- 9/8/2024
Directed by
Jacqueline Nairn
Written by
Damon Andrews
Jessica Joy Wood (head writer)
Cast
Ben Barrington ... Drew McCaskill
Ngahuia Piripi ... Esther Samuels
Ria Vandervis ... Harper Whitley
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
Paul Waggott ... Thaddeus Fleiss
Theo David ... Villami To'a
Evander Brown ... Ihaia Stone
Peter Burman ... Sage Stewart
Owen Pasek Glusco ... Jude Bowers
Mo Nasir ... Nazar Arshad
Sukena Shah ... Gigi Arshad
Edna Swart ... Kelsey Bowers
Carleena Walsh ... Maude Franklin
Jane Wills ... Phil Grayson
Produced by
Oliver Driver
Music by
William Philipson
Editorial Department
Megan Robinson ... assistant editor
Alastair Tye Samson ... colorist
Jacqueline Nairn
Written by
Damon Andrews
Jessica Joy Wood (head writer)
Cast
Ben Barrington ... Drew McCaskill
Ngahuia Piripi ... Esther Samuels
Ria Vandervis ... Harper Whitley
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
Paul Waggott ... Thaddeus Fleiss
Theo David ... Villami To'a
Evander Brown ... Ihaia Stone
Peter Burman ... Sage Stewart
Owen Pasek Glusco ... Jude Bowers
Mo Nasir ... Nazar Arshad
Sukena Shah ... Gigi Arshad
Edna Swart ... Kelsey Bowers
Carleena Walsh ... Maude Franklin
Jane Wills ... Phil Grayson
Produced by
Oliver Driver
Music by
William Philipson
Editorial Department
Megan Robinson ... assistant editor
Alastair Tye Samson ... colorist
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00Previously on Shortland Street.
00:02Oh my God, it's burning!
00:04Why are you naked?
00:06Oh my God.
00:08This, it was hard and messy and dangerous.
00:10I think it's a good thing. What?
00:12I wouldn't have picked it, Thaddeus and Madonna.
00:14I don't want to see you get hurt, mate. And being the rebound can get you hurt.
00:16Just be careful.
00:18Hi, I'm Franklin. I have brain cancer.
00:20I think it'll only be a slim chance that surgery will even make a difference.
00:2220 million, dead or alive.
00:24You need my money, don't you?
00:26She's gone into VT.
00:28Not Easter, she's gone.
00:30Oh my God.
00:56Madonna. Yeah?
00:58How's my life?
01:00Well, I'm glad you could keep up with me.
01:02The bells had started ringing on that level crossing.
01:04Well, the barriers weren't coming down. I'm not crazy.
01:06You have a way of making a dull commute into a heart-pumping thrill ride.
01:08Aw, thank you.
01:10And thank you for getting me back into cycling.
01:12It's changed my world.
01:14Oh, that's good.
01:16That's really good.
01:18Hi, guys. Liliane, good morning.
01:20We were just talking.
01:22About cycling.
01:24Yeah, I've been leading him on a wild chase, haven't I, Thad?
01:26You're the best to keep up.
01:28You're so fit.
01:30On a bike, I mean.
01:32All the right moves, eh?
01:34That's it.
01:42Hey, you left early.
01:44Went for a run. Kids all good?
01:46Yeah.
01:48I'm sorry about last night.
01:50Hey, no worries.
01:52I just wasn't in the mood and I know it's been happening a lot.
01:54Well, you were patient, babe. It's never easy.
01:56Thanks.
01:58You don't want to be against us and I just went ahead anyway.
02:00Kapai is done?
02:02No, I shouldn't have done it.
02:04You gave her hope.
02:06He's right.
02:08False hope.
02:10She knew the risks, right?
02:12Babe, you did your best.
02:14Paola wanted that operation.
02:16And you succeeded. You fully excised that tumour.
02:18Doesn't matter. She shouldn't have been on the table.
02:20That's not our fault.
02:22Sorry to interrupt.
02:24Viola's next of kin. Her daughter, Maud.
02:26She called from the airport. She's on her way.
02:30You want some backup when you meet her?
02:32Nope. This is on me.
02:38I'm so, so sorry. I'm late.
02:40Not good enough.
02:42Almost 20 minutes, eh?
02:44They cancelled three buses on my road.
02:46That's not the first time, though.
02:48Well, they keep cancelling them. It's like some kind of insane conspiracy.
02:50Yep. We can't keep covering for you.
02:52I get it. And I'm sorry.
02:54Next time, it won't be just a warning.
02:56I will make it up to you both.
02:58Look, just get a car, maybe.
03:00I know it's not ideal for the environment, but you have to be practical.
03:02I would, but I'm only on my learners.
03:04How come?
03:06Because I just am.
03:08Now, where do you need me?
03:10Cubicle 3, dressing change.
03:14Have you heard from your mum?
03:16My mum?
03:18What is this?
03:20Shopping for a new kidney in South Korea, China, North Korea.
03:22Your guess is as good as mine.
03:24Well, maybe you can give her some tips
03:26for when you were scouting for that international bladder repair.
03:28Oh, yeah, that's not helpful.
03:30Oh. Noted.
03:34Hey.
03:36Hope you're not still moping about that brain ult.
03:38My sister's still pretty down about it.
03:40Yeah, but come on.
03:42The survival stats for a patient like Viola.
03:44Yeah, I know, but still a bit of a gut punch in that.
03:46Get my email?
03:48Yeah, something about giving the department a glow-up.
03:50One lucky up-and-coming surgeon
03:52will soon be in line for a very prestigious opportunity.
03:54Like specialist training?
03:56Oh, the very specialists.
03:58Okay.
04:00In two weeks' time, one of you, and only one,
04:02will be selected to attend a surgical robotics intensive
04:04in Brisbane.
04:06I'll do it.
04:08As if. Pick me.
04:10Ah, I love the smell of competition in the morning.
04:12So what do we have to do?
04:14Up to you.
04:16So you expect us to be my readers now?
04:18I expect to be impressed.
04:28You all right?
04:30Yep. Nothing the right ointment can't fix.
04:32Well,
04:34they do say that love hurts.
04:36Yes, they do.
04:38Why?
04:40I've been meaning to say
04:42sorry about the other night.
04:44We didn't mean to walk in.
04:46Oh, are you talking about
04:48a hot little kitchen situation?
04:50Whatever you want to call it.
04:52I just, um...
04:54We think you're adorable together.
04:56Ah, no, I think you might have the wrong end of the stick.
04:58Speak of the devil.
05:02Hey.
05:04So after work, are you keen?
05:06For a longer ride?
05:08Um...
05:10Actually, I have a chapter I need to finish.
05:12Oh, what are you reading?
05:14I'm writing. A book.
05:16Wow, good for you.
05:18On pharmacology?
05:20Fiction, actually.
05:22Swashbuckling pirates in the high seas.
05:24Interesting. What's it called?
05:26High Tides. Hidden Depths.
05:28It's a working title.
05:30Well, don't you just have hidden depths?
05:32I'm officially intrigued.
05:36Don't frown, babe.
05:38Great girls, remember?
05:40Kelsey, hi!
05:42Now that's the reception I was hoping for.
05:44Oh, hello, little Jude.
05:46What are you doing here?
05:48Is the baby okay?
05:50Okay, what do you need?
05:52Who do you need to see? Do you need to be rushed to ED?
05:54Look, I might be a little paranoid, but I'm getting the same
05:56symptoms as I had last time.
05:58The placenta thingy?
06:00Placenta creta. Back pain, bleeding.
06:02Okay, um, do not panic.
06:04I'm going to get you seen immediately.
06:06Hi. Uh, I need you over here
06:08urgently.
06:10Yes?
06:12Hello. This is my best friend Kelsey,
06:14and she needs medical attention.
06:16Is it an emergency? Yeah, I don't think so.
06:18Well, in that case, you can ask her three questions.
06:20Sorry, Kelsey almost died
06:22the last time she was giving birth to Jude here.
06:24And we don't want that to happen again, do we?
06:26Of course. Um, let's get you
06:28upstairs for an assessment. Would you like a wheelchair?
06:30No, I'm fine. Yeah, you do. Um, come on.
06:36How long had she known about the tumour?
06:38Several months,
06:40I believe. She never said
06:42anything.
06:44Were you close to your mum?
06:46I thought we were.
06:48I saw her almost every week.
06:50Why was
06:52it rushed through so quickly?
06:54Well, waiting would have reduced the likelihood
06:56of a successful outcome.
06:58She'd still be alive, right?
07:00I'm sorry. I'm sure you did your
07:02best. It's all just come as a
07:04shock.
07:06If it's any comfort,
07:08she didn't suffer.
07:12That's something. Thank you.
07:14I'm very sorry
07:16for your loss.
07:18If you like, I can take you
07:20through to see her.
07:22Mm.
07:34They've admitted me. It's gotta be bad.
07:36They're just being thorough.
07:38Thank God I've got you. Ryan's no bloody use.
07:40He's out of the country again.
07:42Sorry.
07:44Work emails?
07:46Look at you. You're all alone. You're pregnant. You have a
07:48toddler and you're running a business.
07:50Well, thank God for mobile hairdressing. Otherwise
07:52I'd be a real mess. You are amazing.
07:58How are you feeling, Kelsey?
08:00Pretty much the same.
08:02Well, I've had a chat with the obstetrician. I've let them know
08:04I'd like to run some blood tests. But first,
08:06this is Gigi, a pre-med student
08:08and also my sister. Hey, Kelsey.
08:10And Monique, right?
08:12Oh, good memory. Gigi's on work
08:14experience and with your permission, I'd like her to
08:16observe. Fine by me.
08:18Do you mind if we have a quick word outside?
08:22Excuse me. I'll just be a moment.
08:28Have you cleared Gigi's visit with Esther?
08:30I'm the head of paediatrics. There's no need. I'm the
08:32operations manager. Is there a problem? Well, Kelsey's
08:34my best friend in the entire world and I want her to have
08:36your undivided attention. All my patients
08:38get my undivided attention. Great.
08:40We agree then.
08:44Alright, Gigi. Bit of an upgrade for you today.
08:46You are going to be following me around the hospital so
08:48Naz can focus completely on Kelsey.
08:50I was hoping to get some experience.
08:52This is so much more fun. Behind the scenes, all that.
08:54Heck yeah!
09:02High speed MVA to patients.
09:04Alright. So, do I need you? This is Dan.
09:06Suspected cardiac event prior to crash.
09:08Okay. Let's get him straight through to recess.
09:10Can you please take the next patient?
09:12And this is Dan's daughter, Emma Jane.
09:14She has a closed head injury
09:16and is complaining about headaches and neck pain.
09:18She sees a 15. Hi, Emma Jane. I'm Maeve.
09:20Dr Whitley and I are going to take good care of you
09:22and your dad, okay? Let's prepare for CT.
09:24It's my fault. I crashed. Hey,
09:26don't worry about anything. We've got you.
09:28Cubicle four, please.
09:30Did she say
09:32that she's the driver? She's 13.
09:34Her dad thought he was having a heart attack and she tried to
09:36drive him there. Why didn't she just call an ambulance?
09:38I don't know, but she took the corner too fast and flipped the car.
09:40Oh, good. And now her dad has a head injury
09:42as well as a heart attack.
09:46So, are you calling CT?
09:48Yeah, yeah. Doing it now.
09:50You okay? Fine. I'm fine.
09:52Onto it.
09:54You did everything
09:56anyone possibly could.
09:58Did I? If Chris had operated...
10:00The outcome would have been the same.
10:02He turned it down, didn't he?
10:04Yeah, but I took it
10:06for the money. Is that really
10:08why you did it? No.
10:10Yes, partly.
10:12You thought you could extend her life
10:14and she wanted you to try.
10:16I took her money.
10:18Yeah, money she wanted the hospital to have, babe.
10:20Money that can actually be used to help
10:22people, like pay the nurses their overtime.
10:24Yeah, well, it's not that
10:26simple, is it? Yes, it is.
10:28You owe it to your patient
10:30to fulfil her wishes. So stop
10:32beating yourself up and start thinking about how
10:34you can put her donation to good use.
10:36We'd better get back.
10:40Okay.
10:46Wait.
10:48I know that look. Sorry?
10:50You've got chafing, don't you?
10:52Yes.
10:54Are you using the cream you gave me?
10:56Well, I was, but then there was a bit more
10:58inflammation, so I upgraded.
11:00Successfully? Actually, it's worse.
11:02I think I've rubbed it raw.
11:04Could be infected, needing antibiotics.
11:06Ta-da!
11:08On prescription?
11:10Just off the shelf.
11:12You didn't see a doctor?
11:14It seemed a bit over the top.
11:16Let me take a look. What?
11:18Obviously, we need more privacy.
11:20Wait, no, I can't do that.
11:22Now you're modest.
11:24It wouldn't be appropriate.
11:26Of course it would be. I'm a nurse. This is my job.
11:28Maybe so, but
11:30you and me are a bit
11:32of a grey area.
11:34What do you mean?
11:36I think people are starting to get the wrong idea about us.
11:38And to be honest,
11:40sometimes I'm a little confused myself.
11:42Then let's get things perfectly clear.
11:44We're colleagues,
11:46flatmates, cycling buddies.
11:48That's it.
11:50Phew. I mean, no offence.
11:52You're amazing, but you are on the rebound
11:54after all.
11:56Thank you for reminding me.
11:58Now let's take a look at this rash.
12:00Ah!
12:02Is he going to pull through?
12:04Well, his head trauma wasn't as bad
12:06as we expected, and hopefully the stent
12:08will sort his heart issues.
12:10Okay, that's a relief. His daughter's fine, but emotionally
12:12she's a wreck. Okay, well I will check on her.
12:14Have you eaten, like I said?
12:16No. You're not really paying.
12:18Something's not right, Sate.
12:20It's just bringing back hideous memories, that's all.
12:22What about? I just need to shake it off.
12:24Hey, this is a safe space.
12:26When I was learning to drive
12:28years ago,
12:30I killed my best friend.
12:32Sate.
12:34Oh, I'm so sorry. We had no idea.
12:36Simon was in the driveway, and I
12:38was backing out, and I just...
12:40Sate, Simon was your
12:42chinchilla, yeah?
12:44My dark, ebony, white chinchilla,
12:46imported specially from the UK. Um, you've
12:48told us this story a few times, Sate.
12:50It was all my fault.
12:52And so that's... that's why you don't drive.
12:54400
12:56catheters. Got it.
12:58Give or take.
13:00What does that mean?
13:02399. Thank you.
13:04And here is Nicole, HOD of Nursing,
13:06and Selena, two of our most amazing
13:08and busiest nurses.
13:10Mind-numbingly busy.
13:12This is Gigi. She's a pre-med
13:14student.
13:16And she's here on work experience.
13:18She's Nazar's little sister.
13:20Oh!
13:22Apple falls far from the tree.
13:24Let's go,
13:26Gigi.
13:30Kia ora. Kia ora.
13:32I have some good news.
13:34Oh! Are you reinstating
13:36the overtime?
13:38From today, all nurses can return to regular
13:40overtime. Yes!
13:42Oh, look, I knew you would come through
13:44for us. The real workers, and
13:46finally, a doctor who'll admit it.
13:48Nurses are the backbone
13:50of this place. Hey,
13:52while we're on the subject,
13:54you know, is there any room for
13:56pay rise? No?
13:58Okay, yeah! Take the win, Selena!
14:00This
14:02is great. I thought there'd been months
14:04of cutbacks. Uh, I thought so too,
14:06but we found a way. Right, money just
14:08fell from the sky.
14:10Something like that.
14:12Hey, I, um, I've been thinking
14:14about Viola Franklin.
14:16New hair? Yeah, and I know
14:18that Maud was upset,
14:20but that's not on you.
14:22Okay, if her mum had told her about the tumor
14:24or the surgery, it wouldn't have been
14:26so much of a shock.
14:28Yeah, I guess so.
14:30Don't you be too hard on yourself.
14:36Are you sure this is not
14:38too weird for you?
14:40Come on, Thaddeus.
14:42I am a professional.
14:44And I've seen hundreds
14:46of thighs, including yours.
14:48If you're sure.
14:50Okay.
14:52Whip off
14:54those pants and you can cover yourself with this.
14:56Thank you, Madonna.
14:58So what do I have to do to embrace?
15:00Like I said, that's up to you.
15:02If the right kind of challenging
15:04surgery came my way. You never know with
15:06ED consults, they can get challenging.
15:08Or just small broken bones,
15:10which won't give me any edge.
15:12I want to see initiative.
15:14Something compelling.
15:16Something fresh that also shows you
15:18passion.
15:22Thaddeus?
15:26Madonna, you mean?
15:28I mean.
15:30Oh my God.
15:32I've hurt your eyes.
15:36We must never
15:38speak of this.
15:40Or
15:42maybe they're
15:44exhibitionists, you know, enjoying the
15:46front. When good Catholics go
15:48bad. What's this?
15:50It's a private matter
15:52involving medical professionals
15:54and I refuse to gossip.
15:56Probably a good idea. But if you must know,
15:58we spotted two of our colleagues in a very compromising
16:00position. Very
16:02compromising. Going
16:04down under. And I'm not talking about an Aussie
16:06getaway, if you catch my drift. Two
16:08staff members. But one
16:10male member? This needs to be
16:12reported. Uh, does it?
16:14Yeah, I think live and let live.
16:16It's unprofessional at the very least.
16:18Okay, fun police.
16:20Names?
16:22There aren't any. We just made it up.
16:24Yeah, we made it up.
16:26We're joking around, ha ha. As if anyone would
16:28engage in lewd behaviour at work.
16:30No, you said when good
16:32Catholics go bad. Surely you don't mean
16:34Madonna. What's this
16:36about Madonna?
16:42Hey, you feeling better
16:44now? Oh, my goodness, yes.
16:46Madonna, that dressing is working wonders.
16:48Thank you so much. It's very kind.
16:50Don't be silly. Happy to lend a helping hand.
16:52Well, I'll try and stay on top of things
16:54from now on. Hi, guys.
16:56Hi, Billy.
16:58Mustache, thanks
17:00again for your healing hands. You're my angel.
17:02Hey, so I hear. See you
17:04later.
17:06What?
17:08Hey, I hear you want to move on.
17:10And I'm happy for you. I really am.
17:12But you're in the hospital.
17:14Mom's still working.
17:16What are you talking about?
17:18It's you and Thaddeus. The whole place is talking about it.
17:20What? What are they saying?
17:22You want me to draw a picture?
17:24At least you drew the girdles, I suppose.
17:26No, I was
17:28helping him with this. I don't want to know.
17:30He's chafing. Spare me the details, okay?
17:32I don't care what you do.
17:34Can you just not do it in the hospital?
17:38The nurse will be with you shortly
17:40to take you to ultrasound. Thanks.
17:42Yay, finally getting some answers.
17:44She's going to be alright, right?
17:46We'll certainly know more after the scan. Do you think it's the same thing?
17:48Come back?
17:50Given your history, there is an increased risk. However,
17:52only the scan can... Okay, well, let's just hurry up
17:54and get the scan. We had a backlog.
17:56Really? Wow.
17:58You could have mentioned that before you dug your sister on for me.
18:00As I recall, you volunteered.
18:02How's your day been so far?
18:04Okay, let's just focus on the task at hand, shall we?
18:06Okay, Kelsey,
18:08we're all ready for your ultrasound.
18:10I'll leave you to it.
18:12Uh, okay. Hey, hey, hey.
18:14It's going to be alright. Just
18:16deep breaths. I'm going to be fine.
18:18I just don't think I can
18:20take Jude in here. Would you mind?
18:22Minding him? Oh, it won't take that long.
18:24Uh, Kelsey,
18:26I'm really busy and I've got June June here.
18:28And... Okay, yep, yep, yep.
18:30Aunty Monique is going to step up.
18:32Yeah.
18:36I think we take the cautious approach.
18:38So lifestyle changes,
18:40medication, and we'll go from there.
18:42Okay. You don't agree?
18:44Cautious approach
18:46because of Viola?
18:48I'll leave the case on its merits.
18:50Do you still
18:52own your mind? I've got to get back to work.
18:54Esther, hey.
18:56The nurses
18:58are singing your praises.
19:00Getting overtime back is amazing for everyone.
19:02Yeah, sure.
19:04But you're still
19:06miserable. You need to let this go.
19:08I can't.
19:10I accepted
19:12millions of dollars from her.
19:14What?
19:16Viola made a large donation to the hospital
19:18as an incentive for me to
19:20green light her surgery.
19:22That's where you got cash for overtime?
19:24Mm-hmm.
19:26The nurses have no idea?
19:28I'm the worst, right?
19:30I am a callous,
19:32conniving CEO.
19:34Are you profiting personally?
19:36No. No.
19:38Okay, well, you followed her wishes
19:40and you're helping people.
19:42It still feels wrong.
19:44Okay, so from where I'm standing,
19:46you're doing right by everyone.
19:48Sometimes there's things you can't change.
19:54Oh.
19:56Dr. McCaskill.
19:58Please tell me you have pants on.
20:00Sorry? Oh, phew, you're not pleased to see me.
20:02Madonna, on the other hand.
20:04I'm not following.
20:06Your unusual encounter
20:08in the ward this morning.
20:10Oh, goodness, you saw.
20:12Way more than I needed to.
20:14She was helping me with my rash.
20:16Too much inflammation.
20:18There was nothing going on.
20:20Right, yes, like your kitchen situation the other night.
20:22Come on, Thaddeus.
20:24There's been a vibe between you and Madonna for weeks.
20:26No, um, that's not...
20:28Hey, it doesn't matter.
20:30She's clearly into you two.
20:32We're all very happy for you kids.
20:34Go nuts, just maybe not while you're on the clock.
20:36Oh, I think we need a...
20:38What was that about?
20:40Um...
20:42Patting you on the back for your conquest?
20:44What?
20:46There is now a rumor circulating
20:48that you and I are having an affair.
20:50I'm obviously doing nothing to discourage it.
20:52You think?
20:54I do, so you better start setting people straight and quickly.
20:58Maybe you could look after him for a bit.
21:00I am looking after him.
21:02I was just hoping to get some medical experience today.
21:04Okay, well, maybe you should take that up
21:06with your brother, because I've done everything I possibly can.
21:14Do you want another coffee, or...?
21:16Yeah, sure.
21:18Take my card.
21:28Flat white, that's right, yeah?
21:30Yeah.
21:32Where's Jude?
21:34What?
21:36Oh, no, he's choking on your lipstick!
21:38Oh, my God!
21:40These are Viola's personal items.
21:44And thank you for taking me to see Mum.
21:46You're welcome.
21:48I need to take this. Excuse me.
21:52How is Ward?
21:54She's... she's doing okay.
21:56Yeah, it must be hard.
21:58We did all we could.
22:00Yeah. Yeah, we did.
22:02Thank you for letting me know.
22:04Dr Samuels?
22:06Yes?
22:08That was the executor of my mother's estate.
22:10Apparently, she paid the hospital a large sum of money
22:12only hours before her death.
22:14Yes, she made a donation.
22:16$20 million.
22:18It's what she wanted. I'm sure she would have told you.
22:20What, if she had lived?
22:22She was vulnerable, affected by a brain tumour.
22:26You promised her she would live, didn't you?
22:28No, I was very clear about the risks.
22:30You took her money,
22:32and then she died.
22:34Okay, that's unfair.
22:36You disgust me. I want every cent back.
22:38Sorry, that's not possible.
22:40Oh, yes, it is. I'm going to fight this,
22:42and I'm not going to stop until you're struck off!
22:48Ratso, this is
22:50where you got the money for the nurses' overtime.
22:52It's not that simple.
22:54Tell me she's wrong.
22:56You wouldn't do something like this.
22:58Or waste her.
23:00How could you?
23:12You
23:14You
23:16You
23:18You
23:20You