The Night Shift (2014) s04e01 Episode Script
Recoil
1 Previously on "The Night Shift" Mac, there's something going on with you, isn't there? I got a GBM Stage IV.
I'm not dying alone at the V.
A.
If I can't be a soldier, I'm gonna fall on my shield.
Male reporter: So far, the fire has destroyed nine homes with no containment in sight.
We had to leave Mac up on that hill.
Tell search and rescue to send a chopper up there for him now.
This place needs strong medicine now.
If I didn't know any better, Julian, I would think you're letting me go.
You think hard on this, Paul.
You walk out of here, I'll cut you off.
You made a decision without consulting anyone who works here.
- Topher took everyone in.
- He's the glue, Dad.
- He goes, we go.
- I can't quit like everybody else.
If I do, then I have to go back home, and I can't do that again.
Shouldn't there be someone that you let know where you're off to? I don't mean to be a downer, but where you're going, you might not come back.
[Explosions.]
[Wind blowing.]
- [Exhales deeply.]
- [Laughing.]
[Cries.]
[Snap.]
[Gun cocks.]
[Helicopter blades whirring.]
[Explosion.]
- - Woman: Running low on fuel, guys.
Gonna have to turn back.
Drew: A little longer.
They saw the signals right around here.
We gotta keep looking.
I see the fires! That's gotta be Mac's signal.
- There's Mac! There's Mac.
Put us down.
- Too many trees.
Nearest landing zone's a mile back down the hill.
That's an hour hike back up here.
He might not have an hour.
Get your ropes ready.
Wind is at 15 knots.
This goes sideways, you're both lying next to your friend.
That man saved my life.
We leave him here, he dies.
Do it! Your funeral, Doc.
This isn't our smartest decision! Never stopped us before! - Ready? - Yeah! All right.
News chopper must've followed us out here.
At least we're not working in complete darkness.
On three.
Ready? One, two, three.
Mac? Come on, buddy.
Can you hear me? It's Jordan.
He's breathing! Respirations are slow and shallow.
His pulse is weak and irregular.
There's no telling how long he's been like this.
And he's not gonna get any better out here.
Hey! Listen to me, Mac.
You're gonna make it through this.
You hear me? You're gonna make it.
[Siren wailing in distance.]
[Telephone ringing in distance.]
Hey, Scott.
I want you to know I appreciate you staying on.
Loyalty's an uncommon trait around here.
- Well, I made a commitment.
- So did the others.
But most of them just cut and run, even those who should've known better.
As far as I'm concerned, Jordan's dead to me.
Topher means a lot to this place.
Sometimes emotions get involved, and judgment gets blurred.
That it does.
Look, Scott, I'm gonna have to close the E.
R.
More people uninsured than ever, higher costs.
The numbers just don't add up.
[Sighs.]
This community here, all of these people, they're not just numbers.
Save me the bleeding heart speech.
I grew up in circumstances where access to medicine was a swig of Robitussin.
I understand what's at stake, but this E.
R.
could take down the entire hospital.
Okay, so what's the plan? All right, SAM gets transformed into a specialty surgery center with you at the helm.
My name, your face.
You can write your own ticket.
Well, that's certainly tempting.
All cards on the table, I reviewed your record.
Bounced from Dallas to San Antonio.
Are you really considering another move? I'm keeping all of my options open right now.
Piece of advice, a tree with no roots can't grow.
Might be time to put some down again.
- Think on it.
- [PA alert sounds.]
Woman: Pathologist needed in Tech Room 4.
Pathologist needed in Tech Room 4.
[Cellphone ringing, siren wailing in distance.]
- [Cellphone beeps.]
- Jordan.
Hey, we found Mac.
He's alive? Barely.
Look, we're in a chopper flying over the burn area.
The search plane saw three fires, and Drew knew it was a symbol for distress.
We're bringing him in now, and I'm not taking no for an answer.
- I gotta go.
- [Cellphone beeps.]
- [Beeping.]
- Something's wrong.
- I can't get a temperature.
- There it is.
Osborn wave.
Yeah, he's too cold.
We gotta warm him up.
- Liter of warm saline.
- Hey.
Whoa, hey, Mac.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Hey, hey, hey.
- No, no, no, no.
Hang on.
- Paradoxical undressing.
- He's got severe hypothermia.
- Oh, turn him! He's gonna [Coughs.]
Step on the gas.
We need to get to SAM, ASAP.
That's gonna be a problem, Doc.
I don't have the fuel to get us there.
And the wind isn't helping.
Well, then you better find another E.
R.
, or he is not gonna make it.
[Explosion.]
[Defibrillator whines.]
[Speaking native language.]
[Grunts.]
Easy.
Easy, easy, easy.
We're here to help.
[Speaking native language.]
You're bleeding.
Let me treat you.
[Man shouting in distance.]
[Panting.]
- What's your name? - T.
C.
You're lucky, T.
C.
Most don't survive what you did.
[Exhales deeply.]
I'm Amira.
Hi.
Let me see your hand.
[Man shouting in distance in native language.]
- Leave it in or take it out? - Ah, take it.
- [Clack.]
- [Groans.]
Thanks for the warning.
[Groaning.]
Free Syrian Army or Kurdish PYD? [Man continues shouting in distance.]
We're both and neither.
- [Exhales sharply.]
- Doctors, bakers, mechanics, concerned citizens lending helping hands to those in need.
Well, this is Syria.
You might wanna help yourself and find a weapon for protection.
These are the only weapons I need.
- Now let me treat you.
- It's fine.
I'm a doctor.
Apparently, not a very good one.
You have multiple lacerations and a ruptured TM.
I'll live.
I need to find my friend, um Her name is Syd Jennings.
She's a doctor like me.
5'10", level-headed, you know, smart mouth.
Oh, so doctor isn't the only thing you have in common.
I need to find her.
We've done three rescues today and found no women.
I don't know where she is, and I doubt anyone else will.
[Screaming.]
[Gun cocks.]
[Thud, man screaming.]
He does.
- Aah! [Screams.]
- [Speaking native language.]
[Telephone ringing, siren wailing in distance.]
Shall we continue our tour? Oh, yeah.
Sorry.
I thought you'd be longer.
Well, the line at the ladies' was epic.
I decided to hold it.
Arts and crafts kind of guy, are you? Palo Fierro.
Reminds me of home.
- Where's that? - Little town down south.
South of San Antonio.
Must be pretty small.
[Chuckles.]
Thanks for showing me around.
Thanks for pitching in.
The few of us on the regular staff who stayed on here are working double shifts.
We appreciate any help we can get.
Glad to be of service.
We don't get a lot of travelers around here Not until recently, anyway.
Different hospitals, procedures, people every shift.
- Must be tough.
- It suits me.
Get 'em off me! Get 'em off me! They're eating my toes! - Give him a 10 of Valium IV.
- Get out of my hat! - What do we got, Sara? - I'm not sure.
No I.
D.
Someone called in a complaint that this guy Melvin was tearing up a laundromat.
- This guy does laundry? - Noise! I said he was there, not what he was doing.
Punched out a few windows before we subdued him.
- That girl's the devil! - Caught a piece of you, too, huh? If I need stitches, I'm gonna be pissed.
Seems like a standard O.
D.
Bath salts, maybe PCP.
[Grunting.]
[Grunting.]
- Man: Hey! - [Continues grunting.]
[All shouting at once.]
- Man: Calm down! - Man: Hey, hey! Back off, you devils! Aah! - Man: Watch it! - Hey, let's go! Get out of my head! Aah! - Oh! - [Grunting.]
[All shouting at once.]
Welcome to the night shift.
Think you're gonna fit right in.
I'm not trying to salt your game.
Now are you sure this is cool with Shannon? I-I, uh, it will be.
You're actually helping me out by splitting the utilities and the rent, now that I'm as broke as you.
Broke is better than being in debt.
Once last chance to talk you out of going back to work here.
That ship sailed, man.
If you walk through those doors tonight, it'll be like you're betraying Topher.
Okay, and I'm not the only one who'll see it that way.
You think I wanna just walk back in there? Look, I love Topher like a brother, man, but he's a doc.
He'll land on his feet wherever he goes.
I go on a job search now, it could take me a month to find one.
Maybe more.
I don't have a month, Paul.
Besides, I gotta pay my new landlord somehow, right? [Tires screech.]
- [Car door opens.]
- [Grunts.]
- [Tires screech.]
- Oh, damn, Squealer.
Man, your dad would do anything to get you back to work.
Funny.
- Multiple GSWs to the abdomen.
- Get us a gurney over here! Gurney.
Is this a friend of yours? No, we were in the parking lot when somebody dumped him.
- You guys back? - I am.
Great.
That IV isn't gonna start itself.
Paul? - No.
- Okay.
We got it from here.
Straight to the O.
R.
Okay, I think the bullet pierced his small intestine.
Paul, I said we got it.
[Exhales deeply.]
- Hey, Shannon.
You got a minute? - I haven't had a second to pee.
- Right.
Just real quick - Later, Paul.
Right.
Uh later.
[PA alert sounds.]
Woman: Dr.
Ramirez, please call the operator.
Dr.
Ramirez, please call the operator.
Let me go.
Let me go! They're chewin' my toes! Let me go! - I'm here to help, sir.
- I need to battle.
Y'all better let me battle, or there'll be hell to pay! Calm down, sir.
I gotta bring the noise, bitch.
I'm a musician! - Yeah, and I'm Ray Charles.
- [Grunts.]
- Hey! - [Grunts.]
- Hey.
You son of a - Sir, sir! Let me go! Let go of me! - Okay, okay.
- [Grunting.]
- Put it on him.
- All right, easy.
Got him? - I got him, I got him.
- [Grunting.]
Aah! Let me go! [Exhales deeply.]
- Didn't realize you were back.
- Yeah, it feels like I never left.
Yeah, but you did and when the others find out you crossed early, you might get a matching shiner.
Brave talk, doc.
Where was all that courage when Topher got fired, huh? [Sighs.]
Thanks for your help.
Cain.
Kenny.
What's up with music lover here? PCP, angel dust, clicker, dragon rock.
Take your pick.
[Yelling.]
- Did he get any sedation? - 10 of Valium.
All right, he's a big boy.
Maybe it's time for another dose.
Cain, give him another 10.
I gave him 10 milligrams IM when he pulled out his IV.
- Perhaps we should let it work, huh? - [Continues yelling.]
This guy punched Sara and almost ripped my head off.
How much longer do you wanna wait? 10 of Valium going in.
Watch out.
[Yelling.]
We got you, man.
All right.
[Grunts and wheezes.]
Check it out, Cain.
You're a temp nurse.
She's a doctor.
Do as you're told.
This isn't debate club.
[Monitor beeping steadily.]
[Gloves snap.]
Doctor, is there something you can tell us He's still cold.
The arrhythmia was from rewarming.
GI blood from hypothermia induced coagulopathy.
We need to rewarm him fast.
Excuse me, doctor, we just air lifted a vet, and he's in really bad shape.
We could use a nurse and a resus room.
Uh, take a number.
This is the hero from the fire who's been missing for two days.
He's in Stage III hypothermia.
We need to rewarm him right now.
All right, there's a place right over here in the hallway, okay? Are you freaking kidding me? Unfortunately, I'm not.
Honestly, this is the last place you should've brought your friend.
Nice speech the other night, Paul.
I didn't come to talk to you.
But you will.
Step foot in my hospital, and you will show respect.
Look at me when I speak to you.
I'm glad you came in tonight.
You get to see what your little rebellion reaped.
I had to hire temps to run this place.
I haven't left, myself, in two days.
I didn't make you fire Topher.
No, incompetence and lack of leadership took care of that.
[Scoffs.]
You know what? If you wanna talk, let's talk.
I'm not gonna stand here while you yell at me - like some whipping boy, all right? - What are you gonna do, Paul? Walk off? Again? Leave the people of this community you said you care so much about in a lurch? Again? [Chuckles.]
Well, in the real world, your actions have consequences.
So do yours.
Okay, that's the only point I was trying to make.
There are things about this place and these people that are more valuable than money.
If you just asked, I would've gladly explained that to you.
You know what? I blame myself.
I didn't teach you how to fail.
Well, here's your first lesson.
Son, it's never too late to learn.
Now you gotta leave.
Yeah, I'm gonna check on my patient first.
No, you mean Scott's patient.
You don't work here anymore, remember? Now get washed up and go.
These facilities are for employees only.
[Door opens.]
What's your name? [Spits.]
This man held you captive and now you treat him? He's jihadist scum who deserves to die.
Maybe.
But right now, he's my only chance of finding Syd.
[Grunts, panting.]
Okay.
Your kneecap's dislocated.
I gotta pop it in or you won't be able to walk.
You're an infidel.
I want nothing from you! Okay, if I don't treat you, then she will.
I'm not helping him.
He's not gonna like it any more than you will.
Look, just gradually extend his leg while I apply medial - [Crunch.]
- [Screaming.]
- pressure to the patella.
- [Yells.]
[Crying and yelling.]
[Breathing heavily.]
- Okay.
- Must be from the bombing.
I gotta stop the bleeding, or he's gonna die.
Let him.
He and his people killed our families and friends.
Maybe yours, too.
Maybe, but he's the only one who knows where Syd might be.
How do you know you're not chasing a ghost? Because I don't see a body, and I don't leave my friends behind.
I'm going to rescue those who are deserving.
If you'd like to show some gratitude, you can join me instead of wasting time on him.
[Groaning.]
[Monitor beeping steadily.]
- [Click.]
- [Gasps.]
Dr.
Rivera, he's bucking the vent.
Dr.
Rivera? I need a doctor now! Woman over P.
A.
: Dr.
Rivera to Trauma 1.
Dr.
Rivera to Trauma 1.
I'm gonna help you.
But before I remove the tube, I need to deflate the balloon that's holding it in your throat.
Okay? Do you understand? There you go.
[Exhales deeply.]
[Coughs, breathing heavily.]
Thank you.
Water? Water, please.
- [Velcro rips.]
- He was in distress.
He was gagging and bucking the vent.
So you pulled out his E.
T.
tube? Why didn't you call me? I did.
Then you should've called for another doctor.
[Grunts.]
Why am I in the hospital? You OD'd on narcotics.
I don't do drugs.
Well, your violent behavior disagrees.
Last thing I remember was eating pizza and doing laundry.
Laundry at midnight? I keep odd hours 'cause of my work.
I'm a cellist.
[Breathing heavily.]
Cello is my life.
My neighbor hates it when I practice.
So I play wherever I can.
A cellist.
Well, that's a new one.
Relax, Melvin.
[Indistinct conversations.]
Practicing cello in flip flops and sweats at a laundromat? He seemed well-groomed for an addict, no? Dr.
Rivera, perhaps, we should listen to what he's trying to say.
I don't know what E.
R.
's you've worked at, but I see this all the time around here.
Way too much in the last 20 hours.
Every addict has a habit and a story.
And one more thing, you never extubated that patient.
Got it? - Yeah.
- You could get us both fired.
[PA alert sounds.]
[Woman speaking indistinctly over PA.]
Hey.
Let me holler at you for a second.
[Siren wailing in distance.]
How's my squealer? Oh, the bullet penetrated the IVC, so we had to do a Pringle maneuver.
I knew it.
Anyway, he'll make it.
So my, uh, my dad back up the truck for you? He backed up, too.
You know, Paul, when you left, you didn't just walk out on your father.
You walked out on me.
Scott, it was, uh, it was heat of the moment, you know? Yeah.
But I guess I kinda did.
I'm sorry.
It's all in the past now.
So what are your plans for the future? I guess try and find a residency at another hospital.
No guarantees of that.
And even if you got one, you're gonna lose a year, at best, at worst, you're gonna start completely over.
I hadn't really thought of that.
Seems like you haven't been doing much thinking at all lately.
Look, Paul, come back here.
You work for me, not your father.
We can still do some great medicine together.
I can't.
I have to make a stand somewhere.
I just hope you know where you're standin'.
[Sighs.]
What the hell are you thinking extubating a patient? We don't do that procedure without an order from a doctor.
I called for a doctor Dr.
Rivera, any other doctor.
No one came.
- Well, then you physically go and get one.
- I didn't have time.
What if he lost his airway, huh? What then? You know, I'll tell you what, it would've been Dr.
Rivera who would've been held accountable.
I was trying to protect her.
You're a nurse, and a temp one at that.
Do your job.
Now I don't know who you are or where you come from.
But I'm watching you.
- [Beeps.]
- Second liter of warm saline is in.
- Temperature's up to 86.
- [Coughing.]
He's waking up.
[Gasps.]
- Hi, Mac.
How you doin'? - Jordan? Drew? You must have quite a story.
I used the ridge as a handrail.
Made my way for the Pakistani border.
I went as far as I could, and then I lit the fires and just waited.
He's hallucinating.
Mac you're in San Antonio.
This isn't San Antonio Memorial.
Where the hell am I? It's okay.
We've got you.
This is This is a friggin' V.
A.
This is the exact place I told you I didn't wanna end up.
- Mac, you gotta relax.
Okay? - Mac.
How can I relax when - He's seizing.
Uh, nurse, Ativan! - [Groaning.]
Hey, hey, doc.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Hey.
Our guy probably has a bleed.
He needs a scan now.
C.
T.
is down, and there is no MRI.
The V.
A.
stands for Veteran's Affairs, or did you forget that? Your job is to help veterans, not leave them hanging out to dry.
Look, I am here with my floor nurse doing triage, who, by the way, is trying to help you.
It's just the two of us here, okay? So before you tell me what my job is, maybe you wanna grab some scrubs and jump in.
Jordan, he's tubed.
Seizure's have stopped, but we're on borrowed time.
What's the plan? Julian is the only doctor who has a shot of saving him.
He hates your guts right now.
You can't make him operate.
Oh, yeah? Watch me.
What's wrong with him? The rebar has punctured his abdominal cavity.
So he's slowly bleeding out.
Slowly if the tear doesn't get bigger, then it's more like a couple hours.
So we need to stabilize the rebar and buy us more time.
You know, I I really could use a hand.
[Coughs.]
I brought more help.
They don't look like doctors.
I can vouch for their efficacy.
Did you stabilize him just so you guys could torture him? He's a jihadist, and he knows where other jihadists are hiding.
If you kill him, you don't get any intel off the Caliphate, and I don't get any info on Syd.
So nobody gets what they want.
A chance we'll have to take.
- No.
No, listen.
Listen.
- [Grunting.]
- [Yells.]
- [Grunting.]
[Groaning.]
[Siren wails.]
Here he is, everyone, the man of the hour, Dr.
Julian Cummings.
He has agreed to perform a lifesaving surgery on Team Rubicon hero and vet, Mac Riley.
Dr.
Cummings, is it true? Does he have a chance? Can you save him? You don't know who you're messing with, Doctor.
I don't appreciate being manipulated.
Yes, um, I will perform the surgery.
There's a new regime here at San Antonio Memorial.
And we'd like nothing more than to serve those who have served us.
[Gloves snap.]
So if you'll excuse me, I have a surgery to prepare for.
- [Reporters shouting at once.]
- Okay, okay, that's enough.
Let's go.
When we have an update you'll be the first to know.
Until then, out of the E.
R.
Let's go.
Come.
Thank you very much.
No comment.
Chilly in here tonight.
Orderlies giving me the side eye, docs giving me lip, traveling nurses trying to flex.
I know what you mean, man.
Two days ago, I'm a hero, now everybody's upset Dad, Scott, you know, even Shannon.
Man, stay strong.
Stick together, we'll be all right.
Hey.
Are you guys back? Kenny is.
So much for staying strong, Paul.
Uh, dude, what's with the eye? [Siren wailing in distance.]
Just errant elbow in a pick-up game.
What are you two doing here? Hey.
Didn't know we were having a reunion.
It's almost like everyone's back.
- Almost.
- Kenny: Yeah, almost.
There's been a major accident at the Lone Star amusement park.
They're asking for any and all - first responders across the city.
- Lone Star? Rick and Bri are there.
It's Armed Services night.
I gotta go.
- Count me in.
- Yeah.
- I gotta stay here with Mac.
- Drew: Okay.
Can you make sure he gets fast tracked to the O.
R.
? I'm on it.
All right, you better get ready to receive.
It's gonna be a bad one.
I hear the cello is the closest sounding instrument to the human voice.
Is that true, Melvin? It is true.
See, if you heard it, you'd understand.
I'd never risk losing that gift.
So you're not a substance abuser? I said I didn't take any drugs.
I never said I was without sin.
I've been known to hit the bottle when my life hit a wolf tone or two.
A wolf tone? It's when the frequencies of the strings and the body of a cello produces artificial overtones.
It sounds like an animal crying for help.
It throws the sound and harmony and everything else out of whack.
And what's the remedy for this wolf tone? Stabilizer puts pressure on the strings, keeps everything where it should be, straight and on point.
That's what my cello does for me.
Look, I'm sorry for any trouble I've caused, but that wasn't me.
I have a video audition in the morning.
The European Opera Orchestra.
It has 12 chairs, and one opened up a week ago.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me, and I can't miss it.
Can you please just let me go? No.
You're still groggy.
We need to watch you a little longer.
[Lowered voice.]
Dr.
Rivera, do you think a junkie knows what a wolf tone is? I guess not.
While treating his cuts, what's the one thing you didn't notice on his arms? Track marks.
In fact, there's no evidence of drug use whatsoever.
Sometimes we must look beyond what we've already seen.
[Gloves snap.]
[Gloves snap.]
[Machine whirring.]
Enjoy your little media stunt? It wasn't about me.
It's about getting Mac the care that he needs.
Looks like you were right.
His tumor is hemorrhaging.
He needs surgery, or he will die.
His cancer's terminal.
The issue isn't really in doubt.
If he survived an operation, and that's a big "if," we bought him 9 months, 12 months tops.
That man has given more of his life serving us.
That may be, but there comes a point where surgery is no longer feasible for either party.
So you're just gonna let this man die because what? His bank account's a couple bucks short? You think you know me? Read it.
"Dear Dr.
Cummings, "my name is Jesse, I am 6 years old, "and my mommy is dying.
"She has the cancer inside, and I'm writing to ask you if you can" - "Please save my mommy.
Love, Jesse.
" - [Paper rustling.]
Just got this today.
I have a hundred more just like it.
My book is filled with patients waiting for surgery with stories just as heartbreaking as that one.
I'm sorry.
I didn't realize that you That's because you've never walked in my shoes.
I make hard decisions every day, deciding who lives or who dies.
So so please tell me, why should I bump your friend here ahead of little Jesse's mom? Well, what do you want? What do I want? Everyone who left, back to work with you in charge.
I read your plans from a few years back.
You're not that far off from what I'd like to do with this place.
Does everyone include Topher? No.
It's not a part of the deal.
He's the heart and soul of this hospital.
This hospital doesn't need a heart and soul.
It needs a leader.
So everyone back to work, no Topher, or I won't operate on your friend.
The ball's in your court, so do something with it before my offer expires.
[Indistinct shouting, radio chatter.]
- [Siren wailing.]
- Man: Stay where you are! - Any word from Bri? - No.
Hey, we're waiting for you guys.
We got 10 dead, at least a dozen with crush fractures and wounds.
- What happened? - Still happening.
One of the coasters flew off the track, a second got stuck inverted.
Sending our responders up there for 'em now.
Where do you need us? Taking care of triage would be a huge help.
Yeah, yeah.
No, we're on it.
Uh [Amplified voice.]
Okay, everybody, listen up! If you can hear me, raise your hand! Good.
If you can walk, head to the entrance - and wait for treatment.
- [Cellphone ringing.]
- Paul, here.
- Sure.
This is an area for first responders Mollie.
Mollie, please tell me you have Bri with you.
You do.
Oh, thank God.
Okay.
Thank you, thank you.
And Rick's at work? Okay.
All right, um, I gotta get going.
Make sure you tell her I love her.
Okay.
All right, yeah, you, too.
[Laughs.]
Okay.
Check the levels and vitals one more time.
It's amazing Mac was still alive.
- Yeah.
He's a survivor.
- Hmm.
So how about you? How are you doing? You know, we haven't really talked that much - in the past few days.
- Yeah, I've been better.
All this chaos and everything that's going on with Annie.
Yeah.
How's she doing? Doing what she needs to do to get by.
Just like everyone else, I guess.
Well, what does that mean? Well, you came back to work here without Topher.
So you agreed to Julian's terms, right? No.
I lied.
What? I told him what he wanted to hear just so I can get the surgery for Mac.
Scott, I don't know if I could actually work for that man.
I mean, especially after what he did to Topher.
I just - No offense.
- Sure.
Lying to Julian, confronting him in front of the press like that, you're starting to seem a lot less like Jordan and a lot more like T.
C.
Yeah.
Well, maybe T.
C.
was right more often than we gave him credit for.
T.
C.
's a total pain in the ass.
Yes, he is.
But he gets his patients the care that they need.
Yeah.
I feel like I have been coloring inside of the lines for so long and what's it gotten me? I've been shot at, blown up, almost killed more times than I can count.
I've lost a baby, sunk relationships, I just feel like maybe I need to do things differently.
Yeah, not so much for me.
I feel like after everything this past year, I just need some stability.
So is that why you hitched your wagon to Darth Vader over there? [Scoffs.]
I need to put down some roots.
And if Julian is the person who is gonna give me the opportunity to do that, then so be it if that's okay with you.
I'm gonna go check on Mac.
[Monitor beeping steadily.]
[Muzak playing.]
Hey, thanks for being cool with everything.
Eh, who am I to judge? Besides, you ended up in the same place as me On the inside, looking out.
- What are you talkin' about? - The walkout.
- What are you talking about? - [Elevator bell dings.]
Our living situation.
You know, all of us sort of being roomies.
Roomies? Wait.
- You're moving in with Paul? - Yeah, you, too, right? From what I hear, you never leave.
He said that? Uh, no.
No, no, I just, uh Dr.
Rivera.
Melvin's results came back.
Positive for K2, synthetic marijuana.
Not exactly a news flash, Cain.
Yeah, I I'm more interested in the truth that's not being seen.
- Do we need to have another talk? - Melvin arrived with no I.
D.
So whoever called in the complaint gave us his name.
Good point.
Melvin also said he had a problem with his neighbor.
Perhaps the neighbor made the call.
Using the police for retribution is common where I'm from.
So you're a cop and a doctor now? It'd be a shame to see a man's life ruined because of an assumption, especially when a phone call may clear it up.
[Woman speaking indistinctly over PA.]
- Who the hell does he think he is? - Call the cops, Kenny.
- Are you serious? - What can it hurt? Let me in! Amira! Open the damn door! [Thud.]
So that's what you're about? Rescue people one minute, then just - Just torture them the next.
- I didn't torture anyone.
Well, if you didn't stop it, then you're just as guilty.
They allow me to do my job.
I do not interfere with theirs.
It is the way it's done here.
Maybe that's why this place is so messed up.
Maybe.
Our spotters just called.
Helicopters took off from a Syrian airbase nearby.
They're coming to double tap us.
Sounds bad.
They know we rescue victims of their bombings, so they send follow up sorties to target us.
When they arrive, I suggest you be elsewhere.
Wait.
So where are you going? We're taking everyone we can to the base near the border.
What base? The one that's not supposed to be there.
Come with us.
I can't leave Syd behind.
My gut tells me she's still alive, and he's the only chance I've got of finding her.
Following your gut out here is what gets people killed.
He had it in his pocket.
Look familiar? Yeah, this belongs to Syd.
She was wearing it when we were captured.
Then you're on the right track.
But you may not like what's at the end of it.
[Door opens.]
[Men speaking indistinctly in native language.]
[Thud.]
[Coughing.]
- [Keys jangle.]
- Good luck.
- Hey.
Stay with me.
- [Groans.]
You wanna stay alive? You stay with me.
[Helicopter blades whirring.]
- [Grunts.]
- You hear that chopper? They're here to bomb anything that moves.
Take me to my friend, or I will leave you here to die.
What's it gonna be? What's it gonna be? Right over here.
[Siren wailing in distance.]
We got a fractured pelvis.
Let's get a binder on her.
- He's urgent surgical.
Go.
- We got a problem, docs.
We got two girls up in the coaster upside down.
Paramedics need one of you to come take a look.
What'd he say? He says if he takes one girl down, the other one's coming with her in pieces.
- Hey, I'll do it.
- No, I'll go.
Look, think about Bri, Drew.
All right? You're a father now.
You shouldn't go up there.
That's exactly why I gotta go, because I am a father, and those are somebody's kids.
All right, what do you want me to do? Prepare for the worst.
[Siren wailing in distance.]
Did you get anything from the cops? - [Receiver clatters.]
- Yeah.
As a matter of fact, I did.
Um, they checked the security footage at the laundromat.
Melvin's neighbor came in right after he did.
He got scared when police questioned him and confessed to spiking Melvin's pizza when he wasn't Wasn't looking.
Guess I was wrong about him.
You're not the only one.
I was tired on the back end of a double shift, and I just assumed the worst of him.
[Sighs.]
You know, maybe we can make it up to him.
- How? - Bad neighbor and tainted pizza weren't the only thing the cops found.
Maybe he can make that audition after all.
[Monitor beeping steadily, ventilator whooshing.]
He'll live.
For now.
Thank you, Dr.
Cummings.
I appreciate it.
Funny way of showing it.
You're not coming back, are you? Never intended to either, did you? Integrity matters, Jordan.
I agree.
That's why I kept mine with my patient, and he will live to fight another day.
Medicine matters to me.
Not money.
Easy to say for those who aren't stuck with a tab.
Hey.
I know the numbers for this place, all right? I know that they don't add up.
I think I have figured out a way that we can not only pay our bills, but make this place profitable again.
And we can give the care to the community that it deserves.
Why would I believe a word you say? I don't need you to believe.
Just listen.
I made some calls to the Veterans Administration.
They're looking for private hospitals to take on their backlogged patients.
We can barely treat the patients we have.
- Why would I want more? - The V.
A.
pays for them, which means you will have a steady flow of patients and money.
And those government checks? They don't bounce.
All right, just think about it.
You saved San Antonio Memorial Hospital, and you performed a lifesaving surgery on a war hero, becoming part of an initiative that will help veterans in need.
I think that caps off a pretty good first week for Cummings Medical Group.
Yes, it does.
But I live where the rubber meets the road.
And I don't know much about the V.
A.
Could get messy.
And I don't like messy.
I'll steer the ship, and I'll aid in the transition.
Now for better or for worse, I have experience with the V.
A.
through T.
C.
Some good and some bad.
And what do you want in return? I want my family back.
Everyone comes back to work here, including Topher.
No.
As a doctor, not an E.
R.
chief.
Oh.
I can live with that if Topher can.
And Paul.
I want him back, too.
So do I.
I'll take care of it.
See? We do want the same things.
- You wanna hug it out? - No.
I thought it was funny.
[Door squeaks.]
- What's this all about? - [Laughs.]
An apology.
I'm sorry we didn't believe you.
- Yeah.
Both of us are.
- [Door closes.]
We had the police bring this in.
I appreciate that.
But I'm afraid the damage is done.
I missed my audition.
No.
You're gonna do it from right here.
Maybe not ideal, but it's the only way we can control the noise.
[Computer chimes.]
You all are too much.
I can't thank you enough.
We only have one request.
We'd like to stay for your performance.
I do play better in front of a crowd.
[Laughs.]
Woman: You may begin, sir.
[Boom in distance.]
[Booming continues.]
[Siren wailing.]
Please help us! What are we gonna do? Oh, my God! Please! Please help! Man: [Amplified voice.]
Doctor on the way, girls! Stay calm! It'll be all right! We'll get you down! Hang in there! We're readying the bag! Look up! Give me your hand.
Here! I want you go.
- No.
- Don't move.
I need you to stay calm while we figure this out.
- [Crying.]
- Oh, my God.
- I'm Dr.
Alister.
What's your name? - Sofia.
Okay, and your friend's? Abby.
Just help us, please! I wanna get out of here! It's gonna be okay.
Listen to me, okay.
- Oh, my God.
I'm gonna die up here! - Sofia, look at me.
- Look at me.
- No.
I promise, you're gonna get down from here.
Everything's gonna be okay.
Okay? You just gotta trust me.
Okay.
It's a go, Drew.
We got you.
- Please! - All right, copy that.
- Please hurry! - Okay, this is the plan.
I'm gonna release the safety bar.
Abby, I'm gonna catch you in the basket.
Please, no Sofia, you're gonna fall safely down to the airbag.
I'm not falling down there! I can't do that! Yes, you can.
You look like a badass.
You can do this.
[Sobbing.]
No.
No! You have to.
I can only fit one of you in here.
Abby's intestines are exposed.
The fall could kill her.
I can't do this.
You're gonna do this on the count of three.
Okay? - [Crying.]
- Abby, I can't do this.
- One two three! - I'm not doing this! Aah! - Sofia, you gotta let go! - I can't! I can't.
Save me! Please pull me up! Help! - Sofia, let go or we'll all fall.
- I can't hold on.
Help! You've gotta let go or we're all gonna die!
I'm not dying alone at the V.
A.
If I can't be a soldier, I'm gonna fall on my shield.
Male reporter: So far, the fire has destroyed nine homes with no containment in sight.
We had to leave Mac up on that hill.
Tell search and rescue to send a chopper up there for him now.
This place needs strong medicine now.
If I didn't know any better, Julian, I would think you're letting me go.
You think hard on this, Paul.
You walk out of here, I'll cut you off.
You made a decision without consulting anyone who works here.
- Topher took everyone in.
- He's the glue, Dad.
- He goes, we go.
- I can't quit like everybody else.
If I do, then I have to go back home, and I can't do that again.
Shouldn't there be someone that you let know where you're off to? I don't mean to be a downer, but where you're going, you might not come back.
[Explosions.]
[Wind blowing.]
- [Exhales deeply.]
- [Laughing.]
[Cries.]
[Snap.]
[Gun cocks.]
[Helicopter blades whirring.]
[Explosion.]
- - Woman: Running low on fuel, guys.
Gonna have to turn back.
Drew: A little longer.
They saw the signals right around here.
We gotta keep looking.
I see the fires! That's gotta be Mac's signal.
- There's Mac! There's Mac.
Put us down.
- Too many trees.
Nearest landing zone's a mile back down the hill.
That's an hour hike back up here.
He might not have an hour.
Get your ropes ready.
Wind is at 15 knots.
This goes sideways, you're both lying next to your friend.
That man saved my life.
We leave him here, he dies.
Do it! Your funeral, Doc.
This isn't our smartest decision! Never stopped us before! - Ready? - Yeah! All right.
News chopper must've followed us out here.
At least we're not working in complete darkness.
On three.
Ready? One, two, three.
Mac? Come on, buddy.
Can you hear me? It's Jordan.
He's breathing! Respirations are slow and shallow.
His pulse is weak and irregular.
There's no telling how long he's been like this.
And he's not gonna get any better out here.
Hey! Listen to me, Mac.
You're gonna make it through this.
You hear me? You're gonna make it.
[Siren wailing in distance.]
[Telephone ringing in distance.]
Hey, Scott.
I want you to know I appreciate you staying on.
Loyalty's an uncommon trait around here.
- Well, I made a commitment.
- So did the others.
But most of them just cut and run, even those who should've known better.
As far as I'm concerned, Jordan's dead to me.
Topher means a lot to this place.
Sometimes emotions get involved, and judgment gets blurred.
That it does.
Look, Scott, I'm gonna have to close the E.
R.
More people uninsured than ever, higher costs.
The numbers just don't add up.
[Sighs.]
This community here, all of these people, they're not just numbers.
Save me the bleeding heart speech.
I grew up in circumstances where access to medicine was a swig of Robitussin.
I understand what's at stake, but this E.
R.
could take down the entire hospital.
Okay, so what's the plan? All right, SAM gets transformed into a specialty surgery center with you at the helm.
My name, your face.
You can write your own ticket.
Well, that's certainly tempting.
All cards on the table, I reviewed your record.
Bounced from Dallas to San Antonio.
Are you really considering another move? I'm keeping all of my options open right now.
Piece of advice, a tree with no roots can't grow.
Might be time to put some down again.
- Think on it.
- [PA alert sounds.]
Woman: Pathologist needed in Tech Room 4.
Pathologist needed in Tech Room 4.
[Cellphone ringing, siren wailing in distance.]
- [Cellphone beeps.]
- Jordan.
Hey, we found Mac.
He's alive? Barely.
Look, we're in a chopper flying over the burn area.
The search plane saw three fires, and Drew knew it was a symbol for distress.
We're bringing him in now, and I'm not taking no for an answer.
- I gotta go.
- [Cellphone beeps.]
- [Beeping.]
- Something's wrong.
- I can't get a temperature.
- There it is.
Osborn wave.
Yeah, he's too cold.
We gotta warm him up.
- Liter of warm saline.
- Hey.
Whoa, hey, Mac.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Hey, hey, hey.
- No, no, no, no.
Hang on.
- Paradoxical undressing.
- He's got severe hypothermia.
- Oh, turn him! He's gonna [Coughs.]
Step on the gas.
We need to get to SAM, ASAP.
That's gonna be a problem, Doc.
I don't have the fuel to get us there.
And the wind isn't helping.
Well, then you better find another E.
R.
, or he is not gonna make it.
[Explosion.]
[Defibrillator whines.]
[Speaking native language.]
[Grunts.]
Easy.
Easy, easy, easy.
We're here to help.
[Speaking native language.]
You're bleeding.
Let me treat you.
[Man shouting in distance.]
[Panting.]
- What's your name? - T.
C.
You're lucky, T.
C.
Most don't survive what you did.
[Exhales deeply.]
I'm Amira.
Hi.
Let me see your hand.
[Man shouting in distance in native language.]
- Leave it in or take it out? - Ah, take it.
- [Clack.]
- [Groans.]
Thanks for the warning.
[Groaning.]
Free Syrian Army or Kurdish PYD? [Man continues shouting in distance.]
We're both and neither.
- [Exhales sharply.]
- Doctors, bakers, mechanics, concerned citizens lending helping hands to those in need.
Well, this is Syria.
You might wanna help yourself and find a weapon for protection.
These are the only weapons I need.
- Now let me treat you.
- It's fine.
I'm a doctor.
Apparently, not a very good one.
You have multiple lacerations and a ruptured TM.
I'll live.
I need to find my friend, um Her name is Syd Jennings.
She's a doctor like me.
5'10", level-headed, you know, smart mouth.
Oh, so doctor isn't the only thing you have in common.
I need to find her.
We've done three rescues today and found no women.
I don't know where she is, and I doubt anyone else will.
[Screaming.]
[Gun cocks.]
[Thud, man screaming.]
He does.
- Aah! [Screams.]
- [Speaking native language.]
[Telephone ringing, siren wailing in distance.]
Shall we continue our tour? Oh, yeah.
Sorry.
I thought you'd be longer.
Well, the line at the ladies' was epic.
I decided to hold it.
Arts and crafts kind of guy, are you? Palo Fierro.
Reminds me of home.
- Where's that? - Little town down south.
South of San Antonio.
Must be pretty small.
[Chuckles.]
Thanks for showing me around.
Thanks for pitching in.
The few of us on the regular staff who stayed on here are working double shifts.
We appreciate any help we can get.
Glad to be of service.
We don't get a lot of travelers around here Not until recently, anyway.
Different hospitals, procedures, people every shift.
- Must be tough.
- It suits me.
Get 'em off me! Get 'em off me! They're eating my toes! - Give him a 10 of Valium IV.
- Get out of my hat! - What do we got, Sara? - I'm not sure.
No I.
D.
Someone called in a complaint that this guy Melvin was tearing up a laundromat.
- This guy does laundry? - Noise! I said he was there, not what he was doing.
Punched out a few windows before we subdued him.
- That girl's the devil! - Caught a piece of you, too, huh? If I need stitches, I'm gonna be pissed.
Seems like a standard O.
D.
Bath salts, maybe PCP.
[Grunting.]
[Grunting.]
- Man: Hey! - [Continues grunting.]
[All shouting at once.]
- Man: Calm down! - Man: Hey, hey! Back off, you devils! Aah! - Man: Watch it! - Hey, let's go! Get out of my head! Aah! - Oh! - [Grunting.]
[All shouting at once.]
Welcome to the night shift.
Think you're gonna fit right in.
I'm not trying to salt your game.
Now are you sure this is cool with Shannon? I-I, uh, it will be.
You're actually helping me out by splitting the utilities and the rent, now that I'm as broke as you.
Broke is better than being in debt.
Once last chance to talk you out of going back to work here.
That ship sailed, man.
If you walk through those doors tonight, it'll be like you're betraying Topher.
Okay, and I'm not the only one who'll see it that way.
You think I wanna just walk back in there? Look, I love Topher like a brother, man, but he's a doc.
He'll land on his feet wherever he goes.
I go on a job search now, it could take me a month to find one.
Maybe more.
I don't have a month, Paul.
Besides, I gotta pay my new landlord somehow, right? [Tires screech.]
- [Car door opens.]
- [Grunts.]
- [Tires screech.]
- Oh, damn, Squealer.
Man, your dad would do anything to get you back to work.
Funny.
- Multiple GSWs to the abdomen.
- Get us a gurney over here! Gurney.
Is this a friend of yours? No, we were in the parking lot when somebody dumped him.
- You guys back? - I am.
Great.
That IV isn't gonna start itself.
Paul? - No.
- Okay.
We got it from here.
Straight to the O.
R.
Okay, I think the bullet pierced his small intestine.
Paul, I said we got it.
[Exhales deeply.]
- Hey, Shannon.
You got a minute? - I haven't had a second to pee.
- Right.
Just real quick - Later, Paul.
Right.
Uh later.
[PA alert sounds.]
Woman: Dr.
Ramirez, please call the operator.
Dr.
Ramirez, please call the operator.
Let me go.
Let me go! They're chewin' my toes! Let me go! - I'm here to help, sir.
- I need to battle.
Y'all better let me battle, or there'll be hell to pay! Calm down, sir.
I gotta bring the noise, bitch.
I'm a musician! - Yeah, and I'm Ray Charles.
- [Grunts.]
- Hey! - [Grunts.]
- Hey.
You son of a - Sir, sir! Let me go! Let go of me! - Okay, okay.
- [Grunting.]
- Put it on him.
- All right, easy.
Got him? - I got him, I got him.
- [Grunting.]
Aah! Let me go! [Exhales deeply.]
- Didn't realize you were back.
- Yeah, it feels like I never left.
Yeah, but you did and when the others find out you crossed early, you might get a matching shiner.
Brave talk, doc.
Where was all that courage when Topher got fired, huh? [Sighs.]
Thanks for your help.
Cain.
Kenny.
What's up with music lover here? PCP, angel dust, clicker, dragon rock.
Take your pick.
[Yelling.]
- Did he get any sedation? - 10 of Valium.
All right, he's a big boy.
Maybe it's time for another dose.
Cain, give him another 10.
I gave him 10 milligrams IM when he pulled out his IV.
- Perhaps we should let it work, huh? - [Continues yelling.]
This guy punched Sara and almost ripped my head off.
How much longer do you wanna wait? 10 of Valium going in.
Watch out.
[Yelling.]
We got you, man.
All right.
[Grunts and wheezes.]
Check it out, Cain.
You're a temp nurse.
She's a doctor.
Do as you're told.
This isn't debate club.
[Monitor beeping steadily.]
[Gloves snap.]
Doctor, is there something you can tell us He's still cold.
The arrhythmia was from rewarming.
GI blood from hypothermia induced coagulopathy.
We need to rewarm him fast.
Excuse me, doctor, we just air lifted a vet, and he's in really bad shape.
We could use a nurse and a resus room.
Uh, take a number.
This is the hero from the fire who's been missing for two days.
He's in Stage III hypothermia.
We need to rewarm him right now.
All right, there's a place right over here in the hallway, okay? Are you freaking kidding me? Unfortunately, I'm not.
Honestly, this is the last place you should've brought your friend.
Nice speech the other night, Paul.
I didn't come to talk to you.
But you will.
Step foot in my hospital, and you will show respect.
Look at me when I speak to you.
I'm glad you came in tonight.
You get to see what your little rebellion reaped.
I had to hire temps to run this place.
I haven't left, myself, in two days.
I didn't make you fire Topher.
No, incompetence and lack of leadership took care of that.
[Scoffs.]
You know what? If you wanna talk, let's talk.
I'm not gonna stand here while you yell at me - like some whipping boy, all right? - What are you gonna do, Paul? Walk off? Again? Leave the people of this community you said you care so much about in a lurch? Again? [Chuckles.]
Well, in the real world, your actions have consequences.
So do yours.
Okay, that's the only point I was trying to make.
There are things about this place and these people that are more valuable than money.
If you just asked, I would've gladly explained that to you.
You know what? I blame myself.
I didn't teach you how to fail.
Well, here's your first lesson.
Son, it's never too late to learn.
Now you gotta leave.
Yeah, I'm gonna check on my patient first.
No, you mean Scott's patient.
You don't work here anymore, remember? Now get washed up and go.
These facilities are for employees only.
[Door opens.]
What's your name? [Spits.]
This man held you captive and now you treat him? He's jihadist scum who deserves to die.
Maybe.
But right now, he's my only chance of finding Syd.
[Grunts, panting.]
Okay.
Your kneecap's dislocated.
I gotta pop it in or you won't be able to walk.
You're an infidel.
I want nothing from you! Okay, if I don't treat you, then she will.
I'm not helping him.
He's not gonna like it any more than you will.
Look, just gradually extend his leg while I apply medial - [Crunch.]
- [Screaming.]
- pressure to the patella.
- [Yells.]
[Crying and yelling.]
[Breathing heavily.]
- Okay.
- Must be from the bombing.
I gotta stop the bleeding, or he's gonna die.
Let him.
He and his people killed our families and friends.
Maybe yours, too.
Maybe, but he's the only one who knows where Syd might be.
How do you know you're not chasing a ghost? Because I don't see a body, and I don't leave my friends behind.
I'm going to rescue those who are deserving.
If you'd like to show some gratitude, you can join me instead of wasting time on him.
[Groaning.]
[Monitor beeping steadily.]
- [Click.]
- [Gasps.]
Dr.
Rivera, he's bucking the vent.
Dr.
Rivera? I need a doctor now! Woman over P.
A.
: Dr.
Rivera to Trauma 1.
Dr.
Rivera to Trauma 1.
I'm gonna help you.
But before I remove the tube, I need to deflate the balloon that's holding it in your throat.
Okay? Do you understand? There you go.
[Exhales deeply.]
[Coughs, breathing heavily.]
Thank you.
Water? Water, please.
- [Velcro rips.]
- He was in distress.
He was gagging and bucking the vent.
So you pulled out his E.
T.
tube? Why didn't you call me? I did.
Then you should've called for another doctor.
[Grunts.]
Why am I in the hospital? You OD'd on narcotics.
I don't do drugs.
Well, your violent behavior disagrees.
Last thing I remember was eating pizza and doing laundry.
Laundry at midnight? I keep odd hours 'cause of my work.
I'm a cellist.
[Breathing heavily.]
Cello is my life.
My neighbor hates it when I practice.
So I play wherever I can.
A cellist.
Well, that's a new one.
Relax, Melvin.
[Indistinct conversations.]
Practicing cello in flip flops and sweats at a laundromat? He seemed well-groomed for an addict, no? Dr.
Rivera, perhaps, we should listen to what he's trying to say.
I don't know what E.
R.
's you've worked at, but I see this all the time around here.
Way too much in the last 20 hours.
Every addict has a habit and a story.
And one more thing, you never extubated that patient.
Got it? - Yeah.
- You could get us both fired.
[PA alert sounds.]
[Woman speaking indistinctly over PA.]
Hey.
Let me holler at you for a second.
[Siren wailing in distance.]
How's my squealer? Oh, the bullet penetrated the IVC, so we had to do a Pringle maneuver.
I knew it.
Anyway, he'll make it.
So my, uh, my dad back up the truck for you? He backed up, too.
You know, Paul, when you left, you didn't just walk out on your father.
You walked out on me.
Scott, it was, uh, it was heat of the moment, you know? Yeah.
But I guess I kinda did.
I'm sorry.
It's all in the past now.
So what are your plans for the future? I guess try and find a residency at another hospital.
No guarantees of that.
And even if you got one, you're gonna lose a year, at best, at worst, you're gonna start completely over.
I hadn't really thought of that.
Seems like you haven't been doing much thinking at all lately.
Look, Paul, come back here.
You work for me, not your father.
We can still do some great medicine together.
I can't.
I have to make a stand somewhere.
I just hope you know where you're standin'.
[Sighs.]
What the hell are you thinking extubating a patient? We don't do that procedure without an order from a doctor.
I called for a doctor Dr.
Rivera, any other doctor.
No one came.
- Well, then you physically go and get one.
- I didn't have time.
What if he lost his airway, huh? What then? You know, I'll tell you what, it would've been Dr.
Rivera who would've been held accountable.
I was trying to protect her.
You're a nurse, and a temp one at that.
Do your job.
Now I don't know who you are or where you come from.
But I'm watching you.
- [Beeps.]
- Second liter of warm saline is in.
- Temperature's up to 86.
- [Coughing.]
He's waking up.
[Gasps.]
- Hi, Mac.
How you doin'? - Jordan? Drew? You must have quite a story.
I used the ridge as a handrail.
Made my way for the Pakistani border.
I went as far as I could, and then I lit the fires and just waited.
He's hallucinating.
Mac you're in San Antonio.
This isn't San Antonio Memorial.
Where the hell am I? It's okay.
We've got you.
This is This is a friggin' V.
A.
This is the exact place I told you I didn't wanna end up.
- Mac, you gotta relax.
Okay? - Mac.
How can I relax when - He's seizing.
Uh, nurse, Ativan! - [Groaning.]
Hey, hey, doc.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Hey.
Our guy probably has a bleed.
He needs a scan now.
C.
T.
is down, and there is no MRI.
The V.
A.
stands for Veteran's Affairs, or did you forget that? Your job is to help veterans, not leave them hanging out to dry.
Look, I am here with my floor nurse doing triage, who, by the way, is trying to help you.
It's just the two of us here, okay? So before you tell me what my job is, maybe you wanna grab some scrubs and jump in.
Jordan, he's tubed.
Seizure's have stopped, but we're on borrowed time.
What's the plan? Julian is the only doctor who has a shot of saving him.
He hates your guts right now.
You can't make him operate.
Oh, yeah? Watch me.
What's wrong with him? The rebar has punctured his abdominal cavity.
So he's slowly bleeding out.
Slowly if the tear doesn't get bigger, then it's more like a couple hours.
So we need to stabilize the rebar and buy us more time.
You know, I I really could use a hand.
[Coughs.]
I brought more help.
They don't look like doctors.
I can vouch for their efficacy.
Did you stabilize him just so you guys could torture him? He's a jihadist, and he knows where other jihadists are hiding.
If you kill him, you don't get any intel off the Caliphate, and I don't get any info on Syd.
So nobody gets what they want.
A chance we'll have to take.
- No.
No, listen.
Listen.
- [Grunting.]
- [Yells.]
- [Grunting.]
[Groaning.]
[Siren wails.]
Here he is, everyone, the man of the hour, Dr.
Julian Cummings.
He has agreed to perform a lifesaving surgery on Team Rubicon hero and vet, Mac Riley.
Dr.
Cummings, is it true? Does he have a chance? Can you save him? You don't know who you're messing with, Doctor.
I don't appreciate being manipulated.
Yes, um, I will perform the surgery.
There's a new regime here at San Antonio Memorial.
And we'd like nothing more than to serve those who have served us.
[Gloves snap.]
So if you'll excuse me, I have a surgery to prepare for.
- [Reporters shouting at once.]
- Okay, okay, that's enough.
Let's go.
When we have an update you'll be the first to know.
Until then, out of the E.
R.
Let's go.
Come.
Thank you very much.
No comment.
Chilly in here tonight.
Orderlies giving me the side eye, docs giving me lip, traveling nurses trying to flex.
I know what you mean, man.
Two days ago, I'm a hero, now everybody's upset Dad, Scott, you know, even Shannon.
Man, stay strong.
Stick together, we'll be all right.
Hey.
Are you guys back? Kenny is.
So much for staying strong, Paul.
Uh, dude, what's with the eye? [Siren wailing in distance.]
Just errant elbow in a pick-up game.
What are you two doing here? Hey.
Didn't know we were having a reunion.
It's almost like everyone's back.
- Almost.
- Kenny: Yeah, almost.
There's been a major accident at the Lone Star amusement park.
They're asking for any and all - first responders across the city.
- Lone Star? Rick and Bri are there.
It's Armed Services night.
I gotta go.
- Count me in.
- Yeah.
- I gotta stay here with Mac.
- Drew: Okay.
Can you make sure he gets fast tracked to the O.
R.
? I'm on it.
All right, you better get ready to receive.
It's gonna be a bad one.
I hear the cello is the closest sounding instrument to the human voice.
Is that true, Melvin? It is true.
See, if you heard it, you'd understand.
I'd never risk losing that gift.
So you're not a substance abuser? I said I didn't take any drugs.
I never said I was without sin.
I've been known to hit the bottle when my life hit a wolf tone or two.
A wolf tone? It's when the frequencies of the strings and the body of a cello produces artificial overtones.
It sounds like an animal crying for help.
It throws the sound and harmony and everything else out of whack.
And what's the remedy for this wolf tone? Stabilizer puts pressure on the strings, keeps everything where it should be, straight and on point.
That's what my cello does for me.
Look, I'm sorry for any trouble I've caused, but that wasn't me.
I have a video audition in the morning.
The European Opera Orchestra.
It has 12 chairs, and one opened up a week ago.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me, and I can't miss it.
Can you please just let me go? No.
You're still groggy.
We need to watch you a little longer.
[Lowered voice.]
Dr.
Rivera, do you think a junkie knows what a wolf tone is? I guess not.
While treating his cuts, what's the one thing you didn't notice on his arms? Track marks.
In fact, there's no evidence of drug use whatsoever.
Sometimes we must look beyond what we've already seen.
[Gloves snap.]
[Gloves snap.]
[Machine whirring.]
Enjoy your little media stunt? It wasn't about me.
It's about getting Mac the care that he needs.
Looks like you were right.
His tumor is hemorrhaging.
He needs surgery, or he will die.
His cancer's terminal.
The issue isn't really in doubt.
If he survived an operation, and that's a big "if," we bought him 9 months, 12 months tops.
That man has given more of his life serving us.
That may be, but there comes a point where surgery is no longer feasible for either party.
So you're just gonna let this man die because what? His bank account's a couple bucks short? You think you know me? Read it.
"Dear Dr.
Cummings, "my name is Jesse, I am 6 years old, "and my mommy is dying.
"She has the cancer inside, and I'm writing to ask you if you can" - "Please save my mommy.
Love, Jesse.
" - [Paper rustling.]
Just got this today.
I have a hundred more just like it.
My book is filled with patients waiting for surgery with stories just as heartbreaking as that one.
I'm sorry.
I didn't realize that you That's because you've never walked in my shoes.
I make hard decisions every day, deciding who lives or who dies.
So so please tell me, why should I bump your friend here ahead of little Jesse's mom? Well, what do you want? What do I want? Everyone who left, back to work with you in charge.
I read your plans from a few years back.
You're not that far off from what I'd like to do with this place.
Does everyone include Topher? No.
It's not a part of the deal.
He's the heart and soul of this hospital.
This hospital doesn't need a heart and soul.
It needs a leader.
So everyone back to work, no Topher, or I won't operate on your friend.
The ball's in your court, so do something with it before my offer expires.
[Indistinct shouting, radio chatter.]
- [Siren wailing.]
- Man: Stay where you are! - Any word from Bri? - No.
Hey, we're waiting for you guys.
We got 10 dead, at least a dozen with crush fractures and wounds.
- What happened? - Still happening.
One of the coasters flew off the track, a second got stuck inverted.
Sending our responders up there for 'em now.
Where do you need us? Taking care of triage would be a huge help.
Yeah, yeah.
No, we're on it.
Uh [Amplified voice.]
Okay, everybody, listen up! If you can hear me, raise your hand! Good.
If you can walk, head to the entrance - and wait for treatment.
- [Cellphone ringing.]
- Paul, here.
- Sure.
This is an area for first responders Mollie.
Mollie, please tell me you have Bri with you.
You do.
Oh, thank God.
Okay.
Thank you, thank you.
And Rick's at work? Okay.
All right, um, I gotta get going.
Make sure you tell her I love her.
Okay.
All right, yeah, you, too.
[Laughs.]
Okay.
Check the levels and vitals one more time.
It's amazing Mac was still alive.
- Yeah.
He's a survivor.
- Hmm.
So how about you? How are you doing? You know, we haven't really talked that much - in the past few days.
- Yeah, I've been better.
All this chaos and everything that's going on with Annie.
Yeah.
How's she doing? Doing what she needs to do to get by.
Just like everyone else, I guess.
Well, what does that mean? Well, you came back to work here without Topher.
So you agreed to Julian's terms, right? No.
I lied.
What? I told him what he wanted to hear just so I can get the surgery for Mac.
Scott, I don't know if I could actually work for that man.
I mean, especially after what he did to Topher.
I just - No offense.
- Sure.
Lying to Julian, confronting him in front of the press like that, you're starting to seem a lot less like Jordan and a lot more like T.
C.
Yeah.
Well, maybe T.
C.
was right more often than we gave him credit for.
T.
C.
's a total pain in the ass.
Yes, he is.
But he gets his patients the care that they need.
Yeah.
I feel like I have been coloring inside of the lines for so long and what's it gotten me? I've been shot at, blown up, almost killed more times than I can count.
I've lost a baby, sunk relationships, I just feel like maybe I need to do things differently.
Yeah, not so much for me.
I feel like after everything this past year, I just need some stability.
So is that why you hitched your wagon to Darth Vader over there? [Scoffs.]
I need to put down some roots.
And if Julian is the person who is gonna give me the opportunity to do that, then so be it if that's okay with you.
I'm gonna go check on Mac.
[Monitor beeping steadily.]
[Muzak playing.]
Hey, thanks for being cool with everything.
Eh, who am I to judge? Besides, you ended up in the same place as me On the inside, looking out.
- What are you talkin' about? - The walkout.
- What are you talking about? - [Elevator bell dings.]
Our living situation.
You know, all of us sort of being roomies.
Roomies? Wait.
- You're moving in with Paul? - Yeah, you, too, right? From what I hear, you never leave.
He said that? Uh, no.
No, no, I just, uh Dr.
Rivera.
Melvin's results came back.
Positive for K2, synthetic marijuana.
Not exactly a news flash, Cain.
Yeah, I I'm more interested in the truth that's not being seen.
- Do we need to have another talk? - Melvin arrived with no I.
D.
So whoever called in the complaint gave us his name.
Good point.
Melvin also said he had a problem with his neighbor.
Perhaps the neighbor made the call.
Using the police for retribution is common where I'm from.
So you're a cop and a doctor now? It'd be a shame to see a man's life ruined because of an assumption, especially when a phone call may clear it up.
[Woman speaking indistinctly over PA.]
- Who the hell does he think he is? - Call the cops, Kenny.
- Are you serious? - What can it hurt? Let me in! Amira! Open the damn door! [Thud.]
So that's what you're about? Rescue people one minute, then just - Just torture them the next.
- I didn't torture anyone.
Well, if you didn't stop it, then you're just as guilty.
They allow me to do my job.
I do not interfere with theirs.
It is the way it's done here.
Maybe that's why this place is so messed up.
Maybe.
Our spotters just called.
Helicopters took off from a Syrian airbase nearby.
They're coming to double tap us.
Sounds bad.
They know we rescue victims of their bombings, so they send follow up sorties to target us.
When they arrive, I suggest you be elsewhere.
Wait.
So where are you going? We're taking everyone we can to the base near the border.
What base? The one that's not supposed to be there.
Come with us.
I can't leave Syd behind.
My gut tells me she's still alive, and he's the only chance I've got of finding her.
Following your gut out here is what gets people killed.
He had it in his pocket.
Look familiar? Yeah, this belongs to Syd.
She was wearing it when we were captured.
Then you're on the right track.
But you may not like what's at the end of it.
[Door opens.]
[Men speaking indistinctly in native language.]
[Thud.]
[Coughing.]
- [Keys jangle.]
- Good luck.
- Hey.
Stay with me.
- [Groans.]
You wanna stay alive? You stay with me.
[Helicopter blades whirring.]
- [Grunts.]
- You hear that chopper? They're here to bomb anything that moves.
Take me to my friend, or I will leave you here to die.
What's it gonna be? What's it gonna be? Right over here.
[Siren wailing in distance.]
We got a fractured pelvis.
Let's get a binder on her.
- He's urgent surgical.
Go.
- We got a problem, docs.
We got two girls up in the coaster upside down.
Paramedics need one of you to come take a look.
What'd he say? He says if he takes one girl down, the other one's coming with her in pieces.
- Hey, I'll do it.
- No, I'll go.
Look, think about Bri, Drew.
All right? You're a father now.
You shouldn't go up there.
That's exactly why I gotta go, because I am a father, and those are somebody's kids.
All right, what do you want me to do? Prepare for the worst.
[Siren wailing in distance.]
Did you get anything from the cops? - [Receiver clatters.]
- Yeah.
As a matter of fact, I did.
Um, they checked the security footage at the laundromat.
Melvin's neighbor came in right after he did.
He got scared when police questioned him and confessed to spiking Melvin's pizza when he wasn't Wasn't looking.
Guess I was wrong about him.
You're not the only one.
I was tired on the back end of a double shift, and I just assumed the worst of him.
[Sighs.]
You know, maybe we can make it up to him.
- How? - Bad neighbor and tainted pizza weren't the only thing the cops found.
Maybe he can make that audition after all.
[Monitor beeping steadily, ventilator whooshing.]
He'll live.
For now.
Thank you, Dr.
Cummings.
I appreciate it.
Funny way of showing it.
You're not coming back, are you? Never intended to either, did you? Integrity matters, Jordan.
I agree.
That's why I kept mine with my patient, and he will live to fight another day.
Medicine matters to me.
Not money.
Easy to say for those who aren't stuck with a tab.
Hey.
I know the numbers for this place, all right? I know that they don't add up.
I think I have figured out a way that we can not only pay our bills, but make this place profitable again.
And we can give the care to the community that it deserves.
Why would I believe a word you say? I don't need you to believe.
Just listen.
I made some calls to the Veterans Administration.
They're looking for private hospitals to take on their backlogged patients.
We can barely treat the patients we have.
- Why would I want more? - The V.
A.
pays for them, which means you will have a steady flow of patients and money.
And those government checks? They don't bounce.
All right, just think about it.
You saved San Antonio Memorial Hospital, and you performed a lifesaving surgery on a war hero, becoming part of an initiative that will help veterans in need.
I think that caps off a pretty good first week for Cummings Medical Group.
Yes, it does.
But I live where the rubber meets the road.
And I don't know much about the V.
A.
Could get messy.
And I don't like messy.
I'll steer the ship, and I'll aid in the transition.
Now for better or for worse, I have experience with the V.
A.
through T.
C.
Some good and some bad.
And what do you want in return? I want my family back.
Everyone comes back to work here, including Topher.
No.
As a doctor, not an E.
R.
chief.
Oh.
I can live with that if Topher can.
And Paul.
I want him back, too.
So do I.
I'll take care of it.
See? We do want the same things.
- You wanna hug it out? - No.
I thought it was funny.
[Door squeaks.]
- What's this all about? - [Laughs.]
An apology.
I'm sorry we didn't believe you.
- Yeah.
Both of us are.
- [Door closes.]
We had the police bring this in.
I appreciate that.
But I'm afraid the damage is done.
I missed my audition.
No.
You're gonna do it from right here.
Maybe not ideal, but it's the only way we can control the noise.
[Computer chimes.]
You all are too much.
I can't thank you enough.
We only have one request.
We'd like to stay for your performance.
I do play better in front of a crowd.
[Laughs.]
Woman: You may begin, sir.
[Boom in distance.]
[Booming continues.]
[Siren wailing.]
Please help us! What are we gonna do? Oh, my God! Please! Please help! Man: [Amplified voice.]
Doctor on the way, girls! Stay calm! It'll be all right! We'll get you down! Hang in there! We're readying the bag! Look up! Give me your hand.
Here! I want you go.
- No.
- Don't move.
I need you to stay calm while we figure this out.
- [Crying.]
- Oh, my God.
- I'm Dr.
Alister.
What's your name? - Sofia.
Okay, and your friend's? Abby.
Just help us, please! I wanna get out of here! It's gonna be okay.
Listen to me, okay.
- Oh, my God.
I'm gonna die up here! - Sofia, look at me.
- Look at me.
- No.
I promise, you're gonna get down from here.
Everything's gonna be okay.
Okay? You just gotta trust me.
Okay.
It's a go, Drew.
We got you.
- Please! - All right, copy that.
- Please hurry! - Okay, this is the plan.
I'm gonna release the safety bar.
Abby, I'm gonna catch you in the basket.
Please, no Sofia, you're gonna fall safely down to the airbag.
I'm not falling down there! I can't do that! Yes, you can.
You look like a badass.
You can do this.
[Sobbing.]
No.
No! You have to.
I can only fit one of you in here.
Abby's intestines are exposed.
The fall could kill her.
I can't do this.
You're gonna do this on the count of three.
Okay? - [Crying.]
- Abby, I can't do this.
- One two three! - I'm not doing this! Aah! - Sofia, you gotta let go! - I can't! I can't.
Save me! Please pull me up! Help! - Sofia, let go or we'll all fall.
- I can't hold on.
Help! You've gotta let go or we're all gonna die!