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‘The Good Karma Hospital’ Episode 2 review: Greg (Neil Morrissey) keeps a brave face as his immigration woes deepen, while others such as Dr Samir Hasan (Harki Bhambra) are also stressing…

‘The Good Karma Hospital’ Episode 2 review: Greg (Neil Morrissey) keeps a brave face as his immigration woes deepen, while others such as Dr Samir Hasan (Harki Bhambra) are also stressing…

If you don’t want to know what happens in this episode, probably better to stay clear…

By Mamie Colfox

EVENTS begin to pick up in the second episode of the series, with doctors bearing the brunt of hysterical and dismissive family members, and one storyline nodding towards the caste system in India.

Pressure begins to mount for Dr Ruby Walker (Amrita Acharia) as she becomes increasingly angry at the world, before she takes her frustrations out on someone supposed to be helping her. Ruby is obviously not coping well without Dr Gabriel Varma (James Krishna Floyd), who has left the hospital and their blossoming romance behind – and there are tears when she breaks down to boss and lead medic, Dr Lydia Fonseca (Amanda Redman). It makes it hard to not feel sorry for her. Lydia’s words of encouragement are warm and sympathatic, raising questions about her own past, yet her immediate snap back into ‘work mode’ doesn’t giving viewers much time to ponder this.

One scene sees a patient’s daughter seemingly uninterested in her mother’s illness, even when Ruby insists she shouldn’t be discharged, a frustrating situation since it is obvious that her mother is in distress.

Dr Nikita ‘Niki’ Sharma (Rebecca Ablack) has an immediate warmth to her but is treated badly when examining a patient’s heat rash. A hysterical mother rudely dismisses her because of her seeming youth and inexperience as a newly qualified medic. This seems unfair considering Dr Niki’s enthusiastic nature, and leaves her feeling downtrodden and, understandably, undervalued. Her forgiving nature is commendable when she receives an apology and even provides a caring ear to the worried mother, Dr Niki’s big smile a comfort blanket for her worries and woes.
There is a matter-of-fact nature to Greg McConnell (Neil Morrissey) when he is forced to come face to face with a hostile lawyer whom he hopes will sort out his visa. Greg is in a serious situation and faced with not the most helpful lawyer but one who might be able to help secure his status.

When Dr Samir makes a blunder and mocks Nurse Mari Rodriguez (Nimmi Harasgama pictured above) as she prays for an ill child, he seems genuinely upset and apologises to her. Clearly, there is a friendship forming and it will be interesting to see how it develops throughout the series.

The storyline ends with a sad comment on the caste system, which is an important and surprising theme, that could be explored more as the series progresses.

The Good Karma Hospital continues on ITV at 8pm Sundays (January 30) 2/6 https://www.itv.com/hub/the-good-karma-hospital/2a4663a0019

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Written by Asian Culture Vulture