If we were talking about an episode of Casualty then a lot of screen time (and budget) would have gone in showing us the major accident which has caused so many injuries.
That kind of big-screen action isn’t Critical’s bag – instead it happens ‘off-stage’ and our focus is on the pressure it puts on the system and on the medical staff, rather than the individual stories of the patients.
Which means we’re in for an episode that really puts the doctors through the wringer. It also highlights, as with last week, Glen’s ability to manage – from ensuring the department continues to function and that every patient is seen, to taking time to thank Harry.
Starting as the episode means to go on we find Glen being assisted by Dr Osgood. Regular viewers know that helping Glen invariably involves a scalpel and some hands-on involvement with the patient’s innards, and this is no exception – not having performed this procedure before Osgood is guided by Glen’s instruction that, “We cut quick and we cut deep”. And putting her qualms aside, she gets on and does it.
As the number of patients rises and as the ward fills up, first Justin and then Harry are left to take the lead in handling new arrivals. Suddenly flung in at the deep end, Harry ultimately finds herself rising to the challenge and over-rides Dr Busby to perform a tracheotomy to get air into her patient.
It’s the first real test too of Mrs Hicklin’s running of the department. At first the strain seems to be getting to her (“Enough!” she snaps, in response to Glen’s enquiry about additional staff. “Everyone’s asked me about this, and they’re on their way.”) But she copes, hands-on, delivering additional blood supplies and rallying extra troops and freeing up theatres. So it’s something of a slap in the face to find that Clive is back!
“He refused to go quietly, so they had to promote him,” is all the explanation supplied, and in his new ‘shirt & tie’ management role Clive is unrepentant, refusing to assist Nicola with any additional resources: “You’re coping admirably,” he sneers, “Particularly after all the marvellous changes you’ve made.”
Elsewhere in theatre, Fiona finds herself out of her depth and with her patient relentlessly and inexplicably bleeding she calls Glen for help. Stuck with a ward full of patients, he can only ‘talk her in from the tower’ on his mobile, advising what she needs to do and giving her the faith to do it… which of course she does.
Alas, that’s not Fiona’s only challenge this week and she falls at the last when she leaves it too late to tell Glen the news that she & Tom are engaged. As Dr Busby blurts it out, to a flurry of excited ring-gazing from the female staff, she can only mouth her apologies at Glen…
And then the moment has gone. As ever, there are more patients on the way.
Aired at 9pm on Tuesday 12 May 2015 on Sky1.
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