Ep 2. Emily and... The Alan Zolman Incident

Emily Owens, M.D. season 1 episode 2 titled "Emily and... The Alan Zolman Incident" revolves around Emily's effort to prove herself as a competent doctor while dealing with the social dynamics of being a resident in a hospital.

In this episode, Emily gets assigned to the oncology unit where she meets Dr. Gina Beckett, a blunt and no-nonsense attending who is also her mentor. During her first day, Emily witness the case of Alan Zolman, an old high school friend who is diagnosed with renal cancer and admitted to the hospital.

Emily feels sorry for Alan and decides to take on his case personally. However, she struggles to balance her emotional attachment with the required professionalism necessary to treat him as a patient. Emily's attempt to connect with Alan is not received well, and she ends up getting reprimanded by Dr. Beckett for her unprofessional behavior.

Meanwhile, Emily's roommate Cassandra is dealing with her own issues. Cassandra is dating Will, a surgical intern, but finds out that he has also been sleeping with a nurse. Cassandra confronts Will about his affair, and they end up breaking up.

Emily tries to make amends with Alan and apologizes for crossing the line while caring for him. As they reconnect, Alan tries to kiss Emily, but she stops him and leaves the room, realizing that she cannot blur the professional line.

As the episode goes on, Alan's health condition improves, and Emily is relieved. However, she soon discovers that Alan's cancer is more severe than initially diagnosed, and he will need further treatment. Emily feels guilty and responsible for Alan. She expresses her doubts to Will and ends up kissing him, revealing her feelings for him.

The episode ends with Emily returning to Alan's room, where he tells Emily that he remembers her as the girl in high school that everyone was friends with, but nobody loved. He tells her that he cares for her and that he is grateful for their friendship.

Overall, Emily Owens, M.D. season 1 episode 2 is a character-driven episode that portrays the personal and professional struggles that come with being a resident doctor. It highlights the importance of boundaries in doctor-patient relationships and how difficult it can be to balance empathy with professionalism. The episode also touches on the complexities of personal relationships in a work environment and how they can impact one's career.