Ep 7. Consenting Adults

In Saving Hope season 1 episode 7, titled "Consenting Adults," the main focus is on the personal lives of the hospital staff. Dr. Alex Reid (Erica Durance) is working on a case involving a patient who refuses a necessary surgery due to his religious beliefs. Her boyfriend, Dr. Charlie Harris (Michael Shanks), struggles with being a ghost and being unable to physically be with Alex. Meanwhile, Dr. Joel Goran (Daniel Gillies) deals with a difficult patient who refuses medicine due to his fear of needles.

The episode begins with a patient, Mike, coming into the hospital with chest pains. Alex quickly realizes he has an aortic dissection and needs surgery to survive. However, when she approaches Mike about the surgery, he tells her he cannot consent due to his religious beliefs. Mike is a Jehovah's Witness and refuses any blood transfusions, which would be necessary for the surgery.

While Alex tries to find a way around Mike's beliefs to save his life, she confides in Joel about her frustrations. Joel, on the other hand, is dealing with a young patient, Jeremy, who has cystic fibrosis and needs to take his medicine to survive. However, Jeremy has a severe phobia of needles, making it impossible for him to take his medication. Joel tries to get creative with alternative methods, but ultimately has to respect Jeremy's wishes and find a different solution.

Charlie, still struggling with being a ghost, tries to find ways to connect with Alex and let her know he's there for her. He even tries to leave her a message on her phone, but finds that he's unable to use technology in his ghostly state.

As the episode progresses, tensions rise between Joel and Alex as they disagree on how to handle their respective patients. Charlie, still trying to find ways to communicate with Alex, eventually finds success in a unique way. And in the end, the doctors at Hope Zion Hospital must come to terms with the fact that sometimes, the best course of action is to respect a patient's wishes, even if it goes against their medical training.

Overall, "Consenting Adults" is an emotional episode that delves into the personal lives of the hospital staff while also showcasing the difficult decisions doctors have to make when it comes to their patients' beliefs and wishes. The episode is a standout in Saving Hope's first season and is a must-watch for fans of the show.