The Good Karma Hospital (2017–…): Season 1, Episode 1 - Episode #1.1 - full transcript

- What about the rest?
- I'll come back after work.

Well...I'm on call, so...

I'll let myself in.

I'm sorry.

OK.

Doctor?

I'm having a wee,
for God's sake!

Please don't raise
your voice to me.

I'll be right out.

Cow.

I heard that and I'm writing
an incident form.



Sod it!

Doctor?

Dr Walker!

Doctor?

Dr Walker?

Ruby. Everyone calls me Ruby.

I'm AJ. Nice to meet you.

Please. My car is over here.

So it's your first time
in India?

Sorry?

Well, most people get dragged
back for a wedding or two.

You know - distant cousins
they didn't even know.

No cousins.
At least, I don't think so.

I just needed to get away.



From everything.

Well, you've come to
the right place.

- Does everyone drive like that?
- Not everyone.

Hindus. We're fatalists.
If it's our day to die...

Where are you taking me?

- What?
- Where are we?

I think there's been a mistake.

This is the wrong place.

What do you mean?

This is where I'm meant to be.
Dhoni Clinic.

No. I was definitely told
to bring you here.

And where is here, exactly?

Well, it's er...Dr Fonseca's
Good Karma Hospital.

Come on.

This Dr Fonseca.
He's in charge?

Er...officially, no.

Unofficially, definitely yes.

And er...he's a she.

So maybe she can explain
what's going on.

Where do I find her?

Just follow the screaming.

Excuse me, can I help you?

It's only a dislocated shoulder.

I'm in agony here.

I'm running a public hospital
with no money.

We all have problems.

- What are you doing?
- Helping you.

- You should give me morphine.
- Girlfriend?

Yeah, yeah. We're engaged.

Do you think a woman like that
wants to give her body to a man

who screams because his shoulder
joint is a few inches out?

Are you calling me a wimp?

Remember.

A real woman needs a man
who can take a little pain.

And ride a moped.

You're late.

- How did you do that?
- Cunningham technique.

Massaging the bicep muscle
reduces the spasm

and allows the dislocation to
reduce spontaneously.

No anaesthetic required
unless you're a total wimp.

Also cheap,
efficient and effective.

I'll teach you on the next idiot
who falls off his scooter.

Straight ahead.

In this hospital,
we use knowledge and skill,

not fancy tests
and expensive drugs.

You'll have to learn that
if you want to work here.

Sorry, Doctor Fonseca.

I'll be honest with you,
Dr Walker.

The last thing my hospital needs
is a lazy British doctor

with no experience
and an attitude problem.

This is real life,
not a gap-year experience.

My patients
are not dinner party stories.

Frankly, that's quite insulting.
And it's not why I'm here.

- Then why are you here?
- It's complicated.

Naturally. But is it original?
Or interesting?

No.

Pity.

The point is,
I'm not supposed to be here.

This is the wrong hospital.
I applied for the Dhoni Clinic.

As did everyone else
but the rules changed.

For some reason,
all our new graduates

prefer to stay on the teat

rather than spread their tiny
wings in the real world.

So now all new doctors must
spend a compulsory year

at a public hospital,
no exceptions.

So I'm stuck here
for a year?

You say that like it's a bad
thing, Dr Walker. This way.

- Good morning.
- Morning.

This is Dr Walker.

Another half-trained
British doctor

to practise on Indian people.

Don't be racist, Lydia.

Dr Nair, our nominal chief

and the human raincloud
in the corner is Dr Varma.

I believe you've already met my
son, AJ, our ambulance driver.

- You didn't have to...
- No problem at all.

Milk, sugar? Or both?

Both, please.

You'll soon come
to the conclusion

that I make the best tea

and the wisest decisions
around here.

I believe your previous post
was paediatrics?

Yes, that's right.

I thought we were getting
another surgeon.

What happened to Dr Pradeep?

Recruited elsewhere.
We get what we're given.

I'm sure Dr Walker is a willing
student. You can teach her.

I'm not really a surgeon.

Simple butchery with a little
light needlework thrown in.

Round here we turn our hands
to most things.

Right, housekeeping.
We're almost out of amoxicillin.

So I catch anyone giving it
for a viral throat,

they'll need emergency surgery
themselves.

They're still reporting cholera
east of Munnar.

15 new cases,
so eyes open, please.

I don't want it here.

And that's it. Welcome to
the Good Karma Hospital.

Yeah... No, well...

Can you just double check,
because...

No, no, I understand that,
the point is that...

No, no, no,
don't put me on hold.

That's all very well but...

Can I at least just talk to her?

Because this isn't
what I signed up for.

Hello?

Sorry.

Whatever it is,
we deal with it -

surgery, medical, dental.

I'm not a dentist.

It's easier than it looks.
Just ask Mari for the pliers.

Well, at least
we're not too busy.

I suppose we've only
just opened.

What, this?
This isn't the waiting room.

This is just admissions.

Come.

This is the waiting room.

Soon I shall be a man.
Then we can marry.

What makes you think
I'll say yes?

I'm very charming.
And once I'm rich,

you will no longer have to work
in a terrible place like this.

Unless you're promised
to another?

No. Right now, I'm all yours.

- Sorry. Did that hurt?
- Of course not.

Your friend?

Brother. Sanjay.
He's just a kid.

You still haven't told me
who did this to you.

A jealous man caught me
making love to his wife.

But now I have found you,

I promise to never even look
at another woman

as long as I live.

Just promise me you'll be
more careful next time.

- Yes, I will.
- OK.

She's barely out of
medical school.

Beggars can't be choosers.
She seems keen enough.

Well, I can't supervise her.
Also I'm on call today.

I'm sure you'll manage.

Think of her as the childhood
hamster you never had,

fragile and easily crushed -
it'll be good for you.

- Our patients deserve better.
- I couldn't agree more.

But in life, few of us get
what we deserve.

Help her rise to the challenge,
Dr Varma.

You had a serious head injury.

- You can't be alone tonight.
- I have Sanjay.

I meant a responsible adult.

Then I should stay at your place
tonight?

- Nice try. No.
- Dinner, then?

- You never give up, do you?
- How can I? I'm in love.

Until the day I die.

Which might be sooner
than you think.

Come on. Out. Out. Come on.

I could have handled him.
He's only a kid.

A kid who'll sell drugs
to anyone who'll buy them.

Why do you think
they beat him up?

Doctor! Doctor!
My wife requires your attention.

Come here. Straight ahead.

You can relax, yeah?

Doctor.

Now I assume you have delivered
a baby before?

Sure. I mean, it's been a few
years since I did it myself,

and I was supervised,
obviously, but I think...

She's only at three centimetres.
So it'll be a while yet.

Check every hour.
Call me when she's at ten.

Doctor?

Yes?

Are you quite sure
that everything is all right?

Your wife is in perfect health.

Everything points to a normal,
uncomplicated delivery, yeah?

So I'll call you when it's time
and you'll come back?

Was that a yes or a...

So...I'm Dr Walker.

I'll be looking after you
from now on.

You're English?

Fresh off the boat.
It's my first day.

But don't worry.
Not a problem.

We have babies in England too.

So have you got a name
worked out?

Or is it wait and see?

Raja, after his father.
Our first boy.

Well, I can't wait to meet him.

How long have you known me?

I don't like surprises
and I have work to do.

So this better be good.

Trust me, Lydia, I'm convinced
that this could be

the perfect answer for our
long-standing financial worries.

I'm... I'm sure
you will thank me later.

Dr Fonseca.

Your timing, like your bedside
manner, is faultless.

What are you up to?

Your lack of trust hurts me,
Lydia.

This way.

Under this humble tarpaulin

is a ground-breaking example
of medicine and business

working together
in perfect harmony.

Just show me.

I am a doctor! I run a hospital!

How can I advertise a bar?

Especially one owned
by a petty criminal!

I resent that slander
and demand a retraction.

You have used my face without
permission. That's slander.

I'm sorry. I should have
listened to Ram.

He said you looked jowly
and I ignored him.

- Greg!
- You! I blame you for this.

Wait. Wait.

Greg has agreed
to sponsor the ambulance.

The fuel, the repairs...

- Tyres.
- Yes, the tyres.

And in return, all he requires
is a little bit of publicity.

People round here trust you.
You're a brand, Lydia.

No photo, no deal.

No.

No. 1,000 times, no.

And that's your final word?

Believe me, neither of you want
to hear my final word.

Well, that went well.

Everything all right?

The baby's about to crown.
You're progressing quickly.

Mari, can you go and fetch
Dr Varma, quickly?

- Doctor?
- OK, Nita.

Just let me know when
you're ready to push, OK?

That works.

- You have a reservation?
- I'm the doctor.

Yes. Of course, please.

Mum, don't try and get up.
You're better lying down.

And I'm telling you, I'm fine.

For God's sake, Maggie,
just lie down.

Look, here's the doctor.

In the middle of the ceremony,
she just collapsed.

- We called immediately.
- There's no hotel doctor?

He's sick. Food poisoning.

It's fine.

We were almost done
and dusted, anyway.

Besides, we're in India.
Where's he gonna run off to?

Before you say anything,

I fainted.

We don't get heat like this
in Stourbridge.

And now I'm being killed
by fuss.

I'm Dr Varma.
I need to examine you.

I promise it won't take long.

Good. We're paying for that
bleeding elephant by the hour.

Dad!

Dr Varma is out on call.

I can't find anyone.

What do you mean?
There has to be someone.

No one.

OK.

OK. We're fine.

Really, really fine.

What are you doing?

The baby is coming.
You need to be prepared.

OK, Nita.

You're going to feel another
contraction any second.

When it comes, I need you
to push for me, OK?

Now! Push! Push!

Come on!

- What's the matter?
- Everything's fine.

It concerns me that
you keep saying that.

Now is the time to fetch the
real doctor, Dr Varma.

I'm a real doctor.

With great respect, I would
prefer someone else in charge.

- Dr Varma...
- Isn't here. So you've got me.

Shit.

I can see the cord.

- The cord's prolapsing.
- What are you doing?

The baby's head is pressing on
the umbilical cord.

I need to support the head
or the baby will suffocate.

Another contraction?
Now listen to me.

This baby
needs to come out this time.

- OK, no more messing around.
- I understand.

Ready?

Push! Now! Push!

Push! Don't you dare stop!
Keep pushing!

Push! Push! Push!

OK.

And here we are.

Doctor?

You have a girl.
You have a beautiful baby girl.

You performed
the ultrasound scan.

You told me my wife
was carrying a son.

Is that true? You know the law
as well as I do.

There were medical concerns.
Foetal movements reduced.

- Even so...
- You lied!

You knew if the baby
had been a girl, we'd have...

You would have what?

You understand me, Dr Nair.
I already have three daughters.

All need to be married.

I'm not a rich man.

It is hard enough for me to
provide for the children I have.

It's a healthy baby, Mr Mehta.

A gift from Krishna himself,
surely?

It's quite simple.

Nita Mehta
was bleeding profusely

and needed an ultrasound scan.

Her husband wanted to know
the sex and I refused.

And then he as good as told me

that unless he found out,
they'd have an abortion

because he couldn't risk
another girl.

- So you told him the sex...
- I was manipulated...

Which is illegal.

He thought he could see
an appendage.

And you didn't correct him?

Do you know how small a penis is
at 12 weeks?

You've put the hospital at risk.

Do you think we can afford
legal action over this?

The Government
could close us down!

And rightly so!

Now, has this happened before?

What, fainting? Never.

Like I said, must be this heat.

No, I don't think so. Erm...

I'm afraid I suspect
you've had a seizure.

An epileptic fit.

Now if this is the first time
it's happened,

we'll have to take you to
hospital for further tests.

There's no need...and no time.

I have a brain tumour.

I can't believe he walked
out on his baby like that.

Family planning
is a big deal round here.

Any child is a blessing.

Back home, people try for years,
pay thousands for IVF.

And there's thousands of rupees
worth of dowry playing there.

Raja Mehta runs his own
business. Taxi firm.

He works every hour God sends
to provide for his family.

No benefits. No help.

He needed a son.

Sometimes good men
get desperate.

Mari told me what happened.

You were left on your own and
you saved that baby's life.

Well done.

But although I appreciate
an independent spirit,

Dr Varma
should have assisted you.

I think he was called away.

Important business, no doubt.

Our daughter's wedding.

It should be the proudest day
of his life.

How could I tell him?

Nobody knows?

Anticonvulsants.

They should prevent
any further seizures.

I'm sure you simply fainted.

The midday sun can be fierce.

Perhaps some kind of hat?

Thank you.

If I were your husband,
I'd want to know.

If you were my husband,
we wouldn't be talking.

- So when do the shifts swap?
- They don't.

So when do I finish?

Whenever you like,
as long as the board is empty.

I don't get it.

No one leaves until the board is
empty. Are you up to it?

Take a seat, please.

Herr Muller?

If you'd like to follow me.

Hey.

Ssh, ssh.

She's so beautiful.
Then I suppose all babies are.

Even the ugly ones...

not that your baby is ugly.

I mean...
You know what I mean.

All babies are born beautiful.

Not all are born equal.

Hey... Sssh.

Doctor?

Has she been feeding OK?
She's a little pale.

There's a VSD.

Pulmonary valve
is severely stenosed.

She has Fallot's Tetralogy.

Your baby has a severe
congenital heart defect.

The attacks come and go

but she'll need
specialist help soon.

And if not?

Then your baby will die.

Perhaps, if that's God's will,
then...

I will speak to my husband.
He'll know what to do.

I know it's a tragedy
but if they refuse permission,

then there's little else
we can do.

- But if it was a boy...
- The cost will still ruin them.

You did your best. Sometimes
that's all any of us can manage.

We can't just accept it.

Believe me, Dr Walker,
I'm a huge fan of conflict,

but a wise general only fights
when she's sure to win the day.

We wait for our opportunity.

The real trick is to know it
when you see it.

Come on, then!

Or are you gonna sleep here
all night?

Right, here we are.

This is the hospital
accommodation?

I know. Quite disgusting.
I can only apologise.

There's a fridge in the kitchen
stocked with bare essentials.

Thanks.

You travel light, Dr Walker.

Nothing else wanted
to come with me.

More fool them.

You haven't thought about him
all day, have you?

How did you know?

There's always a man,
in my experience.

Neither interesting
nor original.

I've got something to tell you.

At last. I thought you were
never coming home.

Yeah, well,
my patients needed me.

Dr Fonseca,
you are truly indispensable.

I've decided I want my key back.

Don't let a silly little
sponsored ambulance

come between us.

Firstly, there is no "us".

This is merely a mutually
beneficial arrangement.

Which I am currently
reconsidering.

- So, shoo!
- OK.

What do you want?

Dignity.

Trumped by hard cash
every time.

No picture.

There is literally no amount of
money you can pay me

to make me change my mind.

- I need my brand.
- Then I will need my bed back.

Immediately.

So, if I agree...

..our mutually beneficial
arrangement...

Can be renegotiated
in good faith.

- Immediately?
- I don't see why not.

In that case, Dr Fonseca,
you've got yourself a deal.

Let me through, I'm a doctor!
Let me through!

No.

Atul, can you hear me?
Come on.

Atul.

Sanjay?

OK, just hold it down.
Hold it down over his cuts.

Come on, come on.
Come on, come on.

Someone call an ambulance now!
What are you waiting for?

Sanjay?

He's OK.

I told you...I'd see you again.

They're both unstable.
They need theatre now.

We only have
one operating theatre.

Which one? Who goes first?

I don't know.

What do you want to do, Doctor?
Come on!

Sanjay. Take Sanjay first,
his wounds are more severe.

He's been attacked.
Stab wounds to the abdomen.

God preserve us.

- And the other one?
- His brother, Atul.

Multiple stab wounds to the
abdomen. He's holding BP at 80.

Dr Varma's on his way. Make
the boy as stable as you can.

OK.

More IV.

Damn. He's too shut down.
I need another.

I can't find a vein.

16-year-old male, stab wound to
abdomen. Completely shut down.

Cut down set, now.

If you can't get access,
you do a cut down...IO.

Large bore cannula -
Spencer Wells.

No. No, O negative. He needs
blood, not saline. Quick!

Come on, Dr Walker.

He's clotting up
rather more easily now.

Still asystole.

Doctor...

Dr Walker.

Adequate IV access.

Rapid volume replacement
and high-flow oxygen.

I'm sorry.

O negative should have been
running immediately.

He was too shut down.

A real surgeon
can deal with that.

- A cut down, I/O access...
- Enough.

You told me to teach her.

I said, that's enough.

You know, just have
your holiday if you want.

Just don't get in the way
of the real doctors.

OK?

I've just checked Sanjay Nadar.

Drains are running clear
already. He should do well.

The police have been informed.

His brother's body has been
released to the coroner.

We did the best we could
in a very difficult situation.

All of us.

Right. I think that's enough.

You all know
what you have to do.

Horrible beasts!

Know how many pathogens there
are on a single monkey hair?

Er...no.

Tens of millions...probably.

- So, what?
- Sorry?

You're sitting here alone.
Your bag is packed.

There must be a so.

So...I don't think
I can do this.

And what is this, exactly?

Leaving England, thinking
I could work here and...

Just the whole
being a doctor thing.

I see.
Then that is a problem.

Would it help to throw
a stone at a monkey?

You're laughing at me.

Suit yourself.

A young boy lost his life
and we couldn't save him.

- We, not you.
- Dr Varma...

His injuries were too severe.

There was nothing you, Dr Varma
or Ganesh could have done.

Then why doesn't it
feel that way?

Because you, unlike Dr Varma,

are still a fully-functioning
human being.

When you lose that feeling,
it really is time to go home.

People come to India to find
themselves, Dr Walker.

The truth is, most of them
are simply idiots.

But you...
You do look a little lost.

But something tells me

there's someone in there
worth discovering.

And as for being a good doctor,

you might not be the best
but you're the best I've got.

So I'm not letting you leave.

I'm not sure
resigning works that way.

Sometimes we all just...
overcomplicate things.

Especially when
we're too emotional.

I don't think Dr Varma
wants me back.

Ha! Believe me, he needs you
much more than you need him.

Now get back to work.

And if you ever miss
morning report again,

consider yourself fired.

And if we don't have
the operation?

Then your child
will remain very sick.

Things could only get worse.
She needs this surgery.

Of course, the choice is yours.

Dr Walker?

The wisdom of Solomon,
Dr Walker. I'm impressed.

Sometimes,
old stories are the best.

Thank you.

She has a name now - Ruby.

I asked Dr Fonseca.

Don't get too cocky.

There are 17 Lydias
from here to Kochi.

And four of them are boys.

Come along, Dr Walker.
We have work to do.