A Question of Faith Doctors

It would have been easier to just accept it.

You mustn't be downhearted.

"The one who sows righteousness receives a true reward."

Good morning!

Good morning.

May I say, you have a lovely smile. A very kind smile.

Thank you.

It often seems that there's too little kindness in the world.

Wouldn't you agree?

There's always room for a bit more, I guess.

When we watch the news, see all the terrible things that are happening,

anyone would think the world is coming to an end.

Do you think the world is coming to an end?

I'm just on my way to work, actually.

Do you believe that God can answer our prayers?

Three years.

Three wretched years.

Is that the one with all the stomping about?

No, that's Stomp. The clue's in the title.

-So what's Jersey Boys, then?

-It's a jukebox musical.

Frankie Valli, The Four Seasons. More your era.

I beg your pardon! They're ancient!

Yeah. And?

Any more of that and we'll be going with my choice.

I would love to see Phantom.

All those '80s power ballads? No, thanks.

I can't remember the last time I went to the West End.

Hey, Rob, when was the last time we went to London to see a show?

I don't know, years ago with Immie.

Think I fell asleep before half-time.

I think the word you're looking for is "interval".

-It's not a football match.

-More's the pity.

You're not going to fall asleep in a musical!

Adam, he has said we should go on a weekend trip,

in the summer holidays.

Summer time?

That's a long way off, isn't it?

I didn't mean to offend you, and I...

I'm sorry that you feel that way,

but you've touched on an important question.

If God really exists, then why does He allow so much human suffering?

All the war and famine, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis.

Perhaps He's not such a nice God after all.

Or maybe He doesn't even exist.

I was just about to get to original sin.

He didn't want a Bible lesson.

You need to be more concise and persuasive.

Don't apologise for your faith.

Even if people disagree with your beliefs,

they will respect your moral strength and commitment.

Never back down.

Never back down.

We'll cover more ground if we canvass separately.

Why don't I take the odd numbers, you the evens?

Evens, OK.

Have a good one.

-And you.

-Bye, Adam.

Have you told him he can stay here, indefinitely?

No. Of course not.

Then why make plans for the summer?

-He could be with another family by then.

-Because he suggested it.

What am I going to say?

"Forget about it, you'll be gone by then"?

You are sort of giving him the impression that he's here

on a permanent basis, and nothing has been decided yet.

-You know that.

-Do I?

Maybe it is the best solution that he stay here,

for the foreseeable.

Best for him or best for you?

Good morning. My name's Brianna.

How are you today?

I've just been chatting with some of your neighbours.

What with all the horrible things happening in the world,

some of them are wondering whether God really exists

or cares about what happens to the human race.

May I ask, what do you think?

I think you might find some answers in here.

My name and number are on the front.

If you'd care to discuss any aspects in our literature,

please don't...

hesitate to call.

Throughout the whole of the training,

there was always a very clear message that whenever possible,

it was always best for the child to go back to their biological parents.

But in Adam's case, that's not possible!

We don't know that for sure, though, do we?

Jackie could make a full recovery

and Adam could play a big part in that.

Here's one for you.

How do you think he's going to feel when he's a fully grown man

and he looks back and he realises that he's turned away

from his mum when she needs him most?

It's still very high, in spite of your medication.

You normally see Dr Carter, is that right?

Mm-hm.

Could I ask, how many units of alcohol do you drink

in an average week?

What's that got to do with anything?

Too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure...

Look, man. I didn't come for a MOT, right?

I just need something to help me sleep better.

Sedatives aren't usually the best idea.

We rarely prescribe them, except in special circumstances.

These are special circumstances. I'm at my wits' end.

Insomnia can be exacerbated by caffeine, and alcohol.

Have you tried cutting those out?

I'm wasting my breath here.

Dr Carter, he would've given me a prescription.

One minute, sorry. We're not quite done here.

Your blood pressure is still worryingly high.

Are you still taking the medication?

What's the point? I'm not planning on sticking around.

Mr Beason...

He said he couldn't get an appointment with you.

-What time was this?

-Nine-ish.

That's strange, because I had two slots, first thing.

I wouldn't give him sedatives last time.

He probably thinks you're a soft touch.

I used to prescribe sedatives for his wife,

but she had serious problems.

She was a very brave, lovely woman.

You don't think he's suicidal, do you?

He's a bit of a closed book. He's certainly missing his wife.

It's just, I could smell whisky on his breath.

The last thing he said to me was, "I'm not going to hang around."

He left before I could even finish the consultation.

-Maybe he just meant he was going?

-Not sure.

Something about the way he said it.

Yes.

I have read the literature.

It poses some very interesting questions.

Are you still in the neighbourhood?

Yes, that will be fine.

See you then.

So, I borrowed one of the books from the library

and after the first page, I couldn't put it down.

That is wonderful, Dr Clay.

What was it, a fiction, non-fiction title?

It was non-fiction. I was just thinking,

if the library broadens my horizons,

surely it'll do the same for the patients.

Not possible, Jimmi.

Your horizons are already pushed to their erudite limit.

-Not quite.

-So, what's it going to be, Jilly Cooper?

Or the EL James Trilogy?

No, there was a waiting list for those.

I'll wash that up later.

Do you belong to a church?

I used to.

Oh, really? Which one?

-Not to your taste?

-Sorry?

The tea. You haven't finished it.

It's perfect, thank you.

Well, I hope I answered your questions.

Maybe I'll see you at our next meeting?

-Before you go, there is one more question.

-Please, anything.

Should the followers of your religion always refuse

to have blood transfusion, even if their life depends on it?

Both the Old and New Testament tell us to abstain from taking blood.

It's God's command.

However, in most modern medical procedures,

bloodless surgery is a viable alternative.

Not for my wife.

-Your wife?

-She had leukaemia.

Oh. I'm sorry.

She shared in your so-called faith.

I did too...until it took her from me.

You killed her.

You and your hateful tribe!

You think you're offering spiritual enlightenment?

The only thing you're offering is misery.

TYPING

Let me out of here!

Open the door!

Why are you doing this?

-Have you seen the letter?

-Yes.

Do you understand what it says?

It says...I promise to denounce my faith...

and that I'll never again practise or promote it.

OK. Sign it and you'll be free.

But it's not true. I'd never put my name to this.

Then you'll have to suffer for your phony creed.

Just as my wife did.

This is false imprisonment.

It'll be you who's locked up soon!

Look, I'll be leaving soon.

Then no-one will hear you, no-one will come to your aid.

There are no windows. The door is securely locked.

You might want to reconsider,

-before it's too late.

-PHONE RINGS

Please leave your message after the tone.

Hello, Mr Beason. It's Dr Vere at The Mill Health Centre.

I've been trying to ring your mobile number too, actually.

Could you get in touch with me ASAP?

I just wanted to check that you're OK.

Oh, and I'd like to help you with your insomnia as well if I can.

OK, well, bye.

If I sign the letter, or refuse to sign it,

what difference does it make to you?

To me? Not much.

Make a whole heap of difference to you.

I'm sorry about your wife's illness,

but it's got nothing to do with me.

It has everything to do with you.

You're the one who knocks on doors, organising meetings,

-brainwashing people.

-DOORBELL RINGS

HELLO!

HELP!

RATTLING

I'm in the basement!

MUFFLED: Help!

Whoever you are, please call the police!

Can you hear me? Hello?

I'm being held! Please help me.

HELP!

He's got me in the basement! He's insane!

Please, somebody, help!

Don't waste your breath. Our visitor has gone.

It's only a piece of paper. Why does it matter so much?

Yes. It's only a piece of paper.

Just as the Bible is only a book.

If I signed it, it wouldn't be with any sincerity. Only fear.

You fear your precious God more than you fear me.

I don't fear God. Not in the way you think I do. I love Him.

Then why didn't you sign the letter straight away?

These aren't my words, my beliefs.

If your faith is absolute, then you won't sign the letter.

Not because you love your God,

but because you think He would witness your betrayal

and deny you a place in Paradise.

Only a cruel and vindictive God would inspire such fear.

That's the fear that took my wife away from me.

If you could have seen how she suffered at the end...

How can you really believe in him?

If I signed the letter, and you let me go,

-what's to stop me from going to the police?

-Nothing at all.

-You should do as your conscience dictates.

-You're mad.

And drunk.

I need to go.

I think I already have your answer, don't I?

Yes.

Here is my answer.

I will never abandon my faith.

Very well.

One less zealot walking the streets.

-That can only be a good thing.

-It's you who's the zealot.

I'll leave you alone...

with your God.

Excuse me? Hello?

I'm looking for my friend.

She said that she'd arranged to meet someone in the road,

an older gentleman. That was several hours ago.

Her phone is switched off and she's not responded to any of my messages.

Perhaps you've seen her.

-She's about...

-Sorry. I can't help.

I rang the bell a few minutes ago. No-one answered.

Clearly, I was busy. As I am now. Goodbye.

Thank you.

Hi, Jackie.

They said you might pop in.

Is now a good time?

I'm not going anywhere!

Well, you look great.

Do you mind if I sit down?

How's Adam?

He's good. He's really missing you.

Any chance he might visit?

Yes. Oh, gosh, yes.

He wants to, he's planning to.

It's...school work and all that...

You don't have to make excuses for him.

It's how he...copes.

When things are difficult or upsetting,

he tries to block them out.

He doesn't want to see me like this.

Who can blame him?

DOORBELL RINGS

Is he a friend of yours?

Hello again.

Oh, no. I'm a doctor. Mr Beason's one of my patients.

-Do you know him?

-No, not really.

He left a short while ago.

I was looking for my friend, the lady you met this morning.

-I don't suppose you've seen her?

-No. Sorry.

It's not like her at all.

Did you see which way he went?

Yeah, yeah, I did.

"Generous of heart, constant in faith."

Mr Beason, are you OK?

I've been trying to get a hold of you.

What? Why?

-Because I think you need help.

-I don't need anything, man.

I just want to be left alone...with her.

Your wife?

Dr Carter said she was a lovely lady. Very brave.

"Brave"?

Perhaps.

BANGING

Can anybody hear me?!

COUGHING

Lord God our Heavenly Father, I turn to you for light.

The oncologist tried to make her change her mind. I did too.

But she wouldn't stray from "God's word".

Is that bravery...or faith?

Blind faith.

Maybe it's both.

Her illness destroyed my faith.

But hers grew stronger, even as she slipped away towards death.

I think I envied her, in a way.

To have that much conviction...

I admire people of faith.

It's easy to doubt, much harder to believe.

It's hard because there's no proof, no certainty.

But why should you admire

the followers of a God that doesn't exist?

Faith can inspire action.

-Good deeds.

-And bad ones.

Yeah. Sometimes.

But at the end of the day, it's what we do that counts. Don't you think?

I wish I still believed in a future paradise.

A way for us to be together, again.

But this purgatory...

..it's not enough.

How much have you had... Victor?

Have you taken anything else?

Is there anything else you've taken?

Let her go.

Let who go?

Victor? Victor, stay with me.

Ambulance, please.

Me and Rob have grown ever so fond of Adam.

We really enjoy his company, and hope that he enjoys ours,

but we are in no way a replacement for you.

We wouldn't even try to be.

I just hope that we can make his life a little bit easier, yours too.

You already have. I'm grateful to you both.

How do you see this panning out, in an ideal world?

-In an ideal world, I haven't had a stroke.

-Daft question.

What do I want for Adam?

I want him to go to college, and then to uni.

Follow his dreams.

He can't do that if he's looking after me.

And before college?

I'm not sure.

If you and Rob are happy, if Adam's happy...

..maybe you could look after him longer term.

I can see that you and Adam have a special bond.

He's clinging to you, like he used to cling to me.

I do feel that I'm losing him, but...

..I'm happy he's got you.

Hello? Is somebody there?

COUGHING

Hello, can you hear me?

It's OK. We're here.

-Are you hurt?

-No! Just thirsty!

COUGHING

Sure you're OK?

Could you get some water?

-We met this morning, didn't we?

-Yeah, that's right.

You see?

God does answer our prayers.

Definitely works in mysterious ways.

CHIMING

I knew something had happened.

God spoke to me.

I've got something to show you.

What is it?

Proof.

Proof? Proof of what?

My faith.

It didn't waver, not for one second.

He said he'd only let me go if I signed it.

You poor love.

Whatever have you been through?

Lord God our Heavenly Father,

please give me your courage through this trial.

I'm not afraid if you are with me.

I turn to you for light.

Even in my darkest moments,

your path is the path I choose.

Hello?

What are we celebrating?

Not celebrating.

Drowning sorrows.

It was like she was giving him to me.

Hang on a minute, can we rewind?

Jackie.

She's more than happy for us to take Adam, long-term.

-OK.

-What if it was Jack or Immie?

And it's me who's doing it. It's me who's taking him away.

If Jackie is happy, you've got no reason to feel guilty.

-We're helping her out.

-Are we?

I've been thinking about what you said. Adam needs his mum

and she needs him, so I think we've got to help him see he can do it,

with support, obviously.

Social services have just got to pull their flippin' finger out

and sort it.

Right. So, what?

I've been on the phone all afternoon trying to get through to Gina.

It's hopeless, you just can't get through!

She'll be under massive pressure and she won't have any time.

I know that! But this is Adam we're talking about.

My last message, I really read her the riot act.

Last message? So how many messages have you left?

I don't know, four or five.

If they can fork out for foster care then surely they can find

enough money for a few hours of care for Jackie?

I don't think it's quite as simple as that.

If Gina can't sort this, then she needs to tell me someone who can,

because I am not going to let Adam lose his mum.

What are you doing?

SHE MOUTHS

I want this to work, more than I've ever wanted anything.

Me too.

-We shouldn't be doing this.

-I'm worried about him.

But it's wrong!

Yeah, I've tried there already. Mum!