Ep 4. Sympathy for the Devil

Chicago Hope season 4 episode 4, titled "Sympathy for the Devil," follows the doctors and medical staff of Chicago Hope Hospital as they deal with various medical cases and personal issues. The episode focuses on the controversial decision to grant parole to a convicted murderer who is suffering from a life-threatening illness.

The episode opens with Dr. Aaron Shutt (played by Adam Arkin) receiving news that a patient from his past, a convicted murderer named Rufus Turner, is back in the hospital and near death. Turner has been serving a life sentence for killing a police officer, but he is now suffering from advanced liver cancer. Dr. Shutt is conflicted because he remembers Turner as a dangerous and violent man but recognizes the ethical dilemma of denying him medical treatment.

Meanwhile, Dr. Catherine Austin (Christine Lahti) is dealing with her own personal issues as she comes face to face with her ex-husband, Dr. Jeffrey Geiger (Mandy Patinkin), who is now staying at the hospital as a visiting surgeon. The two have a complicated history and their reunion is filled with tension and unresolved emotions.

As the episode progresses, Dr. Shutt struggles to reconcile his feelings towards Turner and faces opposition from other hospital staff who are against providing medical care to a convicted murderer. Dr. Geiger, on the other hand, is grappling with his own dilemmas as he performs a risky surgery on a young patient despite warnings from his colleagues.

The theme of ethical dilemmas is prominent throughout the episode as the doctors and staff of Chicago Hope Hospital confront difficult decisions in the face of moral uncertainty. The episode highlights the challenges of balancing the Hippocratic oath with personal beliefs and societal pressures.

As the episode comes to a close, Dr. Shutt and other staff members are forced to make a crucial decision regarding Rufus Turner's care. The episode ends on a poignant note as the staff grapples with the repercussions of their actions and the impact it will have on their personal and professional lives.

Overall, "Sympathy for the Devil" is a thought-provoking episode that tackles complex issues of morality and ethics in the medical field. It showcases the struggles of healthcare providers as they navigate their roles as healers and decision-makers, and raises important questions about the obligations of society towards those who commit heinous crimes.