‘This Is Going to Hurt’ Recap: ‘Episode 2’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘This Is Going to Hurt’. To revisit the series premiere, clickhere.
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One of the toughest lessons we will ever have to learn in life… is that we are going to make a bevy of mistakes as we continue on our journey, and we have to let them go and face the consequences they bring forth be them small or large. And what makes that so difficult to deal with and learn, is the sheer fact that our species expects perfection. As a society and as an individual. For we are self-aware enough to know we can be better, and we can achieve perfection if only for a moment, and that motivates us to strive for it and to do otherwise will put us in a tough place mentally. Wherein we use negative reinforcement to ensure we don’t screw up like that ever again.
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But it is the self-loathing aspect of making mistakes that truly hammers home the lesson. Because when we hang onto the goof for an extended period of time and beat ourselves up over what we’ve done… we can cause great harm to our psyche. The kind that begins to chip away at our confidence and can make us moody and angry since we have unresolved emotions floating about our heart and soul and worst of all, it can truly paralyze us with fear that we will make another critical error. If anything, this particular aspect of the human condition is top of mind today, simply because it served as the focus of the next episode of This Is Going to Hurt on AMC+. For when we catch up with Adam in ‘Episode 2’, he has the big mistake he made in the last episode at the forefront of his mind.

Because after all, being a doctor does mean a lot to him and doing it right every step of the way will afford him and Harry great opportunities down the line. So, to have made a critical error, one that he should have spotted, is unfathomable to Adam and well, that motivates him to beat himself up hard in this tale. To the point where he begins to second guess every single decision he makes in the ward, and to be extra cautious with his patients to excess, no less, and this was…. simply powerful to watch. Since it truly put on display how mistakes haunt us and tear our psyche to shreds and the sheer importance of letting them go. Since this became nothing short of paralyzing to Adam, and nearly left him unable to perform his duties and had it not been for a stroke of luck where his concerns were vindicated, who knows how far this might have gone.

But even then, vindication and validation weren’t the cure for his woes. Because consequences come forth from mistakes and he had to face those as well. For despite watching over Erika’s baby and knitting the little one booties, and treating her with kindness and respect, she filed a complaint about the ‘incident’, leaving Adam beside himself and broken, adding to his already broken state and really… what made his journey so impressive, and relatable, and thoughtful… is that he didn’t overcome his mistake in this tale by letting it go. He just hung onto it for dear life and showed us the darkness and unpleasantness it creates and that made this episode as bold as tale as the series premiere for certain. Because in many ways… this was just another slice of life.

One that we all take part in and refuse to let go of as well. Making this chapter more of a cautionary tale of sorts, one that teaches us by holding up a mirror to these negative behaviors to make us cognizant of how we handle mistakes, so we quietly begin to peel ourselves away. But all lessons and commentary on the human condition aside, this was also… a very human story. Since we don’t often see doctors in this light or think about their mental health and the troubles they deal with. Making this a powerful episode all around, one that once again… leaves us eager to continue the journey. Since we are all now eager to see if Adam can make amends with the lesson in question or if the news that a complaint has been filed will only push him further toward a potential breaking point. Until next time.

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