03x10 - Do No Harm

[bunniefuu]

Previously on The Equalizer...

(GRUNTING)

Madam D.A.

I wasn't expecting to see you so soon.

That makes two of us.

I don't take meeting with you lightly.

ROBYN: Dante, I'm on my way to you.

- Can you reach Mel?
- (GRUNTING)

Go get Randall!

Just don't arrest him.

You said you'd be here.

I had him.

He was right there. (SCREAMING)

But I let him get away.

♪ ♪

I should've taken him down
when I had the chance,

but I let your needs get
in the way of me doing my job.

Now, are you gonna tell
me the truth or no?

- I can't.
- Okay.

You leave me no choice.

Wait, what's that supposed to mean?

I'm filing for full custody of Delilah.

(MONITOR BEEPING STEADILY)

Mr. DeSena, please.

Dr. Keller said this
surgery could save her life.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Stone,

but your insurance won't cover it.

I'm afraid we have to discharge Emily.

I want to see Dr. Keller.

Unfortunately, that's not possible.

But I want to help.

Have you... spoken to one of
our social workers

about financial aid?

Of course I talked to someone.

They said it could take weeks.

Look at my child.

She doesn't have weeks.

Would this hospital
really sentence her to die?

Over money?

I really am sorry, Mrs. Stone.

(EXHALES SHAKILY)

♪ ♪

Mommy?

Yes, my heart?

Am I going to die?

No. No, silly girl.

Mommy would never let that happen.

I promise.

♪ ♪

(DISTORTED CHATTER)

(VOICES ECHOING)

♪ ♪

Hey!

No one move.

Whoa, whoa, whoa! She's got a g*n!

Mrs. Stone. Please.

LAUREN: No, you listen to me!

Emily will have that surgery!

Or she won't be
the only one to die today!

(SIRENS WAILING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

- (SIRENS WAILING)
- What do we know?

Armed woman commandeered the D Ward.

She's the mother of a patient.

- How many hostages?
- Five.

As far as we can tell.

Any patients that were physically
able have been evacuated,

along with all
nonessential medical staff.

OFFICER: Hey, Detective.

Perpetrator attempted to make
contact. She sounds antsy.

Maybe you should talk to her
before something happens.

Oh, protocol says
the Apprehension Tac Team

initiates dialogue in these situations.

That's the problem.

Tac Team's held up across town.

ETA is minutes, but
even that's up in the air.

This is Detective Marcus Dante
with the NYPD.

Who am I speaking with?

If any of you

move a muscle, I won't hesitate.

Detective, my name is Lauren Stone.

Ms. Stone, I'm here to help.

Why don't you tell me what's going on.

My baby girl is dying

and this hospital won't do a damn
thing to help her.

I'm sorry.

I can't imagine what
you're going through.

We're gonna get through
this together, Ms. Stone.

But first...

I need you to tell me:
what is it you want?

What...? What do you have going on?

Looks like the final
round of Top Chef in here.

My class is having a cultural
heritage potluck.

And, you know, since we
have roots in Louisiana,

I'm making gumbo.

Why didn't you tell me?
I would've helped you.

I know, I just... I thought
I'd surprise you.

And also I found this b*mb
recipe on Bon Appetit, so...

Don't k*ll her, Aunt Vi.

I swear, I promise you

I raised her better than this.
Since when is

Bon Appetit an authentic source

for gumbo recipes?

No okra.

No andouille sausage.

No way you are taking

this knockoff nonsense into
your classroom, representing

this family. Girl, please.

(ROBYN CHUCKLES)

In fact, put the Kn*fe down.

We're going on a field trip.

Oh, okay. Wait, where are we going?

You should've known better than that.

(PHONE BUZZING)

(BEEPS)

Marcus.

I've been, uh, trying to call you.

- What's going on?
- Been busy, I guess.

Look, I know you blame me
for Randall Grayle's escape,

but we will find him.

That's not why I'm calling.
There's a hostage situation

at Koch University Hospital in Midtown.

A woman trying to get treatment
for her dying daughter.

Damn. What's her play?

DANTE: Still trying to figure that out,

but she says she'll only
speak to one person...

the Equalizer.

- On my way.
- (PHONE BEEPS)

(PHONE RINGING)

HARRY: Hey, Rob.

You find anything on this woman, Harry?

HARRY: Lauren Stone.

No criminal record.

Widowed with one child, Emily.

She's years old.

Been diagnosed with an
uncommon brain disease.

Lauren's got a job as
a data analyst at PGT Systems.

According to her tax returns, she also

works part-time as a waitress

on nights and weekends.

That's a lot of work for one person.

She must be buried in hospital bills.

MEL: Lauren set up a GoFundMe campaign

to pay for Emily's surgery.

Must be a nightmare.
Your kid's sick and you can't

do anything to help.

Yeah, I hear that.
Can't imagine if it were mine.

HARRY: According to this site,

Emily suffers from something
called polymicrogyria.

MEL: They've tried treatment

after treatment, nothing's worked.

This surgery is their only chance.

HARRY: I guess the
surgery is really high-risk

and the insurance company's
refused to cover it.

Because the hospital cares
more about their bottom line

than this woman's dying child.

Yeah, I don't know...

It's never okay to take hostages,

but I got to say, I feel for this woman.

All right, I'm approaching
the hospital now.

Dante's meeting me there.

Things are better between you two?

I'm just focusing on the
hostages and that little girl.

Anyway, I'll keep you posted.

- (CAMERAS CLICKING)
- What's the status?

We're on pause.

She refuses to give her
demands until she speaks to you.

Can't believe she had
to go to this length

just to get help for her daughter.

Let's not make her out to
be a folk hero just yet.

She's putting innocent lives in danger.

All right. Well, let's see
what we're dealing with.

- You Detective Dante?
- That's right.

Apprehension Tac Team
Commander Bruce Gregory.

Did I hear correctly that you

made contact with the hostage-taker?

There was concern she might
act if no one spoke to her.

You do understand there is
a protocol in these situations?

I made a judgment call.

Because you were late to the scene.

Commander.

What did she say when you talked to her?

- Did she have any demands?
- Yes.

She asked to speak with
her psychotherapist.

Dr. Maggie Robinson at your service.

She asked for Dr. Robinson.
She was very insistent.

So am I. My negotiator will
take it from here.

I know that's your protocol.

But it's very important
I speak to my patient.

Obviously, she's fragile right now.

Due respect, this is a hostage
crisis, not a therapy session.

Due respect, Commander,
but I know what I'm doing.

I have negotiating experience,

- m*llitary training...
- The answer is no.

I need to speak to her.
And it needs to be face-to-face.

Wait. You want to go in there?

Just give me a chance.

I'm sure I can resolve this peacefully.

I know it's unorthodox, Commander,

but at least hear her out.

Now let me be crystal clear.

I don't care what your training is.

Either your patient negotiates with us,

or we'll be the ones going in there.

And if you get in my way,

I will have you arrested.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

We got to get in there.

How, if he won't let you
in to talk to her?

ROBYN: Something's off.

They don't look like
they're about to negotiate.

Protocol says they need to exhaust all

- negotiating options first.
- Exactly.

So why do they look like
they're preparing to breach?

I don't know.

But if Lauren won't
talk to anyone but you,

there's no telling what she'll do.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

There may be a way.

(SIGHS)

(PHONE BUZZING)

What a surprise. It's been a while.

Look, um, I could use
your help, D.A. Grafton.

You got a minute?

Sure, but fair warning:
my coffee hasn't kicked in yet.

ROBYN: Okay, well...

You know the standoff
at Koch University Hospital?

I'm aware. What about it?

Best I can tell,
we're dealing with a woman

who's scared for her daughter,

not looking to hurt anyone.

How do you know this?

Well, she asked for me specifically.

That tells me I can talk her down.

The problem is, Tac Team won't

let me in the building.

And you want me to get you in?

Well, I think this thing
can be resolved peacefully.

And what does Tac Team think about it?

That's the thing.
Instead of negotiating,

they look like they're
preparing to breach.

Which tells me
there's something else going on

that we may not know about.

All right, I can make a few phone calls,

see what I can find out.
But getting you in...

Avery, that little girl
needs treatment and fast.

And we both know if Tac goes in...

it'll get messy.

If I go in, I can save
those hostages and...

maybe help that little girl.

No promises. I'll see what I can do.

I appreciate it.

Auntie, you okay?

Yeah. I'm fine.

You are in for quite the treat.

Come on. (CHUCKLES)

(DOOR BELLS JINGLE)

DELILAH: Okay...

This is a vibe.

No, honey, it's more than a vibe,

it's a neighborhood institution.

A cultural touchstone,
owned by the same family

for almost a hundred years.

This place is as
important to our community

as the food it serves.

Oh, hello.
Oh, we will not be needing those.

We're here for the gumbo.

Sorry, we don't have gumbo.

You sold out already? It's barely noon.

It-It's not on the menu.

All right...

Then, well, let's take a look.

(CLEARS THROAT)

Tofurkey sandwich?

And, uh...

beefless stew?

Those are two of our more popular

vegan and gluten-free options.

(LAUGHS): I'm so sorry, but
is Audrey still the owner here?

Uh... Unfortunately,
Audrey passed away last year.

Oh, my...

I am so sorry to hear that.

Her son Nelson runs the place now.

Well, in that case,

I'm going to need to speak with him.

(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Dante. Didn't expect to see you here.

Swanson, didn't think
you could get rid of me

by transferring out, did you?

Heard you landed with the Tac Team.

Can I ask you a question?

Why's your team getting
ready to go in so fast?

We were told some crazy woman
grabbed a security guard's g*n

and that we should
be prepared to breach.

She's a mother trying to get treatment

for her dying daughter.

Not for me to sort out.
I'm just following orders.

You learn anything?

I talked to the chief of police.
And you were right.

Something bigger is
definitely going on here.

He's getting pressure from the
governor to resolve this quickly.

Why?

He wouldn't say. But he owes me a favor,

so he's agreed...

to stall Commander Gregory's
Tac Team and let you inside.

All right, thanks for your help, Avery.

I really appreciate you.

Don't let this blow up in my face.

I won't.

Just got off the phone
with Deputy Chief.

Looks like you've got
some powerful friends.

I'm just here to help.

I was told you got one hour.

If you don't march
those hostages out by then

and not one minute later,
my directive is to get them.

Tell me, why the rush?

That's above my pay grade.

All you need to know is
your hour starts right now.

I suggest you not
waste it talking to me.

(BEEPS)

Rob, what's going on?

ROBYN: I'm gearing up to go in,

but this Tac Team commander
is breathing down my neck.

I need to know who I'm dealing with.

All right, no problem.

We'll get all Henry Louis Gates on him

and see what we can dig up.

Thanks, guys.

(BEEPS)

Grafton came through?

Yeah. I just hope I can
deliver on my end.

Hey. You sure you want to go in there?

You concerned about me, Detective?

Just be careful is all.

Always am.

♪ ♪

(POUNDING ON DOOR)

Who are you?

I'm the person you called for.

(CHAINS RATTLING)

You helped that woman in Bay Ridge.

Her sister tried to k*ll
her and take her child.

That's right.

Evelyn Webber.

I'm sorry, I...

I had to make sure it was really you.

(DOOR CLOSES)

I understand.

Now, how can I help you?

My daughter's not well.

She needs an operation.

I've tried everything. Every specialist,

every treatment.

I jumped through every hoop.

This surgery was her only hope.

But they wouldn't
give it to her, so I...

- I had to...
- I get it.

I get it.

Honestly, I...

I don't even know what I'd do if I were

faced with this.

You called me here for a reason.

Now you have to trust me.

So just tell me: where are we at?

The hospital administrator, Mr. DeSena,

he said he would make
the surgery happen, but

Dr. Keller is in another operation

and it could last a while.

Can't he just call in another surgeon?

No, it's a specialized procedure.

Dr. Keller's the only one in
the hospital who's qualified.

I don't know what to do.

I need your help

keeping them out until
Emily gets the help she needs.

I'm sure this whole thing
will go a lot smoother

if you just put the g*n down.

If I put this down,
the police come in here

and Emily's surgery never happens.

- Tell me I'm wrong.
- ROBYN: I can't.

But listen...

if we get Emily's surgery,

promise me you will
put that g*n down then.

I promise.

Thank you, Lauren.

Now, you wait here...

I'll be right back.

Mr. DeSena, I'm Maggie Robinson.

- Are you a cop?
- No, but I'm here to help.

Lauren said that Dr. Keller
was in surgery.

What's his ETA?

Dr. Keller isn't in surgery.
He's not coming.

- What are you talking about?
- I had to stall her.

The hospital will never allow
Emily's operation to happen.

I-I didn't want to risk upsetting her.

Well, lying was not the smart move.

Call Dr. Keller
and get him down here now.

I'll handle the rest.

Come on, tell him to
wrap that surgery up.

- Y-Yes.
- (PHONE BUZZING)

- It's DeSena.
- Phone.

DESENA: I need you to find
Dr. Keller immediately.

Rob, we got intel on your guy.

Great. I made it inside but

Emily's in bad shape.
She needs help soon.

Yeah, well, don't expect any
from Commander Gregory.

Why? What'd you find out?

Former m*llitary, father of three.

Head of his local chapter
of Autism Awareness.

It looks like one of his
kids was diagnosed

with non-verbal autism as a toddler.

Guessing it put a strain on his
marriage because he and his wife

divorced soon after that.

Joined the NYPD five years ago.

He's got a spotless record.

He's got a reputation for
doing things by the book.

Not a "color outside the lines"
type of guy.

Why is he breaking protocol?

Beats me. It's definitely
out of character, though.

ROBYN: Thanks.

I'll keep you guys posted.

(BEEPS)

Hi, your waiter said
there was a problem?

Ms. Marsette?

Oh, my God. Nelson Brown...

Look at you, all grown up.

Yes, ma'am.

Oh, sweetheart,

I was very sorry to
hear about your mama.

I didn't even realize that she was sick.

It happened really fast.

She was a very special woman.

She really was.

Oh, I'm sorry, this is my niece.

I brought her in to
taste your mama's gumbo.

But let's say that I was

very surprised to see that
the place has gone vegan.

It's a big change, but...

I had to update the menu.

Got to keep up with the new clientele.

The neighborhood
hasn't changed that much.

Truth is, Mom was never one
for writing things down.

When she got sick, we weren't focused

on getting her recipes, so...

When I couldn't make
the dishes like she did...

People stopped coming in.

Your family's owned this place
for generations.

I'm trying to keep it alive,
Ms. Marsette.

But it's it's just not the same.

I'm sure you're really doing your best.

That's really kind of you to say.

But I feel like I let down
our whole community.

You know, I have probably

eaten more of your mama's gumbo
than anyone.

Maybe I can try to reconstruct it.

What, right now?

Why not now?

I'm game if you are.

- We're making gumbo.
- DELILAH: Okay.

Let's get you an apron.

ROBYN: Hey, Dante. It's me.

Everything's under control.

So you got the g*n away from her?

- No.
- DANTE: Can you disarm her

without anyone getting hurt?

ROBYN: Of course.

But if I do that,
Emily doesn't get her operation.

Okay, so what's the plan?

Convincing her doctor to do the surgery.

Then she'll let everyone go?

ROBYN: Yeah, I'm positive.

She doesn't want to hurt anybody.

I got to get back in there.

DESENA: I'm freezing in here.

Can't anyone turn down the A/C?

It's like an arctic blast in here.

NURSE MILLER: We have to keep
the temperature at

- to fight bacteria.
- Ugh.

There are different standards down here

than on the admin floor.

I don't like your tone.

- I don't like your entitled attitude.
- Yeah?

- Yeah.
- Well...

Hey. You two settle down.

I know we're all tense,

but arguing isn't gonna help anything.

You chastise us

but you're so kind and sympathetic

to the woman brandishing a g*n?

Whose side are you on anyway?

I'm on the side of everyone
going home, alive.

You got a problem with that?

She's right. We need to stay calm.

Let me ask you something.

What if every person who
can't afford a surgery

shows up at a hospital with a w*apon?

What kind of message does it send

if taking hostages produces

exactly the result she hoped for?

She's not wrong.

What a surprise, you're
advocating against the patient.

What is your problem with me?

If you would've helped
Emily get the surgery

in the first place,
none of us would be here.

That wasn't my call.

You have no idea how these things work.

And if Bill hadn't been
flirting at your station...

Hey, screw you, DeSena.

That's right... Shut up, everybody,

just shut up!

If one of you utters another...

ROBYN: Lauren...

This isn't helping. Please...

(MONITOR BEEPING RAPIDLY)

It's Emily. Help her.

Please, don't let her die, please.

(MONITOR BEEPING RAPIDLY)

(EMILY GASPING)

The muscles in her throat
are constricting.

Well, the mask isn't working.

Her levels are still dropping.

There's not enough oxygen
getting to her brain.

Any other options?
You can't just do nothing.

Her throat is too swollen to intubate.

We need to cut open an airway.

- Okay.
- (MONITOR BEEPING RAPIDLY)

Hang in there.

LAUREN: I can't
believe this is happening.

Please protect my baby girl.

ROBYN: What are you waiting for?

What if her mom gets
so upset that she...

I'll do it.

I've done procedures
like this in combat.

Just walk me through it.

NURSE MILLER: You
need to make a half-inch

incision across
her cricothyroid membrane.

Okay, slow down. How do I find
the cricothyroid membrane?

You tilt her head back

and then you look for the-the
space just below the-the

the protrusion on her neck.

- Here?
- Yes.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

- Put your body weight on her.
- Okay.

ROBYN: Here we go.

LAUREN: Please, no.

Hand me the tube.

♪ ♪

LAUREN: Please, no. No.

It's in.

(RAPID BEEPING STOPS)

Thank you.

I almost lost her.

How could I have failed her like this?

You can't blame yourself.

You just have to stay strong.

(KNOCKING)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

It's Dr. Keller.

It is a shame it took
all this to get him here.

It doesn't matter. He's here now.

Go let him in.

(CHAINS RATTLING)

Dr. Robinson.

For you.

Commander Gregory here.

ROBYN: Good news.

Emily's doctor is prepping for surgery.

Hostages will walk out
as soon as it's underway.

If those hostages aren't
out here in minutes,

my team is coming in.

Commander, we're so close
to resolving this.

You have children, don't you?
Can you help me out?

Look, going in isn't my call.

I was told to give you exactly one hour.

I understand that, but...

Those are my orders.

- Sorry.
- (PHONE BEEPS)

(SIREN WAILING)

(LINE RINGING)

HARRY: What's up, Rob?

Harry, I need you to look
into something for me.

NELSON: I didn't realize

anyone cared about this
gumbo as much as my mom.

Well, this is a very special dish.

It's not just about how it
tastes, but what it means.

Fil powder.

Okay, Ms. Audrey,
where is your fil powder?

Mmm.

That's because every one

of these ingredients is significant.

Significant how?

Well, take the cayenne pepper,

came over with us from French Guinea.

Everybody's gumbo is gonna be
just a little bit different,

depending on what ingredients

they have access to.

This one right here,
this is a creole gumbo.

- Oh, it's because it has seafood in it.
- Exactly.

You know, they say that
this country's a melting pot.

Well, that is exactly what gumbo is.

Wow, that is really cool, Auntie.

None of that's gonna mean anything...

unless it tastes good.

Mmm.

It's not perfect,

but it's pretty darn close.

(LAUGHING)

Mmm!

I never thought I'd taste that again.

Thank you, Ms. Marsette.

(GLASS SHATTERING)

I should check on that.

SERVER: Don't worry about it,
I'll clean it up.

NELSON: Hey, guys.
Is everyone okay out here?

SERVER: We're good, Nelson. Thank you.

(SIGHS) Auntie,

can I ask you a question?

Always, my love.

I mean, this place,

it clearly means a lot to you.

Why'd you stop coming here?

This was your grandfather's
favorite spot.

After he d*ed... (SIGHS)

the thought of stepping foot
in here was just...

it was too painful.

I'm sorry. I...

I had no idea.

It's all right, baby.

Feels good to be back...

...remembering him.

HARRY: Hey, Rob.

We looked into the patients who were

checked into D Ward
this morning like you asked.

Anyone with a connection
to Commander Gregory?

Not that we could find.

But, uh, we did find
a person of interest.

I just texted you a pic.

Is-is this guy one of your hostages?

Yeah, who is he?

His name's Andrew Beal.

He was scheduled for a routine
physical this morning.

He's also the son of Miranda Beal.

As in Senator Miranda Beal?

Yeah, that could explain
why Commander Gregory

is so gung ho to get in there.

Yeah, a U.S. senator makes a few calls

to a chief of police.

That'd light a fire under anyone.

I think I might know a way out of this.

(PHONE RINGING)

Senator Miranda Beal.

Her son Andrew is one of the hostages.

Holy...

Well that makes sense.

Well, Emily's surgery
is almost underway.

We just need a little more time and...

we can save her and no one gets hurt.

I doubt I can get you an extension,

especially now that we know
Beal's kid is inside.

What if I walk him out,
deliver him safely?

Then do you think you could get
Senator Beal to call off the dogs?

Yeah.

I think I can sell that.

Okay.

♪ ♪

She's never gonna let us go.

- She just wants to help her daughter.
- Really?

Then why didn't she let us go
when the doctor showed up?

She's probably waiting
for the surgery to start.

And what happens if
the surgery doesn't go well?

You really want to see
her reaction to that?

It's time to get her to the OR.

♪ ♪

- ANDREW:
- Hey, what are you doing?

Hey! g*n! (SCREAMS)

- (g*nsh*t)
- Oh!

(GRUNTS)

- You okay?
- I'm okay.

- Dr. Keller!
- (MOANING)

He's been sh*t.

(QUIET CHATTER)

What are we gonna do now?
I can't lose my daughter.

- It's not over.
- Yes, it is.

No one else in the hospital

is qualified to perform her surgery.

So we'll find a different surgeon.

No one is giving up.

(PHONE BUZZING)

(BEEPS)

Hey. Dante.

What happened? We heard a g*nsh*t.

ROBYN: It wasn't Lauren.

One of the hostages
had a g*n in her purse.

Anyone hit?

Unfortunately, Dr. Keller.

You mean the only doctor in the building

who could perform the surgery?

He'll live.

But I'm going to need more time to find

- another surgeon.
- (SIGHS)

♪ ♪

(SOBBING)

Dr. Robinson says the g*n
wasn't fired by Lauren.

If Lauren didn't fire it, who did?

One of the hostages.

Wait, the hostage is armed, too?

- This is a major problem.
- Which has been fixed.

The armed hostage was subdued.

The surgeon was wounded, he'll be fine,

but they need more time
to locate another surgeon.

Absolutely not.

D.A. Grafton, the deal
is still on the table.

Dr. Robinson can walk out
the senator's son right now.

A sh*t has been fired, Detective.

That's an escalation, which means...

GREGORY: It means no more deals.

This has gotten way out of control.

We tried it Dr. Robinson's way,

we do this my way now.

Commander, we can still resolve this

without anyone else getting hurt,

and save a little girl's life!

Have a damn heart, man!

Officer Murphy, escort Detective Dante

out of my perimeter.

I can see myself out.

Get everyone into position.

Initiate Charlie Alpha.

Let's move!

Charlie Alpha, let's go!

_

What does it say?

We're out of time.

Tac Team is coming in.

The good news is,

this is considered
an unstable situation.

Why is that good news?

Because they'll have to
use stealth maneuvers,

which take more time.

Which means we still have a chance.

We just have to move fast.

(LINE RINGING)

How's it going, Rob?

ROBYN: Not great.

We have to find a new surgeon

for Emily, immediately.

Okay, she has polymicrogyria.

Looks like there's only a few surgeons

qualified to do the procedure.

Not surprising, it's
a high-risk pediatric surgery.

Okay, um, here's one.

Uh, but no, he's on the West Coast.

Here's one that's done the
surgery in the tristate area

but she's in the middle
of an operation right now.

Well, we can't wait.
Is there someone else?

It seems like there's no one left

in the Northeastern United States.

There's got to be. Look again.

HARRY: Okay, wait a minute, um...

There's an article in
the Oxford Medical Journal

about the surgery.

It was performed in Iraq
by a Dr. Abdul Mazdaki.

Iraq? Honey, we're looking for someone

closer to Manhattan, not further away.

Yeah, so is he.
It looks like he left Iraq,

uh, got his visa stamped
at JFK two months ago.

Is he still in New York?

Yeah, his current address is in Queens.
Close enough?

We got to find him fast.

Which hospital is he working at?

No, it's odd. Looks like
he's got a job as a cab driver

in the city.

Have a nice day.

Hey, you didn't pay!

I got you covered, boss. Abdul Mazdaki?

I am.

You performed a hemispherectomy
on a six-year-old boy

- in Iraq, right?
- Who are you?

Listen, Doctor,
I know it's been a minute

since you held a scalpel, but there's

a sick little girl right now
that could really use your help.

If I was allowed to
practice medicine in the U.S.,

do you think I'd be driving a cab?

I'm sorry. My credentials
aren't recognized here.

Listen, this little girl
is barely hanging on, okay?

You're literally the only person

that can save her life right now.

I promise you the last thing she
cares about are your credentials.

She just needs you to be a doctor again.

Tell me where to go.

Actually, mind if I drive?

Just in time. OR is prepped.

Sorry. Nobody goes inside.

Hey, this is Dr. Mazdaki.

He's doing surgery
on that girl up there.

So, please, get out of the way.

Was I not clear?

I want you outside of my perimeter.

Good idea. We'll stay here,
talk to those reporters.

Bet they'd be interested to know

the Tac Team commander just turned away

the only doctor that can
save that dying girl's life,

over an ego trip.

Let them through.

(RADIO CHIRPS)

Swanson, what's your status?

I'm accessing the entry point now.

As soon as you have eyes
on the target, let me know,

and I'll give you the
green light to take her out.

Copy that.

(CLICKING)

That was fast.

Yeah, well, I might've
broken a traffic law or five.

- He should be the taxi driver.
- Missed my calling.

Thank you so much for coming.

Don't thank me yet.

Doctor. Nurse Miller has
already prepped the patient.

She's gonna be assisting you

- on the procedure.
- Pleasure to meet you, Nurse.

I read about what you did
for that boy in Baghdad.

If you don't mind, I'd like
to observe the operation?

- See your technique?
- Of course.

Let's get to work.

(PHONE RINGING)

- HARRY: Hey, honey.
- Hey.

I couldn't find him. Any luck?

Yeah, Doc's going into the OR right now.

Thank God.

I'm heading back, I'll keep
an ear out for police activity.

And babe?

Good job finding him.

Thanks. I got lucky.

I just hope some of that
rubs off on Emily.

(SIGHS)

♪ ♪

(SIREN WAILS)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

DANTE: I think the Tac
Team's made their move.

What do you mean?

I was talking to one of the Tac officers

I know earlier, but now I don't see her.

Dr. Mazdaki is prepping the OR.

As soon as the surgery is underway,

Lauren is going to release the hostages.

It's too late.

I'm gonna hide Lauren in another
ward until I can sneak her out.

Disagree. Best bet is to
get the g*n out of her hands

and have her surrender.

I can pull this off.
Moving her is the safest option.

If she becomes a hunted fugitive,

we both know how this ends.

Trust me on this.

Okay.

We'll try your way.

Do you know how they plan
on breaching the building?

No idea.

(GROANS SOFTLY)

They turned off the A/C.

They're coming in through the air ducts.

It's what I would do. I got to go.

Lauren, we're out of time.

You have to drop that g*n

and let those hostages go.

Not until her surgery is over.

We agreed you'd let
them go once it started.

What is to stop Tac
from barging into the OR

the second they come in here?

They don't care about Emily
or what happens to her.

ROBYN: Here's what I know.

If you don't drop that g*n by
the time the Tac Team shows up,

Emily won't have
a mom when she wakes up.

♪ ♪

I need you to listen to me, Lauren.

I get it. As a mother, I get it.

Swanson, do you have the sh*t?

Negative.

GREGORY: Let me know as soon as you do.

ROBYN: And I promise you,
I will be right by her side

as long as she's in surgery.

They want to stop it, they'll
have to come through me.

GREGORY: How about now?

Still negative, sir.

Swanson, what's happening in there?

The shrink is trying to talk her down.

(FEEDBACK CRACKLES)

I turned up the volume on my comm.

You should be able to hear their voices.

LAUREN: I have to protect my daughter.
That is my job.

ROBYN: We all think
if we try hard enough,

we can steer life
the way we want it to go.

That we can control what
happens to the ones we love.

But that's not always how it works.

But I'll tell you what we can control.

If you surrender,

I will protect Emily as long
as she is in surgery.

I promise you that.

Everything you've been through,
every battle you have fought

through the years has been for Emily.

She needed you.

Just like she's gonna
need you when she pulls

through that surgery.

You need to keep being a mother.

Don't fail her now.

I've got the sh*t, sir.

ROBYN: I saw how she looked at you.

You're the center of her world.

She doesn't know what
you've given up for her.

But she loves you

more than anything.

Don't fail her now.

Sir, do I have a green light?

♪ ♪

Stand down.

But, sir, I have a clear sh*t.

I repeat: stand down.

I need you to trust me now.

Please...

give me the g*n, Lauren.

(SOBBING)

g*n is down. I repeat:

g*n is down.

♪ ♪

Everything going okay over here?

- My bowl is just about empty, isn't it?
- Mmm!

This is hands down

the best gumbo I've ever had.

Now that I have the recipe,

it goes right back on the menu.

You know, I remember quite
a few of your mom's dishes.

Maybe I could help recreate
some of those, too.

I don't mean to intrude, but

what is that? It smells amazing.

Trust me, it tastes even better.

NELSON: It's my mother's gumbo.

I'll make you some
next time you come in.

In that case, see you tomorrow.

It was my mother's dream

for me to keep this place
going after she was gone,

to keep our traditions alive.

Now I can.

I don't know how to thank you.

Well...

let's take a look at that dessert menu.

I'm sure we can work something out.

(LAUGHTER)

- Hey.
- How is she?

- The surgery was a success.
- (SIGHS)

Emily is doing great.

(ROBYN CHUCKLES)

How can I ever thank you?

Thank Dr. Mazdaki.

He's the one who saved Emily's life.

In fact, the hospital is offering
him a path to residency.

He deserves it.

My baby's alive.

Even if I have to spend
the rest of my life

in prison, it was worth it.

Well, hopefully not so long.

The D.A. is seeing what she can do.

Senator Beal is not the only one
in this town with some pull.

I owe you so much.

No.

You did what you had
to do for your daughter.

I was just backing you up.

One mother helping another mother.

Hang in there.

(MOUTHS)

Thank you for letting me
give her the news in person.

You saved a few lives today.

- I'd say you earned the favor.
- Well, I appreciate it.

I appreciate you, Marcus.

I hope so.

Not too many people who'd take
on a whole Tac Team for you.

(LAUGHS) No, that was all you.

We make a great team.

We do.

But if we're going
to continue to do this,

it needs to be just that.

Team effort. Team decisions.

You're right.

I should've listened to you
when it came to Randall Grayle.

I appreciate you saying that.

Well, I mean it.

Sometimes I push too hard, I...

Well that's over now.

So, we good?

Yeah. We're good.

♪ ♪

Welcome back.

- It's good to be home.
- Aww.

- It was a tough day.
- Yeah.

- But we did good.
- We did. We did.

I got to be honest though,
my mind was on you

the entire time.

Something about seeing
that-that little girl,

at the end and that mom
in so much anguish,

it just made me really appreciate...

how much I love you and
how I would do anything for you.

- We're very lucky.
- Yeah.

♪ ♪

Hey. Y'all waited for me?

Of course we did.

Is that...

Miss Audrey's gumbo?

Sure is.

- Oh, we used to go there so much.
- Mm-hmm.

Daddy loved it there.

He's not the only one.

You know, we should go there more often,

to the old neighborhood.

Not just for the gumbo.

To stay connected.

Can we?

I really enjoyed learning
more about Grandpa.

And where we come from.

VI: It's important.

Some of those memories
are painful, but...

there are also some really good ones.

Shall we give thanks?

Not just for the food
that's on this table,

but for the ancestors that
have brought us thus far.

For community that sustains us.

And most of all, for this family.

- (CHUCKLES)
- Amen.

- Amen.
- Amen.

Now, let me get at some of that gumbo.

Ooh! (LAUGHS)

(DOORBELL RINGS)

Who could that be at this hour?

I'll get that.

I could eat like this every day.

Don't you know it, girl?

- You know I can.
- (DOOR OPENS)

- MAN: Are you Robyn McCall?
- Thank you.

- ROBYN: Yes.
- VI: Mm-hmm.

(DOOR CLOSES)

(ROBYN SIGHS)

Hey, Mom, is everything okay?

(SIGHS) No.

I just got served.

Your father wants sole custody of you.

♪ ♪