Reef Doctors (2013) s01e03 Episode Script

1 When the sun did rise this morning I got a change upon my mind I could hear my soul a-calling in my heart I know it's time 'cause I'm a medicine woman I know the sparks are gonna fly whoa, woman for a cure of heart and mind ah, ah, ah 'cause I'm a medicine woman I'm gonna look life in the eye yes, I'm a medicine woman I know the sparks are gonna fly! (Insects chirp) The mangroves are kind of like the nursery of the tropics.
Lots of animals, birds, lizards, fish come here to breed.
With a bit of luck, we might get to meet our guest of honour.
She's come up here every couple of years to breed for the last quarter of a century.
But, you see, males never get up this far, so the eggs never hatch.
It's a bit sad, but, uh Neville, we've never been able to budge her.
Look! There! Sonny: Oh! Isn't she a beauty? (Camera clicks) Hey, hey.
I told you, no flash.
You'll bring her over here.
(Limbo music plays) (Cheering and applause) (Speaks inaudibly) There he goes again.
Hm? Gus.
Baffling another unsuspecting backpacker with science.
Well, she's still sitting there.
That's a good sign.
Or a sign she doesn't speak English.
Now, I am gonna be thinking of you relaxing while I'm giving my lecture tomorrow.
You don't mind me taking the day off? You are so overdue for a break.
And he is gonna have to learn to stand on his own two feet sometime.
Yeah, well, standing isn't his problem.
Or bending, apparently.
(Cheering and applause) No-one is that flexible.
He is gonna be in a world of pain tomorrow.
Maybe you can take party boy back with you.
Demand they exchange him for one that works.
Hmm.
(Gentle, exotic music) Good morning.
Good swim? Oh, you know.
Same-same.
You off to the mainland today? Yeah, well, I don't really have a choice.
- We need a new motor for the runabout.
- Yeah.
Worthwhile, I suppose.
Hey.
Get in there, knock 'em dead, get the money.
(Laughs) (News theme plays) Woman: I'm speaking with associate Professor Malcolm Reid Mum.
.
.
From the University's venom research unit, who's involved in a study - Mum! - Yep.
Our study's authorized to tag and track crocodiles throughout the reef area.
And whilst croc venom is yet to be confirmed, they do have particularly nasty bacteria in their mouths.
Have you seen my blue shirt? Your good blouse with the weird buttons? Yeah, that's the one.
I can't wear this to a lecture.
Well, you could, but seeing as I ironed this Ah! That's the one.
Thanks.
That's great, mum.
You need to chill.
Just don't let dad see you freak out like this.
Thanks, Jack, but, you know, seeing you're the one who won't even email him, let alone come with me today, maybe you could take some of your own advice.
Yeah.
Right, is there anything that you need while I'm over there? - 3-D gaming glasses.
- No, I said 'need'.
- Yeah.
- Dream on.
Hey, sorry I'm late.
I couldn't find my shirt.
So I see.
Oh, no, no.
I'm not wearing this.
I've got, um Ah.
It's important to make a good impression.
I actually don't need to impress a bunch of med students.
I lecture, Andrew pays me, and I get a new outboard for the runabout.
Which I'm told you might be able to help me with? How much can I spend? Two grand.
That's what they're paying me.
Might be able to find something for that.
Right, and by 'find', do you mean locate one for sale or one that fell off the back of a truck? Do you want a new outboard or not? Yeah, but preferably without going to jail.
You ought to be replacing the whole outfit.
That runabout of yours is as clapped-out as the motor.
Well, it's not an option.
- You know what you should do? - What? You should get a decent breakfast.
It's the most important meal of the day.
I think you'll find something more edible down in the galley.
(Door opens) Hey.
You want to come lizard hunting? I need another set of hands.
Yeah, cool.
I'm not taking you away from school stuff or anything like that, am I? No, I'm good to go.
Ok.
(Funky music plays) Oh! You're late.
And? (Turns music off) Um - I was actually enjoying that.
- Are you serious? Those eurovision rejects? My 3-year-old niece sings better.
You didn't seem to mind the music last night.
Maybe if you didn't party so hard, you'd be on time, huh? You're right.
Because I can see you're overwhelmed with patients.
Just because there's no-one here doesn't mean there aren't things to do.
So do 'em.
Um, did you forget we are on our own today? Freya, I think we can handle some coral cuts and maybe a bit of sunburn.
If it comes to that.
I'm gonna be on the veranda, relaxing.
Excuse me! Woman: We need some help, please.
Oh! What happened? I told him not to touch it.
But he did anyway.
Now it's stuck to him.
What is that? Crab claw.
You need a hammer to break it off.
There's bacteria in the crab shell.
If it gets into the cut, it can infect.
I suppose we could we could prise it open with some forceps.
You need to smash it.
That's the only way to get it off.
Students.
They think they know everything.
That's how Sam did it.
I watched her with a fisherman.
Rick: - You want to take over? Freya: - No.
I'm just saying, I know how Sam would do it.
Let's just wait eight hours until Sam gets back.
(Speaks French) Woman: It's ok.
What's he saying? It hurts.
He wants to know if he'll lose his finger.
Too early to say.
Oh, yeah.
The physiological mechanism at work here is amazing.
It's it could be the neural input to the muscle fibres.
But how to get 'em to relax - Freya? - Yes? Get me a hammer.
I can still turn around.
Take you back.
No.
(Clears throat) As I said, you know, it's just a bunch of med students.
Piece of cake.
See ya.
Don't make remote area clinics sound too good.
Hey? Last thing we need's a bunch of townies cluttering up the island.
Yeah.
See ya.
Yeah.
See ya.
(Siren blares) (Horn honks) Alright, alright.
Let me get that.
(Lock beeps) Security upgrade.
Sorry.
- Thanks.
- No problem.
Sam: Since when was this wing restricted access? Since the labs got their reno done.
A 'reno'.
How humble of you, Andrew.
Makes it sound like all you got was a coat of paint and some new toilets.
We could use a bit of a reno at the clinic.
Well, put in the paperwork, lobby the government, get industry on board and you can have one.
- Take you down for a look later.
- Thanks.
Can I get changed in there? Go ahead.
This shirt looks like someone actually tried to iron it.
Yeah.
The housekeeper.
He's terrible.
Sack him.
I can't.
He's family.
So how are you getting along with Rick? He hasn't turned up back here.
He must be settling in.
Have I mentioned that his head is so far up his bum, he could do his own colonoscopy? Once or twice.
Give him a chance.
He's a good diagnostician.
Interpersonal skills, I admit, need some work.
Some work? Alright, he needs a good kick up the backside.
- As I recall, you're the expert at that.
- (Sighs) Bloody hell, Andrew.
You don't ask for much, do you? (Sighs) You did brush it, didn't you? Ok, let's get this over and done with, shall we? I've finished the dressing.
Good.
They want to know about the antibiotics, so (Sighs) I've already explained it.
Three times a day with food, Freya.
It's not rocket science.
When he will need more? When will he need more? Repeat's on the script.
Won't cure his stupidity, though.
Freya! (Sighs) Yes? Give the surgery a going-over.
Clean up any crab shell.
You know how anal Livvy is.
And write up the patient notes.
It's good practice.
Is that all? (Door bangs) (Students chatter) Good morning.
I am Dr.
Sam Stewart.
Today, I'm going to be talking to you about a typical working week at our remote area clinic.
So we'll start with a few questions, um, for you.
Hands up if you have had any experience with Dengue Fever.
Ok, Malaria? Right.
Tuberculosis? Ok.
There are probably at least half a dozen more that you've never even heard of.
Now, if you want to be a doctor in the tropics, then you need to be prepared for anything.
Our patients out there have been bitten and stung by every animal and plant under the sun.
If it is a snakebite, then there is an antivenene, but if it's an Irukandji sting, you need to be prepared for your patients to experience, for at least 24 hours or more, the most excruciating pain.
And if your question is about morphine, it won't even touch the sides.
Believe me, I know.
So if it is a blue-ringed octopus, the maculotoxin obstructs the sodium channels to the muscle, which causes motor blockage.
So aside from a pressure bandage, you really have to watch out for rapid paralysis and respiratory failure.
You need to reassure your patient, but above all, you must remember, that your patient may be conscious and just unable to communicate with you.
Now, if you'd like to all look Ok, well, I've shared just a few diagnostic experiences with you today.
Clearly, there are a lot of risks, but there are rewards as well.
I have lost count of how many times I've had a freshly caught crayfish left on my doorstep as a thank you.
The perks of the job, well, they are, for me, the people.
And like any practice anywhere, your patients are your most valuable asset.
(Applause) Right, let's take a 5-minute break and then come back for a Q & A.
Now, the calm waters of this estuary offer the ideal conditions for this water dragon.
Now, this remarkable creature has sensed our presence and taken refuge under this tree.
But if we wait a little bit longer, we might just catch a glimpse of him.
You ready for lunch, mate? I'm starving.
Yep.
Cool.
Let me just get another shot of you sneaking up again.
Hey, Jack? Jack: Don't talk, man.
I'm gonna put music over this bit, alright? Just bring that camera over here, mate.
Why is that? Someone's popped up to say hello.
Jack: What's What's that on her back? Gus: It's a bloody satellite transmitter! Who the hell's tracking our croc up here? It's that dude Malcolm Reid from the Uni Venom Lab.
He's got that tagging project now.
Boy, is Sam gonna be pissed.
(Laughter) Well, the answer is no.
If it requires more than minor surgery, then we will medivac the patient out to the hospital here.
Next question? Yes? If we do a rotation with you, what are the venom research opportunities like? Well, that That is more of a sideline.
And medical students aren't expected But you are using your venom research to devise treatments for clinical patients, right? Like your sea snake tropical ulcer cream.
That's actually still in development.
It's not really up for discussion here.
And you also mentioned Irukandji, is that something you'd be looking to tackle in the future? I think that probably wraps it up for no, no.
That's ok.
If you want to discuss venom here Right, how many of you have family members on high-blood-pressure medication? Ok.
Well, the original version of that drug type is a modified snake toxin.
And we have other treatments for diabetes, heart problems and maybe one day even cancer.
Venoms are so exquisitely complex.
And the importance of new venom-based drugs simply can't be overstated.
And who knows how many lives we can save, or who knows how many cures we can find for diseases we haven't even encountered yet? My clinic is surrounded by ocean and covered in thick rainforest.
We work in a 135-million-year-old living laboratory, and the most fantastic part is that I get to go out into that every single day, where I can find a host of venomous creatures that nobody else has access to.
I get to observe and live in this cradle of life that also has the power to save life.
And it is the most incredible privilege.
I hope that answers your question.
(Applause) (Door bangs) (Sighs) What? Could you have a look over these notes? I'm not sure if I'm doing them correctly.
(Sighs) Alright.
(Sighs) Ok, "Patient presented with crab claw," blah, blah, "index and middle digits," blah, "and then Dr.
D'Alessandro pulled at the claw, causing the patient extreme pain.
" He was already in pain, Freya.
You can delete that.
"And then the patient asked if he could have a different doctor because this one was crazy.
" See, Freya, the thing with patient notes is that you have to tell the truth.
- Yeah.
He did say that.
- When? He said it in French.
What? You don't speak French? Man on radio: 'Wave Rider' to Hope Island Clinic.
Over.
You going to get that? This is 'wave Rider' to Hope Island Clinic.
Come in.
Hope Island Clinic.
- Please answer.
This is 'Wave Rider'.
- This is Hope Island Clinic.
Over.
This is Hope Island Medical Clinic.
Go ahead, 'Wave Rider'.
Over.
Can you help her, please? She can't breathe.
Just lay her gently on the ground, mate.
What's her name? Caitlin.
She said her throat was hurting.
She couldn't breathe.
Rick: Caitlin, can you hear me? Just gonna put a mask on you, Caitlin.
Freya: Just put her here.
Thanks.
- Caitlin, you're gonna be ok.
It's alright.
- Sorry.
Sorry.
Caitlin? Caitlin, can you hear me? Right, patient is non-responsive.
Oh, we've got swelling of the throat and mouth.
Airway edema.
Cyanosis.
Oxygen, 100%.
Prep an endotracheal tube.
Heart rate is dropping.
BP 80 over 40.
Right, stridor lung sounds.
When did this start? About an hour ago.
She started wheezing.
- Is she asthmatic? Woman: - No.
- How much does she weigh? - What's that got to do with - 25 kilos.
- Thank you.
Adrenaline, 250 micrograms.
We're giving you something to help you breathe, Caitlin.
- You're being really brave, Sweetie.
- What's wrong with her? What's happening? It's presenting as anaphylactic shock.
Woman: - Oh, my God! - Should I call Livvy? - Rick, should I get Livvy? - No.
(Groans) Right, it's a severe allergic reaction.
She doesn't have any allergies.
Any new foods? Nuts? Sweets? Snack bars? No.
Seafood? - Any drugs? - No.
- Paracetamol? Antibiotics? - Nothing.
Nothing.
(Groans) Have you been swimming lately? No.
We were planning on going this afternoon.
Ah.
What's this? Woman: - I don't know.
Man: - What's happened to her? I knew we should have gone to the mainland, not some bloody bush clinic.
Freya: BP is rising.
Heart rate is stabilizing.
Right, she's responding to the adrenaline.
(Sighs) If you'd gone to the mainland, your daughter probably wouldn't have made it.
Let's find out what did this.
Caitlin? Jack: Croc six.
That's Neville.
They've been tracking her movements since yesterday.
Well, no-one asked the bloody wildlife ranger about this.
More to the point, why would you bother tracking her? Well, I'm pretty sure it's got nothing to do with their croc research.
Sam: And what was that ambush about our venom work? Andrew: Ambush? A bit paranoid, don't you think? Oh! This kind of bullshit is exactly why I hate coming back here.
Come on, Sam, we both know Malcolm can be a bit of an arse.
But don't judge the rest of the University based on him.
You've been gone for a while.
There's been a change in culture.
This is not the place it used to be.
I'm glad to hear it.
So, what's it got to do with me? It means you can feel a lot more comfortable about coming back.
Not as a doctor.
Venom work only.
We need your research here.
Andrew, I am not coming back.
Even if it means working out of the top venom lab in the country? I don't care if it is the top venom lab in the universe.
- I will not work with Malcolm.
- This is not about Malcolm.
I need you here.
What, to be close to you? And your girlfriend? You and I have managed to work together so far.
That's because 90% of the time, you're at the other end of a computer, Andrew.
The answer is no.
Well, I think this might change your mind.
Sam.
Oh, great.
So glad Andrew's brought you down to see us.
Mmm.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I don't think that we've been introduced.
- Becky Oliver.
- Hi.
- Becky's one of my PhD students.
- Of course she is.
(Phone rings) Sorry, I have to get this.
I'm a big fan of your work.
Your venom research.
And I was out at Hope Island the other day for some R and R, so Oh.
Limbo night.
Right.
Yeah.
Anyway, it was really great to be in the field.
See the stonefish colonies.
Great technique for milking them you came up with.
Oh, thank you.
Well, you are welcome any time.
Out in the field is where the real work is done.
Right, Malcolm? Did Andrew mention we're looking at having you relocate back here? (Speaks inaudibly) Where you can work under more controlled conditions.
I actually don't think that I need controlling.
- He's a complete tosser.
- Just think about it.
If you and Malcolm combined your research I wouldn't trust him, as far as I could spit.
Sam, you've done a lot of great work in your time on the island.
You have.
But it's time to come back here.
How about one day a week? No.
Andrew, coming back here, it would make you feel better, but not me.
Can I have my cheque now? Thanks.
I just think that your venom research should take priority.
You're a great one to talk about priorities, Andrew.
Of all the reasons that you've given me to come back here, not once have you mentioned our son.
Would there be any point? I asked him to come with me today.
He didn't want to.
Yeah, I got that message loud and clear when he deleted me as a friend.
I'm sorry.
Well, what are you gonna do about it? What can I do? Then nothing's going to change.
Is it? Thanks.
Man: So are we any wiser? Look, there are a million things it could be.
You know, beetle, insect, spider, wasp.
She didn't say anything about being stung.
Look, mate.
You need to think harder.
Ok, go through everything that you've done in the last 24 hours.
Ok, um Yesterday, we went snorkeling in the morning.
No, we stayed on the boat, remember? No, I'm sure we went snorkeling.
Yeah, you did, but Caitlin and I stayed on the boat.
We've been on that bloody thing since Saturday.
Right, why don't you two step outside, check your diaries and let me know when you can agree? It's just been one thing after another.
What did you do yesterday, Freya? That's not a hard question, is it? Woman: What, you're saying it's my fault? Man: You're the one who said we should sell the house! - Thanks, Caitlin.
Woman: - Not to get some stupid boat! Can you roll over for me, please? That's good.
Oh! Now, that's interesting.
- Maybe a bite? - Mm-hm.
Man: Bigger house? So we can all live in our separate rooms? - Freya? - Yes? Get me a hammer.
Woman: Our daughter almost died! Man: And how about you blow things out of proportion? Woman: First the cyclone, then the breakdown.
Man: It's the tropics! These things happen! - She couldn't breathe! - Oh, and that's my fault too, is it? I just don't see why we all should have to suffer because of your midlife crisis! Making progress, then? You said the adrenaline was helping and that she's stable? Oh, yes.
It might take some time for the rash to go down, but her breathing should be fine now.
Then I want to transfer Caitlin to the mainland, to a proper hospital.
- Oh, for goodness sake! - What? What is so wrong with wanting our child to have the best treatment? If we were in Sydney, this would We can organise a medivac transfer if that's what you want.
But considering that Caitlin is no longer critical, it might take a few hours.
Then we'll take the yacht.
Oh, do you realise that'll take at least six hours if we're lucky with the wind? I just want her to be ok.
Is that so unreasonable? Where did you go on Saturday? What? You said you hadn't left the boat since Saturday.
We went to the mainland.
McKinley Bay.
We had a picnic.
Do you think she got bitten by something there? No.
It wouldn't have taken this long for the reaction to set in.
Can I have a look at your boat? Just had a bit of bad luck, you know? She thinks we should pack it all in and go home.
You know, whatever happened to the spirit of adventure? Hey? - Ross? - Yeah? Where was Caitlin the hour before this hit? Um she was up on deck with us and then said she was bored, going inside to read.
What, in here? Down on the bed.
Right on your left.
In here? Yeah, really thought she'd like this, hey? There's nothing here, mate.
I mean, kids these days.
You tell 'em the whole world's a big, crazy place and then we wonder why they don't want to have a go at anything.
Ross.
Ross, Ross.
Just give me a second, mate.
- I need to think.
- Ok.
Are you absolutely sure that Caitlin did nothing other than come down here? Actually, no, she did come up saying she couldn't find her book.
I asked her when she had it last, she said the mainland, I told her to check the picnic gear straight through there, the hatch.
Whoa! Hey! What the hell are those? She's just over there, water's edge.
Ok, on my count, we move between the croc and the water, yeah? Yep.
Alright.
Three, two, one, now! And yeah.
Yep.
Let's go! Got it! Good on ya, mate.
I got it! Let's go do it! - You found something? - We have a winner.
I kind of suspected it when I saw it was a hymenoptera sting, but without the specimen, you can never be sure.
Ants? Jumper ants, found all the way up the east coast but most common in Tasmania.
You ever been there? Frequently.
That's where her grandparents live.
That'll be it.
Because she must have been stung at least once in the past to develop an allergy.
I told you she had allergies.
Yeah, you were right.
You happy now? Woman: - Don't just walk away from me.
Rick: - Why? Having a go at me again.
- Hey.
Rick: - Hey.
- They still fighting? - Yeah.
Don't worry.
My parents used to do the same, only louder.
Although when you grow up in an Italian household, everything's twice the volume.
(Both laugh) Hey, Freya.
Have we got an ETA on that medivac chopper? Yeah.
My patient's condition is worsening because her parents have deadset lost the plot.
Oh.
Recognise these fellas? That's what bit me? Well, it's a sting, actually, but their venom is one of the most powerful in the insect world.
- Really? - Mmm.
According to the Internet.
You can't trust everything you read online, you know.
- Hey, should we open it? - No.
Ok.
You know, you're gonna have to do your best not to get stung again, Caitlin.
But ants are everywhere.
What if I don't see them and I sit on one? Well, that's why we give you one of these things.
It's an auto injector.
You learn how to use it, and then if you ever do get stung again, you should be able to avoid all of this.
Your parents will learn how to use one too.
The medivac chopper, it's on its way.
About 40 minutes.
Will she have to stay in the hospital long? Maximum, a couple of days.
You know, they'll do a couple of blood tests to confirm the allergy.
Oh, and they'll teach you how to use one of those.
- Thank you.
- Oh.
My pleasure.
Then we'll come back here, we'll pick up where we left off.
You might want to see if you can get her into an allergy clinic first.
Waiting lists can be pretty long.
You mean we get to go home? Sucks, huh? Oh, yeah.
Shit! Aren't you going too? No, Anne's gonna stay at the hospital with Caitlin.
I'll sail the boat back to the mainland.
Or South America, given her mood.
Don't worry, mate.
There's always next year.
Gus: Hey! Hey! Hey! Wait up! Hey, Jeff, you got room for one more? Yep.
Poor kid.
Just imagine having parents like that.
- They weren't that bad.
- Excuse me? Their kid was almost dying and they couldn't agree on what they had for lunch! You should meet my parents.
- Oh, you're so full of it.
- Yeah.
But did you see how I found those ants? And just quietly, I reckon deadly ants beat crab claw.
(Scoffs) Du bist ein dummkopf.
What? What's that even mean? Did you just offer to clean the surgery again? Again? Ha! (Door opens) Freya? Rick? It's ok, I'm back.
Hey.
Hey.
I thought it was your day off.
I saw the chopper.
Where's the emergency? It's all over.
It was nothing, really.
It's true.
We had it all sorted.
These are for Sam.
She can play with their venom.
Come on, Freya.
Buy you a drink.
How about you help with the cleaning then buy me a drink, hm? - How is that a good deal for me? - Um It isn't.
Guess I could show you how it's done properly.
Mm-hm.
Oh, I hope that wasn't my motor.
No.
No, it's, uh Dr.
D'Alessandro's bicycle.
Custom-made French racer.
Worth a bit more than your outboard, I reckon.
There's not even any bike tracks on the island.
Aren't any golf courses either.
Didn't stop him bringing his sticks.
So.
Good day, was it? Brilliant.
You know, my lecture, that was hijacked.
Oh, and my ex-husband, he then offered me the job from hell.
What can I say? It's all good.
Did he pay you at least? Did you get my motor? Ladies first.
How much? What you said.
Two grand.
Has it got a warranty? Ooh! Let's not be ridiculous, eh? Will you take me home? I think I've had enough civilization for one day.
Yeah.
Yeah, in a minute.
What are we waiting for? Hold on! I'm coming! Him.
How did you get here? - I flew.
- Why? You'll see.
So how was your day? - Any talent at the beach? - Oh, couple of guys.
So why are you here? I just wanted the day to myself.
Hard to believe there is such a thing as too many cute backpackers on this island.
Hmm.
You know, you should be very careful that you don't end up like Neville.
The last single female of the species.
You can talk.
You got room for one of these? Yeah.
Um, kitchen.
Thanks.
Yeah, I've been thinking about starting a trivia comp.
Thursday nights are a bit dead.
Well, those things are all about the emcee, mate.
You get a good one and you're set.
Did I forget my birthday or something? - It's time, fellas.
- Time for what? Gather round, everyone.
Got a little bit of a surprise, yeah? (News theme) Earlier, we brought you a story about tagging crocodiles.
Well, today, the university's venom research unit got more than they expected when they tracked one of their beacons to main beach.
It wasn't a croc.
It was another species entirely.
(Laughter) ("Teddy bears' picnic" music plays) I think it's fair to say beachgoers aren't all that confident in their new lifeguard's ability to swim the magic mile, and, well, we're not too sure how good he's going to be in the water either.
Someone's idea of a joke.
Not the most clever one.
That's undergraduate humour for you.
(Laughs) Mate, you started it.
No-one tags our croc.
(Laughter) (Clears throat) (Turns off TV) (Sighs) I am so incredibly proud of all of you.
Good boys! Come here! (Laughs) Come here.
Let's eat.
(Chatters) There you go.
Hello, pretty.
I got a, uh, email from him this afternoon.
Well, that's progress.
Don't get excited.
Didn't say I replied.
Don't you want to know what he wrote? No.
I am not gonna hassle you anymore, Jack.
You and your dad, that is your business from now on.
Which means? That I'm not going to be your messenger.
Or his.
Right, so we're doing reverse psychology now, aren't we, mum? Don't push it.
You're not that far ahead of me yet.
Want to bet? Yeah.
You can't catch me, can you? (Laughs) (Theme song plays)