[monitor beeping]
[dramatic music]
* *
- [groans] I can't move.
[groans]
Why can't I move?
Chris?
[groans]
Where's Chris?
- Try to relax. - Where's Chris...
- Doctor's going to come in... - Duntsch? He's my doctor.
- Take a look and see what's going on.
- Nothing's going on. I can't--
Nothing works.
* *
I can't feel shit. [groans]
Chris!
[whimpers]
Chris!
* *
- And move your shoulders.
Shrug up...
and down.
That's it.
Some mobility. That's a good sign.
- Fuck some mobility. I want it all.
Jesus Christ!
- Jerry...
do you remember me?
[light clicks] I'm Dr. Ivers.
I was the anesthesiologist in your case.
- What's happening to me, Doc? - We're not sure.
I'm here to ascertain whether your partial paralysis...
- Paralysis?
- Is being caused by the anesthesia.
- Dr. Ivers...
I need Chris...
Duntsch...
my doctor.
Please, call his ass.
Page his ass. Hunt his ass down.
* *
[indistinct chatter]
* *
Excuse me?
Where are you taking me?
[indistinct chatter continues]
Where are you taking me?
- Dr. Rosario ordered some images.
- Who the fuck is Dr. Rosario?
[wailing]
- Worst part's over.
Now, remember to lay very still,
or else we'll have to start all over again.
* *
- [sobs softly]
[grunts, breathing rapidly]
* *
[machine blaring]
[knocking]
[blaring]
[doorbell rings]
- Hi, there, my name is Michelle Shughart.
I'm the Assistant District Attorney
overseeing the Christopher Duntsch case.
- Uh-uh.
We don't want to have nothing to do with that asshole.
- I just need a few minutes of your time...
- Our family has been through enough.
- Yes, ma'am.
- It feels like there's an ice pick in my back.
- He always talked about being the best.
My experience-- you got to preach it,
probably isn't true.
But I didn't feel that way about him.
I liked him
- We tried.
No lawyer would take up the case
'cause of the reform down there in Austin.
- Tort reform. House Bill 4.
- Politicians.
I can't believe that I voted for that dipshit Rick Perry.
I can't even bring a malpractice claim.
Well, I mean, I suppose I could,
but no matter what happens--
no matter what somebody does to you or the people you love,
all you're gonna get is $250,000.
Now, what's the lawyer's cut of that?
- Not a whole heck of a lot.
- Who wants to get all tied up and twisted
for "not a whole heck of a lot"?
Meanwhile, Slick Rick and his cohorts
and his lobbyists line their war chests with donations
from insurance companies and hospitals...
like Baylor.
- My husband made me go to Duntsch.
He wanted me to be able to get back to work
and help more with the kids, but now he's gone,
and I'm alone and worse than I was before.
* *
- I looked into the operating lights, said a prayer...
"Protect me from all danger. Keep me safe."
* *
- He spun a good tale.
- For every one of his victims--
I've spoken to too many of them--
and he made them all feel comfortable until it was over.
- You want my help, hmm?
- If you can testify...
it'll go a long way to putting him in prison.
- Will it make me whole again?
- No.
But it could bring justice.
- I'm too old to go looking for justice.
I'd settle for a peaceful heart.
* *
- So you want murder?
- How are we going to prove intent?
- He killed two people.
- Any good defense lawyer
would bar other victims from testifying.
With no other victims, we have no pattern of behavior.
It's just a medical misadventure.
- What about manslaughter?
- Second-degree felony. Carries 2 to 20.
And since this is a doctor, I'm taking the under, at best.
I mean, honestly, Steph, if you heard these people...
their stories,
saw what he did to them...
and they have no recourse.
Can't sue anybody.
The state of Texas took that option away from them.
I feel bad.
- About what?
- I want Duntsch to die in jail.
- You know you're a prosecutor?
Dying in jail is an oft-pursued avenue of justice.
* *
- I don't know.
Let's focus on aggravated assault.
Jury might buy he purposely caused serious bodily harm.
- How could they not?
- Well, "purposely" is the keyword there, Steph.
[machine beeps] - Hi, there, Dr. Henderson.
It's Paul Racconti with "Dr. Phil."
I heard about your involvement in the Dr. Duntsch story
down there in Texas-- [machine beeps]
- Dr. Henderson, my name's Liz Geller.
I'm with "The New York Times."
We're planning on doing a piece
on Dr. Christopher Duntsch-- [machine beeps]
- Hi, Dr. Henderson,
this is Maya Comici of The Blaze.
Please call me back at your earliest convenience at--
- What is The Blaze?
- Yeah, I thought about looking it up,
but then I decided life is too short.
- And incredibly irritating.
- You could have your 14 minutes of fame.
Now, there was a story I thought you'd find interesting.
A journalist in town did a piece,
and Duntsch commented on it.
- Where?
- In the comments section, Bob.
It's a bunch of rambling nonsense
about how this is all a witch hunt, a scam, a hoax.
He says he can't wait to get back and clear his name,
"My patients need me."
- Are you commenting back?
- I am now.
[chuckles]
"Dear Dr. Death"... [chuckles]
"I wish you knew how satisfying it felt
"to rip your medical license
"out of your grubby paws this past summer.
"I sleep better at night
"knowing you'll never practice in Dallas
or the state of Texas again."
- You're gloating.
Don't complicate Michelle's case.
And you shouldn't be out there harassing the defendant.
- Gloating feels so good.
[cell phone beeps]
- Heavenly Father, we thank You for blessing us with this meal
and for our health.
We thank You for this opportunity
to break bread with our son.
Thank You for leading him home.
And we pray, with Your wisdom,
that You will guide him back to the light.
Amen.
- Amen.
Lovely.
[Don sighs]
- [sighs]
You know, Dad, this is only temporary.
I mean...
I'm sure it's awkward having me in your home.
- If it were up to me,
all my boys would be under one roof.
- Well, look, I'll be gone soon.
I'm planning on heading back to Dallas.
I'm gonna start practicing just as soon as this bullshit
with the Medical Board is cleared up.
I'm gonna have my medical license back
before you know it.
- What about your son and your girlfriend?
Do they factor into your plans?
- Well, yeah. I mean, of course, they do.
You know, I-I've got, uh, visitation with Mason
once a month, and...
it does piss me off that I have to spend
all this money flying back and forth
and pay her child support, but, you know,
once things are back to normal, money won't matter.
- [pounds table]
[machine beeps] - This is an attempt
to collect an outstanding debt, Mr. Duntsch.
Give us a call back,
as your American Express card is in danger--
[machine beeps] - This is Bank of America.
Concerning your loan payment--
[machine beeps] - Chris, you keep
ignoring my calls, I'm gonna have to sue.
Call me.
- Stay out of my business.
- Your business keeps coming to me, Chris.
- Why can't you just support me?
- All I do is support you...
and your family.
Now, this is simple-- if you're gonna stay here,
you will do as you're told.
You're gonna declare bankruptcy.
I can't have these pe-- I will not have these people
coming after your mother and me.
Just wipe the slate clean, Chris.
You start over--
not just for you, but for your son.
You'll still have a chance at a future if--
* *
[indistinct chatter, telephones ringing]
- Hi.
I know normally people mail these in,
but I always like to give a personal touch.
- You're certainly taking the initiative.
- Carpal tunnel? - [sighs] All the typing.
- Do you mind if I take this off?
If you approve my medical license,
with my stem cell research,
we'd be able to relieve the pain on the median nerve...
[snaps fingers] Eradicate the problem.
Free up all those little nerves,
and your pain'd be gone.
- Wow. - Wow's right.
And just like those nerves,
I believe that we are all connected to a greater purpose.
And I'm really hoping that you can help me achieve mine.
- Oh...
well, you got my vote.
Not sure it'll help much,
but I'll be sure to put your application
at the top of my supervisor's pile.
- Great.
[dramatic music]
* *
[siren wailing]
* *
I hear you're having
some muscle weakness in your extremities.
- Where you been, Dump Face?
- I had an L4-L5 lumbar procedure right after yours.
Look, Jerry, once you're out of my OR,
your case and care are transferred
to other hospital staff.
It wouldn't be appropriate for me to leave another patient
to come see you.
- Well, they really sucked at taking over my care.
But fuck it. You're here now.
What's going on with me, man?
- The anesthesiologist administered
an incorrect dosage.
This led to swelling in your spinal cord
and the quadriplegia,
but you give it a week, a course of steroids,
you'll be better than before, as promised.
- Okay, Chrissy.
You say it's temporary...
I'll believe you.
I'll chill out. - Good.
- Hey, Chrissy...
thanks.
* *
- Why did you tell him that?
It's clear from the images that--
- The swelling is not going down--I am aware.
We need to alleviate the pressure on his spine.
I want you to prep an OR.
We're going back in-- posterior this time.
- Are you going to tell him?
- No. He'll just freak out more than he already is.
- But he needs to sign the consent forms.
- I spoke to his grandma. She signed off.
- Are you sure you want to do this?
Maybe Dr. O'Connor could take over the case?
* *
- We were doing eight balls. - Excuse me?
- Christopher Duntsch and me...
Cocaine.
You hear me?
All night long.
The night before my surgery...
We were blowing coke all night long.
Chris Duntsch and me.
All fucking night!
- Cocaine?
Amy, seriously?
- Given the seriousness of what he's claiming, I have to ask.
- Well, now you have, and it's ridiculous.
I mean, maybe he was. I don't know.
Honestly, I think he's suffering from ICU psychosis.
His nurse told me that he hasn't slept
since the night of the second surgery.
That would make anybody crazy and hallucinate.
He just needs to sleep.
- He's hallucinating that you did cocaine together
the night before surgery?
- Well, I-I don't have another explanation.
- I d--I don't know what Mr. Summers is talking about.
- I have an OR to grace--
- Please sit back down, Dr. Duntsch.
In light of the poor surgical outcomes
of Mr. Summers surgeries-- - Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Whatever poor surgical outcomes,
while unfortunate, they're not my fault.
Mr. Summers should've had that surgery done years ago.
- Our internal investigation will hopefully confirm that.
In the meantime, Baylor is suspending your privileges.
- This is bullshit!
- You'll have to undergo a psych evaluation
with Baylor's board psychiatrist,
and both of you will have to take a drug test.
- Give me the cup. I'll do it right now.
- This is totally and completely baseless!
* *
I mean, yes, of course, so will I.
I mean, if that's what we got to do,
that's what we got to do.
[sighs]
- I'm sorry, Chrissy.
I didn't know what to do.
* *
I feel like I ain't getting the truth.
Like...
after my first surgery...
I could move a little...
but now I can't move at all.
So what the fuck's going on?
Am I gonna be able to walk again?
I mean...
"swelling and steroids,
and I'll feel better than I did before"?
* *
How do I know you're not lying to me?
* *
Don't you have anything to say about all this?
* *
- You ruined everything for me.
* *
Good luck.
* *
[door closes]
- No. I-I'm-- I'm driving around
looking for the lab right now-- I can't find it anywhere.
No, I'm standing outside right now.
They're telling me they're closed.
[stammers] Of course I know they close at 4:30.
They're just saying there's not enough time today.
Yeah, Preston Road-- I'm on it now.
[sniffs]
[toilet flushes]
What's that?
It's traffic.
You're not going to believe this, but I forgot my ID.
They won't let me take it.
Yes, of course, absolutely-- loud and clear.
I will be there first thing Monday morning.
Okay, thank you.
[dramatic music]
[sighs] Monday, Monday, Monday, Monday,
* *
[sniffing]
* *
Hey.
- Fucking pathetic.
- [groans]
[baby fussing]
I warned you-- no drugs around Mason, ever.
- He was napping. - [sighs]
- I told you, I got this all under control.
- Was all this part of your big Dallas plans?
- What? - Wind up a junkie...
- You can't take Mason. - Without a job?
- [stammers] I got a job!
This isn't right! - No, it isn't right.
But you know who is right? Your Dad, about you.
Mason and I do deserve better.
* *
[indistinct chatter on TV]
* *
[cheers and applause on TV]
[monitor beeping]
- I have a relationship with Dr. O'Connor.
I talked to him.
He wants to take over your case...
See if he can help make this as normal as possible for you.
[beeping continues]
I know it won't ever be the same, Jerry.
We're here to help.
I'm here to help.
[beeping continues]
- Kill me.
- I can't.
- Get the fuck out.
[beeping continues]
- I'd like to start our time together
by offering my condolences.
Your friend, Jerry.
- We went to the same high school.
- Well, at any rate,
you surgeons have so much pressure on you to perform.
Drugs and alcohol can become a crutch.
- [scoffs]
Look...
I drink as much as the next person.
Glass of Malbec here, Glenlivet there.
Never within 12 hours of operating.
These allegations against me are completely baseless.
- And what about drugs?
- I mean, sure.
I have tried cocaine back in college.
It wasn't for me.
- What about Summers's surgery?
- [sighs]
I understand you're just doing your job.
They told you I needed a psych eval.
I was just doing my job, too,
to the best of my ability, which is pretty goddamn good.
- Do you regret the outcome?
- Of course I do. I'm human.
But you have to get back on the horse.
I just need to get back on the horse.
- You don't feel the need to take time off?
- I already have, too much.
- I'm talking about personal time
not ordered by the administration.
- I read somewhere once
that if, from time to time, you don't have
negative surgical outcomes in your practice,
you're not operating.
My patients mean everything to me,
and the longer I'm here on this couch,
the longer they're out there in crippling pain.
- Okay, I hear you.
[inhales deeply] I'll let Piel know
I've determined you're fine to operate.
[pen scratching]
- Thank you for your time, Dr. Roman
- Let me know if you ever need anything...
ever need to talk.
* *
- You know, there is something
I've been having trouble with lately.
- What kind of trouble? - Ah, with...
concentration, since the suspension.
- Ever during surgery? - No, no, no, no, never.
I was just wondering if maybe you could...
just give me something to bridge the gap
between suspension and surgery.
* *
All right. There's that.
And... [chuckles]
I remembered this time.
Thank you.
Um, hey, I'm taking Ritalin prescribed by my doctor.
I just want to make sure it's not going to cause
a positive test.
- Dr. Roman already called, told us all about it.
- Great.
* *
- I'm not after you.
So he first shows up here in Dallas
with a job at the Minimally Invasive Spine Institute?
- MISI. Yes.
- But he wasn't there for very long.
Do you know why? - Baylor recruited him, hard.
- Why?
- Neurosurgeons make big bucks.
- What about drugs?
You ever witness any of that?
- I flushed it.
- Was it cocaine?
- I don't know.
- What were you doing in his bathroom late at night?
- What are you getting at?
- The defense will ask you, too...
under oath.
- Briefly, and I ended it.
- May I ask why? - What's next?
- Jerry Summers...
his surgery.
Any truth to those eight ball allegations?
- I don't know.
- Did Jerry do drugs the night before?
- I couldn't know. I don't live there.
- Is there anything that you can think of
that would point to how all of this happened?
* *
- He sent me an email.
But I want to be clear here.
I didn't think a damn thing of it.
Duntsch was always spouting, self-aggrandizing
nonsensical bullshit.
- May I see it?
The email?
* *
- I didn't second-guess the email
until after Jerry's surgery.
Duntsch refused to see him.
He was so...
He was so dismissive of him...
of his fear and his pain.
* *
And then Shelley Brennan comes in.
* *
And she's dead.
20 minutes into her surgery, she's dead.
* *
And I start thinking...
about that email.
- What were you thinking?
- Was he--
* *
Was he doing it on purpose?
* *
- Like banging your head on a cupboard...
- Mm. - Or grabbing a hot pot.
One little missed step.
Didn't even fall,
just slipped a little bit off the ladder
hanging Christmas lights.
Work's been near impossible ever since.
I'm an elementary-school teacher.
The kids keep me on my feet. - [chuckles]
Surgery is a big decision, Mrs. Brennan.
- I hear you.
PT, steroids, none of it worked.
Surgery seems all that's left.
Going on a cruise with my husband,
another couple.
- That right? - Yeah, Antigua...
in a couple months.
I haven't been on a vacation in...
I don't know--
whoo, a long time. [chuckles]
- How did you hear about Dr. Duntsch?
- He came recommended by my family doctor...highly.
I checked all his reviews online.
Everyone loves him.
- Are you sure you don't want to find a doctor
closer to where you live?
[knock at door] - Mrs. Brennan.
- You're the man who's gonna make everything better.
- Dr. Duntsch.
I've been speaking with your GP about this spine of yours.
- Mm-hmm.
- It sounds like we need to relieve some pressure
on that nerve right here.
[chuckles] But it's a simple micro lami.
We should have you in and out in 20 minutes.
- 20? - Yeah.
It takes longer to boil a pot of pasta at a high altitude.
What's the schedule looking like?
- Um, I'm not sure, Dr. Duntsch.
Did Baylor clear some of their operating rooms for our use?
- Why don't you give them a call and find out?
We'll get you in first available.
Now...
- Do you have a drug and alcohol problem, sir?
- No, sir, never have.
- We caught up with Dr. Duntsch outside Denver
where he now lives.
I talked to a doctor
who said you're a sociopath and a killer.
Do you have a response?
- Yeah, I'm gonna deal with that
in the context of libel later when I'm defending myself.
- His patients all say there's a more fitting punishment.
- Ms. Shughart, this is amazing.
- You know, I may have bitten off a mouthful.
- We get it. - How can we help?
- I need to prove that Duntsch assaulted these people,
that he should've known what he was doing to his patients.
- Mm-hmm.
- The only way to do that is to differentiate
between a normal medical procedure and what he did.
And the only way to do that is to be able to teach
a stripped-down version of neurosurgery to the jury.
So...
I need you to teach me neurosurgery.
- "Pain.
"Pain is the most common reason patients seek medical care.
"Pain has sensory and emotional components
"and is often classified as acute or chronic.
Acute pain is frequently associated with anxiety,"
and that's how my mother slept with my father.
[book thuds loudly]
Uh-oh, Bob, looks like we've lost the class.
- No, no, no.
Um, maybe. Yes.
- Well, maybe you're more experiential learners, huh?
All right, you, Come on up here,
lose the shirt, and bend over the table.
I'm a doctor. You are all lawyers.
Come on. [claps hands]
- [chuckles]
Okay, pay attention.
Here we have the prominent vertebra
in the lower neck, the C7.
Okay, I'm just going to mark it out here--C7.
- No, no, no. Doctor, Doctor, Doctor, Doctor.
You're marking it too big
because it's going to overlap with the T1.
- How am I supposed to see that
if I'm not actually inside of his body?
- Well, if you don't operate as fast as you talk--
- Eh, Randall Kirby is the preeminent surgeon--
- I'm calling it. Time of death is right now.
Uh, let's try again tomorrow?
- Anybody want to grab a bite?
There's a neat little place around the corner
with an early-bird special.
- You are nothing if not consistent.
- Short rib sliders, $3.
- Why don't you throw your AARP card down
and maybe you can get it for $2.75.
- Well, that's not exactly how it works, but--
- Let's hop on your Rascal and find out.
- Elder abuse. - Thank you.
- He's not that old. - No, no.
Madeline Beyer's over 65 years old.
She qualifies.
Injury to an elderly person or a minor.
- With that charge,
there's no limit to the scope of the complaint.
- We can introduce all of our victims,
even the ones outside our jurisdiction.
Show intent,
and the maximum sentence is life in prison.
- Hmm.
- Shit. She doesn't want to testify.
- Why don't you let me talk to her?
- We may need a lighter touch, Dr. Kirby.
No--no offense
[dramatic music]
* *
[knock at door]
- No, we had an agreement. We said once a month.
This would be twice a month. - Wendy, please.
- No, fly away.
No. - Hey!
[grunts]
- Hi. - Hey, buddy.
I brought you something. - Thanks.
- That's for you.
Hey, what is with this little dinky ball?
We got to get you a regulation ball
if you're ever going to play for the Broncos.
- Okay, I'm calling the cops for trespassing and kidnapping.
- He's my son, too, Wendy, and I pay for this apartment.
- No, your dad pays for this place.
- Get the fuck out of here, fat boy.
- Ow. Shit. Who the fuck is--Ow!
- Stop it! Both of you!
- Shawn! Shawn, stop! Shawn, stop!
Stop, Shawn!
* *
[door closes]
* *
[line trilling]
- Dad?
Dad, I need help. I was...
I was robbed.
I need some--I need you to send me money.
[whimpers, crying]
I was robbed. I need some help, please.
Please, just send me some money, to Dallas.
Please, Dad.
* *
- I sent you money, Chris. - I'm not in the mood, Dad.
- You asked me, and I sent you money.
- I know.
- Shoplifting? Shoplifting.
First, it was a DUI, and now it's shoplifting.
- I told you I'd pay you back. - How are you going to do that?
You gonna borrow some more money from me
to pay me back the money you owe me?
- It's Wendy. - It's not.
- It is. - Stop it, Chris.
- It's Wendy. - You know, you keep playing
to the edges, and you wonder why you're falling off.
- She won't let me see Mason. - Well, good for her.
You deserve what you get.
[car door opens, closes]
Want?
- [sighs] [objects clatter lightly]
[lid clatters]
[breathes deeply]
- Texas is never gonna reinstate my medical license.
- Well, maybe that's a good thing.
- Nobody'll even hire me to do research.
After everything I've done, everything I've achieved...
I got nothing left.
- It's not nothing, Chris.
It's just going to be different.
- Nobody robbed me...
in Dallas last year.
[sniffs] Um...
I lied to you.
- Luke 15, verses 3 through 7.
"The shepherd that left his flock
to find the one lost sheep."
- [chuckles]
I doubt the sheep got beaten with a plastic bat
by a meth-head shepherd, but all right.
[both chuckle]
- I know it's not going to be easy, Chris,
but go back to Dallas with a pure heart
and make things right with Wendy.
The first step to atonement, and the hardest, is confession.
And you've already taken it.
- Oh.
It's nice to see that you're back out in your garden.
- Mm-hmm.
I had to hire someone to help, and they're trying their best.
But--
- If you want it done right... - [chuckles]
- Ms. Shughart sent you?
- Yes.
- She's young.
- Yes. [chuckles]
But no one else would help us until she came along.
I'm gonna cross a line here, but I'm asking you to testify.
I consider myself a fairly intelligent person,
a decent doctor.
I can open and fix and close a living being.
And I can't get my brain
around the case that Ms. Shughart is building.
But I do know this--
without you, there's a chance that Duntsch may walk away
with just a slap on the wrist.
- [inhales deeply] You're asking me
to relive something I'd much rather forget.
- I don't see how you can do that.
You live with the reality of this wheelchair every day.
Duntsch belongs in prison for the rest of his life.
Now, I came in too late to save you.
I can't give you anything back.
But your testimony will ensure that Duntsch never does this
to another patient ever again.
- What would I have to say? - The truth.
Just tell your truth, and everything will be okay.
- You're old enough to know truth in our world
rarely works out for the teller.
- Mm.
What choice do we have?
- Morning, fellas.
- You're on my to-do list.
We got eyes on Florence Nightingale's motel.
Booked to be here in 72 hours. - Great. Thanks.
- Duntsch's trips are getting a little few and far between.
If he ever stops coming,
Denver police are slow as fuck when it comes to extradition.
- I'm on it.
Trying to slip into an already convened grand jury.
We've got one chance to get this indictment.
- You know, I can't believe this is for a doctor.
You should arrest my elementary-school nurse.
She diagnosed me with measles. I had the chicken pox.
- [chuckles]
[dramatic music]
- [sighs]
- I'll see you back at the office.
- Did we win?
- It's gonna be a few hours.
- Well, we cleared our schedules.
- Thank you. - I had a tee time.
I booked it months ago.
- Thank you.
* *
Thank you.
* *
When the gods wish to punish us,
they answer our prayers.
- What does that mean?
- She got the indictment. - [scoffs]
* *
Ahh.
* *