Ep 6. Bedside Manner

Bull is a legal drama series following the work of Dr. Jason Bull, a brilliant and charming trial consultant who uses his skills and insights into human behavior to help clients win cases. Season 1, episode 6, "Bedside Manner," centers around Bull's efforts to assist a doctor who is being sued for malpractice after a patient dies on his operating table.

The episode begins with Bull and his team receiving a call from Dr. Samantha Kohl, a surgeon who has been accused of medical negligence in relation to the death of a patient. Bull is intrigued by the case, as he has a personal connection to the medical profession and is intrigued by the challenge of presenting a medical malpractice case to a jury.

Bull meets with Dr. Kohl and her lawyer, who explain that the patient in question was a high-profile businessman with a heart condition. Dr. Kohl was performing a relatively routine surgery to replace a valve in his heart when the patient suddenly went into cardiac arrest. Despite Dr. Kohl's best efforts to resuscitate him, the patient died on the operating table.

Bull and his team start their investigation by visiting the hospital where the surgery took place. They speak with the nurses who were on duty at the time and review the operating room footage to try and piece together what happened. They also learn more about the patient's medical history and discover that he had a rare genetic condition that made him more susceptible to heart disease.

As they delve deeper into the case, Bull becomes convinced that Dr. Kohl is innocent of any wrongdoing. He believes that the patient's death was a tragic but unavoidable consequence of his underlying medical condition, rather than any error or oversights on the part of the surgeon or her team.

However, as the trial approaches, the defense team starts to poke holes in Bull's expert testimony. They argue that even if the patient's death was inevitable, Dr. Kohl should have taken more precautions during the surgery to minimize the risks. They also paint Dr. Kohl as a cold and uncaring professional who was more concerned with protecting her reputation than saving her patient's life.

In response, Bull shifts his approach. He realizes that Dr. Kohl's lack of emotional intelligence is a weakness that can be exploited by the defense. He coaches her on how to present a more empathetic and compassionate image to the jury, and helps her connect with them on an emotional level.

In the end, Bull's strategy pays off. The jury finds in favor of Dr. Kohl, recognizing that while the patient's death was a tragedy, it was not the result of negligence or malpractice on her part. The episode ends with Bull visiting Dr. Kohl at her office, congratulating her on her victory, and sharing a moment of genuine connection as fellow professionals committed to their respective fields.

Overall, "Bedside Manner" is a gripping and thought-provoking episode of Bull that explores complex issues related to healthcare, legal liability, and human psychology. The interactions between Bull and his team, as well as his interactions with Dr. Kohl, are engaging and entertaining, while still managing to convey important themes and ideas. Whether you're a fan of legal dramas or simply enjoy watching smart, well-crafted TV, Bull is definitely worth checking out.