Best Interests (2023) s01e02 Episode Script

1
Marnie has a
severe chest infection.
And it seems that it's more severe
than any she's ever had before.
I think you should prepare
yourselves for the possibility
that Marnie's life
will not be a full one.
I think there might
be something wrong.
She's deteriorating rapidly.
Marnie's had a cardiac arrest.
As a result of this she
might have some brain damage.
Does Marnie get
prescribed diazepam?
Hannah, don't be suggesting
I'm just joking. Maybe.
Is she going to die, Dad?
She's been dying
for a long time.
The hospital said that they
want to stop treatment.
They don't get to
decide what to do.
She's our child.
Promise me that you
will fight for her.
I will fight with
everything I've got.
I went to the supermarket,
and I bought
a potato,
a banana,
a remote-control car
..a packet of crisps
and
..a fishing rod.
A fishing rod! I like that.
OK, George. Hit us with it.
I went to the supermarket
and I bought a potato,
er, a banana
..er, a remote-control car,
a packet of crisps,
oh, a fishing rod,
erm,
and a
..packet of condoms.
LAUGHTER
OK, George. Keep it clean!
Condoms are clean.
Let's change that for a
packet of balloons, please.
A packet of balloons.
He's a terror.
He's pretty funny, though.
Mm, he thinks he's
funnier than he is!
I don't know.
A solid gag merchant, I'd say.
He, er
He wants to ask her out.
What?
Your Marnie.
He wants to ask her out
to the cinema. Oh, OK.
Well, she doesn't really
talk about boys, I'm afraid.
Well, he doesn't stop
talking about her.
"There's this girl in
class. She's really fit"
Ahh, that's nice.
So you wouldn't mind,
then, if he did ask her?
I think they're a
bit young, you know?
How long's yours got?
Just let them live while they
can, that's always been my motto.
Well, I'd like her
to just be 11
Please.
I think he needs it.
And I think she'd like it too.
Good morning to you.
Morning.
Good morning, Marnie.
Well, good.
Everything is
entirely as expected.
I will see you again.
We'll be here.
Charlie is a 14-year-old
boy. Hello, Charlie.
This is day 18 of his admission.
His problems include raised
intracranial pressure,
haemodynamic instability
and electrolyte imbalance.
CTs?
His last CT was concerning,
and his MRI shows severe
diffuse axonal injury.
Next steps?
He's unresponsive.
Dr Maseley and I are discussing
next steps with his family.
Last, we have Elena.
She's six years old.
She came in two weeks ago
with a chest infection
and needed to be intubated, but she
has responded well to antibiotics.
Hello, Elena.
I'm going to put my
cold hand on your belly,
and let's see if
it makes you jump.
No jumping, very impressive!
Sit up for me gently.
Thank you, my darling.
We're here to
consider the benefit,
burden, welfare
and best interests
of the patient.
Samantha, Marnie
Lloyd is your patient.
Shall we start with
quality of life? Thank you.
Marnie has a rare form of
congenital muscular dystrophy
with an atypical profile.
She has been with us for eight
weeks this time, following a lower
respiratory tract infection,
complicated by a pneumothorax
and prolonged hypoxic arrest.
What about since
this last admission?
She has hypoxic
ischaemic brain damage
as a consequence of
her cardiac arrest.
She has severe
neurological impairment
and we can't wean her
off the ventilator.
So is it possible to make an
assessment of her quality of life?
Well, she can't communicate,
she has no awareness
of her surroundings,
and, though potentially she
might feel pain and discomfort,
she is largely unresponsive,
other than withdrawal
from painful stimuli.
I'd agree with that.
And what about this
possibility of a tracheostomy?
In my opinion,
any treatment we give her,
she is not going to
leave the hospital again.
But I think it's worth saying
that the parents are desperate
for us to give it a try.
She is a kind girl,
always funny, always a
joy to be around, but
if we could help her
- really help her -
we would.
But we can't.
Can we? Mercy?
It's beyond my
paygrade, I think.
What does that mean?
Er, how much time
have we Sorry.
..given Marnie and the
family to make this decision?
Um, we had the first
conversation eight weeks ago
when she was admitted.
Since then she had
her cardiac arrest
and is showing no signs of
neurological improvement.
And the parents are firmly opposed
to any cessation of treatment?
Yes.
These are impossible
decisions for parents to make.
It's a simple question, but one of
the most important ones in medicine.
Is it in Marnie's best interests
to continue
ventilation or not?
MUSIC PLAYS
SWITCHES MUSIC OFF
Hi. Hey.
I haven't brushed my teeth.
And yet you smell of nectarines.
Come on.
Yeah.
Thanks.
Hey.
Coffee?
Ah, no, I'm fine.
Have a seat, please.
So, the hospital ethics
committee have met.
Sounds suspiciously cultish.
Oh! Yes, it does sound
like that, doesn't it?
Their guidance, to me,
was that they support
my clinical judgment.
Right. Well, that's
not a surprise.
Marnie's not responding in a way
that suggests any
conscious experience.
In your opinion. That's
medical science, I'm
And is it medical science
that brains can't recover?
There is always a
possibility for improvement,
but in this case it's
severely unlikely.
Marnie has broken those odds
every year of her life.
She has shown clear movement
I'm afraid that we haven't
observed any for a while.
Well, I have seen movement.
When we played her music
recently she showed
Her heart rate slowed
Relaxing Classics on Spotify.
We're not sure what
might have prompted that,
but we have seen it in other
patients in similar conditions.
As to what you observed, that
was likely an involuntary reflex.
Certainly we have seen
nothing like it since.
Nicci, Andrew,
I care for Marnie very
much, but, well
..are you still in disagreement
with the decision? Yes.
So that means that the hospital
would like to suggest that this
now goes to a mediation process.
An independent mediator
will be appointed
and we can take it from there.
Will a mediator make
you change your mind?
It's useful in challenging
how everyone's thinking.
The mediator has no stakes in
this case and is more likely to
Will it lead to you deciding
to keep our daughter alive?
I believe that I have made
the right clinical decision,
but mediators have highlighted
mistakes in process.
Process, so not end result.
So, no, it won't.
Your ethics committee are wrong.
You are wrong, and I have
no interest in any of this.
I'll see what I can do.
Fuck!
Samantha, I've got
an update for you
Please don't say anything.
I always love the pre-emptive
putsch in an argument.
You said nothing in the room.
Because you were breathing
in all available oxygen.
She's always been a
thorough and kind doctor.
Yeah.
And you've always fancied her.
Oh, come on!
Just don't make me
the unreasonable one.
OK? You do that and I
hate it, so don't do it.
MUSIC PLAYS
I'm putting on Radio 4.
FRONT DOOR OPENS
Hi! Hi.
Hey. Hey! I didn't know
if you guys wanted dinner.
I cooked pasta.
You cooked pasta?!
Dad, I already don't
like your tone of voice.
It's just pasta. Mwah!
Oooh. It has bacon in it!
I've cooked before.
Don't make this weird.
I think we've some garlic
bread in the freezer.
I'm going to have
..bacon pasta
with melted cheese
and garlic bread.
I'm going to go for a shower.
What do I wear to
this thing tonight?
Oh, not your slinky
black number again.
Poor headmaster didn't
know where to look.
And the deputy head did know,
and really shouldn't have.
Wear your green dress.
Yeah.
Yeah, OK. Thanks.
Mmmm!
Er It's bad news
from the hospital.
They've decided that, um
..they've backed her.
They want it over.
I want to wear my orange top.
All right. This one? Yeah.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. OK.
With the jeans with
the pockets. Mm-hm.
And my Doc Martens.
The red ones!
Oh. Good idea.
OK.
And I, um
..I'd like to wear some make-up.
Oh!
OK What were you thinking?
Smoky eyes, like Elicia Shadow.
Who's Elicia Shadow?
Look.
Hi, guys! It's Elicia Shadow,
and welcome back to my channel.
So, in today's video,
I'm going to be showing
you how to get Oh!
Who are you watching
these with? Katie.
Doesn't it look great?
Yeah. Yeah. Um
Look. I tell you what.
I'll make a deal with you.
I will put everything
you want on your face.
But then, you know, at the end,
if one of us decides,
you know, less is more,
I'm allowed to just
wipe it all off.
OK.
OK.
And I get a veto. OK.
POP MUSIC PLAYS
Can't stop it Move your head
To the beat
Come along, tap your feet
We delight, come alive
Want it, got it,
no, can't stop it
Move your head to the beat
Come along, tap your feet
Tap tap
Beat, tap
Beat beat, tap
Beat beat, come along and tap
Beat beat
Tap beat beat tap
Beat beat, come along and tap
Tap, beat beat
Beat beat
Beat beat, come
along and tap tap. ♪
OK. Do you want to have a look?
OK.
Hey
Hey, don't. Please don't cry.
Don't cry.
You'll ruin your make-up.
Please don't use your veto.
I won't.
SHOWER RUNS
Nicci?
Just a minute.
Let's try and put on
a show. For Katie.
If we can.
Yeah.
Agreed.
You've still got your socks on.
Why are you being weird?
It's going to be shit.
Do you not think I know that?
So, did you bring them?
Yeah.
I thought the idea
was we'd, um
..like, do it together?
Yeah, and we will.
Play well, OK?
Oh, my God.
That smell takes you back,
doesn't it? What is it?
Odour de School.
Cabbage, corned beef
and confused hand jobs.
Deputy head's spotted you.
You should just wear
a brown paper bag.
It's the only way
to contain the man!
Hey! Hi! You came!
Yeah, well, Hannah sort
of insisted that we, er
Oh, yeah. Nice. Not
humiliating at all.
I think she misses
the place, you know.
Ex-queen bee round here.
Well, I mean, it's a big do.
The thing to look out for is
if Mr Glenny comes onstage
eating Maltesers
before he conducts.
Ah, so if he does He's drunk.
Yeah. Oh, that's clever, really,
because Polo mints you'd
sort of guess, wouldn't you?
But Maltesers is
much more subtle.
I like it. I do.
ORCHESTRA TUNES UP
It's on silent, yeah? Yeah.
APPLAUSE
ORCHESTRA PLAYS
PHONE BUZZES
Give me the car keys.
Give me the car keys!
Or you come.
BEEPING
Marnie, you're OK.
Turn the oxygen up.
We're here, Marnie.
Can we have some
diazepam? Thank you.
OK. Five milligrams in.
OK.
It's OK.
Saturation is 100.
Ready for the big
date? Looking good!
The make-up? YouTube.
OK.
A few things we need to discuss.
First things first, boys smell.
Thank you, Dad.
Secondly, they're mean
No, they're not! And third
thing, I wash regularly
He doesn't. I'm not mean, and I
will need reassurance at all times
that I am the most
important boy in your life.
OK, Dad.
OK. Now, is that a yes? Yes!
OK, then I can start the car.
See? Simple as that.
You ready ready?
They can't sit
together, I'm afraid.
But that's ridiculous!
It's company policy.
Then you need to
change something.
How hard is it to remove
one of these seats?
I don't have the authorisation.
Yeah, well, we can do it.
Looks like a screwdriver job.
Have you got a screwdriver?
She's actually pretty
good at DIY. Dad.
We we don't mind.
We don't mind.
Dad.
Please.
Yes! Get in!
Sorry, can I?
Who's in charge now?
All hail my son Emperor Nero!
Nero! Nero! Nero!
You know, I took a girl on a date
once to see The Remains Of The Day.
She kept trying to kiss me.
But the film was too good.
What? You just cut her dead?
No, I asked her on a date again.
This time I took her
to Schindler's List.
I never really thought through
the whole cinema date game.
This is nice.
PHONE RINGS
It's Mercy.
She's stable.
What was it?
A seizure. A bad one.
So now her brain? Jesus.
What? How did How
It's likely because of the hypoxia
and the extent of the brain damage.
So will this happen
more often now?
We're just cleaning her up.
You'll be able to see her soon.
Hi. Hello.
We're here, Marnie.
Hey.
You gave us a real fright there.
Can you squeeze my hand, honey?
Marnie, will you give
my hand a squeeze?
Do you want to read
some Adrian Mole?
I think I can feel her smiling.
You know, just in
her eyes a bit.
OK.
All right.
"Friday, February 12th.
"I'm not sure how I will vote.
"Sometimes I think Mrs Thatcher
is a nice, kind sort of woman"
It's not too old
for her, no? No.
"Then the next day I
see her on television
"and she frightens me rigid.
"She's got eyes like
a psychotic killer,
"but a voice like a gentle
person. It is a bit confusing."
No, your embouchure's all wrong.
My embouchure? God, get you!
Um, put your lips together.
What, like a fish? No.
Make an "emmmm" noise.
Emmmm.
You're being a dick.
OK, no. Emm.
And then you sort of stuff
your lips inside the inner rim.
Hmm. Now where have
I heard that before?
You're allowed to be pissed off
with them, for missing your show.
Yeah.
I'm fine.
Let's go up to my room.
Well, I do prefer your room.
MUSIC PLAYS FROM UPSTAIRS
HE SIGHS
MOVEMENT UPSTAIRS
Oh Oh, hi. I
wasn't expecting
Er, yeah. I thought
I should stay.
You know, she's a bit
worried, you know?
It's kind.
It's kind of you.
Is she
Marnie, I mean?
Er
A seizure.
Can I give you a lift home,
or are you staying, or?
I'm sorry, I feel like I should
be giving you a hug or something,
but that would probably
be a bit weird.
I'm OK, Hannah.
You know, or weed?
I've got some weed.
And don't pretend you don't smoke,
because, you know, I have nostrils.
And it's probably better
than that shit you get.
Yeah, well. I doubt
that very much.
Um, is Katie OK?
Because she doesn't want
to come to the hospital.
No, she's fine.
Strong.
Look, it's a nice night.
You know, I can walk home.
OK.
DOOR CLOSES
KNOCK ON DOOR
Ah, sorry.
I just didn't want you
waking and not knowing.
She's OK.
Good.
Gutted to miss your gig.
It was one of our best. Oh.
Rub it in, why don't you?
He got through three
packets of Maltesers.
Jesus. That good! Yeah.
Hannah got you home
OK? She just left.
Oh.
Yeah.
Nice girl.
I think.
Bit strange.
Not that strange.
She just doesn't have anyone
her own age to hang around with.
You were always kind
to waifs and strays.
And half-eaten birds.
Didn't you bring home a worm
once? Yeah, it was dying.
I'm pretty sure
worms are invincible.
There are some nights
I just want to curl up in here
and sleep on your rug.
You could sleep on
the rug, if you like.
No
No, my back wouldn't take it.
Hmmm.
Goodnight, sleep tight.
And I'll see you in the morning.
I love you, I love you, I
love you. I love you too.
Thanks for arranging to see
me. She'll be home in a minute.
She sleeps at the
hospital sometimes.
Ah, yes.
Happens a lot in PICU.
Lines of parents, staring
off into the middle distance
beside them little beds Hi!
Ah!
I hadn't forgotten.
Hi. Sorry. She had a bit of a
She had a bit of a turn last
night. Did Andrew tell you?
Shall we fix this
for another time?
No, it's fine. I've slept.
I haven't washed, but
As long as you can handle a bit of
body odour, I'd rather get it done.
Orange juice? Coffee?
Tea? Ah, yes, all of it.
Toast. Gotcha.
Do you mind if I faff around
a bit while you're, um?
No, not at all.
Now, there are a lot of
misapprehensions about mediation.
I think of it as a chance
to get an understanding
of everyone's position because
in clinical environments
Yeah, I had arbitration at my
old job, when Marnie was born.
I had to take a
bunch of time off
and so they called me in
to resolve the matter.
This isn't arbitration
So I sat opposite while
they lied about, you know,
what I'd done, how
often I'd come in.
I tried to do my best by them,
but they just couldn't see it.
All they could see was
how I affected them.
So we left. We just
lost the money.
Um, you know, I wasn't going
to sit there and defend myself.
They were arseholes.
But, you know, Harriet isn't
one, and nor is Samantha.
Do doctors ever
change their minds?
We will be examining every aspect
of the process, to work out
Yeah, but do you look at
do you look at the decision?
Do you look at the decision
that that ethics committee made?
We weren't even in the room for any
of that. Nicci, that's not fair.
They've talked to
us. They haven't!
They haven't. They told us!
I wonder if it
would be helpful
It seems to me that
this whole process
is about about
making me OK
Us with your decision,
and that's just
Do you understand? That's I'm not
going to be tricked like that again.
Well, I think she liked us.
I think she wants to
move in, to be honest.
I'm off to Tom's for lunch.
If you fancy it? It's his birthday,
you know. He'd love to see you.
He would resent every
second I was there.
He only wants to see you.
OK, shall I stay, then?
I mean, we've got a
lot to talk about.
Will we just?
Will we just talk
when you're back?
I need to think.
So you are thinking, then?
What the fuck is that
supposed to mean?
I think I should stay.
We'll talk when you're back.
It's only me!
Oh!
Letters on the mat again.
I open the important
ones, don't worry.
Happy birthday!
One from Katie.
One from me.
Ah. OK
Ah, well
THEY CHUCKLE
OK.
HE MUTTERS
Time for lunch.
You're looking healthier.
Weetabix.
Is that it?
I shit every morning at 8am now.
Were you not regular before?
Definitely not.
Oh. That's great news.
Fish and chips?
Only if you promise to keep
talking about your bowel movements.
Thank you.
You remember when your mum died,
how Dad fussed about?
Five minutes after she'd gone
he was starting to
prepare her funeral,
who'd say what.
He wanted you to read
that Kipling poem.
Yeah, well, you know
She wasn't my mum.
But she really liked you.
And Kipling's a racist.
Anyway,
my point is
..then Dad died
..and neither of
us did anything,
organised anything.
And the funeral was
shit, I remember.
Your fault.
Never been good at
..doing something
I don't want to do.
You're not dying, are you? No.
No. If you died I'd
probably kill myself.
No, you wouldn't.
I said probably.
Marnie is very sick.
Why are these chips so good?
Lard.
They tried to ban me from here.
I threatened a man. But I said
sorry because of the chips.
Well, they are that good.
Hey.
I think Samantha's still here.
We could hunt her down together?
I just wanted some
time alone with Marnie.
Sure.
I put a playlist
together for your birth.
Did you know that?
I bought some
..mini battery-powered speakers.
Plugged them in.
The tune as you were born,
um
..Your Star Will Shine
by the Stone Roses.
It was beautiful.
Your star will shine again
One day
Through deep blue velvet skies
Shine for all the world to see
The universe in your eyes
When the storm
outside is raging
And the dogs,
they howl your name
Lay down, sleep, I'll kiss you
Your star will
..shine again. ♪
HE SOBS
Hi, it's me.
I've been trying to call you.
Tom said you left ages ago.
You went and had a drink?
Well, I didn't know you
were expecting me back.
We've got a visitor.
Hello. Hello.
My name is Brenda Haskins.
I am here on behalf of
Every Christian Life.
Oh.
Who? We're here to help.
We've been lied to.
It, um, it costs anywhere between
£250,000 to £500,000 a year
to keep a child in
paediatric intensive care.
You think this is financial?
Well, they've denied
a tracheostomy.
And the NHS, and it's
not entirely their fault,
they've had to ration, and
in this cruel world of ours,
the seriously ill
are disposed of.
Your daughter's life is sacred.
Medical science has no right to
decide whether she live or die.
This is eugenics
and it can't happen.
We can raise the resources
to fight this case
and we can raise the
resources to help her.
Help her?
Financial and legal
help to win the case.
It's a case now.
And, once we've won,
get access to the drugs and
treatments that she's been denied.
There's so much
that's possible now.
Vamorolone, risdiplam is having
good results with kids with SMA -
it could It's
I mean, you see what
this could mean for us?
Out of interest,
how did you find us?
That's your question?
They contacted me,
and I was interested in
saving our daughter's life.
Look, I've taken everything
in that you've said,
Brenda, and I'm really
grateful for your help,
but I think Andrew
and I need to
Yeah, absolutely. Of course.
Um, listen, let me
give you my card.
Um, there's people
from all professions
that are ready to talk
when you're ready.
What's your profession?
I used to work in PR for the charity
but I now run the outreach arm.
I'm not hiding anything
from you, Andrew.
No pressure.
But the help is there
if you'll take it.
And call any time as well.
I'm famous for never
turning my phone off.
OK. Um, I'll show you out.
Yeah, thank you.
That's great. Thanks.
Where did you park? Are
you out in the street?
Yeah, just outside.
OK, all right.
Thank you so much.
I think for Marnie's sake we
should at least consider it.
Pro-lifers. Oh, great.
So you've just jumped to I'm going
to google them. Yeah, google them!
I'm sure that'll confirm
your every prejudice.
Prejudice? What, we're
anti-abortion now?
No! Pro-Marnie.
We're pro anything that
is going to help her.
Is Katie upstairs?
Yeah, I think so.
OK. Let's talk outside, shall
we? What? In the garden.
Outs
Well, no, let's
go for a walk. OK.
You know the hospital's only
going to go along with mediation.
We don't have to agree with Every
Christian Life on everything.
I came home today
ready to say
I came home
I think we should consider it.
Consider ending
it, the treatment.
For her sake.
We knew right from the start,
there was going to come a point
Yeah when we'd
have to decide
Yeah. We did. But that isn't
This is not that point.
The doctors are advising
Two months ago, she was smiling.
She was looking out her
bedroom window at the birds.
We were there, OK?
The robin was back
and she was delighted.
And that was two
months ago, you know?
She's brain damaged.
She's having bloody seizures.
It's not always going
to be like that.
You know they can stabilise her.
The seizures, they can help.
The brain, you know,
can repair itself.
She'll be back looking
at birds again!
We were told We were told
as soon as she was diagnosed
What do you mean, diagnosed?
We don't even know exactly
what's wrong with her!
We were told her condition
is progressive without cure.
And she's beaten
the odds every time.
OK? When she was seven
and the doctor told us
that she was going to, you know
that she'd be better off dead
..we said no!
She's done remarkably well.
You've done remarkably well.
Yeah, when she was nine years
old and that fucker said
she wouldn't smile or laugh again,
we said no, and she did smile.
And she did laugh.
You asked me once to make sure that
you weren't one of those mothers.
One of those who asks to
keep their child alive
No. Don't One of those that was
blind to the pain of her child.
No! You don't do that.
..and just wants to cling
to They say she's in pain!
They say she's in a lot of
pain. She is still your child!
Yes! Yes, she is!
Yes, she is.
I knew you were
feeling like this.
You know that? I could feel it.
Oh, so why did you make
it so difficult, then?
What? You think
this should be easy?
This isn't about us deciding
if a doctor is right or not.
This is about deciding
if our child should die.
Fuck off!
You know what the trouble is?
The trouble is, you've always
You've always wanted her dead.
You know? If you're honest.
You never wanted her, and
then she came out damaged.
Please don't say that. No.
I've been fighting
for her all my life.
Just me.
Not you.
Me! That's just not true.
Well, prove it,
then, you fucker.
Prove it and just stand with me.
Dad?
Dad, what are you doing?
I'm going to stay
at Tom's for a bit.
Why?
Er
I can't explain. Not right now.
No, Dad. Don't go.
Don't leave me here.
Please don't. Come
with me, then!
What? No. Then
she'll be on her own.
She can't have me in the house,
and I can't be in the house.
But that doesn't mean I
don't love her, or you,
or Marnie, OK?
Dad!
Dad, don't be a coward. Dad!
This isn't fucking cowardice.
I'm sorry, but it's not.
I love you. I'll be back soon.
DOOR SLAMS
Hi.
Hi.
Sorry to, er
..barge in.
Um
So, there's something
we need to tell you.
It's a bit difficult.
Um
You know George has been sick.
Is he OK?
It was very sudden, honey.
They decided to
Yeah, he passed away.
I'm so sorry, love.
Does that mean he's dead?
Yeah.
But we were just talking.
I know.
I know.
Was he in pain?
No, the doctors were
looking after him.
Am I going to die?
Um
Well, everyone's going to die.
You remember when
Grandpa passed away.
Am I going to die soon?
We don't think so.
Dad.
There's a chance.
Andrew.
There's a chance that you
might die sooner than some.
I'm really sorry about that.
I don't want to die.
Oh, sweetheart.
Hi.
It's been a while.
It's been one year,
three months, two
weeks and a day.
I just wanted to, er
I needed to
Now you need me.
You'd better come in.
I've started volunteering
down at Happy Smiles.
Haven't seen your Marnie there.
Yeah, she's had a
tough few months.
Poor thing.
The doctors want to
turn off the machines.
Ah.
Biscuits?
How did you do it?
Do what? Agree to it?
Yeah, I mean, how did
you how did you know?
What's happened to her?
Some respiratory issues.
Some things - heart,
bit of brain
..mainly respiratory.
They won't fit her
with a trachy, so
George made me promise I
wouldn't let him have a trachy.
What?
He saw some kid with one.
Said he looked like
a supervillain.
So you talked to
him about Death?
Yeah. Always.
He started it.
Was obsessed by the idea.
And I can't do lying, so
I always avoided it with Marnie.
I just never could
She tried to bring it up a few
times, but I could never
That's OK.
When Georgie had what
was his last seizure
..they told me it was unlikely
he'd be able to communicate again.
But
I put on some telly he liked -
The Worst Witch
..and he squeezed my hand.
He did.
But they convinced me,
convinced me
..that he was just
in too much pain.
It's all right.
So
Can you still see her?
That's the question.
People hate disabled people.
Sometimes I think
they'd kill them all.
But we know.
We know what life looks like.
And if we don't?
Oh, you do, love.
You do.
Morning, Nicci!
Oh, thanks, love.
Morning, my love.
Did you have any dreams?
There you are.
There we go.
Have I understood right, that
you've refused to attend mediation?
Yeah.
They're not going to change their
mind, so there's nothing to say.
OK.
That means this is
going to go to court.
The hospital don't have your
support in their decision.
They've tried and
failed to mediate,
so they'll need legal backing
for their decision, otherwise
..it can get messy for
them down the line.
Right.
Well, let's do it. Um
I've got all of Marnie's
I've got everything.
Here's her red
book Whoa, whoa.
You need to understand
what we're facing here.
Have you ever been to
court before, Nicci?
Er, yeah.
Yeah, my dad. When
he was mugged.
He's a taxi driver.
A best interests case
will be different
from what your dad
encountered there.
There'll be at least three
lawyers in front of the judge.
One, who'll be representing you,
two, the hospital's barrister,
and three, a barrister
specifically appointed
to represent Marnie's
best interests.
Someone's representing Marnie?
It's the way it's done.
You need to understand,
it'll be very convoluted and
..the odds are against us.
Yeah, well
..just tell me we might win.
That's all I need to know.
Charlotte Wyatt.
The judge actually, um, actually
decided for the doctors,
but in the time it took
for the case to be heard,
she'd improved so markedly,
the hospital had to ask
him to revoke his judgment.
And Ashya King.
Not technically best interests.
His parents removed him
against doctors' orders to get some
experimental proton beam therapy.
They were jailed, but the
judge subsequently ruled
that the parents should be
allowed to take him to Europe.
He got the proton beam therapy.
He lives.
And then there's Tafida Raqueeb.
The doctors thought she'd be on a
ventilator for the rest of her life.
She went to Italy, and last
year she came off life support.
That's three.
Out of how many?
It's possible.
That's all you need to know.
It's possible to fight the
notion that you have to surrender
parental responsibility
as soon as your child
crosses the threshold
of a hospital for treatment.
And we're going to have to use
everything at our disposal,
but this is going to
be a fight, Nicci.
We need funds to help Fred
- that takes public support.
We need pressure in and
out of the courtroom -
that takes public support.
That means you, Nicci.
You're going to be at
the front and centre.
The mother that doesn't
want her child killed.
Press and social media are
going to be our best weapon.
Are you ready for that?
I'm, er
I'm pro a woman's
right to choose.
I mean abortion.
I think you should know that.
All we want is to
save Marnie's life.
OK?
Then, yeah.
I'm ready.