Wed, Mar 29, 2000
Dr. Neil Harrison () conducts a group therapy session with several mental health patients that quickly devolves into a heated argument. The next morning, the other doctors go through their usual routines: Dr. Robert Banger () makes breakfast for his two young sons and then sends them off with their mother, with whom he is engaged in a custody battle. Dr. Abe Matthews () shares some romantic time with his latest fling, Aurora, but then secretly urges his roommate Cort not to make her feel too welcome once he leaves. Dr. Harrison and his pregnant wife, Dr. Lyla Garrity (), debate over a potential nanny candidate. Various hospital patients are also shown beginning their days with breakfast and exercise. Matthews then attends a therapy session of his own, where he shares his worries about his future and having children.
In Times Square, a man named Wendall Rickle () runs through his list of personal issues in a frantic, alphabetized voiceover before pulling out a gun and shooting some seemingly random bystanders, including two police officers. He and his victims are taken to Rivervue, where Assistant District Attorney Strictler () wants to talk to him on camera and get his confession for the press. Garrity is stunned and disturbed when she realizes that he came in to the hospital four days previously seeking help and she dismissed him, feeling overworked and assuming he was merely seeking drugs. Rickle grows agitated and grabs a syringe, and in the ensuing fracas, Garrity is accidentally stabbed in the abdomen.
Elsewhere, Banger deals with an elderly woman trying to get her son released despite the fact that he is obviously dangerous, as well as with other patients. He then leaves for the custody hearing, in which he attempts to explain the complications of his job to the panel while his sons try to engage him to play with them. Eventually he tells them that he is the "keeper of the gate" and tries to help those whom society would prefer to ignore. When he receives a phone call about Rickle, he grows frustrated with the situation and snaps at his sons to behave, which does not seem to help his case.
After a conversation about intimacy and love with Garrity, Matthews tries to help an angry man, Ed Butowski (), who wants to leave the hospital and is frustrated with the doctors' questions, insisting that he is not crazy. Matthews points out that the man attempted suicide just the day before, and tells him that there are many kinds of suicide methods and that they have different meanings, but that Butowskis attempt was clearly serious. The man admits that he is destroyed over the breakup of his marriage and feels that he cannot live without his wife. Matthews' day is further complicated by a phone call from Cort, who explains that Aurora has discovered that he is seeing other people and is destroying the apartment in a rage.
Garrity and Harrison quickly get an ultrasound to determine the baby's safety, and the doctor tells them that there was definitely some cranial trauma, but it will be impossible to tell how much for some time, and suggests that they may want to reconsider proceeding with the pregnancy because of the risk. A distraught Harrison attempts to attack Rickle, but is restrained, and Garrity struggles with her feelings of extreme guilt because she ignored the man previously. Eventually, the couple discusses the situation and they agree that they want to take the chance and have the baby, which they already know to be a boy, trusting in the strength of their relationship.
Matthews explains to Butowski that all he really needs is time, and that he, Matthews, can give it to him if he is willing, and the emotional man accepts. In another group therapy session, patients discuss their feelings of love and how they need and want help in improving the love in their lives. Under the voiceover, Banger goes home to his sons, Matthews surveys his wrecked apartment, and Harrison and Garrity share a tender moment in the aftermath of their traumatic day.
In Times Square, a man named Wendall Rickle () runs through his list of personal issues in a frantic, alphabetized voiceover before pulling out a gun and shooting some seemingly random bystanders, including two police officers. He and his victims are taken to Rivervue, where Assistant District Attorney Strictler () wants to talk to him on camera and get his confession for the press. Garrity is stunned and disturbed when she realizes that he came in to the hospital four days previously seeking help and she dismissed him, feeling overworked and assuming he was merely seeking drugs. Rickle grows agitated and grabs a syringe, and in the ensuing fracas, Garrity is accidentally stabbed in the abdomen.
Elsewhere, Banger deals with an elderly woman trying to get her son released despite the fact that he is obviously dangerous, as well as with other patients. He then leaves for the custody hearing, in which he attempts to explain the complications of his job to the panel while his sons try to engage him to play with them. Eventually he tells them that he is the "keeper of the gate" and tries to help those whom society would prefer to ignore. When he receives a phone call about Rickle, he grows frustrated with the situation and snaps at his sons to behave, which does not seem to help his case.
After a conversation about intimacy and love with Garrity, Matthews tries to help an angry man, Ed Butowski (), who wants to leave the hospital and is frustrated with the doctors' questions, insisting that he is not crazy. Matthews points out that the man attempted suicide just the day before, and tells him that there are many kinds of suicide methods and that they have different meanings, but that Butowskis attempt was clearly serious. The man admits that he is destroyed over the breakup of his marriage and feels that he cannot live without his wife. Matthews' day is further complicated by a phone call from Cort, who explains that Aurora has discovered that he is seeing other people and is destroying the apartment in a rage.
Garrity and Harrison quickly get an ultrasound to determine the baby's safety, and the doctor tells them that there was definitely some cranial trauma, but it will be impossible to tell how much for some time, and suggests that they may want to reconsider proceeding with the pregnancy because of the risk. A distraught Harrison attempts to attack Rickle, but is restrained, and Garrity struggles with her feelings of extreme guilt because she ignored the man previously. Eventually, the couple discusses the situation and they agree that they want to take the chance and have the baby, which they already know to be a boy, trusting in the strength of their relationship.
Matthews explains to Butowski that all he really needs is time, and that he, Matthews, can give it to him if he is willing, and the emotional man accepts. In another group therapy session, patients discuss their feelings of love and how they need and want help in improving the love in their lives. Under the voiceover, Banger goes home to his sons, Matthews surveys his wrecked apartment, and Harrison and Garrity share a tender moment in the aftermath of their traumatic day.