‘This Is Going to Hurt’ Recap: ‘Episode 3’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘This Is Going to Hurt’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
​
When work is getting us down or outright stressing us out, we know deep down, that we need something in our lives to help us cope with that. Which is why people turn to their personal time. Because having a hobby that brings one joy, absolutely helps to deal with that stress. As does spending time with our partner or our family. Because they know us better than anyone else and know what will lift our spirts and that’s precisely why they get a phone call or a dinner invitation when work just plain sucks. But what’s fascinating and unfortunate about our world, is that not everyone has those escapes. For some people just work and go home, or their home life and family life are strained in some form or fashion. Which begs the question… how then do people without those escapes, cope when work is beating them down?
​
Which is a supremely important question. One that Adam Kay was forced to face in this week’s episode of This Is Going to Hurt on AMC+. For when we catch up with Adam in this tale, work is pushing him to the limit. Because not only is he still haunted by the incident in the operating room, and the paperwork he needs to turn in regarding the incident, but a big wig visit from the Ministry of Health, has the ward in utter chaos. As do the repairs currently happening and well… that leads to us bearing witness to another low point for Adam. Where tears are shed, especially when his favorite antagonizing patient, Mrs. Winnicka, passes away, and where scares are to be found when Shruti comes to discover one of her patients is being abused by a controlling and angry husband who doesn’t understand boundaries or respect.

So, when one takes into account that Adam’s relationship is in limbo since Harry didn’t say yes to last week’s marriage proposal, and that Adam’s mother reacts terribly to the truth about her son’s sexuality and relationship with a man… it quickly becomes obvious, that Adam has no positive outlets in his life at the moment. Yes, Harry’s love helps and sustains him, but that strain is there and well… this brilliant presentation of Adam’s life, is what leads to the answer to the question. In that, if we don’t have that outlet in the slightest to heal our minds when we come home from a devastating day at work… we have to create that outlet. Which is, no easy task. Because that means we have to forge positivity when none exists and that too… put Adam in a tough place mentally, because he simply didn’t know where to start. 

But one of the reasons he wept deeply over Mrs. Winnicka’s passing… was because she gave him sound advice on how to build that safe space. Which involves, simply not overthinking it. For good engenders good and Adam took that advice to heart and found a way to make up with his mother and find some semblance of common ground in doing so. Plus, he was able to finally show affection and desire toward Harry to the point where Harry came to realize that Adam was indeed the man he wanted to marry. Not to mention, this also motivated Adam to do the impossible at work and make it a more comfortable place, by injecting a little humanity into what he does in a day and well… this really did make for some incredible storytelling. Since it allowed for Adam to grow right before our eyes and find peace at a time when chaos is indeed surrounding him.

Not to mention, this was quite inspirational in nature. Since there are plenty of folks out there, in Adam’s situation and are unsure of how to find peace when all they know is chaos at work, making this a poignant and helpful episode as well. One that really just helped us to understand Adam the man over anything else and that is important. Because a story this grand and this sweeping, and this powerful for that matter… is nothing without understanding what all of these moments mean to the people going through them and in a way, this was also a fine palate cleanser. Because the past two episodes were indeed heavy and heartbreaking for certain and it was nice to feel a touch of relief, and we should enjoy it while it lasts. After all, that complaint isn’t resolved, and Erika’s family is clearly out for blood and that will undoubtedly bring forth more strife. But thankfully, Adam now has a way to deal with the hell that will bring… courtesy of the wise decision he made to fight for what matters most in life, our loved ones. Until next time.

---

Powered by JustWatch