Ep 5. The Sense of Belonging

In Hawthorne season 1 episode 5, titled "The Sense of Belonging," tensions run high as the hospital prepares for a visit from the Joint Commission, a national organization responsible for hospital accreditation. Christina Hawthorne, portrayed by Jada Pinkett Smith, is tasked with overseeing the preparations for the visit, which includes ensuring that all personnel are trained and ready to handle any situation that may arise.

As the episode unfolds, Christina finds herself struggling to balance her personal and professional life. Her fiancé, Tom Wakefield, played by Michael Vartan, has been working long hours and has become increasingly distant, leaving Christina feeling lonely and neglected. Meanwhile, Christina's patient, a young girl named Sarah, is struggling to find a sense of belonging in her own life after her mother passed away.

Despite these challenges, Christina remains determined to ensure that everything runs smoothly during the Joint Commission visit. She works tirelessly, training staff and addressing any concerns that come up. However, her efforts are hampered by a number of obstacles, including a difficult patient who refuses to comply with hospital procedures and a shortage of necessary medical supplies.

As Christina navigates these challenges, she discovers that her patient Sarah is struggling with feelings of loneliness and isolation. With the help of her friend and colleague, nurse Bobbie Jackson, portrayed by Suleka Mathew, Christina works to help Sarah find a sense of belonging. Together, they organize an impromptu birthday party for Sarah, complete with cake and decorations, providing her with a much-needed sense of community and connection.

Over the course of the episode, Christina also begins to confront the issues in her own life. She talks to Tom about his long hours and distance, and the two work to find ways to strengthen their relationship. Additionally, she comes to terms with the fact that she cannot do everything alone, and learns to rely on the support of her colleagues and friends.

In the end, the hospital receives accreditation from the Joint Commission, and Christina finds a renewed sense of purpose and fulfillment in her work. Although life is never easy, she learns that with the help of the people around her, she can overcome any obstacle and find a sense of belonging in even the most challenging of situations.