- 8/18/2024
Directed by
Ghazaleh Gol
Written by
Renee Lyons
Jessica Joy Wood (head writer)
Cast
Michael Galvin ... Chris Warner
Ben Barrington ... Drew McCaskill
Ngahuia Piripi ... Esther Samuels
Carlos Muller ... Logan Barns
Marianne Infante ... Madonna Diaz
Jess Sayer ... Maeve Mullins
Scott Smart ... Marty Walker
Courtenay Louise ... Monique Strutter
Sally Martin ... Nicole Miller
Bella Kalolo-Suraj ... Selina To'a
Theo David ... Villami To'a
Sam Bunkall ... Boyd Chakraborty
Travis Graham ... Eruera Riddell
Renee Lyons ... Stevie-Lee Barns
Mo Nasir ... Nazar Arshad
Lee Smith-Gibbons ... Georgia Riddell
Zeta Sutherland ... Etta Riddell
Produced by
Oliver Driver
Music by
William Philipson
Editorial Department
Megan Robinson ... assistant editor
Alastair Tye Samson ... colorist
Script and Continuity Department
Maggie Webster-Shadbolt ... script supervisor
Ghazaleh Gol
Written by
Renee Lyons
Jessica Joy Wood (head writer)
Cast
Michael Galvin ... Chris Warner
Ben Barrington ... Drew McCaskill
Ngahuia Piripi ... Esther Samuels
Carlos Muller ... Logan Barns
Marianne Infante ... Madonna Diaz
Jess Sayer ... Maeve Mullins
Scott Smart ... Marty Walker
Courtenay Louise ... Monique Strutter
Sally Martin ... Nicole Miller
Bella Kalolo-Suraj ... Selina To'a
Theo David ... Villami To'a
Sam Bunkall ... Boyd Chakraborty
Travis Graham ... Eruera Riddell
Renee Lyons ... Stevie-Lee Barns
Mo Nasir ... Nazar Arshad
Lee Smith-Gibbons ... Georgia Riddell
Zeta Sutherland ... Etta Riddell
Produced by
Oliver Driver
Music by
William Philipson
Editorial Department
Megan Robinson ... assistant editor
Alastair Tye Samson ... colorist
Script and Continuity Department
Maggie Webster-Shadbolt ... script supervisor
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00Previously on Shortened Strength.
00:02AI diagnosing patients?
00:04It's only the first day if Boyd's a ridiculous bride.
00:06Apple already is watering up on TV.
00:08Aren't you supposed to be his friend?
00:10Support him.
00:11I finally get a moment in the sun, you can't handle it.
00:13Are you jealous or something?
00:14Yes, sir.
00:15Cool are you two.
00:16Etta Riddell, nine years old.
00:17Tumour on the brain stem.
00:19We can't just do nothing.
00:20Sometimes we have no choice.
00:22Chris said it'd operate on Etta Riddell.
00:23No surgeon in their right mind would attempt it.
00:25I need to know how the hell you think you're going to do it.
00:27Because I no longer have anything to lose.
00:29There was a message from Chris
00:31and he sent through an entire surgical approach.
00:34Have you come in tomorrow?
00:35We can discuss.
00:36Yep.
00:37If you could please make sure you're dressed like a functioning member of society.
00:46You don't say much.
00:51What was that?
00:54If that was supposed to be a smile, then you need some practice.
01:00Are you sad?
01:04Yeah.
01:06Not about me, right?
01:10That's good.
01:11Everyone else is sad about me.
01:17You got kids?
01:19Yeah.
01:21Are they making you sad?
01:24Yeah, but I think it's my fault.
01:28I made mistakes.
01:30My parents make mistakes all the time.
01:33They're not surgeons though,
01:35so I hope you don't plan on making any more.
01:38I do not plan on making any more.
01:42You gonna pinky promise?
01:45You know I can't promise the outcome of the surgery.
01:49Yeah, well, duh.
01:51Just promise me you'll do your best.
01:57Come on.
02:01Pinky promise.
02:03Never break a promise.
02:05If you do, I'll flush you down the lip.
02:08I don't remember that last bit.
02:11Yeah, that's because you're 100.
02:13Dr Warner is the best there is.
02:16Yeah, we've heard about it.
02:18Super experienced, worldwide recognition.
02:20Great.
02:21He used to be CEO, and he's just focusing on surgery now.
02:24He's just running some checks.
02:27Is that him?
02:29Yeah.
02:30I'm so lucky to have someone of his level
02:32doing such a complex operation.
02:35Once my legs start spinning,
02:37it's the best feeling in the world.
02:39It's pure freedom.
02:41Yeah, so sad.
02:43Oh, my goodness.
02:44Cher, we sold the land.
02:47We sold the land, and I've just been paid out.
02:49What about the mortgage?
02:51It's all covered, and there's plenty left over.
02:54Amazing.
02:56Congratulations, Madonna.
02:58That must be such a relief.
03:00There are so many things I can do with this.
03:05I don't want to speak too soon, but...
03:07She can get her own place now.
03:09Look, I'm glad that we've helped her out.
03:12It's been okay, hasn't it?
03:14Yeah, yeah. Oh, my God, I love Madonna.
03:16But, you know, it would be really nice
03:18to get her own space back.
03:20Yeah.
03:21Okay, well, maybe we could give her
03:23some gentle encouragement.
03:25Gentle encouragement to get the hell out?
03:27No, I...
03:28No, I mean to find the place of her dreams.
03:31I mean...
03:38All done in there.
03:41Uh, this is Eru's mum and dad, Georgia and Eru.
03:44Hi.
03:45Good to meet you.
03:49We really appreciate it.
03:53Esther.
03:54Hi.
03:55Uh, we're just waiting on the surgical team
03:56to give the go-ahead.
03:57Wonderful.
03:58Chris has just done the pre-op checks.
04:00He ordered another MRI.
04:03Uh, did you have any questions?
04:05Is he the only surgeon you could find?
04:07He's very experienced.
04:09He couldn't even look at us.
04:10He is the person for the job.
04:11Well, where's he going?
04:12We've got questions.
04:13Yeah, just a sec.
04:16He really is a top surgeon.
04:20Sorry, we've got some more questions.
04:22Yeah.
04:23Do you think the operation will work?
04:28I need a hundred things to go right.
04:31Okay.
04:32If even one thing goes wrong, she'll die.
04:36But if I don't do the operation, she'll die.
04:41Um, I think what Chris is saying is...
04:43No, I hear what he's saying.
04:46Sorry, how do you expect us to say yes to this?
04:50You're facing an impossible decision.
04:54But if she doesn't get the operation,
04:56she will certainly die,
04:57and you will only blame yourselves.
05:00If she dies on the operating table,
05:02at least you will know
05:04that you did everything you could.
05:06And if you're looking for someone to blame,
05:08you can blame me.
05:13I just keep trying to remember the last thing I said to him,
05:16but I'm blank.
05:17Well, he knew you loved him.
05:20Did he?
05:23What's all this about?
05:24Okay, party people, follow me.
05:28Oh.
05:29Well, not party people, exactly.
05:32I don't know what you're so chipper about
05:33at a time like this.
05:34Mum, mum doesn't have to be a sad sack just because we are.
05:37I am sad.
05:38Well, I'm staring down the barrel of 50 years alone.
05:40I'm sorry if I'm not physic.
05:43Okay.
05:44Okay.
05:45Close your eyes and follow me.
05:47No.
05:48I'll trip over and go unnoticed.
05:49I've got no one to catch me when I fall anymore.
05:52Okay.
05:53Okay.
05:54Open your eyes.
05:56Ta-da!
06:00It's instead of a hearse,
06:01and since you can't hire the procession of cars, well...
06:04I just kind of thought this is the next best thing, you know?
06:09It's my gift to you and Holden.
06:15Did I read this wrong?
06:17I am so sorry.
06:18You're knee-deep in grief, and this is...
06:20No, no, no, mum.
06:21This is perfect.
06:23Absolutely bloody perfect.
06:28I just know that Holden's lucky down on us right now,
06:31and you've made him a very happy man.
06:34Go.
06:42I thought you'd consented to the surgery.
06:44We haven't signed anything.
06:46There's really no one else that can do it?
06:48Dr Warner is a highly respected surgeon.
06:50Everybody keeps saying that, but I don't care.
06:52He's not putting a scalpel anywhere near my baby.
06:54He said a hundred things have to go right.
06:56A hundred!
06:57The odds have always been against us.
06:59The fact that we've even found a surgeon willing to do the surgery...
07:01Yeah, I don't know. I just...
07:03I don't know about him.
07:06Is he on the spectrum?
07:08Because...
07:09I mean, that's fine, obviously, but...
07:12if he's not, then...
07:14Um...
07:15We're still not signing.
07:18If she doesn't have this operation,
07:20you might have very little time left with her.
07:22Thank you, Dr Walker.
07:23I think the family are well aware of all the options.
07:26Mum?
07:27Don't break it.
07:28We totally respect your decision.
07:30We'll do everything we can to keep her comfortable.
07:36And the fracture could be more complicated than the X-ray shows,
07:39so we're going to need full focus, yeah?
07:41How about some music, Selena?
07:43Good idea.
07:44My playlist is all queued up.
07:45And so is mine.
07:46Um...
07:47You have Eno?
07:49Yeah, music for earpods.
07:50Lovely.
07:51Pfft!
07:52Why?
07:53It produces a very calming atmosphere.
07:55So does my playlist.
07:57Surgical Serenity by Drew.
07:58That's it, hit it.
08:00Are you lead surgeon today?
08:02Assisting.
08:03Then assist.
08:05If you can't put your ego to the side,
08:07I'm going to have to ask you to leave.
08:11So the coffin sits on top, like, on top of the cart, see?
08:14Oh, I love that.
08:16It's so holden.
08:17It's very unique.
08:19You can say it's crazy if you want, cos that was there.
08:22Oh, Logan, you're coping so beautifully.
08:24Well, well, it's all because of this one.
08:26Well, I've nearly finished the funeral programme.
08:28I just need a little bit more time.
08:29I can wait.
08:30Great.
08:31I'll go practise my big speech.
08:33Sure.
08:34Which she helped me with also.
08:35Practically runnin' the show.
08:39What?
08:40Nothing.
08:41That car must have been expensive.
08:43It was.
08:44I can chip in.
08:45Not with her land money.
08:47You need that for yourself.
08:48Plan your next steps.
08:49You told everyone about the payout.
08:51I couldn't help it.
08:52Sorry.
08:53It's OK.
08:54I don't need your guys' money.
08:55That was my gift to Logan.
08:56Right, and we wouldn't want to ruin special connection, guys.
08:59Mm.
09:00Very special connection.
09:01OK, I love Logan like a friend, like a best friend,
09:04and I would do anything to take that pain away.
09:06I just...
09:07I want to make him happy.
09:14You've given up bedside manners.
09:15I can understand that.
09:16You're purely clinical.
09:18Your notes on this surgery are extensive,
09:20beyond anything even I would do myself.
09:24Can you do this?
09:27I'm the only one who will.
09:44I understand Dr Warner's manner may be a little unsettling.
09:49Yeah, we saw the thing on the news about his son.
09:52Well, that's his problem and no-one else's.
09:55Look, I can't tell you what to decide,
09:57but I've seen his notes.
09:59They could not be more thorough.
10:03Mum.
10:04Dad.
10:05Mum, please.
10:08You're talking about my operation.
10:10Yeah.
10:11No-one's going to make you do it.
10:15I want to.
10:16I want the bed guy to do it.
10:18Mum, we're just not sure if it's the right place.
10:21It's my operation, right?
10:23And I want to do it.
10:25The risks, bub.
10:26I know all about them.
10:28But I want this operation.
10:30Please.
10:37Okay.
10:39Yeah.
10:42You heard the boss.
10:44We'll sign the forms.
10:49Are you waiting for me?
10:50Yeah.
10:51I don't mind.
10:52You should have gone home.
10:53Well, I've been there done, mate.
10:55I had a big talk with Mum.
10:56Oh, yeah? About what?
10:58Need-to-know basis.
10:59I'll tell you later.
11:00Tell me.
11:02Anyway, Mum, about that car.
11:04You know, I really can't believe you did that.
11:07It was nothing.
11:08It was amazing.
11:10Yeah, it's not really a big deal.
11:11Maybe for you, but for me.
11:13You know, if I'm honest,
11:15just having you around has made this whole thing bearable.
11:18Which is why I want to take you out to dinner tonight.
11:20Don't be silly.
11:21I'm not.
11:22You don't have to.
11:23I know I don't, but I want to.
11:26Will your mum be there?
11:28I don't know.
11:29Just us, okay?
11:30I'll book for seven o'clock.
11:31Can you make it?
11:33I'll be there.
11:42I'm giving out detention for you and Dr McClain.
11:46For you and Dr McCaskill.
11:48Fair enough.
11:49500 lines.
11:50Boyd and Drew will play nicely in theatre.
11:52Unless you want to tell me what's going on.
11:55He just can't stand me being HOD.
11:57Well, he's going to have to get over it.
11:59No, I wasn't considerate.
12:01I just took the job.
12:02I didn't even consult with him.
12:03Who cares?
12:04Well, he's my best friend, Selena,
12:07and under normal circumstances,
12:10I would have consulted with him, you know,
12:12and that's all he wants, to be included.
12:15Hold up.
12:16What do you mean, under normal circumstances?
12:19I just get a bit distracted sometimes.
12:21By what?
12:24Brian. Brain.
12:25Groundbreaking stuff.
12:26And that's why you got the job and he didn't.
12:28Yeah.
12:29You should be able to talk to him about this stuff.
12:31Yeah, but is he up to your level, though?
12:33Yes, he is.
12:35Okay, sorry.
12:36He's intelligent.
12:37And he's a great surgeon.
12:40He's my BFF.
12:42He's a great uncle for the kids.
12:44Ronan and Regis.
12:46Romulus and Remus.
12:47Sorry.
12:48I'll get that right one day.
12:50They love Uncle Drew, you know.
12:53And they really missed him when we moved down south.
12:57Everything changed too fast.
13:01Okay.
13:02No detention for you.
13:12Woo!
13:17What the hell is this?
13:18What do you think?
13:21I dipped into the money from the land sale.
13:24Just a little treat.
13:25But don't worry.
13:26There's still plenty of money in the bank account.
13:28I can't talk.
13:29I'll catch you up after.
13:30But honestly, this is life-changing.
13:32Woo!
13:36So did Nezha tune in right?
13:38Yeah.
13:40So did Nezha tune in right?
13:41I think it was Etta herself.
13:43Anyway, it doesn't matter how it happened.
13:44I'm just stoked.
13:45Are you going to watch the op?
13:47I'm too busy.
13:48Okay.
13:49I'll watch the master at work and report in.
13:51Babe?
13:53Yeah?
13:54I know you're invested and you are the best patient advocate around, but...
13:57Dial down the enthusiasm.
13:59Just a notch.
14:00Well, Chris needs all the support he can get.
14:02I'm not worried about Chris.
14:03Well, I am.
14:04A little bit.
14:05It's Etta's parents.
14:06Her mum and dad.
14:07You know the what-if.
14:08Well, are you ready?
14:09No, you can't be.
14:11Talk to them.
14:18Everyone deserves a love like that.
14:20Maybe a curly-haired love like that?
14:23Don't.
14:24I'm just calling it like I see it.
14:25Okay, well, after your big, fat, epic fail of a marriage,
14:30I don't think you're qualified to give advice on love.
14:32Hush!
14:33But true!
14:34Things turned sideways when Madonna and I stopped talking.
14:37It's comms.
14:38That's all you need.
14:39Logan is not a mind-reader.
14:40So if you are into him, again, you tell him.
14:44You'll regret it if you don't.
14:48The rumour's true.
14:49Retro sigmoid craniotomy.
14:52Yep.
14:53Etta's getting her up.
14:54With the lead surgeon.
14:57Right.
14:58Yes.
14:59Chris Warner is actually in the building.
15:02And he's still got it.
15:05Are you sure about that?
15:07He, um, he has requested Selina.
15:11Her scrub nurse.
15:12Well, she's one of the best.
15:14You think she'll do it?
15:15Yeah, of course she will.
15:16In fact, Etta.
15:17But are you sure about Chris?
15:20He's fine.
15:21He's just a little clinical.
15:24Yes, yes, yes.
15:26Okay.
15:27Oh, I'll drop it.
15:28Great.
15:29Because I need help with this next bit.
15:32I'm sorry.
15:33We got caught up with Kahu.
15:34What have we missed?
15:35A nurse is just taking bloods now.
15:37When we get those results, then we can go ahead with the op.
15:40Great.
15:41So what do we do?
15:43Just hold her hand?
15:44Yeah.
15:45Before you go back in,
15:47we have every hope that this operation will be a success.
15:52But there is still a very high chance,
15:55a 98% chance, that she won't make it.
15:58We've heard it all before.
15:59What I'm saying is you need to talk to Etta about that.
16:02Are you telling me to say goodbye to my little girl?
16:05I'm sorry, but yes.
16:07I'll clear out the room.
16:09You can have some privacy.
16:10No, I'm not doing it.
16:12Same.
16:13Just do your jobs.
16:14Yeah.
16:15She'll be fine.
16:16He's the best.
16:17Everyone's saying so.
16:18He's not God, though.
16:19And the last words she hears,
16:21they need to be from you and Mum and Dad.
16:25We're not saying goodbye.
16:28You have to.
16:30And I'll help you.
16:35Selena will be in there right next to the surgeon.
16:38Can you tell her something for me?
16:40Of course.
16:43What is it, honey?
16:44Come closer.
16:50I will do that, I promise.
16:53Do what?
16:54It's a secret.
16:58What?
17:04What's wrong?
17:06Etta, there's plenty of time before you head up to theatre.
17:09And your Mum and Dad,
17:11well, they want to have a little talk with you.
17:14A nice talk, don't worry, but a serious one.
17:17Just in case I die?
17:21Yeah.
17:23You'll be sad for a long time,
17:26but I don't want you to be like that.
17:31You have to look after Ko.
17:33We will.
17:35And you have to use your imagination.
17:38How's that?
17:41You know how I like to sleep in on the weekends?
17:44Yeah.
17:46Well, if I don't wake up this time,
17:50I'm just having a really, really big sleep in.
17:55And you can carry on doing stuff,
17:58and I'll just be all snuggled up.
18:04And when you're really old,
18:06you're going to die too, right?
18:08That's right.
18:10And when you die,
18:12you can come find me and wake me up.
18:17When I'm really old,
18:19and when I die,
18:23I promise,
18:25I'll find you and wake you up.
18:31Hey,
18:32might get there first.
18:36Daddy.
18:38I love you.
18:40I love you too.
18:43It's okay.
18:46Hey.
18:48It's okay.
18:50It's okay.
18:52I'll see you after your sleep.
18:54I promise.
19:03Hey.
19:05Chris is heading to theatre.
19:07I know.
19:10Good to see him making a big comeback
19:12after a traumatic event.
19:14Yeah.
19:16He's not really saying anything, though.
19:18He's just kind of hiding away.
19:21Mm-hmm.
19:23That's what happens when things go wrong.
19:26The system's shut down.
19:29Sometimes you don't even know what's happening,
19:31and your kids are talking to you and asking questions.
19:34Blank.
19:36What are you on about?
19:39That's why the twins like staying with you,
19:41because you actually hear them.
19:42Are you still having problems with your hearing?
19:44No, no, no, it's not the hearing.
19:48It's you.
19:51I've treated you badly.
19:54I'm shutting you out,
19:56and there's a reason for that.
20:03I'm listening.
20:06Because you're the only one that would
20:10see everything.
20:13You made me deal with it,
20:15and I wasn't ready to deal with it.
20:19I'm still not ready.
20:22Deal with what?
20:26I cheated on Zara.
20:30And not like a one-night stand.
20:32It was a full-on affair,
20:35and she found out,
20:36and now she wants to divorce me.
20:39I'm sorry, sir.
20:42You're not capable of cheating.
20:45I am.
20:46You don't know how to do that kind of thing.
20:48You're too...
20:50freckles.
20:54I'm so ashamed.
20:57I mean, my whole family's broken.
21:00And it's all my fault.
21:10SIREN BLARES
21:29I thought you were too busy.
21:31I had no time.
21:33Good, because there's one gutsy little kid in there.
21:37Where's Chris?
21:40SIREN BLARES
21:42The last thing I need is a no-show.
21:45Have some faith.
21:53You see?
22:02Hey.
22:04You don't want me to pass on a message.
22:06She said to tell Dr Warner that
22:09he's not going into the loo.
22:13She said, do you know what that means?
22:27What is he doing?
22:31I'm not sure.
22:32He's literally just staring into space.
22:36He's mentally preparing.
22:39He looks insane.
22:40What the hell is going on?
22:41Just...
22:42Just give him a minute.
22:45Casoline surgery?
22:46No, no.
22:48I cannot let a potentially unstable dog
22:49to perform something this risky.
22:51Just wait.
22:58Scalpel.
23:06MUSIC PLAYS
Recommended
28:23
|
Up next