The anticipation for Code Black “Diagnosis of Exclusion” has been immense, especially after the intense cliffhanger from last week’s episode. We were all left wondering if Gina Perello (Christina Vidal), the acting head of the E.R, would survive. And what about the unpredictable Gordon (Jesse Bradford)? Will he target resident doctor Malaya Pineda (Melanie Chandra)? She seemed to be the one he was fixated on. As for Dr. Leanne Rorish (Marcia Gay Harden) and her plan to leave Angel Memorial Hospital, I suspect this will change her mind. There’s no way she’ll abandon her students after a trauma like this, right? And, is it wrong that I’m looking forward to how Dr. Neal Hudson (Raza Jaffrey) will comfort resident doctor Christa Lorenson (Bonnie Somerville) when this is all over? Christeal forever!
Live Recap: A Rollercoaster of Emotions
This is a live recap, so I’ll be watching and reacting to all of the Code Black “Diagnosis of Exclusion” action as it happens! There will be time later to think about it and put it all in perspective later in my Code Black “Diagnosis of Exclusion” review. For one, “Diagnosis of Exclusion”? What does that even mean? I guess we’ll be finding out soon enough!
We’re in! Gordon is crazy! He’s totally stalking her! At that point, I didn’t know about Malaya? Oh no!
Commercial Break
I really like the way they are telling these stories! The stalking of Malaya was scary because it felt so realistic. As a woman, I totally know that feeling, that moment when you know something is off. It’s never been that off for me, but I felt her process from concerned and creeped-out to real terror. The fact that he didn’t believe she was a lesbian is a whole other discussion.
We’re back! Leanne is totally defending Mike. Also, R.I.P. Gina.
Mama: “Nobody brought her in, she made it on her own.”
Malaya called security!
This surgery on Gina is crazy! Time of death 5:53 am…. Everyone is wrecked.
Commercial Break
It’s not just that Gina died. If she’d had a heart attack it would be sad, but the team wouldn’t have been so completely devastated. Murder is a different kind of trauma. It’s unfair, unexpected…
Leanne is going to have to do Gina’s job? That sounds like karma. Leanne hated everything Gina had to do. I’m hating how everyone is looking for someone to blame.
We’re back! Mike says they did everything they could for Gina – and she deserved it. Gina and Christa talked about the thing with Neal before….well, that’s one way to disclose a relationship.
Malaya is so brave! Her willingness to retell that story again. And Dr. Angus Leighton (Harry Ford) is a hero! I hope they don’t find a way to blame him for this. This board seems to want to blame everyone to cover their butts. The one person responsible is Gordon! What’s the matter with this board?
Commercial Break
We’re back. Angus is telling his story. Gordon pulled the knife out. Idiot.
Angus: Maybe I could have done more but, I was out of my mind.
Mario and Jesse remember working with Gordon two months prior. Sick bastard.
Great, now Jesse is blaming himself and Malaya is blaming herself. Meanwhile, the stupid board is still pointing fingers.
What? Neal balked at signing the relationship disclosure form? What?
Back in the boardroom Christa is being questioned about her work on Gordon. They’re suggesting her personal feelings about the patient having stabbed two people she knew affected her work.
Leanne: Please, this line of questioning is obscene!
Yes, Leanne, it certainly is!
Commercial Break
The cold-hearted bureaucracy that we’re seeing in this episode is scary. At the same time, how many lawsuits do hospitals face a year? It makes me think that we’re just messed up in general. At the end of the day, a hospital shouldn’t be blaming its doctors in a situation like this.
We’re back! Neal tells the board about him and Christa. Thank goodness!
That is deep. Mama hopes Gordon dies. This doctor Will Campbell (Boris Kodjoe) is a real piece of work! This is a nice moment between him and Malaya.
I thought the CEO guy had something going with Gina…poor guy.
Oh. My. God. Angus let Gordon bleed out! No wonder he said he was out of his mind! Do you know that show, “What Would You Do?” That was one hell of a situation!
Wrapping Up: A Gripping Episode
That’s a wrap! We’ve got a ton of things to contemplate. Does what Angus did make him a killer or just human? The idea of Leanne having to be the hospital administrator is crazy, but at least she’s not leaving. She and Dr. Ed Harbert (Jeff Hephner) now have an odd kind of bond. I wonder if that’s going to make the upcoming weeks of working together easier? Let’s hear in the comments what you thought of Code Black, “Diagnosis of Exclusion”! Also, you can check back this week for an in-depth look at the episode via the Code Black “Diagnosis of Exclusion” review. See you next week!
Angus had a Dr. Green moment for those who recall ER.
In all honesty though, I can’t see fault in what everyone did in terms of the investigation. All about this situation requires a massive internal investigation.
1) One, the Director of the ER was killed on the job. Anyone who died on the job will require internal investigation because it’s a significant event.
2) Someone was stalking a doctor 17 times, and no one voiced concern or noticed the pattern.
3) A second physician/employee was assaulted
4) There were huge conflict of interest that needed to be brought into the light
5) Interdepartment arguments on standard of care needed to be resolved, and the only way around that was to bring the case up in front of a board of peers for evaluation.
There are times were I disagree with the medical decision being made on this show, but I can’t really fault any of the decisions being made this episode. The writers also the something courageous in killing off Gina. So many times in past medical drama, miracles occur. Looking at the amount of massive blood loss and the time between assault and intervention, even if there was an OR room available Gina would have likely died on the table.
Help! I have a major and a minor question.
Late in the episode, Jesse speaks to Angus and says something to the effect of – “It would be best for everyone if Gordon dies”. Then Jesse says to Angus “You can’t fool Mama”. Does that mean that Jesse knows that Angus let Gordon bleed out?
Minor question – How does Angus’ brother know what he did? This could be as simple as – Of course you would tell your brother.