestly? Dickens pretty much passed me by.
- I'm mostly medical books. - Well, my appendix is grateful for that.
- You like to read? - Always.
To be honest, I'm not much of a farmer.
That was always my father's life.
He seems very angry.
Only when he is awake.
He is a good person really.
He just... likes to have his own way.
If I'd listened to him, we might not be talking.
He will want us to leave tomorrow.
You're my patient. You leave when I say so, and not a moment sooner.
Nothing intimidates you, does it?
It's an act. Don't tell anyone.
So, does it have a happy ending?
When I finish, I will let you know.
Gin and tonic?
Believe it or not, it's not the first time I've cohabited.
Do I wanna hear this?
Picture a one-bedroom flat in Stourbridge.
I was 19. Wendy worked at the brewery. Free samples.
Very adventurous girl.
- Truly, I was living the dream. - I really don't wanna hear this.
And it all started with a single pink toothbrush.
One day it just appeared in the half-pint pot by the washbasin.
I raised the issue, and was told it was merely convenience.
But it didn't stop there.
Next came spare underwear, bathrobe.
And one day I opened the wardrobe, and it hit me.
- What? - Seven pairs of shoes, a foot spa,
and the fact that I was in a serious relationship!
- What did you do? - I did what any 19 year old would do in that situation.
I treated her appallingly until she left me.
Forgive me for not being surprised.
- I was young and foolish. - Good thing you've changed, then, eh?
I mean, look!
- It's perfect. - Mm. - Enough to make anyone fall in love.
There's a lot of it about!
There's an engagement ring burning a hole in Ram's pocket as we speak.
- Is that a hint? - What?!
God, no!
- Are you being serious? - Of course not.
Here. I'll get you dessert.
Thank you.
- Is he OK? - He has a fever. His pulse is too high.
I need you to go and get more fluids.
- Mari said we're down to the last three bags. - Which my patient needs!
- Now. - OK.
So, Doctor, now that you've cured him, can he leave?
He's just had a major operation. The infection's spread to his belly,
- so he needs antibiotics. - Maybe some other doctor...
- If he's not well, why -- - Tonight, I am the senior doctor here,
which means my decision is final!
Mari?
I'm so sorry, Doctor. This is totally unprofessional.
- Sorry. - Are you OK?
I thought it was just a squabble.
And then this morning, I got this.
Apparently, er...
he's... found someone else...
.. who can provide what I can't.
I'm sorry. Really.
Thank you.
- I... I'm sorry. - No, no!
It's me who should apologise.
It's totally irresponsible to bring personal problems to work.
I will not do it again. It's mere self-indulgence. No.
Mari, wait. I don't mind talking. Wait.
We need to start the backup generator!
- You know how to use this? - Of course! This is not the first time.
Hold this!
- Fuel connected? - Yes. Floor plugs...
That's not good!
AJ is checking to see if the streetlights are out.
- It could be down across the whole state. - It's totally dead.
If there's no power, nothing will work.
Even the mobiles need power to the masts.
What do you want to do?
Er...
Let's get as many patients as possible into the female ward.
That way we can keep an eye on them. More torches, more candles.
- Then send AJ for help. - In this?!
- We don't have a choice! - Yes, Doctor.
Ruby, I need you now. Come on!
We can't get a blood pressure.
- How long has he been in pain? - An hour, maybe more.
His pulse is weaker. He's tachycardic,
and his temperature is up.
What do you want to do? What's wrong, Doctor?
- I thought the procedure went well. - I... I thought so.
Maybe I didn't close him up properly.
If I made a mistake, he could be bleeding at the operation site.
- But Dr Varma was there with you. - He...
- We need to take him back to theatre. - We can't, without power.
If he's bleeding, it won't stop. I have to go in and check.
- It is impossible! - We either operate now, or we watch him die.
Doctor?
OK.
OK. Turn it on.
Are you ready?
Ruby?
- Yeah. Let's just get on with it. - OK.
It's going down.
Shit!
Doctor? What's wrong?
Ruby!
Nothing.
Nothing's wrong.
No bleeding, no leak...
What the hell are you doing?!
I didn't believe them when they said you were in here.
Step away, Dr Walker.
- We need to wash out and close up immediately, please. - Yes, Doctor.
- I just wanna know why. - I thought it was the right decision.
To try and operate during a blackout?
It could've been a failed anastomosis.
Could've been bleeding out.
And was he?
- No. - There's a fine line between confidence and arrogance, Dr Walker.
Let's hope this boy doesn't pay the price. Ah! Perfect timing.
I need you to take over here. Check for possible septic shock,
post-repeat surgery. She brought him back here alone,
so clearly I've created a monster. Carry on the ventilation
- till the power comes back on. - Of course.
Doctor?
Your son is very sick.
We're doing everything we can to help him.
Every day he works...
.. hours and hours.
He's all I have --
the only thing in my life that is worth anything.
I need to talk to him.
The boy's a dreamer, you know?
Head always in the clouds or in one of his damned books.
He needed discipline.
I love my son.
I must make sure he knows that.
Follow me.
My patient.
Lydia asked me to take charge.
I know.
I'm afraid it won't be much longer now.
The time? Please, what is the time?
Almost 4:00 AM.
It's too soon! We must continue. Please, Doctor!
I'm so sorry. There's really not much more we can do.
~
She hears me.
She understands.
Your own father must be very proud of you --
a doctor, so young.
My father left when I was a baby.
He must have been weak! Or perhaps... mentally deficient.
I think mum just thought he was a selfish, self-centred bastard.
Now I don't even know if he's dead or alive.
So, this is why you came here? To look for your father?
No.
I came here to...
I-I don't know why I came here.
I wasn't happy in England. I know that.
Only a fool wants to be happy.
And you're nobody's fool, I think.
Finally! We'll put him on the machine.
Hold this.
- Coffee? - Thanks.
- How is he? - Yeah. Better.
Good.
What would you have done?
I don't know.
I'm sorry.
Time of death, Doctor, please?
Your mother passed away at 6:10 this morning.
- You will record this? - That's the procedure, yes.
This is fine. She's done it.
Can I get a spanner? In there.
Yes. Yes, er...
Here.
So, this means you are speaking to your father again?
I just did.
You did well last night.
Even Mari said so,
and she's a harsh mistress.
The piston's completely seized up.
It's no good.
For God's sake say something, AJ.
When do you plan on asking her?
When the time is right.
You know, these things, they... they need the right moment.
You've got to grow up, AJ.
But your father needs to... let you.
And this is the first step, for you and for me.
Well?
Congratulations.
- My boy! - Oh!
- Can I have my old job back? - Not a chance!
- Good morning. - How are you feeling?
The boy has the strength of youth.
One minute they are at death's door, and the next... ready for work!
A period of recuperation is necessary.
Give someone a taste of an idle life, you've lost them forever.
OK.
One day. Not a minute more.
Mr Mathews, can I just...
I gave you what you asked for -- a chance to speak to him.
Well, I'm... quite grateful for that.
- So, tell him what you told me. - What?
I'm old! I keep forgetting things.
Tell him that you love him.
Every father loves their children.
Nobody needs to shout it from the rooftops.
You will find him one day, and he will tell you this himself.
Can I help you?!
It's OK, Doctor. This is Mr Shafeez. He's my accountant.
Which doesn't explain why he's looking at my hospital notes.
This is my granddaughter. She wishes to go to university.
Ten years ago, my mother placed a wager with Mr Shafeez
that she would live until she was one hundred years old.
The odds were high enough to give her great-granddaughter an education.
My mother was born at 6:03 on this day in 1918.
Can you confirm the exact time of death?
I can.
Thank you for all that you've done for my family.
Ah! Dr Walker, there's a reporter here to see you.
Someone told them about your torchlight heroics last night, and they want an interview.
But I shouldn't have taken him back.
Never let the truth get in the way of a good story,
especially if the publicity gets us a new generator.
He's outside. Flirt a little. I have a house call to make.
Smile!
I hope they got your good side.
It wasn't my idea. Lydia insisted.
Of course! One of her core skills.
So, you finally lost your virginity.
Your first solo operation.
That makes you a real surgeon.
An unnecessary one that almost killed my patient.
Well, you were alone, and you made the call. That's what matters.
Maybe.
Definitely.
Also... you were right, and I was wrong.
Wow!
May I have that in writing?
- Can I have a jump-start? - I can't hear you!
- CAN I HAVE A JUMP-START?! - I'm sorry, I can't hear you!
Hi!
- Can I see some ID, please? - Thank you for dinner last night.
- Shame you missed dessert! - I'm not an easy person.
I know! It's a significant part of your charm.
You could do better.
Well, not better, obviously.
- Simpler. - I know that, too.
I don't wanna be a pink toothbrush in a half-pint pot.
Christ, what do you have to do to get a bloody pint round here?
Well, well, well!
You need your wallet, for a start!
How are you? All right. Pint of Sadler's?
- Paul! - Dr Fonseca?
- Hello, Paul. - What are you doing here?
Love what you've done with the place.
- I'm really not sure about this. - Just give it a go, OK?
Good? Good!
All right. OK?
Just start steady, yeah?
Left, then right. OK?
OK.
Good. Harder.
That's his stupid face right there, yeah? Hit it!
More! Bit more!
Harder! That's it!
That's his stupid, ugly face!
That's it. Better!
Good?
Thank you.
- Wanna stop? - No.
All right.
_
- Your tea, sir. - Thank you.
_
*CREDITS*