As the episode begins, we’re introduced to Dr. Ruby Walker (Amrita Acharia). We see that Ruby is having a terrible time at home. She splits with her boyfriend and gets into trouble at work. Ruby sees an ad in a magazine about working in India. She decides to take the offer. Moments later, Ruby lands in India and is quickly introduced to AJ Nair (Sagar Radia). AJ drives Ruby reckless towards the hospital. Ruby is surprised by what she sees. She explains that the Good Karma Hospital doesn’t look like the hospital in the advertisement. She is quickly told that things change. Seconds later, she is introduced to Dr. Lydia Fonseca (Amanda Redman). Ruby is given a tour of the hospital and told that they do not have access to expensive tools or drugs. Lydia makes it clear that they do not need a lazy British doctor.

Ruby learns that she is stuck at the public hospital for a year. Then, Ruby is introduced to Ram Nair (Darshan Jariwala) and Dr. Gabriel Varma (James Floyd). AJ gives Ruby her belongings. Nair seems willing to invite Ruby in with open arms. Varma does not. Ruby calls and complains about her situation, but it doesn’t help. Then, Varma explains that they are responsible for dealing with all of the patients’ problems. Mari (Nimmi Harasgama) is introduced to Ruby. She also receives her outfit. Ruby quickly discovers that the hospital is understaffed. A few seconds later, Ruby is caring for her first patient. It is a young boy, who tries to flirt with her. Atul (Ritwik Sahore) introduces Ruby to his brother, Sanjay (Induwara Hanchapola). Atul suggests he will see Ruby later. Meanwhile, Lydia tries to encourage Varma to help Ruby rise to the challenge. Again, he doesn’t seem interested. Seconds later, Varma tells Ruby that Atul is a drug dealer.

He also explains that Atul was beaten. Then, the hospital gets a pregnant woman. Ruby is put in charge of watching her, while Varma leaves. The husband doesn’t seem thrilled to have Ruby in charge. Nita (Palomi Ghosh) explains that they’re going to name the baby Raja after his daddy. They’re also hoping for their first boy. Ram takes Lydia to see Greg McConnell (Neil Morrissey). Greg has a business proposal for Lydia. He shows her an ambulance with her picture on the back. He wants to use her image to promote his products. Lydia refuses. Varma rushes to a wedding, where a woman has fainted. Varma meets with Maggie (Phyllis Logan) a short time later. Nita goes into labor. Ruby and Mari are forced to handle the delivery. It goes off without a hitch. Raja is not happy to find out that the child is a girl. He speaks with Lydia in private and complains that she told him it would be a boy.

Lydia explains her reasoning to Ram. She admits to lying to Raja, because they were contemplating an abortion. Varma learns that Maggie is suffering from a brain tumor. He tells her that her husband would want to know. Ruby learns about Raja and his taxi firm. Lydia explains that Raja needed a son. Ruby is congratulated for the successful delivery. Ruby learns that they will not be finished, until all of the patients are cleared. She goes to work right away. Once she has finished, she returns to Nita and the baby. They speak about the beauty of babies. Moments later, it is discovered that the baby is suffering from a severe congenital heart defect. It needs a specialist and surgery. Nita insists she will need to speak with Raja first. Finally, Ruby is shown to her sleeping quarters. She settles right in and relaxes a bit. Maggie tells Paul (Philip Jackson) that there is something she needs to tell him. Later, we learn that Lydia is having a sexual relationship with Greg.

Next, Ruby finds Atul and Sanjay stabbed on the street. Both are rushed to the hospital right away.  Ruby is forced to make a tough choice. She allows Sanjay to be treated first. Then, she is unable to find Atul’s vein. Varma enters and ridicules Ruby’s choices. He shouts that the boy needs O negative and not saline. While Sanjay survives, Atul passes away. Varma continues ridiculing Ruby, until Lydia interrupted. Ruby decides to back up her belongings and leave. However, Lydia manages to talk her out of it. Ruby puts on her white jacket and heads back into the hospital. She spots Raja and Nita arguing. She takes the baby and puts it in Raja’s arms. This convinces Raja to keep the baby and get the surgery. Ruby learns that they’re going to name the toddler after her.

 

The Good Karma Hospital Review

The Good Karma Hospital started off on a good note. It isn’t a homerun, but it was good enough to keep me entertained from start to finish. It has a good foundation and enough potential to be good in the future. It cannot compete with Indian Summers at this point, but it may get better with time. I thought Amrita Acharia did a great job for the role. Amanda Redman was a little awkward at first, but I think she’ll grow on me with time.

As long as it doesn’t get too cliché, The Good Karma Hospital could be good. This episode scores a 6.5 out of 10.