We begin with Lin thinking about his past life as Dale, and how his friend’s actions resulted in the death of a police officer. Despite his mother paying for a good lawyer, the image of the dead officer haunts Dale and he pleads guilty to causing the man’s death – when in reality he tried to administer CPR and save him. I’m still unsure what Dale did in prison to cause a lot of people to want to kill him, but I look forward to finding out in more flashbacks.
Back in the present day, Lin awakens in his little village home. It’s unknown how long he has lived here now, most likely only a couple of weeks. Lin moves around the village like a local now, and many have adopted him as one of their own. He continues to treat patients in the village who are unable to afford to see a doctor. Prabhu and his girlfriend Parvati sometimes help Lin translate the customs he has not yet learned, such as married women being unable to undress in front of him.
Lin becomes frustrated when the hospital refuses to help patients who clearly need antibiotics, so decides to go there himself to advocate for his patients. He butts heads with a hospital doctor when the man attempts to charge Lin’s patient for the antibiotics in what should be a free public hospital. This is what makes me really root for Lin: His affinity for helping others, his determination to do good in the world.
Karla’s shadowy business dealings continue as she attempts to bribe a government minister on behalf of “a consortium,” but it does not go to plan. Lin later spots on the front page of a local paper that a former Minister was killed, leading him to wonder if Karla and her friends had something to do with it. I like Karla and Lin together, but I worry she’s going to drag him into the world he’s been trying to escape from.
Lin and Prabhu decide to hustle to get enough money for medicine for patients. When the bus of tourists pulls up, the two put on a song and dance to attract tourism clients, not unlike Prabhu did when Lin first arrived. Desperate to find medicine to save his patient, Lin turns to a gangster friend of Karla’s for contacts within the drug trade – landing him dangerously close to old territory, as I doubt the man will do this without asking for something in return.
Karla visits Lin in the village. She realizes how popular Lin is among the people as friends greet him as they walk past. He tells Karla about the fire in the village and how he feels it was his fault, and confirms he gave money to rebuild the homes that were burned. Lin questions Karla about the death of the Minister, but she denies any involvement.
Prabhu has Ravi bring Lin some fish as what appears to be an apology for the young boy’s actions. It seems genuine, until the fish gives Lin a gastro bug and Lin finds out the fish was contaminated. Ravi continues to hold a grudge against Lin for causing the fire, and in true Lin fashion, he continues to feel incredibly guilty.
Meanwhile, Karla’s gangster friend Khader comes through with a contact for the medicine Lin’s patients need. Ruby is a highly intelligent smuggler and thief, and I get the impression she does not suffer fools. The others in Ruby’s village gather around, curious about Lin. He shows Ruby the list of supplies he needs, and after he passes Ruby’s tea test she informs him the medications will cost 50,000 rupees. Lin manages to buy the antibiotics and IV kits he needs to save his patient, but will have to come up with a new plan to purchase the rest.
On what should’ve been an uneventful ride home, Lin’s escort Abdullah gets set upon by a rival group. The two men manage to fight the group off, and Lin manages to stop his escort from killing one of their attackers. Naturally, Lin does not want another preventable death on his conscience. Lin later expresses he needs to stay invisible and out of trouble, fearing his passport problems will catch up with him. As a thank you for saving his man’s life, Karla’s gangster friend pays Ruby for the rest of the medication Lin wanted.. which means Lin now owes the man a debt. I worry Lin’s passport problems will catch up with him, too – and in this company, sooner rather than later.
