Thomas wrestles with a growing attraction to Kitty, and while he may not be making much headway with her, he is having more success on the wards with a pioneering wound irrigation system. His test subject is doing well but a fellow surgeon of the old school, Major Yelland, is dismissive of Thomas's techniques and seems determined to bully him. Will Miles be able to placate his increasingly riled friend? Elsewhere, a terrified patient faces court martial. There is little anyone can do and yet his presence unnerves the staff and patients, a constant reminder of the perils of overstepping the rules. This warning is particularly pertinent for some, as a proud Irish NCO faces rebellion from his young protege and Joan unearths a dark secret from one of her patients.