Original subtitles

(Victor.)

Yes, God?

Victor.

What do you want, Elliot?

Lucy needs Mr Waites' medication order.

Shoot!

What are you doing here?

Waiting for an epiphany.

I need the help of a higher power. Yahweh, Buddha..

I'm blocked, I've run out of ideas for Health Spot topics.

How about ringworm?

This is a place of worship, Elliot.

Let it be, Lord. Let it be.

Alexis' liver still isn't strong enough to function on its own,

so Mr Wegener here is doing the work of both of them.

Since we can't get time for Alexis on a dialysis machine,

this procedure is our only alternative.

How long has your little girl been in a coma?

I don't know, a couple of days.

Two, three, maybe.

Well, I hope your daughter will be all right.

What's wrong with him?

He has asterixis. It's a side effect of the procedure.

Just because I'm one of the trustees of the hospital

doesn't mean I know anything about medicine.

Asterixis is a toxic neurological condition

caused by a build-up of ammonia in the system.

I see. You mean by that, then, because of coarse perfusion?

We're watching him very closely.

How's the little girl? Is she getting any better?

The tests are starting to show some improvement.

I'll head on down to Dr Auschlander's office

and see if he's back from lunch. Thank you for your help.

It's my pleasure.

Hey, listen, it sounds like an axe murder.

Why don't you give the poor woman something for the pain?

Thank you, I think we'll be fine. You can go back to your room now.

Oh, Ramone!>

Oh, Ramone! >

Who was it who said,

"The blues am just a feeling that lives upside your head?"

I don't know either, but they were talking about depression,

the most common psychiatric disorder

in these United States, striking millions of Americans every year.

You won't find it on an X-ray or under a microscope,

but depression is a disease just the same,

affecting rich and poor, male and female, eight to 80.

Life got you by the shorts?

All of us get depressed at one time or another,

usually in response to some specific event.

A recent divorce is a perfect reason to feel down.

But personally I was elated when the witch dumped me.

This is so depressing.

Hey, how's it going?

Good.

Wanna go for a walk?

You know, I like Victor Ehrlich a lot better on TV

than I do in person.

I think that's a sign you're getting well!

Which is the reason I came up to see you.

How would you like to drive up to Marblehead

with me, Saturday afternoon?

I talked to Jacqueline and she thinks it'd be good for you.

I couldn't.

Why not?

We could walk along the beach, grab lunch, feed the seagulls.

I'd miss group. And I have to finish my puzzle.

You've got to get out of this place, just for the afternoon.

Wayne, I'm not ready yet.

Have you heard anything from Shirley?

She had her pre-trial hearing last Tuesday.

She's got a good lawyer. All we can do is hope for the best.

Cathy.

You left this in the day room. I didn't want anyone to take it.

Thanks, Angus.

How long you gonna hide out up here, Cathy?

What treatment would you recommend for Mr Nelson?

Penicillin, four million units, to treat the strep.

Check it out!

Forget it, she's Mrs Dowd. Married than one of Ehrlich's patients.

Any dietary restrictions?

We should restrict proteins,

fluids and any other foods that may cause salt retention.

Bet she's like a mink.

Dr Fiscus, what's Mr Nelson's prognosis?

She's got an excellent body.

Dr Fiscus, I'd appreciate it if you'd do your girl-watching

on your own time. All right? Prognosis, Dr Axelrod?

Very good.

Assuming there's no onset of oliguria.

Of course.

Donald, I've been looking for you everywhere.

Tommy's teacher's just called.

It's nothing serious. He hurt himself in school.

What happened?

He fell down and cut his forehead.

I'd better get over there then. That's it for today.

Do you want me to have Alecia cancel the rest of your appointments?

I'll call you from the school.

Thornton.

Hello, Daniel.

Little old, aren't we, to be looking at pictures in medical books?

Nonsense!

What brings you here?

You hate hospitals with a passion.

As one of your trustees, I don't always have a choice.

Sounds to me like an official visit.

State medical board got a call

from Mrs Wegener's paediatrician in Chicago.

They called me to find out what the hell's going on.

State medical board's overconscientious.

Normally I'd agree with you, Daniel,

but I've just been up to see the father and daughter.

Young resident, tall, curly-headed...

Yeah, Jack Morrison.

He briefed me, and one thing is clear.

Mr Wegener's hovering on the brink because of some weird procedure

that nobody's heard of since the Marshall Plan.

Mr Wagner was advised of the risk to his health.

He signed the appropriate release.

We're talking medical ethics here, Daniel.

You and St Eligius could lose a lot if Mr Wagner dies.

You've put all of us in a tough spot.

We've been in it before.

I'm getting too old to run interference.

You think my judgement is clouded?

This procedure's beginning to make me wonder.

Don't come in here and spout medical ethics at me.

I'm too old for that.

No, I'm sorry, Dr Craig is out of town at a medical convention.

Yeah, you're welcome. OK, thanks, bye.

Ah, Victor.

We have to talk about the Dowds.

Nice couple, aren't they?

They were getting it on in the large ward.

You mean they were affecting intermission

right here in the hospital?!

Uh-huh.

Rumbusticating en flagrante?

Calm down, Victor.

Why can't I meet a woman like that?

They're disturbing all the other patients on the floor.

A real screamer, huh?

Victor, unless you do something about this,

I'm gonna have to have her barred from this building.

Helen, don't give it a second thought.

I'll go talk to Mrs Dowd and explain the hospital rule.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Come in.

Mrs Wegener.

I'm taking Alexis back to Chicago.

I can understand your shock, getting that telegram and rushing...

There's a MEDEVAC flight every day at 4.30.

Alexis' condition continues to show steady improvement.

I've been hearing that all week.

You are always throwing numbers at me and liver function studies.

The fact is, Alexis looks terrible.

If she stays here, she's gonna die.

You and I both know that.

If you unhook her now,

she'll probably lose whatever ground she's already gained.

I have legal custody, Dr Auschlander,

and I want her under the care of somebody whose judgement I trust.

For your child's sake, I would ask you to wait.

Alexis and I are going to be on that plane tomorrow.

How did he hurt himself?

Banging his head against the desk.

That's why we put the protective headgear on.

You know how much supervision one autistic child needs?

You get a group of eight or ten of them together,

the slightest disruption can cause chaos.

Are you asking me to enrol him in another school?

We're not helping Tommy here.

I know we've talked about this before,

but I think you should consider placing him at a family care home.

I've been looking at a lot of places.

I think I've finally found a good one.

I'm just not ready to give up on him, not yet.

You've done more for him than any two parents.

But it's not enough now.

He needs more structure at home than you can give him.

Maybe his behavior'll change now if things settle down at home.

What are you gonna do when Tommy's 20 years old?

Or 30? And stronger than you?

He needs a live-in environment

tailored to the needs of autistic kids.

Discipline, stability, he needs constant supervision.

And the longer you wait, the more damaging it could be

for both of you.

It's your decision, Donald.

Don't confuse guilt with your responsibility

to do what's best for Tommy.

Yeah.

Spit and slide under.

I've come to visit, Flo, just as I promised.

Oh, Murray Robin, you scoundrel!

How's the colitis?

I get a tinge every now and then,

but nothing I can't handle. How's the phlebitis?

I don't know what Nixon was complaining about.

Here's something that will cheer you up.

Nothing, nothing...

A magician! I thought that you sang and told jokes.

Before I had my first act

I used to handle the mirrors for The Amazing Mandoni.

Ah. Watch this one.

Nothing...

Frank, meet Florence.

He hasn't any lice, has he?

No, I gave him a bath this morning.

Ah.

What are you doing?!

The hospital has specific regulations about pets.

Give me that pigeon.

He's a dove.

I don't care, Now give him to me.

No!

Frank! Frank!

Now, see what you've done!

Leave me alone.

I love the smell of the city after the rain.

I bundled up and sat in the solarium watching.

Makes it tough for a postman, though.

I guess.

Mail sticks together.

Get a lot of colds.

Dogs get angry.

I used to have a route near Scollay Square.

I liked it. Even the Christmas rush, delivering all those presents.

But my boss made me quit when I started getting weak.

Is that when you started to shuffle?

Yeah, the last couple of years.

Started getting really bad last spring.

I had some pork chops on the stove one night and I fell.

Couldn't get up. All I could do was lie there, smelling them burn.

Thank God the Super was in the hallway and smelled the smoke.

What do the doctors think the problem is?

Every one of them has a different name for it,

but they all agree that I'm leaky in the penthouse.

Last summer I was so depressed,

my family was afraid I'd commit suicide.

After I tried once, they put me in here.

I guess it was the right thing for them to do.

I need to rest now.

I'll see you later, Cathy.

Bye, Angus.

Oh, hi, Mrs Carrington.

I must admit that my body is not the cutest thing in town,

but in its day it was a lollapalooza.

And I might eat a teensy bit on the gourmet side,

and I can't exercise because of my back.

And 45 years have taken their natural toll, too.

I think we should discuss this in private.

I get tired.

Things sag, veins stick out.

A woman's body does not last!

It gets confused!

Can I help that?!

Can I help it if Richard doesn't find me desirable anymore

and he sleeps with you?!

Go ahead, sleep with him.

He's divorcing me.

But wait till I call your husband.

Then we'll see how long this party lasts. Hold that elevator!

You would think that Richard would at least have an affair

with someone less shopworn.

Tommy, I have to take a look at that cut on your forehead, OK?

Come here, son.

Let's have a look.

Come on, hold still. Hold still!

No, touch, no!

Hold still, sweetheart.

Tommy, hold still!

You really did it, didn't you?

Tommy, hold...

Damn it! Hold still!

Hold still!

Oh, boy.

Now, this is going to sting a little bit.

I wish you could understand me.

All right, hold still.

Hurt, OK?

Hold still, sweetheart! Stop it!

Stop it! Aaargh!

Tommy!

Helen.

Come in here.

Why did you tell her about me?

I didn't plan it, believe me. I just wanted to spare her feelings.

She was taking the news of the divorce so hard.

You realise now she's going to call Ira.

She always threatens to call when she gets upset but she never does.

Mitzi likes to hold onto the aggravation.

I felt I had destroyed her as a person.

I only mentioned you to make her realise

that I wasn't simply fed up with her.

But you are!

And I'm also a coward.

Some mediator!

I don't know, Richard, I need time to think.

I'm having second thoughts about this whole affair.

Lizzie...

Because it just might be the best solution for Tommy...

Oh, come on, of course I care!

You're not listening to me.

Lizzie!

Great!

What's all this about Judge Farnham coming to see you?

He stopped by. He's concerned about the Wegener case.

He's in over his head. He doesn't understand the issues.

He's trying to help you in a situation

that could explode in your face.

I know what I'm doing.

I'm glad one of us does.

I've decided to put Tommy in a family care home,

temporarily, at least.

Lizzie's all upset about it.

How can I explain it to her when I'm not sure myself?

You know, my wife always said that Tommy could live a normal life.

No way in this world she was going to let his handicap defeat him.

And that's exactly what I've let happen.

Perhaps Marie was unrealistic about Tommy's limitations.

I think I'll go home and spend some time with him.

'Dr James Rooney, OR3.'

Dr Ehrlich?

Ah, yes, Mrs Dowd. I've been looking for you.

Yeah. Look, can we talk privately?

Sure, sure, right in here.

Jacqueline, do you have a minute?

I'm setting up for group. Can it wait?

I'd like to talk to you about Angus Binns.

Sure, but I only took on his case last week.

Have you considered an organic basis for his problem?

What he's got is a classical case of conversion disorder.

He's learnt to create physical symptoms

in order to mask his underlying emotional problems.

Did he ever have a neurological work-up?

Dr Helfman found nothing out of the ordinary.

Can I see his chart?

Cathy, I'd like to show you the chart,

but you're a patient here now.

You know we have strict rules about confidentiality.

Mr Cooley, Mr McMahon, Mr Di Atonus, let's get started.

Couldn't you try and find Ramone a private room?

I'm sorry, but rules are rules - no sex in the hospital.

Look, I'm not being cavalier about this, Doctor.

Do you know what the term nymphomania means?

I think I do - excessive sexual desire in a woman.

Basically, it's the result of low self-esteem.

I never felt really truly loved by a man

unless I was in bed with him, any man.

Poor woman!

Look, I've been through years of therapy.

I've tried everything in the book.

Until I met Ramone, nothing really worked.

He's got the same kind of problem I do,

except in a man it's considered normal.

Sure.

'Dr Ehrlich, Dr Victor Ehrlich.'

Look, Doctor, the future of our marriage rests in your hands.

If you can't do anything to help,

I'm really afraid I'm gonna revert back to my old pattern.

If you do, give me a call.

Right now, I'm gonna go and check with bed control.

Your lunch is here, Mr Wagener.

I don't want it.

It's fresh. You want to give it a try?

I said, I don't want it.

I'll just leave it here just in case you change your mind.

MOANING

Alexis?

Alexis!

Daddy?

I'd better go get Dr Auschlander.

It's OK.

I'm here, honey.

Everything's gonna be all right.

Go to a hardware store.

What's the matter with him?

Mr Boxman dropped his Rolex in an aeroplane toilet

and tried to make the save. He wants us to remove the dye.

Did he get the watch?

I didn't ask.

Auschlander announced on morning rounds

that George Weiler is coming to St Eligius.

The Nobel Prize winner?

What's he doing out of Africa?

He's bringing some native kid for a kidney transplant.

What's she doing down here?

You might be having an anaphylactic reaction to the spider bite.

Get me Benadryl and Epistat.

Wayne, I need your help.

Well, can you hang on the second?

This is important.

Why don't you wait out there and I'll be with you as soon as I can.

Mr Dowd's leg still isn't healing.

Worse, I checked with bed control.

No private rooms available.

They want a private room just to have sex?

Need is more like it. Mrs Dowd begged me to help.

And, being the great humanitarian you are, you offered to lend a hand!

I'm treating two patients here. Between you, me and the chart wheel,

Mrs Dowd says she's a nymphomaniac,

and her husband's confinement is affecting her mental state.

Do you expect me to believe that your interest in this bombshell

is purely clinical?

I'm talking about an important moral issue here,

the conjugal rights of long-term patients.

Oh, give me a break!

Did I make fun when you asked me to sign the Save the Whales petition?

Nymphomaniacs are not an endangered species.

OK, what about Mr Dowd?

A happy patient heals faster. It's a scientific fact.

Sexual activity releases endocrines,

which promotes a sense of well-being.

Your interest in Mrs Dowd has more to do with your own testosterone

than her husband's endocrines.

I'll be right back.

Even prisoners have conjugal rights. Why can't hospital patients, OK?

This is an important ethical question.

If you were really worried about ethics,

you wouldn't be hitting on the guy's wife while he was in traction.

Is that what you think, that I'm some sort of ulterior pig

who only cares about getting his ashes hauled.

Took the words right out of my mouth.

Well, you're entitled to your opinion,

but I'm not gonna leave Mrs Dowd in the lurch.

Cath, the psych ward really isn't my turf.

I have a hunch his problems are physiological,

not psychological, but I need to see the work-up in the file.

If Jacqueline thinks this guy's a head case...

The way Angus shuffles, it could be a sign of some neurological problem.

BANGING

It says out of order!

Look, why don't we wait and see how Angus responds to psych therapy?

Jacqueline treated me like a mental patient. Now you're doing it, too.

You were the one who said I should spread my wings and fly.

You wanted to take me to Marblehead for the day.

Or were you just patronising me?

I just need you to get the chart.

Trust me.

All right, I'll get it as soon as I have a chance.

Thank you, Wayne.

I'll have somebody take you back.

I can find my own way.

Clancy took the place in Lenham.

Oh, sorry to hear that.

We're still seeing each other.

It just wasn't working out living together.

Careful of his left wing. He throws it out all the time.

Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I raise pigeons.

Frank's a dove!

Same family.

You'd better hope that nothing happens to that bird, Chubbs.

Come on, Frank. There we go. Whoa, Frank! Whoa, whoa.

What a relief! I couldn't face it if anything happened to Frank.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I've got gerbils.

I thought you had phlebitis?

Ha-ha. Murray, you make me laugh.

What are you looking at?!

Luther, old buddy, I need a favour.

I know it's gonna cost me an arm and a leg, but I'm a desperate man.

I want you to pull back against me as hard as you can.

I can't.

Let's try it again. This time I really want you to resist.

It's no use. I've got no strength.

Angus, would you roll up your sleeve?

We'd like to give you an injection

that's a diagnostic test for myasthenia gravis.

If Dr Martin's right,

the drug will temporarily restore normal muscular activity.

I've got nothing to lose.

Let's give it a try.

If it works, the effect will be immediate.

Now, I want you to walk over to the window.

This is incredible! I feel like I used to feel.

You'd better sit down. This drug wears off pretty quick.

You mean I'm not crazy or neurotic or any of that?

No crazier than me.

Of course, that's not saying a lot.

Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disorder.

We can treat it with a longer acting drug called Mestinon.

Just like that?

You're going to be all right.

Your daughter's prognosis is excellent.

I would like her to stay a few more days,

but you have to do what you think is right.

Well, Chicago is our home, Dr Auschlander.

I feel I can take a lot better care of Alexis there.

Frankly, I just want to get my daughter out of Boston

and put this whole nightmare behind us.

Her liver has regenerated to the point where she can be safely moved.

I've spoken with your doctor at the Good Samaritan

and he assures me that everything is in order at that end.

I'd like to apologise for any trouble that I've caused you.

I understand. You were acting out of concern for your daughter.

The ambulance is waiting to take you to the airport.

Be proud of what you've done for Alexis.

It was nice being a family again.

Mummy!

I'm right here, sweetie.

I'll call you when we get home, OK?

Doctor, thank you for saving my daughter's life.

YOU saved your daughter's life.

The orderlies will be right up to take you to your room.

Son?

Tommy?

Tomorrow, you and I are going to a very special place

and there are other kids there.

Do you remember when you went to Lake Sunapee

with Aunt Constance, how much you liked swimming?

Well, they have a pool there.

And I met the family. They're very nice,

and looking forward to meeting you.

And you're gonna have a lot of fun.

Cos kids are supposed to have fun, right?

We're gonna go there tomorrow, you and me.

Luther, give me the good news!

Mission accomplished. Mr and Mrs Dowd are safely

stashed in their honeymoon suite.

Fantastic! You saved them from the black hole of divorce.

Well, I do what I can for people.

What's this little hustle of yours gonna cost?

No, no, let me!

Thanks. Nothing, absolutely nothing.

Just knowing I helped someone is enough.

Uh-huh.

What do you want, Luther? Just come right out and say it.

You want my Celtics tickets for tonight?

I can't take these.

Why? You need a ride to the garden? Of course, why didn't I think?

Here, take a cab.

You can't tell the players without a programme.

You need my binoculars too?

You look at me and all you see is a scheming, conniving,

shiftless little kid from Rock's Ferry

who's only out to make a buck. I don't want your graft.

Wait, wait, OK. You're right.

I'm accusing you of what everybody else feels I'm guilty of. - Ulterior motives.

So take this. It's my way of saying thank you.

No, thanks, they're lousy seats.

Fine. So where did you put the couple?

Oh, up on the fifth floor, Dr Craig's office.

Are you crazy?!

Just relax, take it easy.

Dr Craig is out of town, the walls are thick and the office is private.

Trust me. Everything will be fine.

Trust you? Fine? Thick walls?

This man is insane! My career's on the line!

Mrs Hoffnagel, I'm prescribing you phenobutosone and it'll help you

you take care of those daily aches and pains.

Also, remember to wear your anti-embolism stockings.

I'm looking forward to it.

Have a nice life, Mrs Hoffnagel.

See, Murray is being admitted for more tests,

I'm gonna come and visit, so I'll see you.

Mrs Hoffnagel, no!

Please, don't! Please!

It's been a slice, Axle Rod!

What, you wanna ride him?

No, no, we've got to get to the hospital.

I've got to find my keys.

All right, where are my keys?

BABY GURGLES

We can't.

We can ride him when we get home.

BABY MOANS

All right, OK. Come on!

Saddle up. All right.

The rest of the world can wait.

Now you're on your buddy.

Lizzie?

Why?

You're not putting Tommy in an institution.

It is not an institution. It's a family care home.

What's the difference?

I can't take care of Tommy any more, He needs constant attention.

I know, you don't have the time. You're too busy at the hospital.

That's only part of it.

I'm transferring to BC, so he can stay here and live with us.

That's not the solution.

No matter how much we do for him, it's not gonna be enough.

Lizzie?

Oh, hiya, Tommy.

Hey, I came home to see ya.

It's good to see you.

How could you give your own son away?

When I look at a woman now... it's not lust.

I'm wondering what kind of a mother with this woman make?

I never thought you and I would agree on anything, especially sex.

When men and women sit and talk,

they find they're not so different from each other.

I guess so. I can't wait to have a baby.

While you're waiting, why don't you come on over?

We can rip each other's clothes off and go few rounds.

Just to stay in practice for the real thing!

May I come in?

Of course.

I just talked to Wayne about Mr Binns.

You should feel very happy.

I'm happy for Angus.

What you did, caring like that, it was really remarkable.

It should prove to you that you're getting better.

Why?

A few weeks ago, when Mr Binns stumbled and fell, you ignored him.

I know.

It's just that reaching out to help people, it can be frightening.

You know, walking through the hospital looking for Wayne,

I wasn't afraid then. I thought I would be, but I wasn't.

Good.

But now,

it's hard to imagine what it would be like all the way outside.

Stay in the present, Cathy.

How do you feel about yourself right now?

I'm glad I can remember things from before, when I was a doctor.

You're still a doctor.

I'm not sure I want to be.

TANNOY: Dr Timothy Bourne, 4621, Dr Timothy Bourne, 4621.

Hello, Dr Craig.

Dr Craig?! I thought you were at the Soviet-American surgical conference until tomorrow?

Somebody made a crack about the Reds, and they walked out.

Cincinnati hasn't been the same since Johnny Bench quit.

Ehrlich.

Please, I'm tired. On or off?

Yes, Sir.

Luther...

Father Dow still in Craig's office?

Yeah. Just knock, I don't want another set of screw ups.

Get him outta there, Craig's gonna be here.

But I'll be late for the Celtics!

I thought you weren't going?

I got better seats from Dr Pinner.

Get him out of there, or I'll tell Dr Craig it was your idea.

OK. Yeah.

Dr Craig!

Didn't I just talk to you downstairs?

I ran up here to tell you how nice you're back.

Thank you, Ehrlich.

I think you should check the battery in Mr Sewell's pacemaker, sir. Now!

That battery was designed to last five years.

Surely it can wait five minutes.

Mrs Metsico wasn't responding to her chloramphenicol,

I drew another set of blood cultures.

Very good, Ehrlich.

Have you seen the children's park, that they organised up in paediatrics?

I'll be sure to drop in(!)

Here, let me help you with that.

Would you stop that!

Good night.

Sam?

Tom.

This is Sam Boardman. My daughter, Lizzie.

Elizabeth.

And this is Tommy.

There.

You may play after we put your things upstairs.

There.

No, Tommy.

Don't treat him like an idiot!

Lizzie!

Let's take Tommy's suitcases upstairs. I'll show you his room.

Come on, Tommy.

I'll be right up.

You'll see, it's going to be OK.

If it doesn't work out, I can always take him back.

Not an attitude I'd encourage, it'll just keep you from accepting that he's living here.

Let us work with Tommy, see if we can make progress.

Well, when can I come and visit?

It'd be easier on Tommy if you'd wait a month.

A month?!

You can call on weekends and later we'll arrange overnights.

For all that time I'm afraid he'll think I don't love him.

So, you and your husband run this home?

We started it with another couple who have an autistic child.

We couldn't find proper care for our own.

Don't you believe in people looking after their own kids?

Elizabeth, for some parents, the burden's just too much to bear.

I'm just ashamed about what my father's doing.

Why?

It's like taking a dog you don't want and leaving him in the woods.

Don't you think you're being awful hard on your dad?

I remember when he and Mom first told me Tommy was autistic.

I wasn't even sure what that meant.

But Dad said it didn't matter that Tommy wasn't like other children,

we'd always love him.

Even after my mum died, the three of us just did fine together.

Elizabeth, Tommy needs a very special kind of life.

I promise you, we'll take good care of him.

Lizzie, we should be leaving.

Hey, Tommy. I love you. I'll be back, soon. OK?

I promise.

I love you.

Come on, sweetheart.

Tommy go now.

No, son.

No. Tommy go now.

I love you, pal.