Reviews

A Beautiful and Painful Journey of Acceptance in Episode 11

Family honor, expectations, and shame linger in every corner of life. For many of us, coming out is not about freedom but about risking everything, even the love of the people who raised us. In Asian culture, where family expectations run so deep, it can feel almost impossible to be honest about who you are.That is why I loved this episode so much. Seeing Kanade Shinichiro’s mum and sister be so supportive, welcoming, and happy for him was truly moving. Their acceptance felt like a rare light in a world where rejection is often the first fear.So many people were angry at the dad in the last episode, but if you put yourself in his place, it makes sense. He caught his son kissing another man, and it was a shock. Instead of explaining, Kanade Shinichiro reacted with anger and shouted at his dad. It was painful, but also very human. That is why I am so glad that in this episode they finally had a proper conversation while walking together. The words, the honesty, and the way it tied in with the childhood flashback broke me. It was raw, emotional, and painfully real.Episode 11 was beautiful in its realism. It showed both the struggle and the hope of being accepted. Now I am looking forward to the final episode next week, though my heart is still heavy from this one.

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Stillbirth and accepting possible defects

This was such an emotional journey this episode. Two mothers are on bed rest for duration of time remaining in pregnancy. One has two other children and the other is her first. Dr Konotori was hit with unexplained tragedy. The mother had done everything right and all prior checkups were normal. With no warning or reason little Akari died in utero. It was so sad to see her deliver a stillborn, but so beautiful how the staff embraced her and gave dignity to their family. It was heart wrenching and beautiful at the same time. She was their first child and will always hold a special place. The other mother was heartbroken for her roommate when she found out. She was also given a gift from her. There was such beauty and grace in how these families were presented. Another family had to have an emergency c-section. The boy had heart problems that needed surgery but the dad was not inclined. He openly stated that no surgery to save his life was needed. Dr Shaniya was shaken with this development because she later realized that by focusing on the babt]y, she had disregarded the parents’ wishes. She wrote a letter to apologize and the mom came to NICU.she let the doctor know they did not blame her for her decision and were ready to discuss the needed surgery. I was bawling my eyes out this episode, but in spite of the tragedy, there is so much love and hope. The music as always lovingly embellished the story.

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Natural birth vs c-section

This episode featured the mom that had a c-section and for second child wants to try natural. She is struggling as a new parent because she has mentally decided that the level of pain in childbirth equates to level of love for child. The child is stubborn and willful so she is unhappy with how she and daughter get along. Even the father noticed when he paid attention.😝 Her disposition was much better just thinking about it. Ultimately, since they could not induce when she stalled progressing, she finally accepted that a c-section is ok. This was first episode they did not say which gender newborn was. 😝 The chief of NICU is struggling due to lack of staff. The new kid is getting ready to move from ob/gyn to there and hopefully will be more interested. The Iron Lady did not return, but the new one from last season is doing a good job picking up the slack. So the question is which is better, to lack staff but have dedicated personnel, or have the right number of personnel needed but they are lackluster in job performance?

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Post partum depression and believing silly myths

This episode had flashbacks to a young mother that committed suicide. Dr Konotori still has much guilt about her. The career mom was showing same symptoms. Dr Komatsu was frustrated because she wanted to get the woman help and didn’t care about protocol. The husband and mother 😝they could not have been more thoughtless. 🤬 He’s getting pats on the back about what a wonderful dad he is but he’s never home. His wife is losing herself. Her career has been put on hold and they moved on with her project with new people. Her hair is falling out and she feels completely isolated. Her baby is growing well and the hole in her heart is healing. Things should be happy but they aren’t. Dr Shinomiya talks her down from the ledge. He tells her she is suffering from depression, but she can heal with proper assistance. The staff embrace her cause and talk with her. She is encouraged to join a new moms group. Her husband gets a chat about his lack of help and he promises to be more hands on with the baby. I hope he comes through. There is another young couple where the wife has a heart condition. Special arrangements are made for the birth to be as calm and painless as possible. She comes in ever week with some silliness about how she should dress or eat based on silly myths and nonsense. She is finally talked down and has the baby. She also admits the myths were nonsense. These two are very young but hopefully will use brains better once baby is home. The episode ends with an emergency birth due to high blood pressure. The new staff member didn’t bring it to the attention of the doctors and was flippant about it. Dr Shimoya slapped him across the face and we all were with her. He deserved it. 😝

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Cervical cancer and post partum depression

This episode has a young couple expecting. The mother felt baby move for first time and they are very excited. She learned she had cervical cancer and had to decide how long to keep baby in womb or even if continue pregnancy. The treatment required a radical hysterectomy so this would be their only chance for a pregnancy. Dr Konotori knows his mother passed because she refused treatment for her cancer. His third orphanage mom reminded him that his mother really wanted to raise him with her own two hands. He decided 28 weeks would give mother and child best chance. Their daughter is very tiny in NICU, but the mother’s test came back negative after the surgery. Dr Shinomiya declares them both lucky. He always chooses to play devil’s advocate, and he brings up reasonable arguments. But he also smiled when they couldn’t see him. The career mom from last season is answering fine to all questions but something is off. Dr Komatsu had her fill out a survey about difficulties as a new mom and encourages her to come to them for guidance and assistance. The end of the episode shows her severely depressed and on roof ledge at hospital. The episode pushed hpv vaccines. Vaccinations are important, but some must weigh the risks to the benefits.

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A Unique take on Vampires

Warning- May contain some spoilers!This is a beautiful love-story of Ramil Soleil Jonoel, the last vampire of the pure-blooded lineage called the Jonoels; and Punn Winnala, a human who owns an antique shop. The Vampires are being hunted by a group of human beings who lost their loved ones to vampires in the past, called the Hunters. Ramil was sealed in a painting for a century by Mother of all demons, Lilith, who was summoned by a group of rebel vampires who didn't want Ramil to be their King as he doesn't allow vampires under his rule to suck human blood, he doesn't like hurting them. The curse would be only lifted when the blood of Ramil's eternal lover touches his painting, and with the utterance of his name, Ramil breaks free. He is powerless, but he had split his powers and had given to his three servants (whom he considers as his own brothers)- Methus (Power of Super-speed), Ciar (Transformation power- he can transform into a Raven), Mekhin (Healing powers). Ramil has to perform a ritual to restore these powers so that he can ascend the throne and protect the vampires from the hunters and put an end to this. But Ramil also has the ultimate power of mind-reading and manipulation. There are many more twists and mysteries that are yet to unfold so I will leave it here. I want you to go in with an open mind and I am sure that you will enjoy this! 💗

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Life when baby comes home from hospital

Season two shifts our view a bit. Dr Konotori is on a remote island helping his mentor for his ‘holiday’. Baby has a new wig. And we now see how the new parents deal with baby at home. There is a new resident in NICU and we are introduced to a deaf couple having a baby. Nobody could really sign so here new resident helps a lot shuffling cards for her to read. They seemed a bit fearful their child could hear. The grandparents are not enthused with them having children when neither can hear. It was nice to see the effort the staff went to to try to make them as comfortable as possible. A career oriented couple wants their baby to fit into their busy schedules. She wants to have it all mapped out. Their plan is shot to hell when they learn their child has a hole in her heart. It is fixable, but has to wait til she’s older. The baby cries a lot and the mom is freaking because she is doing an internet deep dive into her daughter’s condition. The dad says he will be supportive, but so far, it hasn’t fit into his work schedule. The mom has added guilt because her pet project at work has been handed to a colleague to handle and neither is happy with that situation. On the island, Dr Konotori got to see first hand how to make do with limited medical facilities. His mentor wants to inspire him to help at their clinic. Dr Shinomiya is as charming and smiling as ever.😝 He has already told ‘jr’ resident to stay out of his way. Dr Konotori is back, but it seems his thoughts have not completely left the island. They had a 2 yr checkup with Naoto, the trisomy 16 baby. And after seeing struggles of career moms, Dr Shamayo wonders if she can be both mom and doctor. She is most happy to be out of resident status and officially a doctor. Music is more orchestral than piano but still very enjoyable.

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