Ep 2. Midlife Crisis

At the beginning of "Midlife Crisis," the second episode of season 5 of Saving Hope, we see a man named Stan, who is in his late forties and feeling lost. He's been fired from his job and is struggling to find a new one, his wife is busy with her own career and doesn't seem to have time for him, and his teenage daughter is growing more distant by the day. Stan is feeling adrift, and he doesn't know what to do.

Meanwhile, at Hope Zion Hospital, the doctors are dealing with their own midlife crises. Alex is feeling uncertain about her future after her recent cancer scare, and Joel is realizing that he's not as young as he used to be. Maggie, for her part, has decided to tackle her midlife crisis head-on by adopting a puppy, which she brings to the hospital with her.

The episode's medical case involves a man named John, who is suffering from a serious heart condition. John's heart is failing, and he needs a transplant in order to survive. However, John is in his sixties, which makes him less likely to receive a heart transplant than younger patients. As a result, John is feeling hopeless, and he's ready to give up.

Alex and Dr. Dana Kinney, the new head of surgery, are determined to save John's life, even if it means finding a creative solution. They decide to explore the possibility of a "bridge to transplant" procedure, which involves implanting a device in John's heart that will keep him alive until he can receive a transplant. The procedure is risky, but Alex and Dr. Kinney are confident that they can pull it off.

As the doctors work to save John's life, they confront their own fears and doubts. Joel admits to Alex that he's worried he's getting too old to keep up with the younger doctors at the hospital. Maggie confides in a patient about her own midlife crisis and the challenges of being a single mother. And Alex comes face-to-face with the reality of her own mortality, as she struggles to figure out what she wants from life.

In the end, the doctors are able to save John's life with the "bridge to transplant" procedure. However, the experience has left them all feeling raw and vulnerable. Stan, who has been watching the doctors' struggles with interest, approaches Alex and tells her that he's inspired by their dedication and perseverance. He thanks her for giving him hope, and tells her that he's ready to start working on his own problems.

As the episode comes to a close, the doctors are reminded that life is precious and that every moment counts. They may be facing midlife crises, but they're not alone in their struggles. And with each other's support, they can overcome anything.