Code Black (TV Series) Unfinished Business (2017) User Reviews

"Unfinished Business" (#2.13)

[Bonnie-45100 · 10/10 · 6 July 2017]

"Guthrie becomes the hospital's new chaplain and considers undergoing a risky surgery to treat his Parkinson's; meanwhile, the doctors treat patients involved in a massive apartment fire."

CBS originally ordered a 13-episode season two of Code Black, so this would have been the season finale if it was not for them ordering 3 additional episodes. Coming into the episode, I knew that it was going to be good because season finales are usually planned beforehand. I had a feeling that this would be the episode of the series and I was right. I thought it was good. But it wasn't good. It was extraordinary. It was something new. Something we have not seen in any medical drama before. It was fresh. It was beautiful.

The episode starts with Rollie considering a new role at the hospital as chaplain. He cannot do work as a doctor; he can only provide nondenominational religious services and provide spiritual support to those who are unable to attend organized religious services. We saw how troubling that was for him in this episode when a baby was brought in from an apartment fire. They were prompted to take the baby to the hyperbaric chamber. Elliot was in the with the baby performing CPR. After quite some time, Elliot was unable to help save the baby despite his best efforts. Guthrie tells Elliot that he has to call the time of death but Elliot was still determined he would save the baby. Eventually, he called it but he was unable to leave the chamber until it decompressed. Rollie looked heartbroken. Noa stayed there with him outside of the chamber. So, so many tears at this moment.

Willis treats Lola, Emmanuel's daughter, who got in an argument with her father about going to NY to sing on Broadway. She asked Willis if she could see him. She wanted to apologize and not let what she said to him be the last thing he hears. Willis promised that she can see her father.

Guthrie talks with Emmanuel. Guthrie said he was scared. Emmanuel said if he believes in god, he has nothing to worry about. Emmanuel started to get sick and coughed up blood. They took him to the OR but were unable to save him. Willis too busy, forgot that he made his promise, and when Lola heard the news, she was very unhappy.

A mother is admitted after attempting suicide. She claimed that it would be best for her child. Angus said that the fire saved her life. The medication she took slowed her breathing, which in turn meant she inhaled less smoke. Angus explained that this was a second chance if he ever saw one.

By the end, we find out that this was all in Rollie's head. He got the DBS. Each of these stories connected to Rollie's life and it came out in beautiful, painful flashbacks where we saw how it connected with his past life. There were many tears. This episode is the best episode of Code Black yet, and there have been many that are really good, and this is quite possibly the best episode of television I have ever seen of any series.

"Grief is illogical."

[PizzaLover143 · 10/10 · 6 July 2017]

If you think Code Black can't break my already fragile heart, you are wrong. What starts out as a severe apartment fire turns out to have a much, much deeper meaning to a certain doctor. By the end of the episode, we find out that all that really happened was the last ten minutes; the rest was in Rollie's head. -Say WHAT?! That was totally unexpected.

Multiple patients are brought into Angels Memorial from the scene of an apartment fire, including a guilt-ridden daughter, a suicidal mother, a mother who's been separated from her twin babies and the possible culprit.

The first few moments of the episode are so chaotic that my heart truly felt like it was racing a marathon. You would think that after two seasons of Code Black, I would finally get used to those heart- pounding moments that they love to incorporate during the first few minutes of their episodes but I haven't.

Dr. Rollie Guthrie, played by the absolute amazing William Allen Young, left his position as the attending physician in the ER and took on the role as the hospital's chaplain due to his diagnosis of Parkinson's. Rollie, the longest-serving attending at Angels Memorial ER, is very gifted at connecting with patients and doctors alike and he enjoys taking people under his wing, often guiding them with meaningful anecdotes that illuminate complicated situations. He is endearing as hell. He is extremely wise and empathetic, so there is no doubt in my mind that he will excel in his new role.

So many cases occurred in this episode, but two cases were definitely very memorable: 1) A guilt-ridden daughter is brought in with her father. Before the fire broke out, the two were fighting. Lola, a talented church singer, wanted to head to New York to pursue a career on Broadway. Her father, Emmanuel, wanted her to stay in Los Angeles. It seems like a normal argument, one that is probably familiar with us since we've probably had them with our parents. Though our arguments probably weren't about something as extreme as moving across the country, but maybe they were about something small like going out with friends somewhere. Small things, probably. But what if some hateful words were the last things you ever said to them before they passed? What if the last thing your parents heard from you were of you denouncing the faith they so faithfully believed in? 2) What could possibly be the most heartbreaking case of the whole episode is of a mother who is separated from her twin babies. The little boy is found and brought in moments after his mother. However, the daughter was found trapped in a room full of smoke. All attempts to save the little one fail, as she unfortunately dies while in the hyperbaric chamber with Dr. Elliot Dixon. The desperation on not just Dr. Dixon's face but also Dr. Guthrie and Dr. Noa Kean's face while they tried to save the little girl's life made me cry so hard that I could barely see straight. But the mother's reaction is what really brought me to my knees. No words are required as I'm sure everyone watching could feel her pain.

But, stop right there. If you think that's the end of the episode ... you got another thing coming.

After multiple "open your eyes" prompts from Angels Memorial staff, we find out that Rollie did opt to do the Deep Brain Stimulation procedure. Turns out, our beloved Dr. Guthrie was in the O.R. this whole time. While "Fix You" by Coldplay played in the background, we were given a glimpse of Rollie's journey through life. The cases we saw were actually depictions of events that happened in his life: the death of his father, his children suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, the death of the female twin and the eventual death of his wife by suicide.

Rollie's estranged son, Dr. Cole Guthrie, appears at his fathers bedside and Rollie tearfully bares all to his son. He tells his son everything, including the fact he had a twin sister who died by carbon monoxide poisoning when they were just a year old. I sense that these two are on the road to recovery, physically and emotionally.

The whole cast and crew honestly deserve an Emmy for this series. Every episode never fails to bring me to tears. This particular episode, however, broke my heart. Though I cry like a baby every time I watch the episodes, I absolutely love this show with all of my heart. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I do. The writing is superb and the acting is impeccable. You feel emotionally connected to not just the doctors, but also the patients. I honestly thought Rollie had decided to "move on" when he walked through those double doors from that church and into the light. But when Rollie opened his eyes and saw Leanne and Ethan and the whole gang, I couldn't help the tears that ran down my cheeks like Niagara Falls.

Their choice of music is also remarkable. I would compare this episode's "Fix You" to Grey's Anatomy's "How To Save A Life". Ask any Grey's fan and they'll tell you that the two most significant scenes associated with The Fray's "How To Save A Life" were some of the most heartbreaking. I definitely feel that "Fix You" is the Code Black version of "How To Save A Life". This song not only represents sadness, but also hope. Rollie may have had a sad and dark past, but his future is full of hope and promise for a better relationship with his son and a second chance at being an ER physician.

Heartbreaking. Moving. Touching. Beautiful.

[sharonkelp · 10/10 · 4 July 2017]

I watch a lot of TV. If you're reading this, I assume you do too. It's hard to surprise us. By necessity, shows often follow a formula of sorts. There are thousands of tropes to trip across and try to make fresh. Things can come predictable.

That's what I was planning to say about Code Black Season 2 Episode 13. I mean, I was literally saying lines just before characters did. But just as I started mentally planning two thumbs down review, a miraculous thing happened: I was surprised. I mean, shell-shocked.

"Unfinished Business" would have been good no matter what, I'm sure. We got deep insight to a beloved doctor from a show that is typically more "trauma(s) of the week" than character-driven. But taking the mundane predictability and then turning it against viewers was genius. It was frustrating up until the big reveal, and in retrospect, that seems like a gamble. By having cases (and lines) be so foreseeable, how many people tuned out before the third act?

As previously discussed, ratings have been flagging. A shakeup was definitely needed, and I can only hope that the risk pays off and shocks Code Black off of life support.

Other than giving viewers a superbly innovative hour of television, "Unfinished Business" allowed the writers and actors to play with characters in a relatively safe space. Nothing other than the last 10 minutes or so really occurred. It was all just in Rollie's head.

Of course, this means that we should view all of the characters actions and behaviors as how Rollie sees his peers as well as himself. Was Noah treating baby Adira because he physically resembled Rollie, or because Rollie feels an existential kinship with the intern?

Angus and the senior attending have always had a close relationship, but the young squire was making pretty ineffectual arguments to suicidal Tracy. At the time, I was annoyed – ER docs should really have better skills to interact with the mentally ill. Especially Angus considering he majored in psychology back in the day. But was Angus' inability to relate to the patient Angus' inability, Rollie's perception of Angus' inability, or Rollie's own inability? As we digest Code Black S2 | E13, Inception level headaches loom. It's probably best not to over think it, but that's just not in a Fanatic's nature.

Outside of the sublime plotting of "Unfinished Business," I was absolutely tickled that Cress Williams returned. My only criticism would be that there maybe needed to be a "previously on" intro to jog the memory for some viewers. It may have given up the ghost, but newer or casual viewers need that connection for the story to be complete. The montage of scenes at the church in Rollie's head was beautiful but may have been confusing for those who don't obsessively remember minor details.

I hope that Williams' return isn't a one off. I don't expect to have him back as a regular anytime soon, but his departure from Code Black Season 1 was far too abrupt, and Rollie's recovery and their reconciliation opened the door for some more visits. We never did get a real resolution to his aborted romance with Leanne. And having him and Campbell in the same OR would be something – I can't decide if they'd get on like gangbusters or just continually posture at one another in some kind of territorial battle of wills.

If you only watched "Unfinished Business" once before deleting it from your DVR, I can't recommend that you watch Code Black online for a second time highly enough. You'll appreciate the writer's skills, even more, the second time around.

This was a brilliant episode. No doubt 10/10. Excellently written and brilliantly executed. I cannot believe how underrated this show is. It is a true shame.

Transcendent

[Bubble4 · 10/10 · 3 July 2017]

Wow. I am truly speechless. Michael Seitzman did it again! What a fantastic episode. Where do I begin? I suppose a few words to describe this episode would be . . . I don't know, transcendent, heart-wrenching, beautiful, tragic, but I still feel like those words do not do justice to how powerful this episode was.

I have never cried to a television show as much as I do to this one, but this episode did me in. There was not a dry eye in my house after we watched this episode. I have watched this show since the very beginning, and let me tell you, there have been some moving moments in this series, yet somehow, this episode blows them all out of the water. This episode will have you view your life, your morals, and your convictions. You will walk away with a life lesson that many of us need to embrace. This episode reminded us how important it is to take the time to appreciate your life, your friends, and most importantly, your family. Who knew television could be so powerful?

I did not see the twist with Cole coming. So many tears, darn it! "She was consumed by the death of the other; I couldn't handle the loss."

Great song choice at the end of the episode, too. That was the most powerful version of "Fix You" I have ever heard. Nothing like a choir to touch your heart and soul!

Also, this was a fantastic showcase for William Allen Young. William is a great actor but this just hit it out of the park! Bravo to him and all the excellent cast.

This is no doubt the best episode of the series. Very underrated in my humble opinion. Very, very well done.

Wow...

[iamkennylurch · 10/10 · 29 March 2018]

I actually haven't been following "Code Black" much in season 2. I was enjoying the first part and it was just getting really good but I stopped watching about halfway through the first season since my DVR stopped working. I have been meaning to start season 2, but only a few episodes were available on demand, so I have not found a way to watch it myself.

But ... When I was over at a friend's house, they suggested we watched an episode since they heard so much about it. I thought hey, why not- I'll watch with you.

All I can say is ... OMG! I am so sad I missed the last of season 1 and almost all of season 2! I have been missing so much! This episode was such an emotional thrill ride, but it only got 10x better when I realized what was happening. I have seen a lot of tv, and I don't usually write reviews or rate a whole lot, but I just had to say something about this one. It was by far one of the most powerful episodes of television I have seen in all my life.

To anyone watching for the first time - Turn off all cell phones. Stock up on the tissues. Get the blankets and snuggle up. Turn up the volume and watch. Watch very closely and pay attention to every detail, word, and action. The ending will be so worth it. It will likely be one of the most powerful things you have seen in any medical drama. You won't want to miss this.

Fortunately, my friends have been nice enough to lend their season 1 and season 2 discs for me to watch this summer and I really can't wait to see what I have been missing! I am so glad I will be up-to-date and can watch season 3 when it comes back to witness more great writing and acting.

Beautifully tragic episode ~ "Unfinished Business"

[miguelgoodman · 10/10 · 29 March 2018]

I don't have enough words to describe this absolutely amazing episode. All the sadness, hopefulness, truth, and the beauty...I just spent the whole hour amazed with what was surging on the screen. I needed the 4-minute commercial breaks to catch my breath. But then came the closing part...and everything I THOUGHT I knew was wrong. I don't think you'll see it coming. Just turn it on and watch. You will be amazed.

I am so glad I kept watching this show. It is totally worth watching. It absolutely surprises me how underrated this series is.

Just perfect. Thank you, writers, for this beautiful story of tragedy, pain, sadness, and truth.

Yes. It was THAT good.

[smileymcqueen911 · 10/10 · 26 April 2018]

For people wondering about whether or not this episode is as good as everyone says it is, I'm here to say: it really is. Everyone should watch this show. It's great storytelling, great acting, and great music. I'll forever be impacted by the song that played at the ending. I'll have to look to see what it was, but I know that I absolutely love it!

Still the best episode!

[pinchloopy · 10/10 · 26 April 2018]

I can watch this episode 10 times in a row and I still feel like I might miss something. It was so intricate and perfectly constructed. It really amazes me every time. Just absolutely beautiful. I'm telling you . . . Michael S. is a genius!

Very impressive and emotional episode

[MrMischievous333 · 10/10 · 29 March 2018]

As I have been enjoying season 2 of CODE BLACK, there were some hints on previous episodes that leaded towards where Rollie's story will go, so you kind of expect at least something to happen, but the way it is presented is truly heartbreaking and breathtaking. I really missed the mark on it, though. The truth is you can't see this coming. You really can't.

I really have no intentions on spoiling it, but you might want to expect some killer dialogs, gasps of surprise by what some say and do, and a GREAT ending for the episode. I so want to see what's next! I love this show more and more. It quickly became one of my all-time favorites. This episode didn't fall short of my expectations, just like most of them don't with this show.

"Unfinished Business" brings this show to new heights!

[haha_itsfred01 · 10/10 · 26 April 2018]

(I know I'm really late with reviewing this, but...)

I was catching up with Code Black last night before the season 3 premiere, and I am still amazed with this episode. I can't get it off my mind. This episode is incredibly powerful. It really took my breath away. I don't think I am being too bold when I say this is the best episode of the series. I hate that I am late to the game, but you know what they say...better late than never!

A return to greatness for Code Black

[viralstyle000 · 10/10 · 26 April 2018]

Unlike most, I was having a hard time getting into season 2 of Code Black. There would be a few great episodes here and there, but other than that, for me, it was a little tired. But now I take that back. I am so impressed.

This episode was a return to greatness for Code Black. We saw episodes of this intense nature all throughout season 1 and it's what we came to know and love. Season 1 was amazing, and I can now say that season 2 also was. This may very well have been the best episode of this show. I really enjoyed it. It matched the intensity and storytelling that we saw in season 1, but ended with a twist that brings this show to new levels. Good work.

Grey's Anatomy should take some notes.

[fuddyduddy-08443 · 10/10 · 6 July 2017]

We start with Guthrie as he talks with Campbell. It turns out he will become the chaplain for the hospital. Campbell questions him about the surgery and if he will do it, as he is a good candidate and he might not be soon enough. Guthrie declines.

Out in the ER, we have an apartment fire and the families are coming in. It looks like Malaya is back also, as her suspension has concluded. There is a lady screaming and in restraints, looking for a baby. There is an angry man, who we later learn is the landlord, that comes in and he is looking for a kid too, as the kid started the fire and burned down his building. Another guy had a heart attack, but Willis said there is not time and he needs surgery. They have to reset his daughter's foot and tell him they are taking him up to the OR. They found the one lady's baby. She is speaking Arabic (if I'm not mistaken), but Willis understands "babies" and there are two of them, so another one is missing.

Guthrie is on the phone looking for the other baby. Lola freaks out and says she needs to see her father. She said they fought and she does not want the last thing she said to him to be this. Willis said he'll check and tells someone to get an update, but Lola said she wants him and Willis to tell him she is sorry. Guthrie tells Leanne that they found the other baby and they are bringing them now. They are alive, but unresponsive. A translator for the mom asked if they want her to tell the mom and Leanne said not now.

Jared comes in. LL said is the kid that burned his building down. Jared's dad comes and the owner said his dad always leaves him alone, forcing him to cook, which sets the alarm wkly. The LL said the dad's neglect did this and if anyone dies, it is on him. The kid is saying he did not do this.

Another lady is admitted for overdose. Malaya is trying to revive her. Lola has crashed also, so she's sent to the OR. The other baby comes in and they take her to a chamber. Elliot is working on the baby and freaking out, as Guthrie gives him instructions from outside the chamber. Noa is there also to help out, as the baby reaches asystole and he needs to do CPR. He keeps trying, but no luck and Guthrie said he has to call time of death. Elliot does not want to, but he does and wants out of the chamber. They have to decompress it, so he has to wait an hour. Guthrie said he wished he could have helped, as he is crying and shaking.

Elliot is still in the chamber and now Guthrie has to go see someone, so Noa said she'll stay with Elliot. Angus is now talking to another mother, who has scars on her wrists. She tried to kill herself, but the pills she took slowed her breathing and she couldn't inhale as much smoke. Her trying to kill herself actually saved her life, so she needs to take this and enjoy life with her son as Angus explains.

Lola is out of surgery and she talks with Willis. It seems her father is a preacher and she said she wants to go to NY and perform on Broadway. Her dad said if she wants to sing, sing for God. She said they fought and he needs to know she is sorry, which Willis said he'll take her up in ten minutes.

Leanne talks w/ the mom again but she does not want to hold her child.

Guthrie goes to the preacher father, as he needs someone to pray with. Guthrie said he is scared. The father asked if he believes in God and Guthrie said yes. The father said he has nothing to worry about then. The father starts coughing up blood and his vitals drop and he has to go back to the OR. We learn he dies. Now Willis has to tell Lola about her father's death. She is unhappy, as Willis was too busy for her and he promised her. She now thinks her father will never know how she feels. Willis said that is not true, but Lola tells him to leave.

Guthrie talks w/ Elliot and said this is his calling and if he quits, he'll regret it. Angus checks on the mother who tried to commit suicide. She is covered in her own blood, as she attempted suicide. They are working on her and then they show Guthrie, who is in his own world it appears. All of a sudden we hear everyone telling Guthrie to open his eyes. He then opens his eyes and appears to be in the OR and had the surgery.

In the OR, Leanne asks him some questions, which he answered before the surgery. As it turns out, it looks like the entire episode was a reflection on Guthrie's personal life. Being married and losing a baby to carbon monoxide. His father being a preacher. His wife killing herself.

This whole episode was in Guthrie's head and based on his surgery. He finally wakes up from surgery and everyone is there. Guthrie talks about his son not being there, but turns his head to see Cole. Guthrie tells his son the whole story of having a twin that died. He said he could not handle losing his daughter and his wife was struggling and he saw it, but couldn't help her. He said he failed his son, but his son said he didn't fail him and he loves him too.

Never have I seen such a powerful episode of television. I never post written reviews here, but this is worthy.

Television as it should be

[jameswill221 · 10/10 · 6 July 2017]

I don't wish to spoil this episode, because it is a very powerful, must-see episode of the series. I just want to share my thoughts on the matter.

This episode was very well-done. It was written beautifully. The actors did a stellar job. It was executed perfectly--whoever directed it is very gifted at what they do. Never have I seen an episode of television as powerful as this one. This is legendary. Code Black did it again. They never fail to amaze me. This show is going from strength to strength with each week. I love the show so much and it is such a gift to be able to see something like this. It was just perfect!

It's a 10 for me

[wealthy_zebra · 10/10 · 26 April 2018]

I have never cried so much to a simple television show. Never in my life. This show is so powerful. I am never disappointed. My breath is always taken away. Always. It's a 10 for me.

Quietly brilliant.

[adam_01 · 10/10 · 4 July 2017]

What makes and has made CBS's Code Black an elite program on television is how it always strives to be more. It's more than just about who lives and who dies, more intense than any other medical drama, more thought-provoking than most dramas of any genre. "Unfinished Business" is about that more – not just the medical tragedy of the week but everything that goes with it.

The episode opens with Rollie (William Allen Young) having a discussion with Dr. Will Campbell (Boris Kodjoe) about the surgery he declined last week, while also formally assuming his new role as the Angels Memorial chaplain. No sooner have they finished talking, the ER gets hit with victims from an apartment fire. But can Rollie get used to not helping them, at least physically?

As is par for the course on Code Black the opening sequence is pure chaos. Not only in handling patients, but one woman insists she's missing a baby and another man tells the staff that the fire was arson.

The baby is found alive but unresponsive. One of the most heartbreaking scenes of the season, if not the series, is Rollie watching helplessly as it dies after an unprepared Dr. Elliot Dixon (Noah Gray- Cabey) is stuck trying to save it by himself – and then is stuck in the hyperbaric chamber with the dead baby for an hour until it decompresses.

Back on the floor, Jared (Tyler Young) admits to Dr. Mario Savetti (Benjamin Hollingsworth) that he was playing with fireworks and blames himself for the deaths of the baby and everyone else.

But there aren't just physical injuries involved. Col. Ethan Willis (Rob Lowe) tries to help a young woman who fought with her father over wanting to move to New York for her singing career before the blaze broke out, and Dr. Angus Leighton (Harry Ford) tries to help a single mother whose suicide attempt was foiled by the fire, calling it "a second chance if I have ever seen one."

So it's up to the Angels Memorial staff to heal not only people's medical injuries but their needs that have nothing to do with their bodies. As we have seen already in Code Black, medicine isn't just about science.

The father of Willis' patient, who happens to be a man of the church, asks for the chaplain and so he and Rollie are able to comfort each other about their respective painful experiences. But just after they have that moment, Emmanuel dies, preventing his daughter from apologizing to him.

Rollie carries that with him as he goes to see Elliot, who has been liberated from the chamber but is still freaked out over what has happened. He declares that he's quitting, but Rollie won't let him -

saying that his empathy is what makes medicine his calling.

Just as Jared confesses to the accidental arson, the landlord who accused him comes back and admits that it was actually faulty wiring that did the building in. Then Angus's patient makes a new attempt to end her life, and it's as they're trying to save her again that we realize Rollie is actually in the operating room.

He consented to the surgery a week ago and we can all enjoy Coldplay's "Fix You" while we realize that the rest of the episode was all in his head. Emmanuel, the pastor, was his father and all the other cases were representing various moments in his life. Wow, what a nice fake-out there, Mr. Michael Seitzman!

Once that cat is out of the bag, we see that Rollie has made it through the surgery and that he'll be back to being a doctor. And Cole (Cress Williams) is right there by his father's bedside, so Rollie decides that this is the time to tell him that he had a twin sister he's never known about, who died from carbon monoxide poisoning. The accident was what broke their family apart. If you're not crying at this point...you're not human.

The episodes of any show written by series creators are always a little bit more special because they are crafted by the person who knows the world and the characters better than anyone. This is the genius of Michael Seitzman, and it's essentially his love letter to Rollie Guthrie and William Allen Young. It's a two-man show of the finest order.

We've seen episodes of TV before where it turns out things are all in somebody's head, but those usually come with really obvious hints like certain fuzzy camera-work or people behaving strangely. Seitzman plays it completely straight until it's time to make the reveal and so we're completely sucked into the medical drama and then it all makes sense.

And William Allen Young, who has, for so long, served as a rock for this ensemble, gives the episode his all and creates one of his strongest performances. The scene between him and Cress Williams is worth the price of admission alone and leaves us wanting more.

Episodes like this are why Code Black deserves a full-season order, and why we need it in our lives. It's not just a TV show for entertainment value. It's a TV show that actively makes us experience and question and start crying like small children, and those shows don't come around very often. This series always aspires to more and as a result, it's become more. It's in a complete class of its own. This was a brilliant episode and I feel that an 8.8/10 rating on IMDb does not do it justice. It is no doubt a 10/10. This is must-see television. This is moving, meaningful, and beautiful. This is unsurpassable - this is something unlike any other TV show. Very, very well done.

Guthrie's Decision to Undergo Surgery for Parkinson's

[arimdb-50528 · 10/10 · 6 July 2017]

"Code Black" Season 2 has delivered yet another emotional episode in January 2017.

In episode 13, "Unfinished Business," Guthrie (William Allen Young) makes a difficult decision whether or not to treat his Parkinson's. In the previous episode, the staff at Angels Memorial discovered that he was suffering from the serious illness when it became next to impossible for him to tend to one of his patients. At the time, the heads of the hospital contemplated on firing the much older staff. But in the end, they decided to give him a new position as the hospital chaplain.

Meanwhile, treatment for Parkinson's is considered to be very risky. Guthrie will have to consider all the pros and cons of the surgery. While doing so, he receives some advice from the other doctors, particularly Dr. Leanne Rorish (Marcia Gay Harden). A series of flashbacks from Guthrie's childhood also were included.

Elsewhere, the residents at Angels Memorial treat patients who are victims of an apartment fire. "Unfinished Business" will saw the guest appearances of Lance Irwin as a fire department chief, Brandon Brown as young Guthrie, Aiden Berryman as child Guthrie and more.

Groundbreaking!!

[emilyharden3789 · 10/10 · 4 July 2017]

In "Unfinished Business," as per the CBS synopsis, "Guthrie becomes the hospital's new chaplain and considers undergoing a risky surgery to treat his Parkinson's. Meanwhile, the doctors treat patients involved in an apartment fire."

This is definitely one episode that you don't want to miss.

Guthrie was back at the hospital. He had realized that he could still help the others by providing counsel for the many doctors that come through Angeles Memorial and Campbell hadn't had a problem with Guthrie coming back on board. Campbell had given Guthrie the new rules that come with his position and he also had some advice for the other doctor. Campbell had told Guthrie that the experimental surgery could still be done and that Guthrie might even see some improvements with his condition. But Guthrie was fine as a chaplain. He felt that he could still do some good and he was welcomed back by the others as the friend he is to them.

The hospital was treating victims of a mass casualty fire. The mother, for one, had refused to calm down until she saw her children, though the doctors had unfortunate news for her. Her baby son was found and he was fine. Yet, it had taken the firefighters to find her daughter and the baby had been unresponsive by then. She had been left in smoke for too long and was suffering from carbon monoxide. So, Guthrie had tried to help Elliot treat the baby and it had been hard for him not to step in. Guthrie had trusted Elliot with the job of reviving Adira because he knew the other man could do it if he put everything into reviving and so it was only Elliot that was standing in his own way.

Elliot didn't trust himself and the baby had died despite his best efforts, and breaking the news to the mother had been hard for Dr. Rorish. Dr. Rorish had lost her own family and she never would have wanted to tell another mother that their child was dead. Though she did her job and the other woman fell apart. The mother had wanted to believe that Dr. Rorish was wrong about her daughter and then she had broken down when she realized that nothing was going to bring the baby back.

So the kid that was being blamed for starting the fire had heard the mother's screams and that had changed things for him. Jared had been suffering horrible burn wounds when he came into the hospital and it hadn't taken long before the landlord honed in on him. The landlord had had blamed Jared for everything that happened, however, Jared wasn't the only one that the landlord blamed. The landlord had also blamed Jared's father, Devon, who he accused of always working and leaving his son alone to fend for himself. But Jared had initially denied causing the fire. He told his dad it hadn't been him and had maintained that lie right up until he heard Rima cry out for her daughter.

Jared had heard her screams and that's when it hit him that he caused the death of people he used to see in the building. However, Jared had chosen to confess to Mario. He had told Mario that he had been messing around with a few of those firecrackers and that he hadn't thought that it was dangerous. So the landlord had been right. Jared had gotten up to something stupid while his father was at work, yet Mario had told Jared that he should tell his father what he did and that hadn't been a pleasant experience. Jared's father had flipped out because he thought his son had killed people with his stupidity and was concerned about what would happen to Jared.

Yet, Jared had later been told that he hadn't started the fire. The fire had originated in the basement because of faulty wiring so the landlord had apologized to both Jared and Devon for accusing them of being responsible for what happened. So Jared and Devon had chosen to let bygones be bygones. Devon had realized that he was neglecting his son and that he hadn't know what his teenager was getting up to though something strange happened to Guthrie at the hospital. Guthrie had been counseling people at the hospital and he had even dealt with a pastor that had passed away. And who's daughter was reportedly looking for him.

Guthrie had been with these people that had needed help one second and had woken up in the O.R. the next. Guthrie had apparently agreed to the surgery and all the patients that had allegedly been in the hospital from the fire had been people he had met in the past and he had remembered them in his hallucination. Though Guthrie had woken up after the surgery to see his son Cole at his bedside and he had finally told Cole what really happened to their family. He told Cole that he had been a twin and that a carbon monoxide leak had made both of the babies unresponsive. So Guthrie had decided to work on Cole first and he had got his son breathing again, but Lola couldn't be revived and Guthrie hadn't known how to handle the loss.

He had been so consumed by the child he lost that he hadn't been able to help his wife who had also been grieving and who had committed suicide because she didn't know how to handle the pain. So Guthrie had apologized to his son. He told Cole that he had failed him and strangely enough Cole hadn't thought that way. He told his father that he hadn't failed him and the two were finally able to move on from that pain.

All in all, such a fantastic episode. By far my favorite. The best of the best.

Totally 10/10

[hanisami · 10/10 · 22 October 2018]

This is one of the most powerful episodes of any show I've ever watched.

Everything is amazing:

The set-up over the previous episode is just about to put you behind the doorstep for the big reveal, the build-up through different struggles that makes tethered to the screen, the synchronous climaxing of the plot and your feelings with it, the plot per se and all the vague circumstances that leave you wondering, the emotional attachment, the music and the crescendo coupling of events and musical background, the moment of reveal and the quick immersion with the truth, the discovery you make at the end that has something to do with that things we stumble upon in life somehow affects or are affected by us!

It's a journey that takes you on a roller coaster of emotions and brings the best the show has to offer. It's one of those times that call for your tears and shock you with revelations. Sad and joyful at the same time.

All of these points make this episode a "one in a million" and a "must-watch" I'm totally in love with this particular episode to the extent that I'm sure I'll revisit it over and over.

Emmy Worthy Episode

[zyqnubyie · 10/10 · 3 December 2021]

I consider, myself a lover of great TV but there are episodes in certain shows that stand out. That allow the actor to tap into something that only the exceptional have, this episode does that for William Allen Young.

This episode and the performance by Mr Young is up there with Martin Sheen in the West Wing Episode Two Cathedrals.

I cry every time I watch this episode, no matter how long it may be. It's Tv at its finest!!!!

Emotional

[ellalancashire · 10/10 · 8 May 2021]

Wow. Just wow. The set-up is incredible and the ending left me in tears. It's so clever how the " fire " is actually Guthrie's story.

Just a Dream--Taught us about pain, love, life. Made us think.

[JoeKline77391 · 10/10 · 6 July 2017]

Re-watched this episode a few times now, each time, learn something new & pick up things I didn't before. #2.13 would've been the finale if they had not have ordered the 3 additional episodes. Very good.

Let down by the 1st scene, though- writers made mistake. Can't just become hospital chaplain. Training that goes into it (2-5 years before someone can counsel). By the 3rd act...didn't matter- was just a dream. Dots started to connect. Everything started to make sense and the dialogue became more fitting because it told a story. Rollie's story. There were painfully ambiguous moments. Ones where we had to decide what happens.

In C.S., Rollie stood on the outskirts of the TR, when all of a sudden, everyone look his way- oddly stopped what they were doing & said, "Rollie, open your eyes. Open your eyes, Rollie. Open your eyes." Utterly confused until finally, Rollie opens his eyes & he is the OR next to Leanne. Right then, I understood.

We see OR, where Coldplay's "Fix You" plays on iPod. He is in a twilight sleep & Leanne asks him questions that he answered prior so they don't venture to areas of the brain they shouldn't.

We're taken to church, where Rollie's father, Emmanuel, says "Humans want answers. But the kind of answers you need don't come with photographic evidence. They require you to believe in something that you can't see." We're back to OR where the monitor beeps erratically. Speech is muffled, so we're not ]sure what's wrong with him. Rollie walks down the isle of the church, looking and listening to his father "-that's why we call it faith; otherwise, we'd call it proof." Younger Rollie sits in the pew when his father asks his thoughts. "I guess it's okay," he responds. His father, surprised by his response, says, "It's okay? It's just okay?" Both smile at each other. Rollie talks to Paula's father again, explaining that he is scared. "Do you believe in god, son?" Rollie responds "Yes" to Paula's father, Emmanuel, who is also a pastor. "Then there's nothing to fear." Emmanuel coughs blood. We flash to when Rollie was younger. "Daddy?" He's holding his hand but lets go. We see little Rollie at his father's funeral. Older Rollie sits next to him. "Now you pick up your head, Dr. Dixon." We cut back to the scene we saw earlier, where Rollie reassures Elliot after he considers quitting. Dr. Dixon asks, "Why do you keep calling me that?" Young Rollie says "My name is Rollie. Rollie Guthrie." Older Rollie looks around, confused. Younger Rollie's with his wife, getting married. Rollie attends his daughter's funeral, looking at the tiny coffin, we see a heartbroken look across his face. Rollie looks to his wife, who's holding baby Cole. Willis explains to Leanne that the babies're twins, in which we finally understand Cole had a twin sister who died from carbon monoxide poisoning. Jesse tells Leanne "We are lucky we were able to save the one." Leanne says, "But she's consumed by the death of the other." Rollie remembers wife says "He left me alone when I needed him the most." Rollie remembers Malaya suggesting "Maybe you could go talk to him." "No," he says. "Why not?" Malaya says. "Because I'm on a plane right now. I wasn't here." The landlord we saw with the Jared earlier says "You left him alone. Now people are dead. This is on you, Rollie." We then see Elliot covered the dead baby w/ blanket, when he breaks down in tears. Rollie's back at daughter's funeral, looks at the congregation, all singing "Fix You" as he walks out the door of the church. He awakes. "Welcome back," Willis says. "Rollie, you did great!" Leanne exclaims. He looks around and says "So none of it was real? I'm not the hospital chaplain?" Confused, Leanne says "Chaplain? We don't have a chaplain." "You're a doctor, Rollie. You always will be." He looks for Cole. Everyone leaves them alone. "There's something you don't know, son. You had a twin, Cole. She was your sister. Her name was Lola." Cole suggests he calms down. "No-no-no-no, listen, listen," he protests. "I have to tell you. She died when you were just one year old. We never told you. It was a terrible tragedy, Cole." Cole's confused. Angry. Heartbroken. Taken-aback. "I had come home late from the hospital. I went in to check on both of you. But neither one of you were breathing. It was a carbon monoxide leak." Cole says now's not the time, but Rollie continues anyway. "I got the two of you and your mother outside. I started CPR on you first, and you finally woke up. But when I reached for Lola, she was ice cold. Cole, I tried to save her, I-I-I did. But I was too late. Your mother loved you, son. But the loss of your sister was just too much for her to handle. She..." he stops, thinks. "No...no. That wasn't the whole truth." He remembers when Jesse explained how lucky they're to save the one, but this time, it isn't Leanne standing next to Jesse, it's Rollie. "I was consumed by the death of the other," he says. He comes to the realization, "It-it was me, Cole. I was the one that couldn't handle the loss." Cole's face is crossed with absolute devastation. "Your mother was struggling, and I knew it. But I couldn't help her..." A solitary tear rolls down Cole's face. "...because I couldn't help myself," he continues. He sobs, "I'm so sorry, son. I'm so sorry. I love you more than anything, but I failed you...I failed you." "No, you didn't fail me, dad," Cole says. "You didn't fail me. It's okay. I love you too. And I am here now." "I love you, son," Rollie cries. "I love you too," Cole says ... Much to digest in one episode. Cannot believe how emotional. Excellent- 10/10.

I'm shook!!!

[byendn76668 · 10/10 · 26 April 2018]

I think everything that comes to my mind has already been said, but wow. I am SHOOK! LIKE HOLY SHOOKETH! T

his episode was just perfect! There is a lot to be said about this show, and even more to be said about this episode. I love everything about it!!!

One of the BEST episodes of ANY show

[superkaboby · 10/10 · 9 June 2022]

I have seen around 50-60 shows in their entirety (I have no life), and this episode is the first one I've watched that I rewatched immediately after finishing. I cried both times. This episode, and this show, are so incredibly well written and the acting in this episode is incredible. 10/10.