Transplant 2×04 “Contact” finds the doctors acclimating to a degree of changes. While one doctor returns and another finds a moment of happiness, others are handed unfortunate blows. While the doctors are handling their chaos, they find their patients in similar situations of devastation. Let’s dive right in:
ONE IN, ONE OUT
He’s back! Dr. Jed Bishop is officially cleared for duty, and by duty, I mean teaching. We see Bishop adjusting to his previous role with a bit of restraint as he is no longer allowed to be in physical contact with patients. Bishop’s team is more than happy to pull their weight with this adjustment. The entire team is ecstatic to see Bishop back on the job, mainly because they will see less of Novak.
Speaking of Novak, poor guy. As Bishop returns, Novak finds himself pushed to the sidelines and grasping for his last day in control. He tries to push the residents in different directions, some outside their comfort zone and others into a corner. Novak even goes as far as to ignore Bishop’s instruction of doing imaging first.
When Bash sides with Bishop over Novak, we see Novak push back and order the local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) test anyway. When Novak turns out to be correct, we finally see why he has such a problem with Bishop; he wants Bishop to acknowledge he was right.
While Bishop’s apology to Novak for being so tough on him does little to appease Novak, Bishop tries to offer him a learning position. Novak tells Bishop that he will ‘pass’ and goes to leave but not before making Bishop aware that he knows of Bash’s credentials. Bishop doesn’t bat an eye when he swiftly dismisses Novak.
While Novak has a chip on his shoulder about how he was treated, we see that he wants only Bishop’s acknowledgment that he is better. But, until he lets go of his grudge, he will always find a way to make his doctors feel less than adequate because Bishop treated them better. Furthermore, the longer he holds a grudge, the less he values and helps his patients. He isn’t ready to be a leader.
MAGALIE LEBLANC. SHE IS EVERYTHING.
TW: Sexual Assault
Oh, Mags. Mags has been through hell, and still, she remains as dedicated to her patients and work as everything else. As Mags treats a patient, he assaults her while she stitches him up in Transplant 2×04 “Contact.” We see Mags fight her way out of that room, and all the doctors rally around her.
Dr. Novak compliments how she defended herself; Bishop checks in on her and asks how the past month has been with all the changes because he knows how Mags is. We see Claire give her ibuprofen without even asking, and June distracts her and talks to her at the end of Transplant 2×04 “Contact,” letting her know that she is always here.
While Mags focuses on other patients, that man’s wife comes to talk to her and explains some of his recent changes while also apologizing to her. Mags has a hunch. After some testing, she informs them that he has a benign tumour that has caused many of his personality changes and symptoms.
Even though she was traumatized, she put patient care above all else. She delivered the news herself, ran the tests herself, delved deeper, and did it although she didn’t have to. That is who Magalie Leblanc is; she cares about every person more than her well-being. As a result, everyone loves her and supports her, and she is a brilliant doctor. She is everything.
BASH AND THEO’S CASE BREAKS HEARTS
Bash and Theo work through a case that breaks hearts. A family of three has a tragic mishap while out boating. The mother and son come in with hypothermia and surface injuries, while the husband was under so long that he is now brain dead. While Bash tends to the mother, Theo tends to the kid- Owen.
It turns out that Owen has a form of neurodivergence called sensory processing disorder. This makes it incredibly difficult for Theo to get through to Owen, and as Theo struggles, we see the toll his separation is taking on him.
At the end of Transplant 2×04 “Contact,” Bash asks if Theo wants to go home and hug his girls, to which he responds he can’t. We see how rough Theo has it; while not being able to be with his kids, he can’t even get through to his patient.
Meanwhile, Bash deals with a mother terrified that she now has the sole responsibility for her son. She believes her husband could get through to Owen better than she was. So while the mom has to deliver some tough news about Owen’s dad, Owen and she have a riff.
As Owen runs to his dad’s room and stays near his bed, Theo takes the opportunity to get a heater so that Owen can warm up finally. This also leads to a breakthrough between Owen and Theo. Later his mom comes into the room and vows that even if she doesn’t get everything right, she’ll never stop trying.
As Bash and Theo work through this case, we see the ups and downs they both go through as their personal lives interfere. But, for the first time, we see Bash in a much better place while tending to his patients. As for Theo, we see him working through it, and Bash is always there to support him- even if he doesn’t always get everything right.
JUNE’S CASE MIGHT BE HITTING CLOSE TO HOME
June’s case is just bizarre. June finds a patient who needs laparoscopic surgery, but he wants an open surgery for some reason. We find out it’s because he wants his sister to come and worry about him. He even goes as far as to tell June to call his sister, not mention the laparoscopic option, and talk about the immense amount of pain. June swiftly shuts this down and says she won’t be lying for him or taking unnecessary risks.
This leads June to ponder her family strains. This brother and sister don’t speak, and he is trying to use his surgery as a way to see her. June feels reminded of her current situation with her dad as she explains to Dr. Singh that she isn’t updated on his health because she’s not talking to him.
June can’t forgive her dad for everything he has done just because he is sick. But, June does care, and she does find ways to stay checked into her dad’s health as we see Dr. Singh give her access to his records. Honestly, so proud of June for staying true to her boundaries but still being the caring person she is.
DOCTORS PERSONAL ANECDOTES:
- As a Muslim, my heart swole seeing Bash pray especially in the comfort of his own home, because it’s just not shown enough
- Rania and Bash’s domesticity is so sweet and pure; the way they lean on each other just *swoons*
- ‘that might be the least romantic proposal since you’re first one’ ‘I got a yes then, didn’t I?’ ON THE FLOOR
- Claire and Bishop mildly trash talking Novak in Bishop’s office is perfection, also because until it’s official, it’s technically still Novak’s office
- Theo really needs a hug and to vent
- Seriously, him snapping at the nurse and Bash is so unlike him I’m surprised they haven’t picked up on it
- Rania and Amira spending time together is lovely
- Especially when Rania calls Bash to let him know that Amira is worried about unpacking; SERIOUS big sister vibes
- Everyone’s concern for Mags just proves how much of a family they are
- Everyone being thrilled that Bishop is back and not even trying to contain their relief in front of Novak really just sums up how we all feel about him
- Even though, for a split milisecond, I may have felt sympathy for him. Clearly a very brief lapse in my judgement.
- Claire’s little ‘welcome home’ when Dr. Bishop gets back in his groove with teaching is the cutest
- Novak trying to sway Bash into believing he might not fit in here just…. this man drives me up the wall.
- Seriously, Mags and June are my favourite duo because they are so supportive of each other
- Bash reasuring Amira they aren’t going anywhere and watching him with his little family just makes me so happy
Let us know what you thought about Transplant 2×04 “Contact” in the comments below!
Transplant airs Sundays at 10/9 C on NBC.
