Everwood s01e06 Episode Script

Previously on Everwood: - You have a boyfriend? - Yes.
Ephram Brown meet Colin Hart.
- You want my dad to help Colin.
- You could just talk to him.
My mom said you can come over tomorrow after school.
I thought you didn't like me.
I lied to you.
You asked me to ask my dad to help Colin.
I said I did but I didn't.
Want to play something better? I asked my dad to help him.
He's gonna look at him tomorrow.
Okay.
Okay.
Everyone has a touchstone a last line of defense against the mayhem and sorrow of this world.
For some people in Everwood, that person is Dr.
Gretchen Trott.
No.
No.
Oh come on.
Son of a What is that thing? Blood van? Ice-cream truck? Bookmobile? "Shrinkmobile.
" Of course, not all Everwoodies worship at the shrine of this particular recreational vehicle.
Excuse us.
Coming through.
Everwood has their own psychiatrist? Psychologist with a master's in social work.
Good morning Gretchen.
Well hello.
It's nice to see you again Dr.
Abbott.
Gretchen is it my imagination or did we not discuss in detail at the time of your last visit When was that? - the desirability of your finding a more convenient place to see patients? Well I believe you did make certain views known.
I might call it a rumination more than a conversation.
Whether you remember it or not you need to move this eyesore so that I can park my car in my regular space.
I believe that this is the most convenient location for my patients so in the absence of any official signage I'll continue to station myself here.
Did you hear a word I just said? I heard you use territorialism to establish superiority.
While I respect a narcissistic impulse l'm under no obligation to cater to it.
- I don't believe we've met.
I'm Andy Brown.
- Speaking of narcissists - The Andy Brown? - One and only.
It's a pleasure to meet you.
I'm Well I'm actually a bit of a fan.
I recently rediscovered your '97 article on distinguishing psychological from organic mental disorders.
I have to tell you I found your analysis even more insightful upon second reading.
Oh brother.
It's a pleasure to meet a person providing a valuable service to this community.
I would be delighted to park my car down the street for the duration of your stay.
Well thank you.
Thank you very much.
Now if you'll excuse me I have to prepare to see my patients.
- I like her.
- You would.
How could anyone in their right mind take that quack's insight seriously? Dr.
Trott? I'm not too late am I? Dr.
Trott? Oh hi! I thought they only paid you to play piano.
You doubt my school spirit? Whatever.
It's cool of you to help.
See that red rope over there? That's where it all starts.
Every year it's a mad dash to see who gets the best seats.
You'd think it was a Paul McCartney concert.
Never seen middle-aged people run so fast.
A high school ballet depicting the changing of the leaves.
High point of Everwood's social season.
Why am I not surprised? The flower mart actually sold out last year.
All the girls get bouquets.
Roses mostly.
- That's good to know.
- Except me I mean.
Well I've never had a solo before but Colin used to bring me flowers anyway.
Not my parents or anybody just Colin.
- You checked your watch five minutes ago.
- Colin's parents' appointment is almost over.
I wouldn't worry.
My dad's appointments last long enough for whoever he's talking at to sign on the dotted line.
I can't remember the last time someone said no when Dr.
Brown offered his help.
Colin's surgery's a done deal.
I watched this show about comas the other night on the science channel.
It showed people who came out after a long time like six months or so.
Most of them barely even looked human.
I remember this one guy's face was frozen in this silent scream like that painting.
And most of their hands were all curled up like Jennifer Hockaday in special ed.
I don't mean this in a bad way Amy but are you sure you want him back? I mean especially if I mean that it might be better for him if I want him back no matter what.
As Dr.
Latham and his team have told you the causes of short-term coma are generally discrete and identifiable while the causes of prolonged coma can often be idiopathic.
Of unknown origin.
In Colin's case the neuro team has monitored his intracranial pressure and provided well above the standard of care.
You can be confident that up to this point you've done everything possible.
- Up to this point? - Having studied Colin's history and films l've come up with a theory.
- You think you know something they don't? There is what we believe to be a small fragment of bone lodged in Colin's brain.
More specifically in the brain stem where it would be hard to remove.
Dr.
Latham doesn't believe that the relationship between this fragment and your son's prolonged comatose state is causal.
But you do? I do.
And I believe I can surgically resect it without damaging the stem.
You've done this before? Actually no.
The brain stem handles the most elemental tasks that the brain performs.
Were we to undertake this successfully it would be medically reportable.
- Meaning? - Well it would be an experiment of sorts.
By that I mean experimentation occurs all the time in medicine.
It's how innovation takes place.
It's how lives are saved.
I want you to know I don't undertake this lightly.
I've performed over 200 procedures a year for the last 15 years and if I'm not mistaken I have one of the highest success rates.
But what if you do damage the brain stem? Well it would threaten Colin's ability to walk eat breathe.
And what if we don't do it? It's impossible to say.
Colin may emerge from coma on his own.
But you don't think he will.
Look you're the last stop for us Dr.
Brown.
We've run out of answers of our own.
What do you think we should do? I can't tell you what to do.
That's a choice you'll have to make together.
What if it were your son? I thought I'd get sick of Art's food but I'm beginning to realize That you have no taste? That meat loaf is versatile is what I was gonna say.
I'm picking up a tuna melt with coleslaw to go.
Ever been to a shrink? Always thought I could do it on my own.
You? I'd sooner tell you my problems.
I'm sorry.
I accidentally made your sandwich with dill pickles when you specifically asked for sweet.
I can remake it right now.
That's not necessary Dwayne.
I just hate myself for screwing up.
I never can do anything.
- Mother was right.
- Dwayne You have to let me Dr.
Trott.
I know I can do a better job really.
- I want to remake it.
- lf you insist.
Thank you.
You got him right where you want him don't you? - I'm sorry? - You thrive on it the insecurity the doubt the self-loathing.
You come into town every few months stir up neuroses like lawn-mowing in the dust bowl.
I don't create the feelings I just give people a safe place to put them.
You ride into town like the Joan of Arc of Gestalt.
A week later your patients are reassurance junkies begging for a fix and you've ridden off while someone has to pick up the pieces.
How does that make you feel Harold? Do shrinks have that implanted on a chip somewhere? Memorize a few key phrases buy a couch you're Sigmund Freud? While I respect your point of view and I'm glad you're comfortable Do you ever say anything? For God's sake get to the point! Is it possible that in reality you thrive on it you derive satisfaction from and I'm using your words "picking up the pieces"? Don't make me out to be some kind of parasitic misery-loving egomaniac.
Those are your terms not mine.
Try to stay evidence-based Harold.
Don't be so hard on yourself.
Thanks for the sandwich Dwayne.
You gonna eat all that Harold or can I have some? Bet you don't know what this song's about.
- I do too.
- What? It's about this girl.
It's about sex.
Do you even know what that is? - What's that? - Makeup.
It's my mom's.
You stole it? Delia I think it's time for you to go home now.
All right.
I understand.
No no there's really no need to explain.
No no.
Of course not.
All right.
We'll talk again soon.
- Who was that? - Just work stuff.
- Was it about Colin Hart? - Matter of fact it was.
- What did they say? - Who? They decided not to pursue the surgical option.
What? You can hardly blame them.
It's a tough decision.
- Wait.
So that's just it? - Well nothing's just it.
Colin's status is constantly evolving.
Who knows? Tomorrow next week next month could be a new ball game.
- You're gonna let it lie.
- No point in forcing the issue.
That's the new thing right this whole laissez-faire country-doctor bit? Doctors don't have all the answers Ephram.
- They don't? - No.
Sometimes parents have the answers too.
When you're done letting the cold air out of the fridge set the table will you? Hey Ephram.
My dad told me last night.
- I'm sorry.
- I shouldn't have got my hopes up.
You know once in a while back in New York people would say no to my dad at first.
- Then what happened? - Well he'd persuade them he was right.
- You know except - What? In this town people are different.
You gotta know them 25 years before they let you change their tire.
So you don't think your dad could convince the Harts? I don't know but maybe you could.
- Me? Really? You think? Yeah.
All right.
Thanks Ephram.
Want to play foursquare with me? Magilla we're playing dodge ball.
You in? - Yeah.
- We've got Magilla.
Do you want to play with me after school then? No.
- Why not? - Because last time I got in trouble moron.
I can't.
My mom said.
Hey guys Well that mole seems to be fine.
Let's check it next time you're in town.
- Where are the other ones? - Oh here.
So when will you be in town again? - Most likely February or March.
- Unorthodox way to practice.
Well I could say the same of you.
I was told this consultation would be free of charge.
I don't need the money so I skip the paperwork.
A glib response is somewhat wasted on a psychotherapist.
Well people keep asking me and it gets kind of old as if every act of altruism required a rationale.
Altruism? Yeah you know like Oh I get it I get it.
I remember my psych rotation.
You think I've got some kind of subconscious motivator like winning friends and influencing people or Well go ahead.
Give it your best shot.
I just wonder what it means when a neurosurgeon with a shot of making the history books moves to the middle of nowhere and gives his resource away for free.
And he won't be buying a football team anytime soon? You got me doc.
I don't think about those kinds of things.
I guess some people are just too hardheaded for that kind of complexity.
I believe that the average level of neurosis in non-mentally-ill individuals is strikingly similar.
It's the spectrum of self-awareness that differs.
- I call it the denial factor.
- Well that sounds vaguely familiar.
Who do you talk to Dr.
Brown? A friend a colleague wife? I get a certain perverse pleasure out of solving my own problems.
Everyone needs someone.
Well those other ones look fine to me too.
You might want to keep an eye on them.
You can put your clothes on unless you love that gown.
Okay.
So lay it on me.
What does happen to those unfortunate individuals who deny their own neuroses? The effects vary of course.
In extreme cases the pattern can be something along the lines of complete emotional spiral resulting in total breakdown.
You don't say.
- Bright where are you going? - Got a date.
Tonight? No no no.
You have to be here.
I don't think so.
I got one shot with Jemma Maxwell.
Mom's tuna/corn-flake casserole? Not gonna seal the deal.
Bright you can't go.
You have to be here.
- Why? - Mom invited the Harts over.
- So? - I've got all the research prepared about the surgery.
All you have to do is - I thought they said no.
- They could change their minds.
- Fat chance.
- I don't think we should be getting involved.
- We're already involved.
Colin is your best friend.
You have to help me.
- You have to tell them - It's a lost cause Amy.
What is wrong with you? Don't you want him back? - That bad huh? - It depends.
- What is it? - Point taken.
What do you think Delia? It's fine.
Is something wrong Delia? Magilla wouldn't play with me today.
He probably wanted to play with other friends.
Magilla doesn't have other friends.
I'm sure he'll want to play with you tomorrow.
No he won't.
- He said he can't play with me anymore.
- Why not? His mom said.
- Well why would she say a thing like that? - She doesn't like me.
That's impossible.
You have to have a parent talk.
- What with Magilla? I'm not his parent.
- No.
You have to talk to his parents.
You know that's actually a very good idea Ephram.
Tell you what we'll go over there right after dinner.
We can stop off and pick up some ice cream on the way over.
Sort of a peace offering.
That might work.
I can't remember the last time we were so well taken care of.
- Thank you for having us Rose.
- How are you holding up? It must be hard to have a nice time knowing Colin's - Amy.
- I think about him all the time.
Then why won't Dr.
Brown be performing surgery? Amy.
You'll have to forgive her.
She's been under some strain lately.
- Don't talk about me like I'm not here.
- Amy Nicole that's enough.
It's all right Rose.
I feel the same way you do honey.
There's nothing that we can do.
Yes there is.
Dr.
Brown is one of the premier brain surgeons in the United States.
Patients fly halfway around the world for a consultation and we have him right here.
And he wants to help us.
No.
No he doesn't.
We agreed that Colin should have the surgery and it was Dr.
Brown who changed his mind.
These things are starting to melt.
You think I should ring again? You rang four times.
They don't want us to come in.
There we go.
See? Good evening.
I'm Andy Brown and I think you know my daughter Delia.
I hope you don't mind our dropping by like this.
We rang the bell a couple times and figured - I really have some - I'll get right to the point.
It's come to my attention that there's been a misunderstanding.
My daughter's under the impression you don't want her playing with your son Stuart.
Do you really want to discuss this in front of your daughter? - What's this Jenny? - This is a friend of Stuart's Howard and her father.
- Pleased to meet you.
Delia was telling me an amusing story on the way over here.
She said that she and your son were playing the other day and this is hard for even me to believe because Delia has been a tomboy ever since she was in the womb but well they were playing dress-up.
Well I can assure you that as a physician that at this age this kind of play is perfectly all right.
If it bothers you you don't have to worry because it won't happen again.
- Why didn't you tell me about this? - I was going to.
- Keep your daughter away from our son.
- I'm sorry? You heard me.
Please don't come back.
Let's get these home before they melt.
Dad? Is something wrong with me? Nothing is wrong with you sweetheart.
There is nothing wrong with you.
Why didn't you tell me? What? Your father turned them down? - What? - The Harts asked him to do the surgery Why wouldn't my dad want to operate? - You tell me.
- No it's impossible.
My dad's a jerk but he's never turned anyone down before.
- My dad's never met odds he didn't like.
- He didn't like Colin's.
- You sure you got this right? - The Harts told me.
The guy I know would give his left nut to rescue a kid from a coma and be a hero.
- Are you sure he didn't tell you anything? - Why would I lie to you Amy? You're the only person I care about in this whole stupid town.
Look I didn't know.
I swear.
There are still too many chairs in this room.
I said 10 chairs and I meant it.
We need to redo the color coding on the patient files by Friday at the latest.
And get a copy of the seating chart for the recital.
We don't want any surprises like last year.
Oh and get me some coffee will you? Good morning Dr.
Abbott.
Good morning.
Was there something? When you say "we" do you mean we or do you mean me? I'm sorry l "We need to redo the color coding.
" Do you mean we or me? Well you I suppose.
Then I'd appreciate it if you'd say: "Could you please have the folders redone by Friday Louise?" And furthermore I was not hired to make coffee so if I choose to do so it will be on a case-by-case personal-favor basis.
Is that understood? Yes Louise.
You're the one who said my lack of assertiveness was limiting my potential.
- Oh now I only - So I signed up with Dr.
Trott.
You can hang your own scarf.
No.
Dr.
Trott! Dr.
Trott! Dr.
Trott! What do you call this? - A scarf? - Not that.
My assistant Louise.
She was a completely normal person before you got your rabid invasive self-indulgent paws on her.
And stop filling people's heads with this garbage.
Have you no scruples? You wreck people's lives and charge them for it.
You're like a televangelist.
- I am having a breakthrough.
- All right all right.
Excuse me Brenda.
Excuse me I'm not done talking yet.
I'm done listening though.
Good day Harold.
Oh no it is not.
It is not a good day! Do you hear me Dr.
Feelgood? I will have you evicted! I will you have towed you You're all crazy! - Hi sweetheart.
- Hey.
That didn't sound very enthusiastic.
Friend still not talking to you? That kid's got a lot of willpower for a third-grader.
He wasn't in school today.
Well he's probably just out sick.
I asked Miss Violet.
She said he wasn't coming back.
Do you believe this? Those parents yanked their kid out of school for playing dress-up? I mean that's That's medieval.
Here's what we're gonna do we are going over there now.
- Word on the QT doc.
- I will see they listen to reason.
- Boss These people know nothing about child-rearing.
If I can tell that they're doing it wrong In your office sarge! Look I don't know what the As Dr.
Sourpuss' nurse I was privy to some information which I normally wouldn't disclose but under the circumstances It's about little Stuart Magilla.
- He wasn't born a he.
- What? Not a she neither exactly.
Ambiguous genitalia.
What some in the profession call pseudohermaphrodite.
This is the gorilla kid? The one who put a bug up his own nose? The parents see that they're in serious on this one and they send him to a specialist.
This genius follows the prevailing wisdom and suggests that since baby Magilla's got a fairly well-formed you-know-what and generally looks masculine the parents should rear him as a boy no questions asked.
Then Delia comes along and they see their boy playing with a girl playing like a girl.
The situation will only become more complicated as he approaches puberty.
- I should probably talk to them about - You can talk till you're blue in the face.
It's not gonna change this family's ideas of how to raise their child.
- Not change per se but - No.
- All I'm saying is I could just - No.
Let me tell you this and I mean no offense by it.
But I'm not entirely sure anyone's ever told you this before.
There are some things that you can't fix.
I'm ready.
Let's go.
- Need some help with that? - I got it.
Is Amy nervous about the recital? She's too pissed off.
These are difficult decisions.
What the Harts decided is their prerogative and we have to respect that.
What the Harts decided? What you decided for them.
- This is so typical.
The one time it matters - It always matters Ephram.
It just so happens that this time it matters to you.
- But that doesn't mean - Amy matters to me.
And as pathetic as it may be you were her only shot.
She's not used to being let down by you.
Not yet.
Listen to me Ephram.
These people asked me what I would do it if were my son.
And I told them that I thought it was risky.
It's tempting to leap in and try and surgically fix things.
That's a load.
You know it.
If it were your son if it were me you'd let me sit there in a coma when there was a zillionth-of-a-percent chance you could ride in and save me? I don't think so.
If I didn't know any better I'd think you were scared.
We're gonna be late.
Excuse me.
Would you mind moving over one so my daughter and I could sit together? No.
"No" you wouldn't mind or? I'm a person and I'm important.
You wouldn't be a patient of Dr.
Trott's would you? Well yes.
Sit on the inside sweetheart.
You really got this down.
I read The Art of War.
How long did you have to wait for these seats? Three hours.
He brings his backlog of medical journals.
The Harts told us about your decision.
It's what I'd do.
It's the more cautious choice.
Well thank you.
I'm glad you agree.
I said it's what I'd do.
Amy? Colin would never forgive me if I didn't make sure you got these.
I know he would give anything to be here.
Good luck.
Amy.
Amy.
- What's wrong? - He's not coming back.
You don't know that.
He could come out of it.
He probably will.
He's gone.
Amy.
Amy.
Dr.
Abbott.
Dr.
Abbott you have to come back here now.
It's Amy.
Come on.
Amy? Amy honey? Honey? Sweetheart can you hear me? We're going home.
We're going home sweetheart.
Come on sweetheart.
Here we go.
- I can't talk to you.
- It's just for a minute.
You saw what happened before.
Sorry.
I'm not here to tell you how to raise your kids.
I need your help.
Please.
Come around to the side door.
Don't knock.
Did you pull your son out of school because of what happened? Oh no no.
My husband and I have been thinking about sending him to a boy's school anyway.
I know about your son's condition.
- How could you? - I won't.
I'm ethically bound not to disclose your son's medical history to anyone.
But I want to help you.
As a doctor I've We've been to doctors.
Don't you understand? All we want to do is to put this behind us.
Well Stuart won't be able to put it behind him.
Maybe that's not such a bad thing.
These kids grow up to be very special people.
They've got a lifetime of empathy inside of them by the time they turn 10 and that's a tremendous gift.
- But you cannot put him in a box and try - Please just go.
Stuart's not the reason I came here.
But I would like to ask you to do one thing for me.
For my daughter.
I brought you the hat you like.
Take it.
- I don't like that hat.
- Yeah you do.
You said.
Okay.
It's too small.
People will know it's from a girl.
So? I hate girls.
Well I hate boys.
All boys? No.
I don't hate girls I guess.
Goodbye Magilla.
Goodbye Delia.
Ready to go kiddo? - How did that go? - Fine.
Maybe you two could stay in touch with letters or e-mail.
- You'll make new friends Delia.
- I don't want to make new friends.
I don't want to say goodbye to people anymore.
- You look better.
- Hi guys.
- I feel better.
- Really? I'm totally fine.
- Because last night was pretty - Freaky right? The exact same thing happened to me once before when I went on this family trip.
I didn't have time to study for a test.
I just spazzed out.
I just lost it.
I guess it's good that I got it out because I feel completely totally together you know? I'm just embarrassed that everyone saw me like that.
It's so not typical of me.
What? You're talking faster than my brain processes language.
Sorry.
I'm a little bit Anyway so how are you? - How are you? - I'm great.
How are you really? I'm completely fine.
Really.
I am.
- Because you know if not you can tell me.
- I just told you I am.
All right but if you want to talk about anything I'll be here Oh God.
I completely forgot I'm supposed to meet Kayla and Paige to go to the mall.
I gotta go.
Sorry.
Sorry.
Here.
I'll be here.
If you want to see him I gotta have a reason.
You could be the Unabomber for all I know.
Not today Mother.
Now you call me if there's a problem all right? Okay doctor.
- Hello Marge.
- Hello.
Dr.
Abbott.
- Could I see you for a moment? - Sure.
In private.
I love what you've done with the place.
A little examining-table paper some tongue depressors sky's the limit.
I find it's more convenient to store extra swabs under the table.
Did you really come into my office to tell me where you store your swabs? First day you came you thought you recognized me.
You said it was from the mental ward.
That was a good one.
You did recognize me.
I was finishing up at the VA when you got there.
There's no reason you should remember me.
You were harder to miss.
Even then we all knew we were in the presence of something greater than ourselves.
It's like being on the junior high basketball team with Michael Jordan.
The chief would describe each new feat of yours with unmitigated jealousy almost hatred.
Gee I always thought Doug liked me.
He hated you.
You brought him face to face with his worst fear that he would never be extraordinary.
He met you he abandoned his dreams of greatness.
He wasn't alone.
- So you were going to be - A surgeon.
Yes.
I was almost a surgeon.
Unfortunately I I discovered I didn't have the hands for it.
So after my residency I just came back here joined my father's practice in this miserable little town.
I became a family doctor.
No small thing in times like these.
But you You are a man with a gift much larger than yourself larger even than your own hopelessly-bloated ego if that's possible.
Thank you.
Sharon and James Hart don't know who you are.
I do.
I do.
They don't know what you can do for their son.
They're terrified of making a mistake.
I know and you know somewhere within the world's thickest dura you owe it to this kid to perform whatever miracle you've got up your sleeve.
You owe it to Colin and to his parents and to my poor heartbroken daughter and to the universe or whoever decided that you would be Leonardo and I would be less remarkable.
Hell you owe it to me.
What are you playing? Nothing.
Did you compose this "nothing"? What are you doing here anyway? There's no rehearsal.
I had a free period so I thought I'd That's not true.
I came because I wanted to tell you something.
Yesterday when I told you that I was okay I wasn't.
I'm not.
I'm not okay.
I remember in fourth grade Miss Kitzlinger's class and Mrs.
Barber's class went on a field trip to the brewery.
And on the way back home I got into the wrong bus.
Colin thought they had left me behind.
He walked back three miles and stayed at the brewery till nightfall trying to find me.
He couldn't leave me behind.
What were you playing before? You said nobody brought you flowers but Colin.
It would have been your first solo so I wanted to make sure someone remembered.
I wrote you a song.
Will you play it for me? No.
It's not finished.
Please.
The thing about your touchstone you come to depend on it no matter whether you set out to or not.
But not even your own personal Rock of Gibraltar is permanent.
Rock has her own needs to think of.
And just because you want someone to stick around doesn't mean she will.
Dr.
Brown knew something about that.
You got time for one more hopeless case doc? I had a medical consultation last week.
Parents wouldn't consent.
They wouldn't put their faith in me.
Why do you think that is? They didn't believe that I could heal their son.
- Did you? - What? Did you believe you could heal him? I was advocating the procedure.
I believed it was the proper course of action with the best chance of a positive outcome.
Not the surgery the surgeon.
You.
I wasn't thinking about me or my abilities.
I was thinking about these people.
Someone's parents.
Someone's son.
This kid is the boyfriend of a girl that my kid goes to school with.
I was thinking that if something goes wrong if we can't bring him out I was thinking about the outcome.
You never think about the outcome.
I just lied to you.
The truth is in the end it was me.
I told them I wouldn't do it.
You were scared.
My son said something like that to me.
And? It was easier before when I didn't know so much about my patients when I didn't care.
I used to be able to fix things.
You told me that you moved here to be a father and a doctor.
Now you are.
Yeah.
I just didn't know it would be so hard.
Welcome to the human race Dr.
Brown.