Ep 2. The Diary

The Indian Doctor is a British television drama series that transports viewers to the idyllic Welsh town of Trefelin. The show is set in the 1960s, and follows the story of a newly qualified Indian doctor, Prem Sharma, who takes up a post in the town's small and isolated mining community. The show uses the fish-out-of-water premise to explore themes of culture clash, racism, and the struggle to fit in.

In Season 1 Episode 2, entitled "The Diary", we find Dr. Prem Sharma (Sanjeev Bhaskar) struggling to settle into life in Trefelin. His wife, Kamini Sharma (Ayesha Dharker) is also finding it difficult to make friends and fit in with the community. The couple receives a visit from Mr. Jones (Eddie Ladd), a local solicitor who invites them to a meeting with the local Women's Institute. Despite the initial shaky start, there's a moment of connection when one of the older women present recognizes Kamini's dress as being Indian, and shares a story of an Indian friend from her youth. This is a small but significant moment of acceptance for the couple.

At the clinic, Dr. Sharma has his hands full with a steady stream of patients. The newest arrival, however, is a particularly challenging case. A young girl named Megan (Isabel Ford) is brought in with a mysterious rash covering her body. Prem determines that Megan is suffering from a rare autoimmune disorder. Despite the town's limited resources and the skepticism of his colleagues, the doctor pushes to get Megan the medical help she needs.

Meanwhile, Megan's father, Tom (Mark Lewis Jones), is facing his own struggles. Tom is one of the miners who works at the local colliery, and the mine is in danger of closing down, leaving many of the town's residents without jobs. Tom's diary, which he keeps faithfully and which is read periodically throughout the episode, offers insight into the worries and fears of the town's workers.

The episode explores the theme of racism through the character of Mrs. Weaver (Leila Lloyd-Evelyn), the wife of the mine's owner. Mrs. Weaver has a deep-seated prejudice against the Asian doctor, and spreads rumors about him throughout the town. Her disdain is evident when she summons Prem to her home, demanding he attend to her young daughter's rash. Though it's clear that Mrs. Weaver has been deliberately keeping her daughter away from the clinic, Prem approaches the situation with professionalism and empathy.

As the episode progresses, we see the characters' lives intersect in unexpected ways, culminating in a dramatic conclusion that has far-reaching consequences for the town. "The Diary" offers a nuanced look at life in a small, insular community where tensions and allegiances run deep. The characters are well-drawn and complex, and the show does an excellent job of exploring the challenges faced by immigrants and people of color in rural communities. All in all, it's a compelling and thought-provoking hour of television.