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In Short: A public-health official threatens to close the hospital as staff members race to isolate the source of a deadly bacteria that's invaded the OR. A distraught Dr. Infante turns to Dr. Geiger for support.
Guest Starring: Diane Venora (as Dr. Geri Infante), Peter Berg (as Dr. Billy Kronk), Jayne Brook (as Dr. Diane Grad), Stephen Elliott (as Harold Aldrich), Matt McGrath, Ken Jenkins, Margaret Gibson, Walter Addison, Caroline Lagerfelt and C.J. BauStory: David E. Kelley, Thomas M. Heric, M.D., and D. Gareth Wootton, M.D.
Teleplay: Dennis Cooper, John Tinker, and David E. Kelley
Directed By: James C. Hart
TOP Summary: The doctors grow concerned when several patients who recently underwent surgery exhibit signs of infection. Dr. Geri Infante is devastated when one of her patients, a man who had a facelift, dies from septic shock. When two other patients die from post-op infection, the physicians begin to panic. Dr. Diane Grad immediately begins disinfecting lab animals used within the hospital for medical research. She vehemently denies that the animals could be the source of the contagion. Dr. Scott Callahan, the Chief Resident, walks too close to a hungry alligator and is bitten. He is rushed to surgery for treatment. Alan Birch and Dr. Phillip Watters meet with Stanley McGhee, a Health Marshall who threatens to close the facility within 24 hours unless the source of infection is identified. At their wits' end, and nearing hysteria, the doctors accuse one another of being the source of infection. When another patient dies, McGhee orders the immediate closure of the hospital. Birch and Watters approach Judge Aldrich for an extension, but they are denied the request and thoroughly humiliated. Lab tests soon reveal that Callahan has contracted a lethal disease, caused by the infamous flesh-eating bacteria. The source of this bacteria? Possibly the alligator, but tests eventually rule out that theory. Still reeling from her patient's death, Infante asks Dr. Jeffrey Geiger to embrace her. Geiger does so reluctantly; he later reveals that since his break-up with his wife, Laurie, he has a deep fear of commitment. He believes that anyone who loves him will end up leaving him, and he still senses a deep devotion to Laurie — despite the fact that she divorced him. Dr. Aaron Shutt admits to Geiger that he is jealous of Geiger's relationship with Infante, but nonetheless encourages him to pursue her. Callahan becomes hysterical when the physicians decide his hand must be amputated. But Geiger devises an alternate plan and, with Infante's help, irrigates the limb with antibacterial fluids. The disease is neutralized and Callahan's hand is saved. Lab results reveal that Grad herself — and not her animals — is the source of infection, as she is the carrier of a virulent form of strep throat. The physicians realize that everyone who became ill had been in contact with either Grad or her lab workers. With the crisis resolved, McGhee grants permission for the hospital to reopen. Geiger and Infante, having worked through their emotional traumas, embrace one another.
TOP Facts:"Poisoning Pigeons in the Park." by Tom Lehrer (this song was originally composed by an Austrian named Georg Kreisler - Tom Lehrer heard the song and was so fascinated that he translated it into English making the song famous in America, too). It can be found on his album: An evening (wasted) with Tom Lehrer.
Tom Lehrer seems one of David E. Kelley's favourite songwriters. Those who watched "Picket Fences" may remember that Douglas Wambaugh and Jimmy Brook sang songs by Tom Lehrer: i.e. New Math
While Jeffrey and Geri operate togehter they hear: "Someday we will be together" by the Temptations.
TOP Quotes:Geri: Well then, Jeffrey, why don't you just go to hell?
Jeffrey: Well, I've been. They sent me back.
Geri: Well, go back. (leaving) Go back, go away, go away.
Jeffrey: (whispers) Scrimshaw.
TOP Transcripts:
Geiger, Kronk and Shutt are in the locker room dressing for surgery.
Aaron: Son-of-a-bitch!
Jeffrey: Don't tell me. You got a patient with a postop infection.
Aaron: How did you know that?
(Cut to Watters office.)
Phillip: We got a problem. Two ortho patients also got septic during the night.
Geri: This is not good.
Aaron: Is it just surgical patients or is it...
Phillip: No. So far nobody from the medical floors or labor and delivery, just a few cases from the surgical suites.
Aaron: What the hell is going on!?
Phillip: Let's not overreact.
Jeffrey: I don't think you could overreact to the amount of pus in that guy's gut.
Geri: Or my guy's face.
Aaron: Or my patient's head.
Geri: (Geri's beeper goes off.) Now what?
Jeffrey: There's a bug in our hospital.
Jeffrey: Tom Lehrer.
Geri: What?
Jeffrey: When a patient dies and I have to tell the family. You asked how I do it-- Tom Lehrer. He was a former Math teacher at Harvard. Had a song called "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park." When I talk to the family, I say all the right things, but inside I'm singing that song.
Geri: Poisoning pigeons?
Jeffrey: In the park.
Geri: In the park. (She rolls her eyes.)
Jeffrey: I'm not good at death either. In fact, since Joey died, I try to pretend the whole concept doesn't really exist. So, you know, I'm sorry Mr. Jones, but your wife developed an acute arrythmia... [sings] and all the world seems in tune, on a spring afternoon, when we're poisoning pigeons in the park. Every Sunday you'll see ... when we're poisoning pigeons in the park.
Geri: You're such a weird person.
Jeffrey: I know.
Geri: Can you... would you mind holding me for a minute?
Jeffrey: Sure. (They hold each other.)
Geri: Tighter. Tighter. (She begins to cry.)
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