Doc (US) (2025) s03e01 Episode Script

(AMY): I had a car accident,
and I lost eight years of my memory.
- You're having memories?
- They're just weird flashes.
And seizures.
(GASPS IN PAIN)
I know my brain is trying
to warm me about something.
If she keeps pushing herself,
she's on the road to losing her job.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(ALARM BLARING)
(KATIE): What's happening to her!?
(AMY): I need my life back.
Chief Resident is up soon,
considered throwing your
hat in the ring?
You want more responsibility?
I run circles around her every day.
I should at least be considered
for Chief Resident.
(JOAN): You'll be doing it together.
Let me run Internal Medicine.
I'm gonna miss you so much.
(JOAN): You've got plenty more to give.
So, give.
(TJ): Wanna give our date another shot?
Jake's my ex, and I screwed up
in the worst way.
I can't live in the past
anymore. I need to move forward.
Amy Larsen, Dr. Ben Grant.
I saw you speak three years ago.
I don't know what this is,
but you make me smile.
Sorry. I, I wouldn't remember that.
(MR. GALVIN): Okay now, lights up!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
What's here? A cup,
closed in my true love's hand?
Poison, I see, hath been
his timeless end.
(SOMBER MUSIC)
(GENTLE KISSES)
Thy lips are still warm!
Lead, boy. Which way?
More feeling, Torey. Again!
Lead, boy. Which way?
Yea, noise?
Then I'll be brief.
O, happy dagger!
This is thy sheath. There rust,
and let me die.
(MURMURS) (GUNSHOT)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
This is the place
- (LOUD THUD)
- (TOREY GASPING)
Uh, Paul, what are
you doing? You're dead.
Mr. Calvin. I think
(GASPING)
Torey. Torey!
Torey!
Is she shot? What if there
weren't blanks in the gun?
It's a cap gun, Josh!
(INDISTINCT CONCERNED CHATTERING)
What the hell's happening to her?
- Yeah, I need an ambulance.
- Is she gonna be alright?
(STUDENT): Torey, Torey! (GASPING)
(MACHINE HUMMING)
Aberrant frontal lobe activity
seems to have settled.
Signals are much more organized.
And it looks like to me like
her old neural pathways
have actually been recovering.
I think that's what caused
the seizures to begin with.
Wait, that doesn't track.
New bloodflow, new wiring connections,
unstable as they reorganize,
neurons sending improper
signals, she overloaded.
Yeah, look at this.
This was taken two months ago,
just before the contagion.
The blood flow was already increasing
but then look how it compares
to today's.
She's healing, and healing fast.
She says no headaches no nosebleeds.
No headaches, no nosebleeds.
I get an occasional memory,
but pretty uncontroversial.
Well, I'm assuming she'll want
to pursue those, then. With TMS?
And TMS?
No. The past is just a distraction.
I won't give in to it anymore.
And she's insisting she's ready to work?
You worried about her,
or your department?
Both, especially when
she thinks Joan sacrificed
her life for her.
(GINA): I know this is what
Joan wanted for you.
Is this really what you want
for yourself?
She knew what I needed to do.
It's time to put my needs aside.
No more figuring out
my thing with Michael,
no more worrying about
what I have with Jake.
It's time to move forward.
To teach and to be of service.
And now she's got to honor that mission.
No matter the cost.
Are you sure you're ready?
I have never been more ready.
I feel like this is what
I was always meant to do.
Before my world got turned upside down.
We'll keep an eye on her.
I want daily check-ins,
neuro-cogs three times a week,
and biweekly FMRIs.
You're on the hook for this
as much as anyone.
I know that.
Am I cleared or what?
(EXHALES)
(ELEVATOR DING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Dr. Coleman, Dr. Coleman.
Ben. (LAUGHING)
I'd heard you were coming.
If you all will have me.
(TJ CHUCKLES)
Ah, this is Dr. Costa.
That's fortuitous.
Heard all good things.
Hm, likewise. And Dr. Hamda
certainly sings your praises.
Well, I hope I can live up to that.
I apologize, I'm gonna have to
push back our meeting
a little bit. We've got a lap
chole I've gotta handle.
No problem. Max and Dr. Kumara said
they wanted to show me around,
so I'll just I'll hit 'em up.
Sounds like they're bringing
in the whole cavalry.
Nah, I gotta get past the chief first.
I'll let you know when I'm free.
Why don't you scrub up,
I'll see you in there.
Good to have you back.
You got a lot of fans here.
Thanks.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
They're a strong group.
I think we're in good shape.
I still remember my first day
as an intern. I was so nervous.
I couldn't feel my feet.
Sure I really helped buck you up.
(CHUCKLING): Yeah, not so much.
Do you have any idea
what Jake's doing in there
with Dr. Matos?
No. No idea.
You know I love you, right?
Okay, well, let's do this, yeah?
Yeah.
- Give 'em hell.
- Mm-hmm.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
So, you're having
second thoughts about Pedes,
and you figured why not
give Cardiology a shot?
No, I've always been back
and forth in between the two.
And I understand there's enough
funding to add another fellow.
I spoke to Dr. Kumara, there is.
Would have been nice
if I was in the loop.
You're in the loop now.
That's why we're doing this.
In your office.
Margaret.
I'll have to look at my roster
and talk to Kumara.
(DOOR OPENS AND SHUTS)
Just lay low, give her a minute
to feel like it's her decision.
(DOOR OPENS)
Uh, what's up with the scrubs?
General's gotta lead from the front.
Like a Zelenskyy kind of thing?
(AMY CHUCKLES)
I really hope you're not
rushing this, Amy.
Gina walked me through the game plan.
I assure you, I can do this.
(EXHALES)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Nikki, right? Stanford
undergrad, honors at Yale Med?
Do you know my social security
number too?
Uh, 141-006-9412?
(SIGHS)
That was 10 digits, social's nine.
Yeah. You know what? You got me there.
- Mm-hmm.
- I'm Graham.
We all know who you are.
- Really?
- Give me a break.
Your parents gave, what,
20 mil to the hospital?
So, what do you think about this whole
Co-Chief situation thing?
Maitra's a wild card,
but we all know Larsen's
a ballbuster, uh?
At least Larsen 1.0 was,
guess we'll have to wait and see
about the TBI version, though.
- Ouch.
- (CHUCKLES)
Yeah, don't let anybody else
hear you say that.
Eh, they both come from
the Joan Ridley camp,
so you know it's gonna be dog eat dog.
- Hi.
- Hi. Dr. Maitra.
Ruth Chen. This is Kyle Ferguson.
I'm very excited to be here.
Looking forward to training you.
I'm gonna need more than him.
You're already published in JAMA.
And you're 23,
already finished med school.
I was home-schooled, so didn't
have the traditional trajectory.
I know, I heard last week
was the first time
you were on a plane?
Yeah. I just moved here.
Getting acclimated as quickly as I can.
Buckle up, it's all gonna move
a lot faster
than you're ready for.
(DR. HAMDA): Okay, if everyone
can settle in,
we'll get started.
I'm Dr. Michael Hamda,
Chief of Internal Medicine.
These are your Co-Chief Residents,
Doctors Sonya Maitra and Amy Larsen.
I'll let them take it from here.
Okay, welcome.
I'm sure you all have those butterflies,
which is to be expected,
but you're here because
you deserve to be.
And you should know that,
because Joan Ridley chose you.
It was one of the last things
she did before she passed away.
So, I don't say this lightly.
You are here to carry on her legacy.
This is a calling.
It was for Dr. Ridley, it is for me,
and we are gonna find out
if it is for you.
And if it is, you can be damn sure
we're gonna help you fulfill it.
Okay, then. Dr. De Silva
and Dr. Ferguson,
you'll trail me today,
and Doctors Barker and Chen
will be with Dr. Larsen.
The rest of you
(AMY): When someone is
this blatantly negligent,
it usually means that they are
trying to fail.
(SONYA): Until then, see Julie
in the nurses' station,
she'll get you your assignments.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
First up is Torey Harris, 16,
she had a grand mal seizure
yesterday afternoon.
No apparent underlying conditions,
she had CT and lab work done in the ER,
and they brought her up here
this morning for a consult
with Dr. Walker.
Torey will shaken up,
and assuming there's a parent
in there with her,
they will be extremely anxious,
so let's be mindful
of our bedside manner.
Not just the medicine, yeah?
I don't understand how this
can just come out of nowhere.
I've never had anything
like this before.
Hi. I am the chief resident, Dr. Larsen,
and this is Dr. Chen
- Hi.
- and Dr. Barker.
Do we really need all these doctors?
Please don't be alarmed.
These are our interns.
Teaching is part of what we do here.
So, what do you see on the CT scans?
Um, ventricular volume's symmetrical,
no masses or signs of ischemia.
Mm-hmm.
That means no stroke,
which is a good thing.
We've already been over this
with Dr. Walker,
and her blood tests are all normal.
Why doesn't anyone have an explanation?
And what's happening with
this thing on my head now?
It measures the electrical
activity in your brain,
confirms you definitely had a seizure.
And what are the signs of that?
Postictal state (EXHALES)
- Meaning?
- Diffuse delta theta slowing.
Which means your brain's
been overworked.
Yeah, I get that.
How are you gonna fix me?
(INHALES) (AMY): You
went to medical school?
No?
So maybe let us figure it out.
Right now, you are stabilized,
- and we are
- (PHONE BUZZING)
Yeah? No, they still don't
know what the hell this is.
You're freaked out? I'm the one
that's spent the last 14 hours
getting my entire body scanned.
I'll just text you later,
the doctors are here.
I gotta go.
Sorry. My friends are kinda tweaking.
Understandable.
Now, what can you tell us about
how you were feeling yesterday?
Headache? Dizziness? Flashing lights?
No. I told them this in the ER.
Well, how about in those
moments right before you seized?
We were in tech rehearsal,
doing the big scene where
Juliet's gonna kill herself.
To be honest, I was kind of nervous,
because I kept missing
my cues and then
- I heard the fake gunshot
- (MONITOR BEEPS)
and I
Dr. Larsen.
Is something happening?
She's gonna seize again.
(BEEPING)
Torey!
(GASPING)
Crash cart, IV Lorazepam,
intubation kit.
Dr. Barker, stabilize her on the left.
Why is this happening again?
Mrs. Harris, please step back.
We've got this.
Dr. Barker, stabilize her.
(TOREY GASPING)
Get the that's the supply cart!
The crash cart will be in the hallway!
I've got it!
Oxygen, Ruth!
Yep! Um-huh! Yep!
- (AMY): Now!
- (RUTH): Coming!
- (AMY): Come on, now.
- Here.
(GASPING)
I'm sure you're aware Felicia
Turner and her husband
launched a complaint against
Dr. Larsen today.
I am.
They mentioned you were present
during some of their interactions?
I was
Though I'm not sure
what the point of this is.
Just tell me what
you observed, Dr. Maitra.
The woman's pregnant,
and somehow Amy couldn't imagine
why she'd be anxious
about her baby's health.
How so?
Amy was Amy.
I don't know what else
you want me to say,
especially since we've been
down this road before,
but her behavior doesn't change.
It can take some time
to adjust the culture
of any institution.
But you're not gonna fire her,
right? No matter what she does.
(EXHALES)
(SOFTLY): Yeah.
I thought so.
Dr. Maitra.
Give it a few months, okay?
People who matter see your value
here, and it won't be forgotten.
(ELEVATOR DING)
Next up, 38-year-old male
reporting chest pains,
shortness of breath,
family history of heart disease.
Fairly typical cardiac profile.
You'll be seeing a lot of these,
but we don't always catch
the exciting ones.
And any particular stress lately?
- (EQUIPMENT BEEPING)
- Stress?
I mean, one of my students
had a seizure yesterday
during rehearsals.
Oh, yeah, she's here. Torey, right?
Our other doctors are treating her.
That's a HIPAA violation, Dr. De Silva.
Right. Sorry.
I've been texting her;
she says that she's had a bunch
of tests but you still
don't know anything?
I know you're concerned,
but we're not at liberty
to discuss another patient with you.
Now, if you can tell us about your
(MURMURS IN PAIN)
Is your head hurting now, too?
Yeah, uh, feels like a migraine.
Have you had those before?
No, never.
Dr. De Silva?
Feeling any sensitivity to light?
Uh, no.
Does the pain radiate anywhere?
What does that mean?
Does it go down your back or arm?
I don't think so. I am feeling
a bit dizzy, though.
Dr. Ferguson.
I'm trying to reconcile
why you're having heart
and head pain simultaneously.
- Could be a stroke.
- What!?
Or carotid artery stenosis.
What, what is that now?!
Dr. De Silva, it's not your turn.
Dr. Ferguson, let's stick
to more likely scenarios,
and try not to frighten the patient.
Am I allowed to posit angina?
You are.
Given the family history
of heart disease,
would it be too aggressive
to suggest an angio?
Uh
It would not.
Now explain to Mr. Galvin
what that means.
I caught you having a memory
when we were in with Torey.
Oh, I've got a highlight reel
of the Wicked Witch of Westside
coming at me.
It's like a running podcast
of how not to be.
It's very instructive.
C'mon, Amy, I'm out on a limb
here. So is Dr. Scherl.
I'm dealing, Gina. I can bat them away.
Uh, get Torey settled in Radiology,
and have Graham bring those test results
as soon as they're ready.
Yup, on it.
TJ said you were here.
In the flesh.
Looks like you're healing well.
All good. First day at my new gig.
Ah. I was very sorry to hear about Joan.
She was one of a kind.
And Richard? TJ said he moved on.
He needed a fresh start.
He's just over at Eastside.
Well, it's great to see you.
Both of you.
And you, Dr. Grant.
Give him whatever he asks for.
(CHUCKLING)
Oh, we'll see. It's good
to see you back, Amy.
I guess we've got Dr. Grant's
steady hands to thank for that.
Indeed we do.
- Shall we?
- Please.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Do I sense something there?
I'm closed for business.
Just sayin', if I went the other way
- (AMY EXHALES DRAMATICALLY)
- Hey, stop it!
(WHISPERS): Hello.
Ben Grant's a cowboy,
which I'm sure you know is a
problem for a lot of surgeons.
Especially the ones from New York.
I do, Sir. That's not me.
Stay centered on my instruments.
Horizon level; don't chase the action.
I know you were a medic in combat,
so you've got a lot more
experience than most residents,
but I want to make sure you walk
before you run.
Yes, Sir, absolutely.
(MACHINES BEEPING)
(MACHINE WHIRRING)
You're beating yourself up.
- What?
- It's your first day.
Anybody could have made that
mistake with the crash cart.
The important thing now
is how you rebound.
And consider that not
everybody's meant to be a doctor.
Thanks. I appreciate that.
Remember what I said this
morning, you belong here.
So now that you're not
working with Dr. Larsen,
you're kind of lost, is that it?
Come, Margaret.
I take what I do very seriously.
I don't appreciate people in my
department being half-hearted.
Is that a pun?
Won't be charmed, Jake.
But we do have some money.
Only three months. But at that
point, we'll reassess.
Okay, that's not
You can't possibly feel you
were promised something?
No, no. I'm happy to bet on myself.
Appreciate the confidence.
Now you can trail Dr. Douglas this week.
Whew. She's tough,
but you've had tougher.
I can't believe I'm 38 years old
and there's a catheter
in my heart right now.
I know, but it sounds scarier
than it is.
Just try and breathe and think
about something else, okay?
Besides my favorite student
flailing around on the floor
of my theater? Yeah.
Okay, I'm gonna inject the dye now,
so we can map out your arteries.
That's not quite oriented.
It's like a maze. Inject more
and let's see what we see.
Hard left there.
I'm just feeding the catheter
in a bit deeper.
Just keep thinking about Juliet
on that balcony.
Not funny. And we couldn't
afford a balcony.
Come on, Mr. Galvin,
"Deny thy father, refuse thy name."
Now that's funny.
I played Juliet at Reseda High.
His arteries are totally clean.
Well, that's good, right?
Except now we can't explain
your symptoms.
(GASPING)
Okay, Liz, come here.
Let's stabilize him.
I gotta get this catheter out.
Oh, my God. What's going on?
What's going on?
(AMY): Torey's cerebral
parenchyma looks healthy
- (MACHINE WHIRRING)
- No mass or bleed.
No stroke, vascular
malformation, cortical lesion.
No signs of encephalitis.
I mean, there's no physical reason
she should be having these seizures.
Her drama teacher just had
a focal seizure.
It can't be a coincidence
they're both having
a neurological response.
Then it has to be an acute
environmental exposure.
From the theater.
Which means there are gonna be others.
(TENSE MUSIC)
So, Michael sent me home for the night.
Apparently, Sonya ratted on me
for being so hard on Felicia.
You gotta be kidding me.
It almost makes me think that
maybe she has a thing for you.
What, and this is like payback?
A woman scorned
No. No. No way, plus I mean,
she doesn't know about us.
Speaking of which, see you
at my place in an hour?
Yeah, sounds great.
And Jake, maybe
bring something more
than just a toothbrush.
Wow. It almost sounds like
a level of commitment.
(CHUCKLES)
I think it's time
that I tell Katie about you.
And, uh, maybe introduce you.
Yeah, yeah. Same for Mia.
I'd love that.
And I love you.
I can get used to hearing that.
(DOOR OPENING)
I'll see you there.
(MICHAEL): Well, you need Public
Health in there
to test the theater, and we need to know
if anyone else has reported any issues.
Have any other students called out sick?
So, Cardiology?
Long story.
(MICHAEL): It could be
- a lot of things. Mold
- Huh.
How goes it with the interns?
Getting my footing.
(MICHAEL): Were you inspected recently?
Big shoes to fill.
(MICHAEL): Mostly neurological symptoms.
Almost sounds like a level
of commitment.
(MICHAEL): I'm not asking
- You just have a memory?
- Yeah.
I know you can't reveal names to us,
but you need to contact their parents,
and have them brought here.
Well, I appreciate it. Keep me posted.
Two more left school with dizziness,
one other with numbness
in their right hand.
All from the theater?
He was cagey, wouldn't say.
Okay, well, that's helpful.
And he's trying to cover his ass,
but he will call Public Health.
Well, what about the kids?
Are they coming in?
He's gonna push.
Once they land,
we cross-reference symptoms,
see if we can find a pattern.
When did the dizziness start?
Um, in math class?
Around 11 o'clock maybe?
Any changes in your vision?
Not really. Is that a part of
it? With the dizziness?
We're just gathering information.
He said the drama teacher's here, too.
Yeah. And Torey.
You wouldn't believe
what happened to her, Dad.
We're not permitted to discuss that.
Do we all have the same thing?
Did you smell anything unusual
at the school?
No, I don't think so.
Is that what it is?
A gas leak or something?
We're still evaluating,
and Public Health is testing
the school right now.
Dr. Ferguson, do you have any questions?
I do.
(BEN): Absolutely, I believe
in being aggressive.
Now, if you're asking if I'm
pathologically in love
with cutting no.
My ego's aligned with outcomes,
not bravado.
And why Minneapolis?
I grew up here,
and my sister's had some health
problems plus two teenage boys
who could use a role model around.
Look, the thing is,
I could just go to Mayo.
What I'd hope to do here
was build your department.
Well, that's the idea
for bringing you in.
(CHUCKLES)
I guess what I'm saying is,
if I'm coming to Westside,
it would only be to run surgery.
You wanna replace Dr. Costa?
Now, don't get me wrong; he's solid.
I'd welcome him as part of my team.
I'd even be willing to reduce
some of my own salary
so he takes home the same as
what he earns now.
It's not about money for me.
What is it you think you can bring
that we don't already have now?
Internal Medicine's been your
Bright and Shiny here for a long time,
but Dr. Larsen's not a draw
in her current capacity.
Now, look, look, in any case,
you need Surgery
to be your guiding light.
That's where the edge is,
that's where the grants are,
that's where you can get
your superstar recruits.
And with my auspices and reach,
I'll certainly be able to pull
those people in.
It'll be all the same tests
for Paul in 618.
Call Pathology to tell them
I want them all expedited.
Hi, my name is Betsy Fuller.
This is my son Josh.
He was in the theater.
We were told everyone's
checking in on this floor.
Okay, is he one of the
students displaying symptoms?
Well, not yet, but we've heard
it's up to six people.
Four, actually.
You said it was six.
Well, I don't know.
That's what I was told.
(BETSY): Well, he still needs
to be seen by the doctors.
I understand. Fill out
this form, please,
and have a seat in the waiting area.
(TOREY GASPING)
(JOSH): Torey!
She went unresponsive.
Pressure 210 over 112.
Heart rate 48.
And her left pupil's fixed.
What the hell? What's wrong with her?
That can't be from new-onset seizures.
Someone needs to tell us what this is!
What's going on with her?
Is this contagious?
Just try to be calm, please.
Nothing to say?
Matthew Reddy is stable.
Dr. Park's covering the ICU,
and Dr. Barrett's handling
Kim Trent's angio. Everything's in hand.
I meant about the complaint.
(DOOR CLOSES)
Felicia Turner complained.
I was asked what happened
and I wasn't gonna lie.
Right, but the truth can be subjective.
And I'm wondering if you told Dr. Hamda
that you missed splintering fingernails
and thus the diagnosis this morning.
Look, I wasn't gonna tell you
this until tomorrow,
but, so long as we're here
I'll be offering my resignation.
Effective in two weeks.
You're quitting.
Because you don't like
my leadership style.
I'm sure you think it's a style,
but everyone besides Dr. Heller
thinks it's abusive.
And I don't need it in my life.
Well, I'll expect to hear
from you in a year or two.
Apologizing and thanking me for
everything I've taught you.
(SHAKY EXHALE)
(MACHINE WHIRRING)
They told the MRI was finished?
Just about. No lesions.
Ventricles look good so far.
- How are you doing today?
- Tricky case.
No, I mean being
Chief Resident with Amy.
Oh. Yeah, she gave a pretty
rah-rah speech
to the interns this morning.
Kind of the polar opposite
of how she used to be so
that was interesting.
Yeah, I'm sure she's trying a
different tack this time around.
Mm.
What about you?
Figure out your approach yet?
Tough love without the snark.
Might be kind of a role reversal
with her getting all touchy-feely.
How are things going
with the two of you?
Uh we split up.
- Really?
- Yeah.
Just trying to figure out
that equilibrium now.
You know, working together.
Well, it's day one.
I'm sure you'll get there.
(EQUIPMENT BEEPS)
The teacher's CBC, CMP,
head imaging all looks normal.
Torey's in surgery.
She has to have some obstructive
process in her brain,
but we imaged the other kids;
none of them show clotting.
(JAKE): And we cleared them all
on recreational drug use.
(MICHAEL): Tox screens all normal.
(JAKE): Okay, so what's our
profiling indicate?
No respiratory symptoms, which
rules out molds, formaldehyde,
carbon monoxide, no peripheral
neuropathy
And no fever, so no
cyanotoxins from the HVACs.
Something doesn't make sense.
Torey had her first seizure
yesterday afternoon,
but none of the others started
showing symptoms until today.
If it was acute exposure,
they all would have been
swarming the ER last night.
We need to re-interview them
all and scrutinize the timeline.
Something's gotta shake out.
Have you heard anything from the school?
We're still waiting on the testing.
Okay, so long will that take?
Um, yeah, um
Some of the potential toxins
they can test
in a matter of hours;
others can take a day or two.
Can you please help us?
My son needs to see someone.
He wasn't exhibiting any
symptoms when he arrived,
but he's starting to feel dizzy now.
And I've got, like, a numbness
down my arm.
I was just about to admit him.
This has gotten worse
since you've been waiting?
Yes. It's been coming on strong.
And no one can tell us
what the incubation period is.
Full work-up. Room, um, 619.
Oh, it's about time.
Um, she said that Torey
was going into surgery.
Are they gonna be able to help her?
Yes. Please just go with
Dr. Chen; we'll work it all out.
(JOSH'S MOTHER): Okay.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(EQUIPMENT BEEPING)
Okay, there is a clot.
What are our options?
Open the transverse sinus and drain it.
Or?
Put in an extra-ventricular
drain and anti-coagulate?
Exactly.
But her recovery time
could be two weeks.
You're not worried about the
prolonged pressure to the brain?
Post-op heparin'll tackle that
and sticking a scalpel in there
carries plenty of risk.
Okay, prep the drain kit.
Before Math, you were in English class,
and you said you were worried
about Torey?
Nobody knew what was happening to her.
Then we heard Mr. Galvin
wasn't coming in, either.
How did you hear that?
There's a group chat.
- With the theater group?
- Yeah.
Do you mind if I have a look at that?
Yeah, sure.
Seemed like everyone was
getting pretty worked up.
I mean, yeah, of course.
(MALE VOICE OVER PA): Rapid
response team to 619.
Rapid response team to 619.
Uh, I'm sorry. Excuse me. I'll be back.
- Excuse me! Excuse me, Ma'am!
- What's happening?
- Sorry!
- Do something!
(DOOR OPENS)
(JOSH GASPING)
This is the same thing
that happened to Torey!
Stop!
(JOSH GASPING)
Two milligrams Lorazepam
and nasal-pronged oxygen.
For a brain herniation?
This isn't neurological.
What are you talking about?
He's catatonic!
This is all psychological.
It's mass hysteria.
(ELEVATOR DINGS)
I thought you went home an hour ago.
Just checking in on Ray Porter post-op.
I spoke to his daughter,
clarified the prognosis.
Sorry I tried to play it down
to her before.
Don't be sorry.
You're the one person I can count on
to take instruction without whining.
I heard about Sonya leaving.
Spoon-feeding approval
is no way to make good doctors.
Any more than soldiers.
Funny thing is, she is pretty
hard on the first-years.
Well, she can take her thin skin
and hypocrisy elsewhere now.
- Yes, she can.
- How are you doing?
Good.
Great.
Did you follow up on what we
talked about? The nightmares.
Oh, um, yeah.
TJ, you can't white-knuckle
your way through everything.
Isn't that what you do?
(PHONE BUZZING)
Something wrong?
(ELEVATOR DINGS)
No.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
So he's okay?
- He's okay.
- But I don't understand.
It's called conversion disorder.
It's a contagious psychological
response within a community
that is harboring acute stress.
The "witches" in Salem,
or all those girls in Iran
a few years ago
When your son and the other
students saw Torey seize
in the theater, that started
a chain reaction.
Then, Mr. Galvin called in sick,
and they started to panic.
Then the group chat just
contributed to this
fomenting anxiety that accumulated
and amplified into this.
So when Josh saw Torey
His mind just made him copycat that?
Essentially, yes.
You saw the longer he was
in the waiting room
around all that fear and agitation,
the more he started
to manifest those symptoms.
We could run a dozen tests,
and nothing would show up physically.
I saw that on the group chat.
Everyone's tests came up negative.
I can assure you this is
a psychological reaction
to shared stress.
Shared stress?
They're teenagers; I'm a grown man.
I know, but unfortunately
that doesn't make you immune.
Well, I have put on plenty of
productions, and believe me,
this was not the most stressful.
So you can't tell me that I'm here
and I put everyone else here
because I'm some sort of taskmaster.
Look, I'm not saying that it's
the play necessarily,
but it must be something at the school.
And without knowing the source
of that trauma,
this could go on for a long time.
Okay, for all of you.
This is insane.
Think, Mr. Galvin. What could it be?
I have no idea.
And how is this a delusion
when Torey's in surgery?
- (EQUIPMENT BEEPING)
- There's the sagittal sinus.
See how engorged those cortical
Stalking your prey?
I can get a feel for how
he's been running the department
by watching how he cuts.
And you really think
he's that conservative?
He's putting a drain into a CVST patient
and counting on the heparin to
do his work for him as we speak,
so
But I think you already
made your decision
before you came in here.
What's the status of your
transplant bridge trial?
We understand you're about
to enter the human phase now.
My intention is to keep
an eye on it from here
and travel to New York as needed.
But I assure you,
it wouldn't be a distraction.
No, that's not the concern.
If you could get it moved here,
the Board's prepared to divert
3 million from one of our
research grants to your study.
Plus everything else you asked for.
You know I have partners.
Yes, but you're the lead,
and we just doubled your budget.
So, get it done; we've got a deal.
(FOOTSTEPS RECEDING)
(EQUIPMENT BEEPING)
So, we relieved the pressure
that was causing the seizure,
and put in a microscopic drain
to prevent it from coming back.
You left something in my brain?
We'll remove it in a couple of weeks.
After another surgery?
No, no. We'll just pull it out
slowly. It's painless.
I've gotta be here two weeks?
We've also got you on blood thinners,
so we'll need to monitor you closely.
We appreciate it, Dr. Coleman.
If we could have the room now.
Sure. Um, yeah.
Yeah. Of course.
Now, we'd like to go back
to what was happening with you
yesterday. Before the rehearsal.
I already told you:
I didn't have any symptoms.
Oh, we're not talking about
physical symptoms.
Walk us through your day at school.
I had English then Math.
I had a test but that wasn't
a big deal, then a free,
then lunch, then there was
a lockdown drill,
Uh, then History
A, a lockdown drill?
Yeah. You know, like an active
shooter or whatever? You know?
Uh, did something happen
during the drill?
Happen? No. Same as always.
Which is?
Uh, lock the door, turn off the lights,
uh, move the desks to block
the door in case there's a shooter.
(EXHALES)
And do you find that stressful?
No, it's what we do; we're used to it.
Just because something's been
normalized doesn't mean
it isn't having an impact.
I suspect, on some level,
those drills can be traumatizing.
- Traumatizing.
- Sure.
For everyone, even the teachers
who have to do them.
I mean, the last time we did one,
there was this one girl
who had a panic attack,
but we all just kinda thought
she was being extra.
When was that?
I don't know, couple months ago maybe.
We do them like six or seven
times a year.
- (EXHALES)
- So, when you heard
about the girl who reacted like that,
how were you affected?
I didn't hear about it. I saw it.
There was a video that went
viral. We all saw it.
(HEIDI): I can't I can't breathe!
It's okay, Heidi.
(STUDENT): Oh, my God,
what's happening to her?
(CONCERNED CHATTER OVER PHONE)
(HEIDI GASPING)
What was your reaction
when you saw this?
I mean, we felt sorry for her.
I don't even understand why
we have to do these drills
all the time.
It's like, we've been doing them
since we were eight.
We get it already.
They stopped calling it
an active shooter drill.
Like we'd be pushing desks
against the door
for a hurricane?
They should just train the teachers,
then tell the students to follow them.
Like, why do we have to keep
going through it again and again?
If the schools don't train everybody,
then they'll be liable
if something happens.
And after that girl
had her panic attack,
did anybody go to the school counselors
or report having similar anxieties?
I don't even know if the kids
realized it was bothering them.
I mean, if they did,
would any of this be happening?
I certainly wouldn't have
given Juliet the gun
in that scene.
I just thought it would be
cool and modern.
My thought is, when you heard
that gunshot on stage,
that released all of the anxieties
you've been carrying since you saw Heidi
have the panic attack in that video.
Not to mention the anxiety
you probably have felt
about those drills and what
they mean for a long time.
So, if this was all in my
head, why did I need surgery?
It turns out you have an underlying
blood clotting disorder
that was dormant.
And the acute stress brought it
out and heightened it.
But only temporarily, right?
Unfortunately, not.
Now that the condition is manifest,
it'll be chronic.
For the rest of her life?
We can treat it with
anti-seizure medication,
but that does have side effects
and, yes,
it will be for the rest of her life.
You're saying the lockdown
drills did this to her?
I'd say it's the stress
of being a teenager
in a very complicated world.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
So, what are we selling?
Cognitive behavioral therapy,
but it's gonna be a long road.
Parenting.
And then some.
You know, I as cramming for
all the stuff for Pediatrics,
and it just started making me
look at Mia like a patient.
Didn't much care for that.
Thus the change to Cardiology.
- Hm. Yeah.
- Huh.
I think it's time that
I tell Katie about you.
D'you have another one?
Oh, no. It's nothing.
Just not a big deal.
Um, okay. Well, congrats on today.
You did great. As expected.
- You too.
- Yeah.
- I'll see you tomorrow.
- Okay.
Hey, I wanted to catch you
before the official postgame,
see how you thought today went.
Uh, yeah, wild day.
I mean your performance.
Oh, uh
Self-analysis will be crucial,
but since you haven't engaged
in that yet, I can go.
You started the day
with a HIPAA violation,
then tossed out worst-case scenarios
to an anxious patient with
stress-related cardiac issues,
then walked yourself into the lion's den
of those terrified parents,
completely unprepared
to answer their most obvious question.
You're right. I'm sorry.
You already know
what you're supposed to do.
What's gonna change?
You're extremely smart, Nikki,
and can be a great doctor.
But I don't want to hear you're sorry.
I wanna know what you're
gonna do to turn things around.
(SOFTLY): Uh.
Think about it tonight
and come back to me tomorrow.
Right. Thank you.
Mm-hmm.
Not exactly in keeping with
the speech we gave this morning.
Our job's to teach them.
If they're snowflakes,
they're not gonna cut it.
(KEYBOARD CLACKING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Hey. I heard you had
the trippiest case today.
- (SCOFFS)
- "Trippy" is one word for it.
You know, I never did a lockdown drill.
Do they really do it at all the schools?
Yeah. At mine, they gave out
roles and had us all act it out.
One kid played the shooter,
a bunch of us pretended to get shot
Not possible.
Then they told us to fight back.
Throw books at the shooter.
That just can't be true.
Six times a year.
Every year since second grade.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Oh, my God, Maitra just busted
me for a couple of misdemeanors.
Meanwhile, Ruth was about
to shove a tube
down a patient's throat
when he didn't need it,
and Larsen let's her off the hook.
(CHUCKLES)
I heard that they were both
vying for the job
and now they gotta share it?
That's gotta be interesting, huh?
(SCOFFS)
Hey, stranger. Missed you
in our department.
Sounds like you managed it all
with style.
Gotta admit, felt pretty good.
Well, I guess you're glad
you didn't quit last year.
Hey.
You are one of the only people
who knows about that,
and I don't need the interns finding out
Amy and I didn't get along,
or that the only reason I stayed
is 'cause she got demoted
after her accident.
Well, this guy is glad that you did.
(DOOR CLOSES)
(VOICEMAIL): This is Katie,
leave a message.
(BEEP)
(MICHAEL): Hey, it's Dad.
I, uh, texted you, too.
I just wanted to check on you.
Ask you if, uh
Well, just call me.
I love you, Sweetheart.
I called her, too.
I think she's at some fraternity party.
We'll hear from her tomorrow.
Yeah. Did she ever mention
anything to us?
About those lockdown drills?
(EXHALES) Nope.
You always thought it was overkill.
Asking the kids to carry the burden
'cause the adults in the room
can't get it together
to do the right thing.
Um, wondering if you observed
Sonya at all today.
Not much, no.
I think she's got some shades
of the old me.
You're who she learned from.
Even if she hated it.
Could be a problem.
You're asking me to demote her?
No! Of course not.
'Cause Joan wanted you
paired for a reason.
I know that, and she's
Arrogance and indifferent bedside manner
won't be tolerated.
- She's what?
- Um
Being a great physician
isn't enough to protect you.
Not anymore.
She's great. We'll hash it out.
Go home and get some rest.
It was just a barrage today.
I mean, so much more than ever before.
And I don't know how
I'm gonna get through a day
without everyone noticing
and wondering if I can do this.
You came back to the place
that's gonna trigger you
more than anyplace else,
and your brain's healing.
So, this could be the new normal.
There's nothing normal about your brain.
And I hate to break it to you:
you might be done with the past
but clearly the past
isn't done with you.
(TRAFFIC HUMMING)
AMY (VOICEMAIL): You've reached
Dr. Amy Larsen.
- Leave a message.
- (BEEP)
All right, it's my third time
calling you.
I get you don't wanna talk to me;
but we've got big trouble.
With what we did.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)