Reef Doctors (2013) s01e05 Episode Script
Episode 5
1 SONG: 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! (LAID-BACK MUSIC) Reef Doctors 01x05 Episode 5 Ah, check it out.
Snake poo.
Moist, so it's fresh.
Bones, teeth and fur.
It was probably its last meal.
- That's gross.
- No, mate.
It's nature.
Come on.
We're close.
Whoa.
Whoa! Oh! Are you alright? I got that.
Did I look like a goose? Yeah, totally.
Whoa.
Whoa! Whoa! Mate, if you want, I can scrub the video.
No, no, no, no, probably good for fans of the blog to see that Gus Cochrane's only human.
There.
An Eastern Brown Snake, or a Pseudonaja Textilis.
It's a good size too.
Uh, 1, maybe 1.
5 meters.
Now, they're good-natured, as long as you play by their rules.
As much as I love the lab work, mate, this is the real deal.
- Are they aggressive? - Only if they feel threatened.
You mean when someone's trying to catch them? Here.
Browns strike fast, only leaving tiny puncture bite marks.
Don't be fooled, though.
Their venom blocks out your body's ability to clot blood.
Next minute you're bleeding out of places you don't wanna be bleeding out of.
Oh, tell me you got that? (PARROTS WHISTLE) SONNY: Guten Morgen, Freya.
FREYA: G'day.
Mm.
How's the clinic prep going? We need some more chairs.
Oh, we'll get them.
- Uh, there's more sandwiches inside.
- Alright.
Exactly how many people are we expecting? No idea yet, but they're gonna be hungry.
Well, why don't they bring their own lunch? I mean, it's a medical practice, not a community fete.
You haven't been to a clinic day before, have you? No, but I can't wait.
Full roster of patients.
Be more like a real ER for a change.
FREYA: Looks like we're going to have our hands full today, huh? RICK: Just the way I like it.
(LAID-BACK MUSIC) CHILD: Dr Sam, Dr Sam! - Hi, guys.
ALL: - Hi.
- Oh, are they all for me? ALL: - Yes.
- Thank you.
They're great.
LIVVY: - Oh, mangoes.
Thank you.
Oh, more coconuts.
You really shouldn't have.
Do you wanna pop them over in the shade? Thanks.
So how come you get mangoes off the hot guy and I get the coconuts? Oh.
Ahem.
Keeping island time? Is there any other kind? Patient roster for the day.
Don't change it like last time.
Uh, platters go over there.
Try and keep the flies off them.
Won't all of this just encourage everyone to jam up the place? We hope so.
Hey, Barry.
- How are you, Sammy? - Hi.
- Good to see you back.
TOBY: - Don't strangle her, Baz.
- She's got a big day ahead of her.
- Coffee's over there.
Gonna be a big day alright.
Have you got anything planned for these older kids? Always.
Alright, all the big kids.
Grab your stuff and follow me.
Let's go.
SAM: Everyone.
(WOLF-WHISTLES) Gather around.
Alright, step in the back.
Watch your heads on here, OK? In you get.
OK, please say a very big hello to our new doctor, Dr D'Alessandro.
You can call him Rick.
ALL: - Hey, Rick.
- Hey.
Got a big day ahead, so please eat, drink, catch up on all the goss.
But you're gonna have to wait in line.
And remember, patience is a virtue.
It's a bit of a clinic joke.
You know, patience, patients.
Yeah, never mind.
Just make sure you get checked off with Nell.
Uh, whoa.
Just chill, OK? Haven't you guys ever heard of a line? Excuse me, uh, we're looking for Gus Cochrane.
Do you know where we might find him? Are you friends with Gus? - Well, bit more than just friends.
- OK.
Gus, friends here to see you.
Whoa.
Is that an Eastern Brown? Yeah.
- Pseudonaja Textilis.
Am I right? - Yeah.
Liam Bennett.
This is my girlfriend, Josie.
Hi.
You'd know me as Snakeman64.
Oh, come on.
You remember? On the new blog forum you just set up.
Oh.
Antoine, my pet python, tried to swallow my hand.
You recommended I could wear a glove so I could just slip out of it.
Make sure the snake eats the food, not the provider.
I'm your number-one fan.
Liam, look, I appreciate it, mate, but I've kind of got my hands full here.
Oh, hey, don't let us interrupt.
We're just happy to watch the master at work.
Right, Jose? - Power of the internet, huh? - Yes.
We made the trek from Adelaide to see you in the flesh.
- Really? - He is your number-one fan.
Absolutely.
Speaking of flesh, check it.
Oh.
Smooth as a baby's butt.
I did mine after I read about what happened to you on your blog with the Gympie Stinger.
You know, that waxing was intense.
But Josie loves it.
He's my big Ken doll.
(GUS LAUGHS NERVOUSLY) Whoa, hey, he is a beauty.
It's a she.
Really? Done the old cloacal probe, eh? Never been game to do it myself.
Just to imagine someone doing that to me makes my eyes water.
Yeah, well, I haven't done the probe yet, but it's just a guess.
Oh, hey, you'd know.
You are Gus Cochrane, living legend.
(CHUCKLES AWKWARDLY) Are you all set in there? Yeah, almost done.
That blog you wrote last week on the lost art of herping, it was like you were reading my mind.
Hey, you two should check out the rainforest while you're up here, have a look around.
We could do it together? Share some snake stories.
Unfortunately, it is clinic day, mate, so I am gonna be pretty flat chat.
Tonight, a beer? My shout.
We can check in at the backpackers.
Well, you you have come all this way.
Excellent, and you can tell Josie how you've been bitten a dozen times.
Yeah.
And counting.
Hey, Jack, why don't you show these two to Sonny's? Awesome.
See you later, Gusso.
Hey, Jack, just don't let those two talk to your mother.
OK, no problem Gusso.
(CROWD CHATTERS) (SAM CHATS INDISTINCTLY) LIAM: So you film his adventures? JACK: Most of them, yeah.
- Must be amazing.
- Yeah, it's pretty cool.
Actually, this morning we were just up at the bluff.
There's an Eastern Brown habitat up there.
That's where we got the snake Gus is gonna milk.
Uh, are you a scientist? Tax accountant.
I work for the ATO.
(LAID-BACK MUSIC) Hey.
About this patient roster.
You've made changes here.
Not me.
I've just pushed Gracie here up to the front, and I've moved Belinda and Georgie down till after lunch.
They haven't seen each other for a while.
Lots to catch up on.
And Bill Watkins is already on his third cuppa, so I wanna get him in before the caffeine sends his BP through the roof.
Sam, there's a mistake on the schedule.
The same guy, a Barry Mulligan, is down for three separate consults through the day.
No, that's not a mistake.
It'll become clear.
Rick, this is your first patient, Gracie.
I've actually got a Jo Yeah, I know.
The roster's changed already.
If you've got a problem, go see the Evil Queen.
No, thank you.
Gracie.
Come on up.
Believe me, being shipwrecked is no picnic.
Every minute that you spend hoping for someone to come and rescue you is a minute closer to your extinction.
You've got to save yourself.
So you wash up on this beach.
Island's deserted.
What's the first thing you're gonna do? GIRL: - Find something to eat? - No.
Man can live without food for 40 days.
- Find some water? - Wrong again.
Water might hydrate you, but it won't cool you down.
Heatstroke will get you like that.
Pete? Build a shelter.
Give that man a lollipop.
OK.
So we're gonna need palm fronds, bamboo, driftwood, anything that can be used as a building material.
Well, don't just sit there.
Time's a-wasting.
Let's go.
Whoever proves to be the best shipwreck survivor gets to send up the distress flare at the end of the day.
This is for your bronchodilators.
Keep going with your nebuliser twice a day, and if things deteriorate, we'll look into a portable oxygen machine down the track.
At your age, Gracie, you should really know better.
You were quick.
That young doc is not as nice as Sam or Hamish.
Barry.
Rick, Barry Mulligan.
Mr Mulligan.
Take a seat, mate.
(SIGHS AND CLEARS THROAT) - So what seems to be the problem? - How old are you? - Old enough.
(CHUCKLES) - Where you from? Melbourne.
So would you like to tell me why you're here today? Where to begin? How about with whatever's bothering you? Well, OK.
It started about five years ago.
Uh, me and my brother Hank ran a prawn trawler up the Cape.
- You know what a prawn trawler is? - Yeah, I think so.
Just wanted to make sure, seeing as you're from Melbourne.
Yeah, made not a bad living.
There's more money in prawns than there is in tuna.
Up here anyway.
Southern Bluefin down south.
That's where the real tuna action is, eh? But you'd know that being from that neck of the woods.
OK, the placenta is in a good position.
It's nice and clear of the cervix.
So if you keep this up, it's gonna be a textbook delivery.
- Get dressed.
- OK.
All done.
Not going to find out the sex? Didn't for the first.
Not for this one.
Phil's superstitious.
Wouldn't let me have a baby shower till Pete was born.
- You married, Freya? Boyfriend? - No.
Not much chance of that changing out here, is there, Sam? (SCOFFS) When are you gonna get your act together? Find yourself another bloke? Well, I'd have to mail one in.
There's water everywhere.
It's one big man drought.
How's Phil? Working like there's no tomorrow.
Hubby works the oil rigs out of Darwin.
He's away a lot, but he loves coming home to us.
Blood pressure - 150 over 100.
I'll just double-check it.
Is that high? It is a little bit for you.
Has bubs been kicking much? Not lately, thank God.
Been all knees and elbows for the most part.
We'll get some urine and do some bloods.
Tick all the boxes, huh? So that's how the boat sank with a full haul of Red Spot Kings.
And Hank drives it smack bang down into the bottom of the reef.
I swear he did it on purpose, just because I arced up over what he said and gave him a clip around the earhole.
Well, I haven't spoken to him since.
He hasn't spoken to me.
Five long years.
He still owes me 50 large for my half of the boat.
You reckon he'd cough it up? Snowball's chance in hell.
Barry, it seems to me like you should be talking to a family counsellor.
Hey? As opposed to a general practitioner, but lucky I can help you out.
I'll find out what services are available and I'll get you sorted.
Righto then.
Catch you later.
Not quite finished yet.
I'll get a coffee.
Oh, Livvy, Fiona is giving a urine sample now.
Would you be able to draw up some bloods and give them to Gus to run some tests? You think there's a problem? Baby's not moving much and she's hypertensive.
I just wasted a whole 10 minutes on that Barry Mulligan guy.
You need to be patient with him.
Sam, there's nothing wrong with him.
He just likes to crap on about his problems.
His medical file is only one page long.
So what does that tell you? He's healthy.
No, he doesn't complain, so when he does, it must be significant.
Start with his rheumatism meds, take it from there.
I can't treat the guy if he won't tell me what's wrong with him.
When he trusts you, he will tell you.
Sam, I've got a patient list as long as my arm.
I don't have time to wait for him to trust me.
Next.
Well, um Might just Can I have the list? Just one sec.
(BRIGHT MUSIC) JOSIE: - Far to go? - Bluff's just up ahead.
Haven't we been this way already? What? No way! I think I know how to read a GPS, Jose.
It's so beautiful out here.
When we catch this Eastern Brown, I'm gonna use it as my profile pic.
Those losers in the herpetology discussion group, they're gonna wet themselves.
I'd like to hear them then say I've only got pussy snakes.
Isn't this a bit dangerous? Only if you don't know what you're doing.
Ah, right back at the stream.
This thing must be broken.
OK.
OK.
Well, we're here.
And we need to go north or west.
No, or south-east.
OK, got it.
Can't we go for a swim first? Babe, the bluff's just over there.
I am so psyched! You're so sexy when you hunt snakes.
Ssssss! Sssss.
RICK: Next.
Who's next? We're in the middle of morning tea.
I gotta seriously question the efficiency of your system here.
Rick, this is a social day as much as a medical one.
I'm just trying to maintain the schedule, Livvy.
Get them in, diagnose, prescribe, get them out.
My mantra.
Sounds more like a threat.
Slow down.
These people have names.
They're not all called 'next'.
You need to talk to them, but most importantly, you need to listen to what they have to say.
My job is to treat them clinically, not gossip.
And I don't need a nurse practitioner telling me about patients.
Rick.
This is Marion and Alisha.
Marion and Alisha.
What beautiful names.
Come on through.
Mum's been getting headaches the last week or so, with a bit of a fever.
She had a turn yesterday.
Took a tumble.
Hurt her knee.
OK.
She had tuberculosis 30 years ago? I don't think it's tuberculosis.
Alright.
I'm just gonna listen to your chest, Marion.
Can you stand up for me, please? Any chest pain? Night chills? No.
Deep breath, please.
- Coughed up any blood? - No.
That's good.
Can you lift your top for me, please, Marion? It's OK, Mum.
Deep breath.
Your lungs are a little raspy, but I'd say it's probably just residual nodules.
Deep breath.
Good.
Thank you.
Look, I doubt it's a recurrence of TB.
That's what I said.
You're an expert, are you? - I'm a nursing aide.
- Nursing aide.
That's great.
I'd say it's just a touch of the flu.
It's going around.
Hang on.
She's also got some pain and numbness in her hands and feet.
Well, your mother does suffer from arthritis, which puts her at a higher risk of infections from things like the flu.
Her meds weaken the immune system.
But her fall? The loss of balance.
She feels weak.
The flu can knock you around a bit.
Fatigue, et cetera.
Look, I've prescribed some antivirals.
That and bed rest and you'll be as good as gold.
There we go.
Make sure you follow the instructions on the bottle exactly.
Thanks, Marion.
Finally getting back on track.
You think? G'day, Ricky.
Bluff's just west of us.
I reckon we're in the right area.
My snake sensor's starting to tingle.
Hey, Josie.
Anything there? Anything there? - Yeah.
- What? Eggs.
Argh! Argh! Please don't get bitten.
I've watched enough videos to know what I'm doing, Jose.
I've watched Gus do it at least a dozen times.
He's a trained expert.
I do own at least half a dozen snakes.
Non-venomous.
And you bought them online.
I'm just worried about you, Pumpkin.
Where's it gone? - It's gone.
You made too much noise.
- It's not my fault.
You took so long getting that gear on, the snake probably got sick of waiting.
Hang on.
- Found it? - No.
There's a couple of eggs that have hatched.
Some brown juvies.
They're small now but they're gonna grow, right? Um Empty your bumbag, quick.
What about the snake bag? We still might find an adult.
Quick.
I'm gonna grab a couple of eggs.
LAURIE: - What are you doing there? - Nothing.
Removing snake eggs from the wild is illegal.
It's called poaching.
- We're not poachers.
- No? Then why don't you tell me what the two of you are doing up here? We were sent here by Gus Cochrane.
Gus? Yeah, we're here under Gus's instructions.
Aren't we, Jose? It was the arthritis that forced me into early retirement.
Copped a hook through the hand during a storm one night 'cause I couldn't grip the long line properly.
Took me head first into the big blue.
Thought I was a goner.
Caught the mother of all colds.
Turned into pneumonia.
If it wasn't for Sam's dad, Hamish, I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you today.
- Thank God for Hamish.
- Mm.
So, Barry, is that why you're here? Your rheumatism is bothering you? No, no, no.
The meds I take are magic.
My hands are as good as new.
See? (KNOCK ON DOOR) Hey, sorry to interrupt.
I was just wondering if I could take Baz for a sec? Be my guest.
I'll see you later, Doc.
Can't wait.
Baz, I just wanna talk to you about Fiona Shelby.
There's nothing wrong with the bub, I hope? Oh, no, no.
But you live pretty close to her, right? Near the resort? You've got a bit to do with her and Phil.
Not Phil.
Not anymore anyway.
That's because he's off working so much, right? Yeah, he's working alright.
Working hard at feathering his own nest.
And not just with all that cash that he makes on the rigs, if you get my meaning.
Not quite.
Well, Phil nicked off on Fiona and Pete months ago.
He's got some new bird in Darwin.
And he's not coming back.
OK.
Right, everyone, watching me.
Nice and tight.
See? This raft's gotta be strong enough to hold together but it's gotta give a little bit in rough seas.
Last thing you want is to sink two miles out there with no help on the way.
What if a shark attacks the raft? Well, that's a different kind of survival, Pete.
I saw this one thing on the Net of this scientist guy standing in the water with all these bull sharks and one of them ate his whole calf off.
Ew.
That's exactly why this raft has gotta be strong.
Everyone, make sure those vines are nice and tight.
And this other clip of this massive great white attacking a kayak.
Enough.
No more stories.
Let's focus on building the raft, eh? It's not the right shape.
It should be twice as long as it is wide.
For stability in the water.
Where did you learn all this? Off the HowStuffWorks website.
No-one likes to be shipwrecked with a smartypants, Pete.
If it gets to cannibalism, they're always the first ones to get eaten.
Cool! SAM: Thanks, Nell.
Fi.
There's a problem, isn't there? With the baby? The baby is fine.
Your tests came back all fine.
Although your blood pressure is still a little bit higher than I'd like, so I'm just gonna check that again, OK? You still working? At the resort.
Mm-hm.
- No heavy lifting? - Just cleaning rooms.
When is Phil due back? Soon.
Fi, why didn't you tell me about Phil? I haven't told anyone.
Not even Pete.
You know, stress is something that you can pass on to the child that you're carrying.
You can't bottle this up, Fi.
- I'm just ashamed, I guess.
- Why? Phil is the one who is being a bloody idiot.
Not you.
No, he's no good.
Never was.
You know, sometimes we don't think that we can get through these things.
But we do.
Now, listen, your blood pressure is still too high.
You're going to have to take it easy.
I can't afford to.
Phil's stopped sending money.
OK.
Then we will organize a Supporting Mother's Benefit.
- I am not a charity case, Sam.
- It's not charity.
It's just what you're entitled to.
Listen, Fi, there is a whole courtyard out there full of your good mates who would do anything to help you.
If you keep these stress levels up, if you refuse to accept their support and my help, then you're only gonna harm your baby.
Huh? So let me help you, huh? Yep.
We'll work it out.
We'll work it out.
Good boy.
You're OK, mein Liebling.
- Is it too late for a career change? - For you? No, you.
Maybe you're not cut out for this.
Why, because all these people don't like me very much? You could make an effort.
I am.
Just not what this clinic's used to.
I work best under extreme pressure.
Efficiency is my strength.
As opposed to people skills? (BABY GURGLES) You need to look at Mum again.
She's dizzy.
Her temperature's gone up.
These are normal symptoms of the flu.
Has she started the antivirals? You're not listening to me.
I might be just a nursing aide, but I know my mother.
Something is really wrong.
And I know what I'm doing.
Rest, fluids, medication.
She'll be fine.
- Nice try.
- What? Quick! Inside.
There's a patient waiting.
Yeah, alright.
G'day, Dad.
Hey, Darl.
What's up? Oh, tell you later, eh? GUS: You're stealing eggs off my snakes off my island? LIAM: - Hey, chill, Gusso.
- Don't call me that, mate.
JOSIE: It wasn't stealing, it was collecting.
It was poaching.
Yeah, that's what I told them.
OK, OK, but there's been no harm done.
I put the eggs in the nest.
Everything's sweet.
- I made him put them back.
- Ah.
Hey, hang on, you go on in your blog about most herpers buy their snakes from pet shops and they don't bother handling them in the wild.
I was following your example, Gus.
You were my inspiration.
That's so not cool, Liam.
It's against the code.
(OMINOUS MUSIC) And then what happened? You gotta let it all out.
I've got all day.
Well, I basically just told him that I didn't wanna be a cardiothoracic surgeon or any kind of specialist.
You know, I wanted to study tropical medicine.
And, who knows, maybe end up in South America or something, treating an Amazonian tribe.
And that didn't go down too well? You know, my father's idea of doctoring involves a Collins Street address and diagnosing via mobile phone from the 18th green of a golf course.
(LAUGHS) Ooh.
What? Why are you smiling like that? You just keep shifting around in your seat.
Is anything sore? No, no.
Having a bit of trouble taking a whiz lately? (SIGHS) You're thinking it's your prostate, right? You worried about the test? I haven't thought about anything else for the past three weeks.
Barry, you should have just told me from the start, mate.
Well, a bloke needs to feel comfortable with a fella if he's gonna trust him with a (CLEARS THROAT) .
.
rubber glove.
LAURIE: So, uh, you want me to call the mainland coppers? - Nah, just get them off the island.
- Not who I thought you were, Gus.
Online, you make catching snakes exciting.
Heroic.
- Sexy.
- I wouldn't go that far, Jose.
It's to promote venom research, Liam, not to encourage people to poach reptiles.
Alright, you two.
Let's go.
Ah, yep.
OK.
(WHISPERS) Liam, you've got to tell them.
Tell us what? NELL: Come on, guys.
We've gotta evacuate the building.
If we could just move outside as quickly and calmly as possible.
Come on.
It's not your fault, pumpkin.
How were you supposed to know baby brown snakes are poisonous? - Venomous.
- Whatever.
Uh, what is happening? Gus? Yo! Have you lost a snake? Juvie Eastern Brown.
It's a long story.
Let me guess, the guy in the "herping for idiots" get-up is involved? Are you gonna stand there and ask questions or help me look for this snake? Livvy said that they're friends of yours, from the internet.
No, technically, they're fans.
Fans? Right, so they've been following our work on the website and they've just had to make the trip out here? I might have sent some confusing messages out of the forum on my new blog.
Your forum on the new blog? Ah, ah! Why do I keep looking in dark scary places and you're just up there looking at benchtops? (CLEARS THROAT) Gus, blog.
Explain.
I'm just trying to up our profile, Sam.
Give us a sexy, exciting, new image that attracts funding like all those other venom docs.
Sexy, like, you know, as with your shirt off? No, Sam.
Like adventure.
You wouldn't be interested.
Gus.
No, Gus I I really, really would.
Ah! Oh! Where the bloody hell are you, snake? - Try - OK.
Don't sugar-coat it.
Just give it to me straight, Doc.
Your prostate's fine.
Arms up.
Any soreness in your kidneys? - No.
- Blood in your urine? Alright.
We'll run a few tests, but my money's on a simple urinary tract infection.
- I thought only the ladies got those.
- Wishful thinking, mate.
We'll give you some strong antibiotics and you'll be back to normal in a few days.
I haven't been this relieved since I thought I had dengue back in '95.
I had all the symptoms - headache, fever, joint pain.
But, Hamish, he took one look at me and he thought otherwise.
I didn't have the rash, you see.
So he diagnosed meningitis and saved my bacon.
Rash? Dengue fever rash.
Itches like crazy, only I didn't have it.
Barry, I won't be a moment.
Where is everyone? What are you doing? Rick, there is a snake loose somewhere in the clinic all thanks to Gus's blog.
- What blog? - We're all wondering that.
Oh, Barry, can you please go back into the consulting room and shut the door? - What are you looking for? - Snake, apparently.
Sam, I need a second opinion.
Can you come outside with me for a sec? What part of "snake on the loose" don't you understand? - This could be an emergency.
- So could this.
Ah.
You don't mean this little thing, do you? Ah Just drop it in.
What's the big deal? It's not that much bigger than an earthworm.
Yeah, it will still kill you.
Yeah, right.
You free to help me now? Yeah, sure.
Where exactly has it been itchy, Marion? I dunno.
Somewhere back there.
What makes you think that it's a tick? She's exhibiting symptoms of tick paralysis.
I thought it was the flu but I told you it wasn't the flu.
You checked your mum for ticks, right? Of course I did, Sam.
We get bitten all the time.
Yeah, they can be real easy to miss.
Alicia would know what she's looking for because she's a - Nursing aide? - Yes.
I know.
Here.
Look.
Look.
Can you see that? You probably missed it because the tick's body gone.
It's just the head that's left.
It's just a tick.
She's never had a reaction like this.
Talk me through her symptoms.
Headache, fever, numbness in her extremities, unsteady on her feet.
Sounds like she's allergic.
Maybe she built up a reaction after being bitten so often? Well, we will run some bloods and do a swab test.
Then we'll get her to the mainland hospital.
You think it's that serious? You wanna take the risk? No.
What did the test tell you? That it's definitely not tick typhus.
I'd go with your hunch and say it's an allergic reaction to something.
Lucky, though.
Amazing, ticks, aren't they? Something so small and innocuous can have enough toxic saliva to kill a person.
Thanks, Gus.
I have spoken to the hospital.
They've got the tick antivenom.
- They're sending the chopper.
- Where's Marion? She's in the consult.
We're monitoring her for possible anaphylactic reaction.
- How is she? - Stable, but we've got a problem.
She is refusing outright to go to the mainland.
- What? Why? - She's afraid.
OK.
The last time Marion went to the mainland was for TB treatment.
It was probably 30 years ago.
Back then, you were locked in a control unit for six months and given chemotherapy for your TB.
It was pretty grim stuff.
I'll have a chat to her.
Um, no.
You know what? She's my patient.
She's my responsibility.
And I misdiagnosed her in the first place.
Well, it's because of you we caught this.
Marion.
- Not a bad call.
- Hm.
He may have the bedside manner of a stonefish, but there is certainly nothing wrong with his diagnostic skills.
No, I'm not going to the mainland.
Mum, you have to do what the doctor says.
I'm not going to any big city hospital again.
Marion, I understand that you're frightened, but there's no need to be.
The treatment will be nothing like it was for TB.
They won't lock you away in isolation.
They'll just give you an injection, put you on some antibiotics.
It's really simple, but it's necessary.
(GENTLE MUSIC) I haven't been a good doctor today.
The truth is, I've been worried more about maintaining my schedule than treating patients.
And I'm sorry.
I'm sorry for not listening to you and your daughter as well as I should have.
But you need medicine that we don't have here and you need it sooner rather than later.
Do you have grandkids? Two beautiful ones.
It's important for them, isn't it, that you get yourself looked after? A quick trip to the mainland, you'll be back here with your family before you know it.
I promise.
And I'm your doctor, right? Thank you.
TOBY: Come on, paddle harder.
You have to make it to the beach.
Come on.
CHILD: Whoo-hoo! Faster! Come on.
Get into it.
Rescue boat's not gonna wait for ya.
That's it.
Paddle harder.
Come on.
(CROWD CHEERS) Fi, just before you leave, um, did you get those Centrelink forms from Nell? - I did, yeah.
- Great.
I'll be doing house calls out to your island for the next week.
- Check you on a daily basis.
- Thank you.
Remember, you need to take it easy.
- I do, don't I? - Yep.
Yep.
Find some shade.
Mum, Mum! Look at me.
(BOTH LAUGH) Now, he has got enough energy for the both of you.
Barry keep an eye on Fi for me.
- You bet.
- Ta.
Hey, tell that Dr Rick if I need a finger up my bum again, I know where to come.
(LAUGHS) Sure.
TOBY: We've gotta egg them on.
Give them a help out, guys.
Come on, pull them in.
(UPLIFTING MUSIC) (CROWD CHEERS) TOBY: That's it.
So who gets to fire the flare, Toby? Oh, well, I don't know.
We all worked together, didn't we? So it's only fair that I fire it for all of us.
What do you think? (KIDS SIGH AND GRUMBLE) Oh, alright.
Here you go, Pete.
You did your homework, mate, and preparation's half the battle.
Make sure you aim him out there to sea.
We don't want the coast guard down on us.
Be careful, mate.
(ALL CHEER) Well done, matey.
Give us this.
Thanks, mate.
SONG: Mm-hm If you ever feel that you're alone (FREYA SIGHS) What a day, huh? Things don't make no sense far away from home Need a hand? No, it's a barbie.
I'm a bloke.
(BOTH LAUGH) I'll be there before you know it Maybe you and I could sail away Having a bit of trouble there, mate? Leave the stormy seas behind Gotta build a place to spend our time And I wanna make everything Here you go.
Oh, thank you.
Everything you ever dreamed of (BOTH LAUGH) It's coming true today Whoo! Yeah, it's coming true today Rick did well today.
Yeah.
(THEME SONG PLAYS)
Snake poo.
Moist, so it's fresh.
Bones, teeth and fur.
It was probably its last meal.
- That's gross.
- No, mate.
It's nature.
Come on.
We're close.
Whoa.
Whoa! Oh! Are you alright? I got that.
Did I look like a goose? Yeah, totally.
Whoa.
Whoa! Whoa! Mate, if you want, I can scrub the video.
No, no, no, no, probably good for fans of the blog to see that Gus Cochrane's only human.
There.
An Eastern Brown Snake, or a Pseudonaja Textilis.
It's a good size too.
Uh, 1, maybe 1.
5 meters.
Now, they're good-natured, as long as you play by their rules.
As much as I love the lab work, mate, this is the real deal.
- Are they aggressive? - Only if they feel threatened.
You mean when someone's trying to catch them? Here.
Browns strike fast, only leaving tiny puncture bite marks.
Don't be fooled, though.
Their venom blocks out your body's ability to clot blood.
Next minute you're bleeding out of places you don't wanna be bleeding out of.
Oh, tell me you got that? (PARROTS WHISTLE) SONNY: Guten Morgen, Freya.
FREYA: G'day.
Mm.
How's the clinic prep going? We need some more chairs.
Oh, we'll get them.
- Uh, there's more sandwiches inside.
- Alright.
Exactly how many people are we expecting? No idea yet, but they're gonna be hungry.
Well, why don't they bring their own lunch? I mean, it's a medical practice, not a community fete.
You haven't been to a clinic day before, have you? No, but I can't wait.
Full roster of patients.
Be more like a real ER for a change.
FREYA: Looks like we're going to have our hands full today, huh? RICK: Just the way I like it.
(LAID-BACK MUSIC) CHILD: Dr Sam, Dr Sam! - Hi, guys.
ALL: - Hi.
- Oh, are they all for me? ALL: - Yes.
- Thank you.
They're great.
LIVVY: - Oh, mangoes.
Thank you.
Oh, more coconuts.
You really shouldn't have.
Do you wanna pop them over in the shade? Thanks.
So how come you get mangoes off the hot guy and I get the coconuts? Oh.
Ahem.
Keeping island time? Is there any other kind? Patient roster for the day.
Don't change it like last time.
Uh, platters go over there.
Try and keep the flies off them.
Won't all of this just encourage everyone to jam up the place? We hope so.
Hey, Barry.
- How are you, Sammy? - Hi.
- Good to see you back.
TOBY: - Don't strangle her, Baz.
- She's got a big day ahead of her.
- Coffee's over there.
Gonna be a big day alright.
Have you got anything planned for these older kids? Always.
Alright, all the big kids.
Grab your stuff and follow me.
Let's go.
SAM: Everyone.
(WOLF-WHISTLES) Gather around.
Alright, step in the back.
Watch your heads on here, OK? In you get.
OK, please say a very big hello to our new doctor, Dr D'Alessandro.
You can call him Rick.
ALL: - Hey, Rick.
- Hey.
Got a big day ahead, so please eat, drink, catch up on all the goss.
But you're gonna have to wait in line.
And remember, patience is a virtue.
It's a bit of a clinic joke.
You know, patience, patients.
Yeah, never mind.
Just make sure you get checked off with Nell.
Uh, whoa.
Just chill, OK? Haven't you guys ever heard of a line? Excuse me, uh, we're looking for Gus Cochrane.
Do you know where we might find him? Are you friends with Gus? - Well, bit more than just friends.
- OK.
Gus, friends here to see you.
Whoa.
Is that an Eastern Brown? Yeah.
- Pseudonaja Textilis.
Am I right? - Yeah.
Liam Bennett.
This is my girlfriend, Josie.
Hi.
You'd know me as Snakeman64.
Oh, come on.
You remember? On the new blog forum you just set up.
Oh.
Antoine, my pet python, tried to swallow my hand.
You recommended I could wear a glove so I could just slip out of it.
Make sure the snake eats the food, not the provider.
I'm your number-one fan.
Liam, look, I appreciate it, mate, but I've kind of got my hands full here.
Oh, hey, don't let us interrupt.
We're just happy to watch the master at work.
Right, Jose? - Power of the internet, huh? - Yes.
We made the trek from Adelaide to see you in the flesh.
- Really? - He is your number-one fan.
Absolutely.
Speaking of flesh, check it.
Oh.
Smooth as a baby's butt.
I did mine after I read about what happened to you on your blog with the Gympie Stinger.
You know, that waxing was intense.
But Josie loves it.
He's my big Ken doll.
(GUS LAUGHS NERVOUSLY) Whoa, hey, he is a beauty.
It's a she.
Really? Done the old cloacal probe, eh? Never been game to do it myself.
Just to imagine someone doing that to me makes my eyes water.
Yeah, well, I haven't done the probe yet, but it's just a guess.
Oh, hey, you'd know.
You are Gus Cochrane, living legend.
(CHUCKLES AWKWARDLY) Are you all set in there? Yeah, almost done.
That blog you wrote last week on the lost art of herping, it was like you were reading my mind.
Hey, you two should check out the rainforest while you're up here, have a look around.
We could do it together? Share some snake stories.
Unfortunately, it is clinic day, mate, so I am gonna be pretty flat chat.
Tonight, a beer? My shout.
We can check in at the backpackers.
Well, you you have come all this way.
Excellent, and you can tell Josie how you've been bitten a dozen times.
Yeah.
And counting.
Hey, Jack, why don't you show these two to Sonny's? Awesome.
See you later, Gusso.
Hey, Jack, just don't let those two talk to your mother.
OK, no problem Gusso.
(CROWD CHATTERS) (SAM CHATS INDISTINCTLY) LIAM: So you film his adventures? JACK: Most of them, yeah.
- Must be amazing.
- Yeah, it's pretty cool.
Actually, this morning we were just up at the bluff.
There's an Eastern Brown habitat up there.
That's where we got the snake Gus is gonna milk.
Uh, are you a scientist? Tax accountant.
I work for the ATO.
(LAID-BACK MUSIC) Hey.
About this patient roster.
You've made changes here.
Not me.
I've just pushed Gracie here up to the front, and I've moved Belinda and Georgie down till after lunch.
They haven't seen each other for a while.
Lots to catch up on.
And Bill Watkins is already on his third cuppa, so I wanna get him in before the caffeine sends his BP through the roof.
Sam, there's a mistake on the schedule.
The same guy, a Barry Mulligan, is down for three separate consults through the day.
No, that's not a mistake.
It'll become clear.
Rick, this is your first patient, Gracie.
I've actually got a Jo Yeah, I know.
The roster's changed already.
If you've got a problem, go see the Evil Queen.
No, thank you.
Gracie.
Come on up.
Believe me, being shipwrecked is no picnic.
Every minute that you spend hoping for someone to come and rescue you is a minute closer to your extinction.
You've got to save yourself.
So you wash up on this beach.
Island's deserted.
What's the first thing you're gonna do? GIRL: - Find something to eat? - No.
Man can live without food for 40 days.
- Find some water? - Wrong again.
Water might hydrate you, but it won't cool you down.
Heatstroke will get you like that.
Pete? Build a shelter.
Give that man a lollipop.
OK.
So we're gonna need palm fronds, bamboo, driftwood, anything that can be used as a building material.
Well, don't just sit there.
Time's a-wasting.
Let's go.
Whoever proves to be the best shipwreck survivor gets to send up the distress flare at the end of the day.
This is for your bronchodilators.
Keep going with your nebuliser twice a day, and if things deteriorate, we'll look into a portable oxygen machine down the track.
At your age, Gracie, you should really know better.
You were quick.
That young doc is not as nice as Sam or Hamish.
Barry.
Rick, Barry Mulligan.
Mr Mulligan.
Take a seat, mate.
(SIGHS AND CLEARS THROAT) - So what seems to be the problem? - How old are you? - Old enough.
(CHUCKLES) - Where you from? Melbourne.
So would you like to tell me why you're here today? Where to begin? How about with whatever's bothering you? Well, OK.
It started about five years ago.
Uh, me and my brother Hank ran a prawn trawler up the Cape.
- You know what a prawn trawler is? - Yeah, I think so.
Just wanted to make sure, seeing as you're from Melbourne.
Yeah, made not a bad living.
There's more money in prawns than there is in tuna.
Up here anyway.
Southern Bluefin down south.
That's where the real tuna action is, eh? But you'd know that being from that neck of the woods.
OK, the placenta is in a good position.
It's nice and clear of the cervix.
So if you keep this up, it's gonna be a textbook delivery.
- Get dressed.
- OK.
All done.
Not going to find out the sex? Didn't for the first.
Not for this one.
Phil's superstitious.
Wouldn't let me have a baby shower till Pete was born.
- You married, Freya? Boyfriend? - No.
Not much chance of that changing out here, is there, Sam? (SCOFFS) When are you gonna get your act together? Find yourself another bloke? Well, I'd have to mail one in.
There's water everywhere.
It's one big man drought.
How's Phil? Working like there's no tomorrow.
Hubby works the oil rigs out of Darwin.
He's away a lot, but he loves coming home to us.
Blood pressure - 150 over 100.
I'll just double-check it.
Is that high? It is a little bit for you.
Has bubs been kicking much? Not lately, thank God.
Been all knees and elbows for the most part.
We'll get some urine and do some bloods.
Tick all the boxes, huh? So that's how the boat sank with a full haul of Red Spot Kings.
And Hank drives it smack bang down into the bottom of the reef.
I swear he did it on purpose, just because I arced up over what he said and gave him a clip around the earhole.
Well, I haven't spoken to him since.
He hasn't spoken to me.
Five long years.
He still owes me 50 large for my half of the boat.
You reckon he'd cough it up? Snowball's chance in hell.
Barry, it seems to me like you should be talking to a family counsellor.
Hey? As opposed to a general practitioner, but lucky I can help you out.
I'll find out what services are available and I'll get you sorted.
Righto then.
Catch you later.
Not quite finished yet.
I'll get a coffee.
Oh, Livvy, Fiona is giving a urine sample now.
Would you be able to draw up some bloods and give them to Gus to run some tests? You think there's a problem? Baby's not moving much and she's hypertensive.
I just wasted a whole 10 minutes on that Barry Mulligan guy.
You need to be patient with him.
Sam, there's nothing wrong with him.
He just likes to crap on about his problems.
His medical file is only one page long.
So what does that tell you? He's healthy.
No, he doesn't complain, so when he does, it must be significant.
Start with his rheumatism meds, take it from there.
I can't treat the guy if he won't tell me what's wrong with him.
When he trusts you, he will tell you.
Sam, I've got a patient list as long as my arm.
I don't have time to wait for him to trust me.
Next.
Well, um Might just Can I have the list? Just one sec.
(BRIGHT MUSIC) JOSIE: - Far to go? - Bluff's just up ahead.
Haven't we been this way already? What? No way! I think I know how to read a GPS, Jose.
It's so beautiful out here.
When we catch this Eastern Brown, I'm gonna use it as my profile pic.
Those losers in the herpetology discussion group, they're gonna wet themselves.
I'd like to hear them then say I've only got pussy snakes.
Isn't this a bit dangerous? Only if you don't know what you're doing.
Ah, right back at the stream.
This thing must be broken.
OK.
OK.
Well, we're here.
And we need to go north or west.
No, or south-east.
OK, got it.
Can't we go for a swim first? Babe, the bluff's just over there.
I am so psyched! You're so sexy when you hunt snakes.
Ssssss! Sssss.
RICK: Next.
Who's next? We're in the middle of morning tea.
I gotta seriously question the efficiency of your system here.
Rick, this is a social day as much as a medical one.
I'm just trying to maintain the schedule, Livvy.
Get them in, diagnose, prescribe, get them out.
My mantra.
Sounds more like a threat.
Slow down.
These people have names.
They're not all called 'next'.
You need to talk to them, but most importantly, you need to listen to what they have to say.
My job is to treat them clinically, not gossip.
And I don't need a nurse practitioner telling me about patients.
Rick.
This is Marion and Alisha.
Marion and Alisha.
What beautiful names.
Come on through.
Mum's been getting headaches the last week or so, with a bit of a fever.
She had a turn yesterday.
Took a tumble.
Hurt her knee.
OK.
She had tuberculosis 30 years ago? I don't think it's tuberculosis.
Alright.
I'm just gonna listen to your chest, Marion.
Can you stand up for me, please? Any chest pain? Night chills? No.
Deep breath, please.
- Coughed up any blood? - No.
That's good.
Can you lift your top for me, please, Marion? It's OK, Mum.
Deep breath.
Your lungs are a little raspy, but I'd say it's probably just residual nodules.
Deep breath.
Good.
Thank you.
Look, I doubt it's a recurrence of TB.
That's what I said.
You're an expert, are you? - I'm a nursing aide.
- Nursing aide.
That's great.
I'd say it's just a touch of the flu.
It's going around.
Hang on.
She's also got some pain and numbness in her hands and feet.
Well, your mother does suffer from arthritis, which puts her at a higher risk of infections from things like the flu.
Her meds weaken the immune system.
But her fall? The loss of balance.
She feels weak.
The flu can knock you around a bit.
Fatigue, et cetera.
Look, I've prescribed some antivirals.
That and bed rest and you'll be as good as gold.
There we go.
Make sure you follow the instructions on the bottle exactly.
Thanks, Marion.
Finally getting back on track.
You think? G'day, Ricky.
Bluff's just west of us.
I reckon we're in the right area.
My snake sensor's starting to tingle.
Hey, Josie.
Anything there? Anything there? - Yeah.
- What? Eggs.
Argh! Argh! Please don't get bitten.
I've watched enough videos to know what I'm doing, Jose.
I've watched Gus do it at least a dozen times.
He's a trained expert.
I do own at least half a dozen snakes.
Non-venomous.
And you bought them online.
I'm just worried about you, Pumpkin.
Where's it gone? - It's gone.
You made too much noise.
- It's not my fault.
You took so long getting that gear on, the snake probably got sick of waiting.
Hang on.
- Found it? - No.
There's a couple of eggs that have hatched.
Some brown juvies.
They're small now but they're gonna grow, right? Um Empty your bumbag, quick.
What about the snake bag? We still might find an adult.
Quick.
I'm gonna grab a couple of eggs.
LAURIE: - What are you doing there? - Nothing.
Removing snake eggs from the wild is illegal.
It's called poaching.
- We're not poachers.
- No? Then why don't you tell me what the two of you are doing up here? We were sent here by Gus Cochrane.
Gus? Yeah, we're here under Gus's instructions.
Aren't we, Jose? It was the arthritis that forced me into early retirement.
Copped a hook through the hand during a storm one night 'cause I couldn't grip the long line properly.
Took me head first into the big blue.
Thought I was a goner.
Caught the mother of all colds.
Turned into pneumonia.
If it wasn't for Sam's dad, Hamish, I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you today.
- Thank God for Hamish.
- Mm.
So, Barry, is that why you're here? Your rheumatism is bothering you? No, no, no.
The meds I take are magic.
My hands are as good as new.
See? (KNOCK ON DOOR) Hey, sorry to interrupt.
I was just wondering if I could take Baz for a sec? Be my guest.
I'll see you later, Doc.
Can't wait.
Baz, I just wanna talk to you about Fiona Shelby.
There's nothing wrong with the bub, I hope? Oh, no, no.
But you live pretty close to her, right? Near the resort? You've got a bit to do with her and Phil.
Not Phil.
Not anymore anyway.
That's because he's off working so much, right? Yeah, he's working alright.
Working hard at feathering his own nest.
And not just with all that cash that he makes on the rigs, if you get my meaning.
Not quite.
Well, Phil nicked off on Fiona and Pete months ago.
He's got some new bird in Darwin.
And he's not coming back.
OK.
Right, everyone, watching me.
Nice and tight.
See? This raft's gotta be strong enough to hold together but it's gotta give a little bit in rough seas.
Last thing you want is to sink two miles out there with no help on the way.
What if a shark attacks the raft? Well, that's a different kind of survival, Pete.
I saw this one thing on the Net of this scientist guy standing in the water with all these bull sharks and one of them ate his whole calf off.
Ew.
That's exactly why this raft has gotta be strong.
Everyone, make sure those vines are nice and tight.
And this other clip of this massive great white attacking a kayak.
Enough.
No more stories.
Let's focus on building the raft, eh? It's not the right shape.
It should be twice as long as it is wide.
For stability in the water.
Where did you learn all this? Off the HowStuffWorks website.
No-one likes to be shipwrecked with a smartypants, Pete.
If it gets to cannibalism, they're always the first ones to get eaten.
Cool! SAM: Thanks, Nell.
Fi.
There's a problem, isn't there? With the baby? The baby is fine.
Your tests came back all fine.
Although your blood pressure is still a little bit higher than I'd like, so I'm just gonna check that again, OK? You still working? At the resort.
Mm-hm.
- No heavy lifting? - Just cleaning rooms.
When is Phil due back? Soon.
Fi, why didn't you tell me about Phil? I haven't told anyone.
Not even Pete.
You know, stress is something that you can pass on to the child that you're carrying.
You can't bottle this up, Fi.
- I'm just ashamed, I guess.
- Why? Phil is the one who is being a bloody idiot.
Not you.
No, he's no good.
Never was.
You know, sometimes we don't think that we can get through these things.
But we do.
Now, listen, your blood pressure is still too high.
You're going to have to take it easy.
I can't afford to.
Phil's stopped sending money.
OK.
Then we will organize a Supporting Mother's Benefit.
- I am not a charity case, Sam.
- It's not charity.
It's just what you're entitled to.
Listen, Fi, there is a whole courtyard out there full of your good mates who would do anything to help you.
If you keep these stress levels up, if you refuse to accept their support and my help, then you're only gonna harm your baby.
Huh? So let me help you, huh? Yep.
We'll work it out.
We'll work it out.
Good boy.
You're OK, mein Liebling.
- Is it too late for a career change? - For you? No, you.
Maybe you're not cut out for this.
Why, because all these people don't like me very much? You could make an effort.
I am.
Just not what this clinic's used to.
I work best under extreme pressure.
Efficiency is my strength.
As opposed to people skills? (BABY GURGLES) You need to look at Mum again.
She's dizzy.
Her temperature's gone up.
These are normal symptoms of the flu.
Has she started the antivirals? You're not listening to me.
I might be just a nursing aide, but I know my mother.
Something is really wrong.
And I know what I'm doing.
Rest, fluids, medication.
She'll be fine.
- Nice try.
- What? Quick! Inside.
There's a patient waiting.
Yeah, alright.
G'day, Dad.
Hey, Darl.
What's up? Oh, tell you later, eh? GUS: You're stealing eggs off my snakes off my island? LIAM: - Hey, chill, Gusso.
- Don't call me that, mate.
JOSIE: It wasn't stealing, it was collecting.
It was poaching.
Yeah, that's what I told them.
OK, OK, but there's been no harm done.
I put the eggs in the nest.
Everything's sweet.
- I made him put them back.
- Ah.
Hey, hang on, you go on in your blog about most herpers buy their snakes from pet shops and they don't bother handling them in the wild.
I was following your example, Gus.
You were my inspiration.
That's so not cool, Liam.
It's against the code.
(OMINOUS MUSIC) And then what happened? You gotta let it all out.
I've got all day.
Well, I basically just told him that I didn't wanna be a cardiothoracic surgeon or any kind of specialist.
You know, I wanted to study tropical medicine.
And, who knows, maybe end up in South America or something, treating an Amazonian tribe.
And that didn't go down too well? You know, my father's idea of doctoring involves a Collins Street address and diagnosing via mobile phone from the 18th green of a golf course.
(LAUGHS) Ooh.
What? Why are you smiling like that? You just keep shifting around in your seat.
Is anything sore? No, no.
Having a bit of trouble taking a whiz lately? (SIGHS) You're thinking it's your prostate, right? You worried about the test? I haven't thought about anything else for the past three weeks.
Barry, you should have just told me from the start, mate.
Well, a bloke needs to feel comfortable with a fella if he's gonna trust him with a (CLEARS THROAT) .
.
rubber glove.
LAURIE: So, uh, you want me to call the mainland coppers? - Nah, just get them off the island.
- Not who I thought you were, Gus.
Online, you make catching snakes exciting.
Heroic.
- Sexy.
- I wouldn't go that far, Jose.
It's to promote venom research, Liam, not to encourage people to poach reptiles.
Alright, you two.
Let's go.
Ah, yep.
OK.
(WHISPERS) Liam, you've got to tell them.
Tell us what? NELL: Come on, guys.
We've gotta evacuate the building.
If we could just move outside as quickly and calmly as possible.
Come on.
It's not your fault, pumpkin.
How were you supposed to know baby brown snakes are poisonous? - Venomous.
- Whatever.
Uh, what is happening? Gus? Yo! Have you lost a snake? Juvie Eastern Brown.
It's a long story.
Let me guess, the guy in the "herping for idiots" get-up is involved? Are you gonna stand there and ask questions or help me look for this snake? Livvy said that they're friends of yours, from the internet.
No, technically, they're fans.
Fans? Right, so they've been following our work on the website and they've just had to make the trip out here? I might have sent some confusing messages out of the forum on my new blog.
Your forum on the new blog? Ah, ah! Why do I keep looking in dark scary places and you're just up there looking at benchtops? (CLEARS THROAT) Gus, blog.
Explain.
I'm just trying to up our profile, Sam.
Give us a sexy, exciting, new image that attracts funding like all those other venom docs.
Sexy, like, you know, as with your shirt off? No, Sam.
Like adventure.
You wouldn't be interested.
Gus.
No, Gus I I really, really would.
Ah! Oh! Where the bloody hell are you, snake? - Try - OK.
Don't sugar-coat it.
Just give it to me straight, Doc.
Your prostate's fine.
Arms up.
Any soreness in your kidneys? - No.
- Blood in your urine? Alright.
We'll run a few tests, but my money's on a simple urinary tract infection.
- I thought only the ladies got those.
- Wishful thinking, mate.
We'll give you some strong antibiotics and you'll be back to normal in a few days.
I haven't been this relieved since I thought I had dengue back in '95.
I had all the symptoms - headache, fever, joint pain.
But, Hamish, he took one look at me and he thought otherwise.
I didn't have the rash, you see.
So he diagnosed meningitis and saved my bacon.
Rash? Dengue fever rash.
Itches like crazy, only I didn't have it.
Barry, I won't be a moment.
Where is everyone? What are you doing? Rick, there is a snake loose somewhere in the clinic all thanks to Gus's blog.
- What blog? - We're all wondering that.
Oh, Barry, can you please go back into the consulting room and shut the door? - What are you looking for? - Snake, apparently.
Sam, I need a second opinion.
Can you come outside with me for a sec? What part of "snake on the loose" don't you understand? - This could be an emergency.
- So could this.
Ah.
You don't mean this little thing, do you? Ah Just drop it in.
What's the big deal? It's not that much bigger than an earthworm.
Yeah, it will still kill you.
Yeah, right.
You free to help me now? Yeah, sure.
Where exactly has it been itchy, Marion? I dunno.
Somewhere back there.
What makes you think that it's a tick? She's exhibiting symptoms of tick paralysis.
I thought it was the flu but I told you it wasn't the flu.
You checked your mum for ticks, right? Of course I did, Sam.
We get bitten all the time.
Yeah, they can be real easy to miss.
Alicia would know what she's looking for because she's a - Nursing aide? - Yes.
I know.
Here.
Look.
Look.
Can you see that? You probably missed it because the tick's body gone.
It's just the head that's left.
It's just a tick.
She's never had a reaction like this.
Talk me through her symptoms.
Headache, fever, numbness in her extremities, unsteady on her feet.
Sounds like she's allergic.
Maybe she built up a reaction after being bitten so often? Well, we will run some bloods and do a swab test.
Then we'll get her to the mainland hospital.
You think it's that serious? You wanna take the risk? No.
What did the test tell you? That it's definitely not tick typhus.
I'd go with your hunch and say it's an allergic reaction to something.
Lucky, though.
Amazing, ticks, aren't they? Something so small and innocuous can have enough toxic saliva to kill a person.
Thanks, Gus.
I have spoken to the hospital.
They've got the tick antivenom.
- They're sending the chopper.
- Where's Marion? She's in the consult.
We're monitoring her for possible anaphylactic reaction.
- How is she? - Stable, but we've got a problem.
She is refusing outright to go to the mainland.
- What? Why? - She's afraid.
OK.
The last time Marion went to the mainland was for TB treatment.
It was probably 30 years ago.
Back then, you were locked in a control unit for six months and given chemotherapy for your TB.
It was pretty grim stuff.
I'll have a chat to her.
Um, no.
You know what? She's my patient.
She's my responsibility.
And I misdiagnosed her in the first place.
Well, it's because of you we caught this.
Marion.
- Not a bad call.
- Hm.
He may have the bedside manner of a stonefish, but there is certainly nothing wrong with his diagnostic skills.
No, I'm not going to the mainland.
Mum, you have to do what the doctor says.
I'm not going to any big city hospital again.
Marion, I understand that you're frightened, but there's no need to be.
The treatment will be nothing like it was for TB.
They won't lock you away in isolation.
They'll just give you an injection, put you on some antibiotics.
It's really simple, but it's necessary.
(GENTLE MUSIC) I haven't been a good doctor today.
The truth is, I've been worried more about maintaining my schedule than treating patients.
And I'm sorry.
I'm sorry for not listening to you and your daughter as well as I should have.
But you need medicine that we don't have here and you need it sooner rather than later.
Do you have grandkids? Two beautiful ones.
It's important for them, isn't it, that you get yourself looked after? A quick trip to the mainland, you'll be back here with your family before you know it.
I promise.
And I'm your doctor, right? Thank you.
TOBY: Come on, paddle harder.
You have to make it to the beach.
Come on.
CHILD: Whoo-hoo! Faster! Come on.
Get into it.
Rescue boat's not gonna wait for ya.
That's it.
Paddle harder.
Come on.
(CROWD CHEERS) Fi, just before you leave, um, did you get those Centrelink forms from Nell? - I did, yeah.
- Great.
I'll be doing house calls out to your island for the next week.
- Check you on a daily basis.
- Thank you.
Remember, you need to take it easy.
- I do, don't I? - Yep.
Yep.
Find some shade.
Mum, Mum! Look at me.
(BOTH LAUGH) Now, he has got enough energy for the both of you.
Barry keep an eye on Fi for me.
- You bet.
- Ta.
Hey, tell that Dr Rick if I need a finger up my bum again, I know where to come.
(LAUGHS) Sure.
TOBY: We've gotta egg them on.
Give them a help out, guys.
Come on, pull them in.
(UPLIFTING MUSIC) (CROWD CHEERS) TOBY: That's it.
So who gets to fire the flare, Toby? Oh, well, I don't know.
We all worked together, didn't we? So it's only fair that I fire it for all of us.
What do you think? (KIDS SIGH AND GRUMBLE) Oh, alright.
Here you go, Pete.
You did your homework, mate, and preparation's half the battle.
Make sure you aim him out there to sea.
We don't want the coast guard down on us.
Be careful, mate.
(ALL CHEER) Well done, matey.
Give us this.
Thanks, mate.
SONG: Mm-hm If you ever feel that you're alone (FREYA SIGHS) What a day, huh? Things don't make no sense far away from home Need a hand? No, it's a barbie.
I'm a bloke.
(BOTH LAUGH) I'll be there before you know it Maybe you and I could sail away Having a bit of trouble there, mate? Leave the stormy seas behind Gotta build a place to spend our time And I wanna make everything Here you go.
Oh, thank you.
Everything you ever dreamed of (BOTH LAUGH) It's coming true today Whoo! Yeah, it's coming true today Rick did well today.
Yeah.
(THEME SONG PLAYS)