S01.E08: You Are the Heart

[thewhiteowl]

Updated.

 

Christa must handle all emergencies at Angels Memorial that happen outside the emergency room; Malaya arranges a bone marrow drive for Carla; Leanne turns down a date.

 

Edited November 16, 2015 by thewhiteowl

[Happy Harpy]

No description  available at posting

 

I found one here while I was looking for a promo, but I don't know if it's accurate.

 

http://www.spoilersguide.com/code-black/episode-8-you-are-the-heart-guide/

Edited November 16, 2015 by Happy Harpy

[DHDancer]

that one jumped the shark when the guy pulled the ring box out from ???? (there ain't no pockets in hospital gowns).  

 

PS and I was saying before he did that, "oh please, don't produce a ring"  .......

Edited November 19, 2015 by DHDancer

[Happy Harpy]

I loved it! (Well, of course I did, I love this show).

 

I'm a bit ashamed l to admit it, but I'm glad that there was a Neal/Christa scene at the beginning, because I didn't wonder somewhere in the back of my mind, during the whole episode, whether there would be one. I love that Neal feels all guilty (because he's worried about her career) and awkward (because he's Bristish? or old-school? or just sweet?) and yet all smitten and flirty and gotcha joking. I love that Christa is focused on being a good doctor, not awkward  and unimpressed, but she gets his jokes and is all smitten with him all the same (there was eye sex. I'm positive on it).

Where was this ship all my TV-viewing life ?

And this episode cemented my love of Christa as a character, because Nice is not Dumb and she gets the job done and Taylor doesn't say no to her.

 

Mario is very much Alex Karev-flavored, but not quite, because he doesn't have the "tell the truth, hate the lies" bluntness that made me an Alex fan at first sight. Nevertheless, for all the flaws I see,  I see qualities. I think that B.Hollingworth is good at giving the character a sensitive dimension...because otherwise, he'd be dead to me for using Angus' name. Angus, who is nice but not dumb so far either, and that's why I love him. I hope that Mario will come around because I like the heterosexual life partners vibe I get from Mario/Angus.

 

The Malaya and Angus friensdhip that has been building from the beginning is paying off, imo. I 100% buy them as close friends who tell each other the truth. Malaya is definitely the "Child" of the bunch, but I like that they made her the most rational of the group (imo) at the same time; because usually the naive one is a "feeler". As Mama said (and Mama rules, as always) she's a thinker, so she's definitely different from a "Carter" type of naive doctor, for example.

 

Oh, Cole and Leanne. Interesting. So, it was belligerent sexual tension? I just know that Leanne was smiling more, and it becomes her. Can Cole stay anyway? I kind of like the Not-Gentle Giant thingy. And he has good taste in women. Plus, it will give more storylines to Guthrie Senior whom I love to bits. I'm glad they showed Leanne smiling at the end, because it shows that she didn't mind his persistance; otherwise I might have wondered if I had to be uncomfortable.

 

And I found all the patients compelling; the reverse Titanic patients, in particular, were treated in a  less syrupy way than they could have been, which is a huge plus for me.

Edited November 19, 2015 by Happy Harpy

[izabella]

that one jumped the shark when the guy pulled the ring box out from ???? (there ain't no pockets in hospital gowns).  

 

PS and I was saying before he did that, "oh please, don't produce a ring"  .......

 

I think he had it hidden under the covers.  I'm assuming the ER staff held onto it and then gave it back to him after his surgeries, since they made a point of noticing it and mentioning it when the couple first came in.

[Shannon L.]

 

that one jumped the shark when the guy pulled the ring box out from ???? (there ain't no pockets in hospital gowns). 

    

    PS and I was saying before he did that, "oh please, don't produce a ring"  .......

 

 

I think he had it hidden under the covers.  I'm assuming the ER staff held onto it and then gave it back to him after his surgeries, since they made a point of noticing it and mentioning it when the couple first came in.

That's exactly what I was thinking.

 

I really liked this episode.  The moment between Mario and his patient when he wanted a story?  I thought it was very well done.  Subtle, yet still full of emotion. Bravo to both men for doing a great job with it.

 

Like others, I love Angus and am shipping Crista and Neal.  Mama's talk with Malaya was great.  Not a fan of Cole yet.  What he did with that computer and to that nurse was inexcusable and his should have been called on it more than just "you owe my nurse an apology".

 

As much as I love to listen good singing from all genres--especially musical theater, I had to fight to not roll my eyes at the Lion King thing next week.  I mean, I'd love to be near them when they break out in song, but something about the preview just felt weird to me.  Hopefully, I'll be proven wrong. 

[izabella]

Not a fan of Cole yet.  What he did with that computer and to that nurse was inexcusable and his should have been called on it more than just "you owe my nurse an apology".

 

That really bothered me, too.  He was abusive to the nurse, destroyed hospital property (I'm sure that needs to be replaced and it isn't free from the manufacturer), and they just kinda shrugged it off (except for Mama who stood up for the nurse).  He has anger issues, and should be required to address them so he doesn't blow up at someone else during another emergency.

[Good Queen Jane]

Who is the actor who played Ted, the older gay guy? He was fantastic! I know I know him, but I can't remember from where.

[izabella]

Who is the actor who played Ted, the older gay guy? He was fantastic! I know I know him, but I can't remember from where.

 

I don't know his name, but I saw him on Royal Pains as Paige's art dealer/interior decorator boss.

 

ETA:  Stephen Spinella

Edited November 19, 2015 by izabella

[Shenanigan]

Who is the actor who played Ted, the older gay guy? He was fantastic! I know I know him, but I can't remember from where.

 

 

His name is Stephen Spinella. He's been in a ton of stuff.

[twoods]

"You're not dead until you're warm and dead." Never thought I'd hear that again.

I've had pockets in my hospital gown.

Christa and Neal are adorable. These small scenes aren't curing my fix! I also like Angus's relationship with Mario and Malaya.

[slothgirl]

Seriously show? The needle-stick HIV scare trope?

 

It's like this show expects to be cancelled and they are throwing in every medical-show plot we've ever seen as early as possible cause they may not get another chance. What's going to be left for season 2? Amputation by helicopter?

[slothgirl]

Oh, Cole and Leanne. Interesting. So, it was belligerent sexual tension? I just know that Leanne was smiling more, and it becomes her. Can Cole stay anyway? I kind of like the Not-Gentle Giant thingy. And he has good taste in women. Plus, it will give more storylines to Guthrie Senior whom I love to bits. I'm glad they showed Leanne smiling at the end, because it shows that she didn't mind his persistance; otherwise I might have wondered if I had to be uncomfortable.

MGH's gamut of subtle facial expressions in that scene were Emmy-worthy.

 

I really liked this episode.  The moment between Mario and his patient when he wanted a story?  I thought it was very well done.  Subtle, yet still full of emotion. Bravo to both men for doing a great job with it.

 

I was all prepared to dislike that patient because he seemed annoying with all the near death stuff needing to be addressed. But the actor really was amazing in the tell me a story monologue. That was a hard part to play and he deserves a "guest Emmy" in my book.

 

So even though the plots are eye-rollingly cliche', the performances on this show will have me coming back for awhile.

 

And of course, there's the eye-candy of Raza J.

;)

[starri]

Seriously show? The needle-stick HIV scare trope?

And he put pressure on it.  NEVER DO THAT.

 

And also, I loved them operating with the C-arm in the middle of the ER.

 

Ted was right about the bromance between Angus and Mario, though.

[statsgirl]

that one jumped the shark when the guy pulled the ring box out from ???? (there ain't no pockets in hospital gowns).  ......

There was shark jumping all over the place here.

 

Two that particularly bothered me were Leanne telling the guys to keep doing CPR because anyone who had been down that long would be so brain-injured that it would be a cruelty to bring him back, and Malaya thinking it's a good idea to deliberately bring a 24 week old fetus into the world so its mother can be saved.  Are they sure she's a doctor? As Carla rightfully pointed out, that baby would have so many problems, it would have a terrible quality of life.  I'm sure Carla would appreciate knowing that this is the harm she had done to her child.

 

The HIV needle stick is so hokey because at this point it's been done on every. medical. show (at least Remedy had the tension of suspecting the patient had HIV but not being allowed to test him for it, and the conflict between overworked ward aides and higher status nursing staff.).  Plus now there are drugs you can take to make your chances negligible

[DHDancer]

OK, so I still can't buy into the guy still having the ring, having been through a sinking yacht, trying to make sure his girlfriend is safe while almost drowning, and ending up with hyperthermia.  Then rescue, transfers from coast guard helicopter etc etc etc.  Sorry, that is sooooo suspending disbelief.

 

Apart from that, the show was mildly entertaining but mainly because it's like putting on a comfy old (very old) sweater :)

[photo fox]

Malaya thinking it's a good idea to deliberately bring a 24 week old fetus into the world so its mother can be saved.  Are they sure she's a doctor? As Carla rightfully pointed out, that baby would have so many problems, it would have a terrible quality of life.  I'm sure Carla would appreciate knowing that this is the harm she had done to her child.

 

I can't comment on the episode, because I haven't seen it yet, but 24-week babies can survive and thrive. A friend of mine gave birth to her son (a surviving twin) at 24 weeks, weighing less than a pound and a half. He was in the NICU for over 100 days, but now he's a perfectly healthy and happy pre-schooler.  Preemie medicine has improved exponentially in the past decade.

[Calamity Jane]

I like the show a lot, but I was a bit thrown by all those people standing around a patient performing surgery with their hair all hanging down.  Even in the ER can't you get hold of something to cover your hair?  Squicked me out.  Did they also not bother with gloves?  Otherwise quite enjoyed it.

[Ohwell]

I like the show a lot, but I was a bit thrown by all those people standing around a patient performing surgery with their hair all hanging down.  Even in the ER can't you get hold of something to cover your hair?  Squicked me out.  Did they also not bother with gloves?  Otherwise quite enjoyed it.

I wondered about that, too.  I thought the doctors had to wear caps.

[Shannon L.]

I don't care too much about cliches if they're played well and the end game of the needle stick, imo, was done very well, as I said earlier. 

 

I thought about the problems with doing surgery in the ER like that, too.  I have a friend who preps the ER and if they even see a fly in there, they have to redo everything.  But, I guess if my life was on the line and it was my only option, I'd say to go for it.

 

 

I can't comment on the episode, because I haven't seen it yet, but 24-week babies can survive and thrive. A friend of mine gave birth to her son (a surviving twin) at 24 weeks, weighing less than a pound and a half. He was in the NICU for over 100 days, but now he's a perfectly healthy and happy pre-schooler.  Preemie medicine has improved exponentially in the past decade.

True, but what are the odds?  Depending on that, I'd have to think about whether or not it was worth the risk.

[Calamity Jane]

I don't care too much about cliches if they're played well and the end game of the needle stick, imo, was done very well, as I said earlier. 

 

I thought about the problems with doing surgery in the ER like that, too.  I have a friend who preps the ER and if they even see a fly in there, they have to redo everything.  But, I guess if my life was on the line and it was my only option, I'd say to go for it.

 

True, but what are the odds?  Depending on that, I'd have to think about whether or not it was worth the risk.

No problem with what they could not control for a sterile operating space, but the hair was easily fixable.  Just a quibble. 

[mrsdalgliesh]

Blast from the past: this episode was written by David Marshall Grant who has been doing a bit of everything in Hollywood and New York for ages, but who will always be David Sommers from the film "American Flyers" to me.

Also: this is the second episode in which Gabrielle Cateris has shown up as an unnamed nurse. Looked on IMDb.com and yup, that's how she's billed. (A) Really? These are the jobs she's getting? And (B) we need more nurses in prominence, so why not GC?

I thought the ep was way too sappy, but I'm still a fan overall.

[twoods]

I agree- I hope that Gabrielle gets more to do than being an unnamed nurse.

Yes, being born at 24 weeks isn't as bad as it used to- there are some babies that do well but the majority do have problems. Carla had the normal reaction most doctors do at the thought of having a 24 week premie- you never know what could happen. It's heartbreaking the situation she is in.

There have been studies that have shown brain function be intact once someone comes back from severe hypothermia. It was addressed by the EMR that doing CPR that long is pointless, but they had to warn him up before they could pronounce him dead (hence, warm and dead).

[Dowel Jones]

...but they had to warn him up before they could pronounce him dead (hence, warm and dead).

 

However, in my EMT study, I did see a device used that simulates CPR compressions, adjustable for rate and depth.  It frees up people in the ER setting to go on and treat living patients.

[Lillybee]

Cress Williams is such a talented actor. He seems to disappear into whatever character he is playing.

[Happy Harpy]

As much as I love to listen good singing from all genres--especially musical theater, I had to fight to not roll my eyes at the Lion King thing next week.  I mean, I'd love to be near them when they break out in song, but something about the preview just felt weird to me.  Hopefully, I'll be proven wrong. 

It had the same feeling. I'm not sure that such a special episode  is the right choice so early. But yes, let's hope it works out!

 

Edit

I agree- I hope that Gabrielle gets more to do than being an unnamed nurse.

 In this blurb with the cast and summary for episode 9, it seems she got one: "Amy".

http://www.spoilersguide.com/code-black/episode-9-the-son-rises-guide/

Edited November 20, 2015 by Happy Harpy

[twoods]

However, in my EMT study, I did see a device used that simulates CPR compressions, adjustable for rate and depth. It frees up people in the ER setting to go on and treat living patients.

That ER doesn't even have specialists on call half the time- doubt they have that machine. It would be cool to see it be used on a show- I've never seen it used in real life, but that's one amazing invention.

[Netfoot]

OK, so I still can't buy into the guy still having the ring, having been through a sinking yacht...

 

It could have been in a pocket in his trousers.  In my youth I've experienced all manner of shenanigans on the water.  Jumping, falling or being thrown off a boat and left to swim for shore of hitch a ride from another boat...  It's amazing what survives in your pockets.

 

Malaya thinking it's a good idea to deliberately bring a 24 week old fetus into the world so its mother can be saved.

 

Who do you save?  Mother or fetus?  It's a difficult choice doctors have been making for ever.  (I believe the RC church requires the fetus be saved and the mother allowed to die, but I saw that on TV so I could be wrong there.)  I guess in all fairness the mother should make the decision.  Personally, I believe the mother should be saved in every case, no matter what.  But that's just me!

[slothgirl]

No problem with what they could not control for a sterile operating space, but the hair was easily fixable.  Just a quibble. 

Yeah... I complained in a previous episode about everyone leaning over the patient to be taught about what was happening and not one person was wearing a mask... "and here is the spleen... please don't drool on it"

 

That ER doesn't even have specialists on call half the time- doubt they have that machine. It would be cool to see it be used on a show- I've never seen it used in real life, but that's one amazing invention.

They don't even seem to have surgeons and OR's at the ready, which is absurd for a place that we are to believe is in code black every day of the year. The level of surgery they are doing in the ER EVERY *#(*#@& EPISODE is eye-rolling. How is it that even the first patient that needs an OR can't get into one? What's already filling up the OR's? Do they really not have surgical staff already there during overnights? My partner is an anesthesiologist at a public city hospital and everyone has to work the overnight shifts on rotating basis.. not just be on call, but ACTUALLY PRESENT at the hospital... even if it means they spend the night sleeping on a gurney waiting for nothing to happen.

 

Speaking of anesthesia, is any one of the people crowded around the patient in these "practically in a hallway" emergency surgeries an anesthesiologist or are they doing all this without it?

 

Who do you save?  Mother or fetus?  It's a difficult choice doctors have been making for ever.  (I believe the RC church requires the fetus be saved and the mother allowed to die, but I saw that on TV so I could be wrong there.)  I guess in all fairness the mother should make the decision.  Personally, I believe the mother should be saved in every case, no matter what.  But that's just me!

The doctors don't have to make the decision when the mother simply refuses treatment. If the mother is unable to state her wishes, then I would expect that whatever next of kin is around gets to decide (but I saw that on tv too, so who knows..)

 

I wouldn't think that even a private catholic hospital would get to decide based on religious dogma rather than medical standards or law. I also don't think they would get to refuse to induce unless it was certain to kill the fetus. My guess is that if a mother really did want to induce or abort to save her own life (in a non-emergency such as being depicted here) perhaps some sort of legal representative for the child would be appointed and the matter might be taken to court. Or the mother would just have to go to a hospital that didn't have an inherent moral conflict with late term abortion. There are other hospitals (depending on the state) that perform late term abortions when the mother's health is at risk, so inducing (without the intention to abort) would certainly be allowed.

[Netfoot]

I wouldn't think that even a private catholic hospital would get to decide based on religious dogma rather than medical standards or law.

 

No, not the hospital.  The mother as a good RC is required to sacrifice herself for the child.  If she can't speak, her RC next of kin are supposed to choose in favour of the child.  But as I said, that's only something I saw on TV, so don't assume it's right.

[starri]

It could have been in a pocket in his trousers.  In my youth I've experienced all manner of shenanigans on the water.  Jumping, falling or being thrown off a boat and left to swim for shore of hitch a ride from another boat...  It's amazing what survives in your pockets.

When you come in to the emergency room as a trauma case, one of the first things they do is cut your clothes off.

 

It's really hard for me to square what Jesse said about Angels Memorial being the place where the President goes if s/he gets in trouble with the same place that never has enough staff.  A trauma center is required to have 24 hour staffing of a bunch of different specialities, and they always seem to be short on a bunch of them.

[izabella]

This hospital is so weird.  I know it's "just" the ER for the most part, but it seems extremely small and claustrophobic to me for a major city hospital.  I was glad that Christa was "code-bag"  (very unfortunate label for that role; sounds too much like ho-bag) this episode because we got to see that there is more to this hospital and that there are some rooms spacious enough to actually breathe. 

[MoreCoffeePlease]

I like how they are doing a somewhat slow-build with Christa and Neil instead of having them jump into bed right away, which is what most shows do.

Marcia Gay Harden should definitely "hit that". "Is it because I'm black?" Hee hee

[Calamity Jane]

This hospital is so weird.  I know it's "just" the ER for the most part, but it seems extremely small and claustrophobic to me for a major city hospital.  I was glad that Christa was "code-bag"  (very unfortunate label for that role; sounds too much like ho-bag) this episode because we got to see that there is more to this hospital and that there are some rooms spacious enough to actually breathe. 

Indeed, their ER seems about the size of the one in my small local hospital.  My parents, on the other hand, had to go through two major ER's in Long Beach,  and those seemed far larger and much less claustrophobic than this one.  Even on a Saturday night, nowhere near the level of chaos, either, even with armed policemen standing around watching out for trouble.  Those hospitals would be roughly equivalent to anything in LA, and at least one of them is a designated trauma center.  So, yeah, this TV ER seems pretty small and way under-staffed.

[statsgirl]

Two things I want to comment on, even though slothgirl has already caught them:

 

 

That ER doesn't even have specialists on call half the time- doubt they have that machine. It would be cool to see it be used on a show- I've never seen it used in real life, but that's one amazing invention.

It's a teaching hospital.  In fact the show description read "Dr. Leanne Rorish puts her new first-year residents right to work at Angels Memorial Hospital, Home to the nation's busiest ER."

 

So there's really no excuse for not having the proper specialists and equipment there all the time. They have to make up their minds -- either they want to show a top level teaching hospital with all the bells and whistles as the residents learn how to be great doctors, or they're a small hospital and everyone has to made due and cover for other people.

 

Who do you save?  Mother or fetus?  It's a difficult choice doctors have been making for ever.  (I believe the RC church requires the fetus be saved and the mother allowed to die, but I saw that on TV so I could be wrong there.)  I guess in all fairness the mother should make the decision.  Personally, I believe the mother should be saved in every case, no matter what.  But that's just me!

As other have noted, the doctors don't have to make the decision because the mother is fully capable of making it.  And since her odds of surviving 3 years are 6%, for her.

 

I don't know what the real odds are for that cancer (I suspect they're not really that low) but let's work with it -- the mother has decided that the best outcome, since it's doubtful she'll survive very long herself, is to have the baby be as healthy as possible, maybe because she loves it, maybe because infants with disabilities as difficult to find adoptive parents for.  Malaya's desperate need to "save" her and sacrifice the baby seems to stem more from Malaya's guilt than any medical foundation.

 

I also wonder if waiting another two months for her bone marrow transplant would really make that much difference to her outcome in real life

 

Now if she had decided to deliver the baby in order to save herself, I could see some parts of the population taking her to court to force her to carry the baby to full term to give it the best chance for survival.

[mythoughtis]

I don't like Cole.  He's got anger issues, daddy issues, and even seems to have poor professional judgement issues as to who needs surgery.   He definitely has the poor bedside manner down pat.   I wouldn't consider him a good dating choice.  Meanwhile his father seems to be his opposite in every way.

 

This show is goofy - but I watch because I like Mama and Angus.  It's in code black with a ton of patients, and a massive waiting room... yet the ER looks like it holds about 5 patients. They never seem to have OR's even though they again have a ton of patients. Why have ORs?  All their surgeons operate in the ER. 

 

I know backstories are supposed to make people love characters, but I don't find much redeeming about someone illegally using another doctor's ID to call in medicine, or someone destroying hospital property and terrorizing a nurse.  I don't even find holding a bone marrow match drive without telling the patient amusing. Why not tell her and remind her the surgery can be done when the baby is more viable?  It's not as if the bone marrow match/surgery is going to happen in 24 hours anyway. 

[starri]

I don't know what the real odds are for that cancer (I suspect they're not really that low) but let's work with it -- the mother has decided that the best outcome, since it's doubtful she'll survive very long herself, is to have the baby be as healthy as possible, maybe because she loves it, maybe because infants with disabilities as difficult to find adoptive parents for.  Malaya's desperate need to "save" her and sacrifice the baby seems to stem more from Malaya's guilt than any medical foundation.

What is Malaya guilty about?  From the way they were talking, Liz Parker left her, not the other way around.

 

 

Now if she had decided to deliver the baby in order to save herself, I could see some parts of the population taking her to court to force her to carry the baby to full term to give it the best chance for survival.

Non-starter.  Until a baby is no longer physically connected to the mother, it is considered part of her body and is not a legally distinct entity.

[Netfoot]

I know backstories are supposed to make people love characters, but I don't find much redeeming about someone illegally using another doctor's ID to call in medicine, or someone destroying hospital property and terrorizing a nurse. 

 

I agree.  Mario is a reprehensible human being who doesn't seem to care who he steps on, en route to whatever place he wants to go.  He stepped on Angus twice already, so I can only assume he intends to continue doing so.

 

As for Cole, he is obviously a sick man.  Definitely suffering from Primadonnaitis.  Frankly, he should be fired for that particular piece of behaviour, no matter who his daddy is.  And the nurse he went off on should go to HR and refuse to work with him unless he is disciplined.  That sort of smash-the-computer violence is a precursor to physically attacking someone.  

 

Non-starter.  Until a baby is no longer physically connected to the mother, it is considered part of her body and is not a legally distinct entity.

 

Thank ghodd.  A society in which random individuals can legally force a woman to sacrifice her own health in order to save a tumor, is abhorrent to me.

Edited November 21, 2015 by Netfoot

[Raja]

However, in my EMT study, I did see a device used that simulates CPR compressions, adjustable for rate and depth.  It frees up people in the ER setting to go on and treat living patients.

I think we have the TV star syndrome working again. Sort of like every veteran on TV is a Special Forces SEAL and nobody drove a truck for the 4077th MASH now instead of a red shirt you tie down the star's and the doctors on call for physical labor when you would suppose every paramedical professional much less technology had the ability to be his heart until he warmed up

[mojito]

 

It could have been in a pocket in his trousers.

They showed a nurse going through the man's clothing and finding the ring. Was that just on my TV?

 

I'm very much enjoying the show. I like the action remaining in the hospital, like the fast pace, the drama, regardless of how realistic it is. I'd rather that the medical aspect be unrealistic (which I wouldn't know since I'm not in medicine) than two people grabbing at each other in a closet and passing off their activity as a "relationship". It was nice to hear the show not start with, "Previously, on Code Black." I'm sure someone'll come along and tweak the show's formula for the masses, pair everyone in inappropriate "relationships", and dumb the show down to the teenage level of maturity.

 

I'm liking Dr. Randall, the doctor who doesn't do much doctoring but is good for comic relief (I got the feeling that he never learned the kid's name). And I love Guthrie Sr.'s guidance and sensitivity.

 

I thought it was asinine when Cole's first question after Leanne turned him down was "Is it because I'm black?" That's the kind of thing they wrote into scripts in the 1970s and it was comical that they used it here. It came out of left field.  As though she didn't have five good reasons for turning him down.

 

One of the things I like is all the bits of humor throughout each episode.

[Shannon L.]

 

As for Cole, he is obviously a sick man.  Definitely suffering from Primadonnaitis.  Frankly, he should be fired for that particular piece of behaviour, no matter who his daddy is.  And the nurse he went off on should go to HR and refuse to work with him unless he is disciplined.  That sort of smash-the-computer violence is a precursor to physically attacking someone.

That's how I felt.  When he asked "is it because I'm black?", I expected her to say "Really?  After that episode with the nurse you honestly think my turning you down has anything to do with skin color?!" 

Edited November 23, 2015 by Shannon L.

[Granny58]

Two things I want to comment on, even though slothgirl has already caught them:

 

 

It's a teaching hospital.  In fact the show description read "Dr. Leanne Rorish puts her new first-year residents right to work at Angels Memorial Hospital, Home to the nation's busiest ER."

 

So there's really no excuse for not having the proper specialists and equipment there all the time. They have to make up their minds -- either they want to show a top level teaching hospital with all the bells and whistles as the residents learn how to be great doctors, or they're a small hospital and everyone has to made due and cover for other people.

 

As other have noted, the doctors don't have to make the decision because the mother is fully capable of making it.  And since her odds of surviving 3 years are 6%, for her.

 

I don't know what the real odds are for that cancer (I suspect they're not really that low) but let's work with it -- the mother has decided that the best outcome, since it's doubtful she'll survive very long herself, is to have the baby be as healthy as possible, maybe because she loves it, maybe because infants with disabilities as difficult to find adoptive parents for.  Malaya's desperate need to "save" her and sacrifice the baby seems to stem more from Malaya's guilt than any medical foundation.

 

I also wonder if waiting another two months for her bone marrow transplant would really make that much difference to her outcome in real life

 

Now if she had decided to deliver the baby in order to save herself, I could see some parts of the population taking her to court to force her to carry the baby to full term to give it the best chance for survival.

I can't see any part of the population doing that.  Has that happened?

[Brookside]

that one jumped the shark when the guy pulled the ring box out from ???? (there ain't no pockets in hospital gowns).  

 

PS and I was saying before he did that, "oh please, don't produce a ring"  .......

 

I assume the nurse who found it gave it to him and he tucked it under the sheet.  We knew he was planning to propose that night.

[Ely]

I didn't think it'd ever come to this but it's my time to nit-pick on a medical detail. I've worked as research assistant at a dermatology clinic for years.  Everyone was required  to visit a course in 1-st aid at least once a year. Everyone, medical staff or not. That includes CPR and using a defilibrator. So I call bullshit on the dermatology doctor not knowing how to use one.

 

The scare with the needle OTOH maybe cliched but I heard it happen to a young doctor right in her first week. That's a thrilling way to start your career. Another one had a Hep C-scare in a similar case. It was not such a big deal though, I'm not sure why Mario felt he had to hide it from everyone.  You report it, take the meds and hope for the best. And it usually works out fine.

 

As for Mario and his development I'm quite happy about it. They did not dial down the douche-factor completely and you can see that he's taking baby steps in his development towards being a team member. I also really like how Angus keeps trying to be his friend. As was said above, I hope they develop into a nice heterosexual life partners-relationship.

 

Christa and Neal get an enthusiastic thumbs up as well.

 

Malaya is still the weak spot for me. She's a little bland. I felt she had more personality in the pilot? I'd prefer her ex to be on the staff. The actress was amazing during her outburst. I also don't really understand Malaya. The probability of finding a match right in the clinic seems quite low and doing it behind the patient's back... and how did she plan on analizing all those samples? Who was supposed to pay for that? It seems like an awfully under-developed, impulsive plan.

 

She got a major eye roll from me when she spout out that line "but he is the love of her life!!!" Ok, maybe she is a tad annoying.

[secnarf]

Thank ghodd.  A society in which random individuals can legally force a woman to sacrifice her own health in order to save a tumor, is abhorrent to me.

This has actually happened, and not all that long ago: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-20321741

 

If a baby is born at >25 weeks, they are deemed to have such a good chance at survival that doctors are obligated to do everything they can to save the baby. In contrast, if the baby is born between 23-25 weeks, it is the parents' choice, and < 23 weeks, only comfort measures are provided. If Carla is at 24 weeks, she just has to hold out for another week to hit that 25-week mark - and each week improves the odds even more.

And on the maternal side of things, you don't just get a bone marrow transplant if you're diagnosed with leukemia. You must first undergo chemotherapy in order to go into remission (or in some cases partial remission), and then you might be eligible for transplant. Carla may not ever reach the point where she is able to have a transplant.

[needschocolate]

Still catching up on this show...To me, one of the best things about this episode is that the parent-child story (mom needs spinal surgery, boy is babysat by the doc in charge of the ER) was not the big tear-jerker story, it was the closest thing to a comic relief story (boy int he ER portion).  

 

And, while I don't really expect anyone to read this and answer, since I am so behind in my viewing, I like to follow the adage "It never hurts to ask" (unless you are asking someone to hurt you - "hey, punch my arm, I can take it!") --- Do we know who is going to raise Carla's baby if she dies?  

[Happy Harpy]

And, while I don't really expect anyone to read this and answer, since I am so behind in my viewing, I like to follow the adage "It never hurts to ask" (unless you are asking someone to hurt you - "hey, punch my arm, I can take it!") --- Do we know who is going to raise Carla's baby if she dies?  

Spoiler bars just in case another "catcher up" is reading this thread.

No, it wasn't adressed yet.