In the wake of an IT shutdown, Princess must manage a completely analog ER. Al-Hashimi, Mohan, and King assess a woman with sudden blindness.
With the real-time format, not a lot of character evolution can occur over the course of the season. Instead, situations gain intensity and push the ensemble to their breaking points. It's in those moments were the most is ultimately revealed. Characters' behavior can be contrasted with the first season. The growth has occurred offscreen. The most that can occur during a shift is Robby going from optimistic about his mechanic friend stopping up to now being convinced he's not coming. That change is noted. Meanwhile, Mel has been anxious about the deposition all day. She's been offered advice and support. Her perspective shifts once Ellis provides her monologue. That offers details of the case. The malpractice suit stems from the parents of the child with measles last season. It's important for the audience to become aware. The specificity allows the stress to heighten for Mel. She's already under pressure at work. She's trusted. She's an excellent resident. She's off during this particular shift. She's still expected to do her job. That culminates in her monitoring her patient for any side effects. Al-Hashimi reasons it will provide Mel with enough of a break to gather herself for the deposition. It's an act of kindness during a suddenly changed environment. The big event of the season has occurred. The characters and viewers must accept the new normal.
Robby and Abbot were trained in this analog system. They ease into the transition. Others are amazed fax machines still exist. They don't recognize its noise either. This is all new. Al-Hashimi was proud to promote innovations in the workplace. She wanted to make the job easier with the enhancements from AI. She had big ambitions in taking this job. Now, she's just expected to manage the situation as best as she can. She was given a heads up because of her experience. It wasn't because the C-suite was eager to remove Robby. He's used to tension and disrespect. He's adapted. This job requires that of him. It's the only way to manage the chaos. No one can ever think too far ahead. They have to remain grounded in the moment. That's the only way they'll survive. The pressure is less intense than a mass shooting. This shutdown requires everyone to practice medicine the way it was done for many years. Improvements have been made to the system. That makes hospitals vulnerable to these cyberattacks. Criminals are willing to take advantage of the vulnerable believing the executives will be quick to pay any ransom. The hospital hasn't been hacked. The intrusions have failed so far. The shutdown will reinforce the system. That could still take a day.
This hour proves to be life-affirming for Dana. She wasn't sure if she was going to come back after being assaulted. She didn't press charges. Her anger barely hides under the surface. She's an intimidating presence. She's so compassionate and nurturing though. She already knows Emma will make a great nurse. Her training has proven that. Dana is protective of all the nurses. She has zero tolerance for any aggressive behavior. It's personal. She also provides the support Ilana needs. The victim of sexual assault needed a break. Dana was stuck in the exam room while the department was being thrown into chaos. She can't escape to help. She has to be there for her patient. Ilana was only able to endure it all because of Dana's guidance and support. She expresses that gratitude. It's meaningful. The staff knows the department only functions because Dana's in charge. That becomes more pronounced in the analog setup. They're grateful as well. Dana is doing precisely what she was meant to do. Others could handle the job when required to step up to the task. Dana gets results. She calls out those who make mistakes and slow things down. She's angry when a prior rape kit wasn't collected promptly. That outrage is justified. She also delivers results and solves problems whenever a colleague has an issue. She's just that good.
Compassion is truly at the heart of this job. When Howard enters, the staff must adjust to the practical realities of his weight. That's not the ailment they are treating. That's all Oglivie sees. He makes numerous snide comments. None are productive. He's essentially laughing at the expense of his patient. He's meant to be a part of the team. Instead, his actions stick out. Robby ensures no one sees Howard's weight as a problem. It shouldn't get in the way of providing the best care possible. It's not difficult to obtain the tools to treat him either. Sure, it culminates in him having to be transferred to another hospital with the proper scanner. Abbot volunteers to stay by his side. McKay retrieved the machine to help him communicate following the nasal intubation. Howard deserves this respect. He was injured in a car accident. Multiple surgeries kept him bedridden. Now, he can't exercise or afford weight loss drugs. Oglivie makes a ton of assumptions and criticisms. When he sees another patient with an extensive rash, he expects a lethal diagnosis. He's still in training. Some amount of grace can be extended. Javadi didn't catch it either. Joy was the expert. She saw what her peers overlooked. That's humbling. It's not derailing. Careful instructions must be communicated to the patient. That's the way to learn. Oglivie has been annoying from the start. His mistakes could get him to see things differently. That would be counting on a lot of change in just one day. That's unrealistic.
Santos and Langdon finally have to work together. That was inevitable once they were present for the same shift. They only spent one day together previously. However, Santos reported Langdon. She saw the signs of addiction. Fresh eyes on the situation were required. She's had a rough shift so far. She can't accept praise from Langdon. She finally helped Harlow with her pain and nausea. A trigger point injunction was needed to provide relief. She spent hours waiting to be noticed. Santos provided relief even though she struggled to connect with her patient. The solution was easy. The same applies to the drunk girl who bit her tongue. She requires stitches. It's the most graphic medical procedure of the episode. Langdon wants to teach. That rapport hasn't been established again. He's tried his best to make amends. He realizes he can talk with McKay about sobriety. She's on that journey too. He's embraced the "one day at a time" philosophy. This shift tests him. It hasn't gone how he expected. Joy doesn't know any of that history. She views him as another resident testing her skills. It doesn't compromise patient care. It's awkward. Santos once again tries to cope with a joke. She sees the fun in guessing the patient's blood alcohol level. No one agrees. She knows to step back now. That's improvement. Things remain tense. That chaos reigns over the entire department. The final shot demonstrates that as Robby and Dana look to each other for guidance.
Some more thoughts:
- Even with the move to analog, the show provides pointed commentary on the realities of present-day healthcare. Mohan was involved in a research study that was eliminated by the federal government. Meanwhile, many patients in the waiting room are looking for prescription refills as the ER has replaced their primary care physicians.
- Whitaker took a picture of the board as Robby instructed before the system went down. However, the picture was too blurry. Instead, Joy stepped up with a photographic memory. She's becoming more and more reliable in this environment even though she has her heart set on a career in pathology.
- Al-Hashimi knew Mohan was moving to New Jersey after residency. Now, new opportunities to apply for local fellowships are available. Mohan doesn't know which to pursue. Al-Hashimi suggests a geriatric focus. That's something Mohan hadn't considered. Yet she's great at connecting with older patients and ensuring they maintain a sense of community.
- Robby suggests McKay and Javadi should adapt to providing palliative care to Roxie. Their concerns about the morphine dosages are valid. The potential side effects could become lethal. That's what the situation may require. She may be dying under their care. They have to make that peaceful and painless. It's harder because more family keeps being introduced.
- The pediatric resident sees no need to provide a bed upstairs for Baby Jane Doe. Her medical condition can be perfectly managed at home. That's not really in touch with the reality of the situation. It means the baby will stay in the ER until a foster placement occurs. That may not happen until the following day even with the proper push from the hospital staff.
- Digby went missing. The nurses couldn't find him. They wondered if they could open up his bed to treat another patient. Apparently, he was in the viewing room with Louie. They knew each other. That's a connection no one expected. He had a lot to say. Now, he's back.
- Jackson's parents meet a mother who went through the same traumatic experience with her daughter. It offers a frank conversation about the differences between bipolar and schizophrenia. Both can still offer productive lives. A diagnosis still requires change. The entire family will have to adapt. That's the best way to serve Jackson.
