Post by Maryna on Aug 20, 2006 20:18:37 GMT 10
Spoiler sent by a friend, but i discovered that they're from tv.com forum ant they're written by speddoc
Episode 13.5: Ames v. Kovac (Broadcast Date: October 19, 2006)
The episode opens at Luka and Abby’s. Luka is grim, oblivious to the morning hubbub around him, as he prepares for court by reviewing his deposition from a year earlier. Something spills on Luka’s papers (we can’t tell what). Abby tries to clean up, then one page is damaged, Abby apologizes for the spill and the damage. Luka insists he’s got to go over the papers, “for the tenth time,” Abby notes, but he’s afraid he might contradict himself and look bad. She gently reassures him he’s done nothing wrong, to tell the truth and he’ll be fine, but he’s clearly not convinced it’s that easy. Abby carries the babby, chatting with him as she gets ready for the arrival of the nanny. Luka is still reading when their 60-year-old nanny, Miriam, arrives. Miriam takes the baby as Abby adds a few last reminders about clothes and feeding, a bit unsure she wants to leave him. Luka, still up in his head, says he has to leave, and Abby leaves with him.
Luka drives them both to work, still lost in his thoughts. Abby chatters a bit nervously about returning to work after being gone several months, but Luka doesn’t seem to hear her. Abby realizes how worried he is, and asks if he’s OK. He tells her he’s concerned about how sympathetic Ames will appear, and what losing the case will do to his professional reputation and their income; he seems to expect to lose. As they arrive at the hospital, Abby offers to go to court with him, but he thinks it’s better she goes to work, and she agrees.
Luka meets his attorney, Walton, and Angela at the courthouse. He’s in a world he doesn’t know, and is only half listening as they brief him on how to testify. He tells them he’ll meet them in the courtroom, and disappears into the bathroom.
The bulk of the episode is set in the courtroom. The case begins with Ames’ testimony; his attorney asks why he came to the ER on February 13, 2004. Ames begins then we cut to a flashback from his POV, as his boss insists he stay for treatment of a cough, despite a 12-hour wait. He recounts Chuny’s brusque treatment of him at Triage while he’s pleasant and cooperative. During this time, he first sees Luka chatting with Chuny. We return to present-day and hear Luka questioned by his attorney about his first contact with Ames. This cuts to the same recollection of Curtis signing in, this time from Luka’s POV, Chuny is now professional and kind, Ames resistant to treatment.
Testimony continues in this way as each is questioned by his own, or opposing council. We see key events from each man’s POV as Luka evaluates Ames, recommends IV antibiotics when Ames wants a shot, places a central line after Chuny can’t put in an IV, the first numbness that indicates the stroke followed by Luka’s examination, and Luka, with the help of a neurologist, discussing TPA which Ames refuses. Other flashbacks include Chuny attempting an IV several times, and Ames’ experiences with what he sees as indifferent treatment while he’s left alone in the ER, unable to sleep and using a bedpan. At one point, he asks to see Luka, and is told he’s with a patient, but sees Luka smiling and looking at pictures with Frank, then eating a bagel.
Luka’s cross-examination by Kellerman, Ames’ attorney, goes badly. Luka tries to calmly explain that Ames was monitored by a resident who was responsible for his care, and that his pneumonia was improving. Kellerman asks if nurses do the close monitoring, then presses him about the nursing shortage, and what he did about it, while he tries to explain how things are done. Later, she presses him regarding the medical aspects of the case, suggesting Luka missed a heart murmur that might have indicated the small hole between two chambers of the heart (patent foramen ovale) that would have allowed a blood clot to travel to Ames’ brain (rather than lodging in his lung, as would ordinarily happen.) Luke tries to explain the rarity of the condition as the attorney attempts to paint him as negligent. Luka is rattled by the way she cuts him off and her insistent questioning, and finally loses control, insisting he was treating a number of serious patients, that they were understaffed and overburdened, and that his actions were reasonable given Ames’ status. Once the judge restores order, Kellerman presses Luka, trying to get him to admit he could have prevented the stroke, over Walton’s objections.
Late in the episode, around 5:00, we see Abby try to call Luka’s cell phone, and leave a message. Pratt asks how he’s doing but she doesn’t know anything. Luka sits at the defense table, feeling guardedly hopeful. Walton sums up, portraying Luka as having exceeded the standard of care according to the experts, and the stroke as an unpredictable complication. Walton tells the jury “his” (Luka’s) ER is the last bastion for people who have no other access to decent healthcare. During Walton’s summation, a paralegal brings Ames’ children into the courtroom. Kellerman counters with a series of then-and-now videos showing Ames as he is now: alone, divorced, and living on disability and as he was before the stroke: a skilled furniture maker. The videos are designed to play on the jury’s sympathies, as Kellerman suggests Ames was abandoned by the hospital and given substandard care by Luka.
The case goes to the jury near the episode’s end. Angela reassures Luka she can tell when a jury likes a doctor, and by implication, that this one likes Luka. The early jury deliberations spin off into a discussion of common ideas about rich doctors, kickbacks, and lack of concern. The episode ends with Ames sitting in the darkened courtroom, contemplating the day. It cuts back the jury briefly as they’re airing their attitudes about the health care system in light of the case, as the foreperson tries to get them to consider the evidence – it doesn’t look good for Luka. We hear their deliberations continue in voice over and see Luka walking the Chicago streets clearly worried, branded by them as a part of a failed health care system.
Abby returns to the ER, and works with Gates; we learn she’s back after several months. She and Gates treat a frail older man as Gates tries to charm her, which she ignores. When Abby asks for an ultrasound, she learns they no longer have a machine, but must order one from radiology. Crenshaw and Neela come down from surgery before ultrasound arrives. Abby introduces herself, Crenshaw is typically rude, and they take the patient to surgery. Later, Abby and Gates chat a bit about the baby, and Abby tells Gates she doesn’t want to be one of those “crazy Moms” who calls the babysitter once an hour. At the end of her shift, she takes a tumble while trying to show a patient how to use some rickety crutches, and jokes with Neela about it.
Pratt makes a morning visit to the barber shop, and chats with a group of older men who tease him about his uptown lifestyle. He notices one seems to have a tremor, and asks about their access to heath care; it appears none of them has seen a doctor in some time. He meets up with Chaz, who’s started at the University of Illinois, Chicago. They decide to see one another more often. At the hospital, Pratt runs the board for the day. He and Ray treat a man who’s bitten off part of his tongue. Later, Chaz comes to the hospital looking for Pratt, wanting to go out after Pratt’s shift. There’s also a short scene where Katey thanks Ray for treating a burn she receives while on duty, and Ray tries to talk to Neela about Katey.
Pratt, Abby and Sam treat a woman named Mariko, who is vomiting blood. Consultation with her doctor indicates she need surgery for an upper GI bleed. She’s alone, but doesn’t want them to bother her son, who is away at school in Oregon. Abby gently tries to persuade her to call him. At some point, Abby and Pratt talk while Abby is using her breast pump, which unnerves Pratt. Later, it appears Mariko starts bleeding badly, and Pratt reluctantly agrees to let Abby place a balloon of some sort in her thoracic aorta that gets her bleeding under control long enough to get her to surgery. As Crenshaw and Neela arrive to take the patient up, Miriam calls and Abby sings to the baby over the phone; Sam and Pratt join her.
Timmy’s also around again. He tells Abby “big daddy” has called while she was out, and calls her Doc Lock; later he carries a similar message from Chaz for Pratt, and comes to get Abby when Miriam calls.
Episode 13.5: Ames v. Kovac (Broadcast Date: October 19, 2006)
The episode opens at Luka and Abby’s. Luka is grim, oblivious to the morning hubbub around him, as he prepares for court by reviewing his deposition from a year earlier. Something spills on Luka’s papers (we can’t tell what). Abby tries to clean up, then one page is damaged, Abby apologizes for the spill and the damage. Luka insists he’s got to go over the papers, “for the tenth time,” Abby notes, but he’s afraid he might contradict himself and look bad. She gently reassures him he’s done nothing wrong, to tell the truth and he’ll be fine, but he’s clearly not convinced it’s that easy. Abby carries the babby, chatting with him as she gets ready for the arrival of the nanny. Luka is still reading when their 60-year-old nanny, Miriam, arrives. Miriam takes the baby as Abby adds a few last reminders about clothes and feeding, a bit unsure she wants to leave him. Luka, still up in his head, says he has to leave, and Abby leaves with him.
Luka drives them both to work, still lost in his thoughts. Abby chatters a bit nervously about returning to work after being gone several months, but Luka doesn’t seem to hear her. Abby realizes how worried he is, and asks if he’s OK. He tells her he’s concerned about how sympathetic Ames will appear, and what losing the case will do to his professional reputation and their income; he seems to expect to lose. As they arrive at the hospital, Abby offers to go to court with him, but he thinks it’s better she goes to work, and she agrees.
Luka meets his attorney, Walton, and Angela at the courthouse. He’s in a world he doesn’t know, and is only half listening as they brief him on how to testify. He tells them he’ll meet them in the courtroom, and disappears into the bathroom.
The bulk of the episode is set in the courtroom. The case begins with Ames’ testimony; his attorney asks why he came to the ER on February 13, 2004. Ames begins then we cut to a flashback from his POV, as his boss insists he stay for treatment of a cough, despite a 12-hour wait. He recounts Chuny’s brusque treatment of him at Triage while he’s pleasant and cooperative. During this time, he first sees Luka chatting with Chuny. We return to present-day and hear Luka questioned by his attorney about his first contact with Ames. This cuts to the same recollection of Curtis signing in, this time from Luka’s POV, Chuny is now professional and kind, Ames resistant to treatment.
Testimony continues in this way as each is questioned by his own, or opposing council. We see key events from each man’s POV as Luka evaluates Ames, recommends IV antibiotics when Ames wants a shot, places a central line after Chuny can’t put in an IV, the first numbness that indicates the stroke followed by Luka’s examination, and Luka, with the help of a neurologist, discussing TPA which Ames refuses. Other flashbacks include Chuny attempting an IV several times, and Ames’ experiences with what he sees as indifferent treatment while he’s left alone in the ER, unable to sleep and using a bedpan. At one point, he asks to see Luka, and is told he’s with a patient, but sees Luka smiling and looking at pictures with Frank, then eating a bagel.
Luka’s cross-examination by Kellerman, Ames’ attorney, goes badly. Luka tries to calmly explain that Ames was monitored by a resident who was responsible for his care, and that his pneumonia was improving. Kellerman asks if nurses do the close monitoring, then presses him about the nursing shortage, and what he did about it, while he tries to explain how things are done. Later, she presses him regarding the medical aspects of the case, suggesting Luka missed a heart murmur that might have indicated the small hole between two chambers of the heart (patent foramen ovale) that would have allowed a blood clot to travel to Ames’ brain (rather than lodging in his lung, as would ordinarily happen.) Luke tries to explain the rarity of the condition as the attorney attempts to paint him as negligent. Luka is rattled by the way she cuts him off and her insistent questioning, and finally loses control, insisting he was treating a number of serious patients, that they were understaffed and overburdened, and that his actions were reasonable given Ames’ status. Once the judge restores order, Kellerman presses Luka, trying to get him to admit he could have prevented the stroke, over Walton’s objections.
Late in the episode, around 5:00, we see Abby try to call Luka’s cell phone, and leave a message. Pratt asks how he’s doing but she doesn’t know anything. Luka sits at the defense table, feeling guardedly hopeful. Walton sums up, portraying Luka as having exceeded the standard of care according to the experts, and the stroke as an unpredictable complication. Walton tells the jury “his” (Luka’s) ER is the last bastion for people who have no other access to decent healthcare. During Walton’s summation, a paralegal brings Ames’ children into the courtroom. Kellerman counters with a series of then-and-now videos showing Ames as he is now: alone, divorced, and living on disability and as he was before the stroke: a skilled furniture maker. The videos are designed to play on the jury’s sympathies, as Kellerman suggests Ames was abandoned by the hospital and given substandard care by Luka.
The case goes to the jury near the episode’s end. Angela reassures Luka she can tell when a jury likes a doctor, and by implication, that this one likes Luka. The early jury deliberations spin off into a discussion of common ideas about rich doctors, kickbacks, and lack of concern. The episode ends with Ames sitting in the darkened courtroom, contemplating the day. It cuts back the jury briefly as they’re airing their attitudes about the health care system in light of the case, as the foreperson tries to get them to consider the evidence – it doesn’t look good for Luka. We hear their deliberations continue in voice over and see Luka walking the Chicago streets clearly worried, branded by them as a part of a failed health care system.
Abby returns to the ER, and works with Gates; we learn she’s back after several months. She and Gates treat a frail older man as Gates tries to charm her, which she ignores. When Abby asks for an ultrasound, she learns they no longer have a machine, but must order one from radiology. Crenshaw and Neela come down from surgery before ultrasound arrives. Abby introduces herself, Crenshaw is typically rude, and they take the patient to surgery. Later, Abby and Gates chat a bit about the baby, and Abby tells Gates she doesn’t want to be one of those “crazy Moms” who calls the babysitter once an hour. At the end of her shift, she takes a tumble while trying to show a patient how to use some rickety crutches, and jokes with Neela about it.
Pratt makes a morning visit to the barber shop, and chats with a group of older men who tease him about his uptown lifestyle. He notices one seems to have a tremor, and asks about their access to heath care; it appears none of them has seen a doctor in some time. He meets up with Chaz, who’s started at the University of Illinois, Chicago. They decide to see one another more often. At the hospital, Pratt runs the board for the day. He and Ray treat a man who’s bitten off part of his tongue. Later, Chaz comes to the hospital looking for Pratt, wanting to go out after Pratt’s shift. There’s also a short scene where Katey thanks Ray for treating a burn she receives while on duty, and Ray tries to talk to Neela about Katey.
Pratt, Abby and Sam treat a woman named Mariko, who is vomiting blood. Consultation with her doctor indicates she need surgery for an upper GI bleed. She’s alone, but doesn’t want them to bother her son, who is away at school in Oregon. Abby gently tries to persuade her to call him. At some point, Abby and Pratt talk while Abby is using her breast pump, which unnerves Pratt. Later, it appears Mariko starts bleeding badly, and Pratt reluctantly agrees to let Abby place a balloon of some sort in her thoracic aorta that gets her bleeding under control long enough to get her to surgery. As Crenshaw and Neela arrive to take the patient up, Miriam calls and Abby sings to the baby over the phone; Sam and Pratt join her.
Timmy’s also around again. He tells Abby “big daddy” has called while she was out, and calls her Doc Lock; later he carries a similar message from Chaz for Pratt, and comes to get Abby when Miriam calls.