As a mysterious illness befalls the village, Lin desperately tries to help those who have adopted him like family. Parvati is among those sick and Prabhu feels it’s all his fault. Lin promises his friend he isn’t leaving yet – but he plans to go in 2 days time. Lin informs the village leaders that he thinks it’s Cholera, and is surprised when they are dismissive. This is not the first time the village has had an outbreak. I feel for Lin, being extremely worried for his friends but not having the supplies to help them all.
Minister Pandey is worried someone will spot him with his fling, Sunita – and someone certainly does, lurking outside the gates of the property. Once back in the city, the same man watches and continues to follow Sunita… Meanwhile, Parvati continues to struggle as Lin and Prabhu do all they can to get boiled water to friends and family as they scrub down the village.
Lisa and Sebastian continue to argue about the deal they struck, and I think it may be their undoing. Lisa continues to reassure him that the deal doesn’t mean anything to her, she’s just playing her part – but I hope her part doesn’t lead to her death. Meanwhile, Madame Zhou – the woman in charge of the drug operation – is assured Lisa doesn’t know anything about the plan… but Lisa is not known for keeping her mouth shut.
Sunita’s spy is revealed as one of Khader’s men. Now that Khader knows about the Minister’s little secret, he can use it to blackmail him into doing his bidding. Abdullah suggests Sunita needs to be somewhere safe, and Karla agrees – so they can keep her under their control, and use her against Minister Pandey. The men decide to involve Madame Zhou, much to Karla’s disappointment.
Khader, Abdullah and Karla decide to visit Madame Zhou, though Karla is not happy to be there. They ask her to take in Sunita and in exchange, Khader will consider Madame Zhou’s debt paid. Madame Zhou is suspicious – it seems too easy. She and Karla trade barbs, but the group agree on a plan that will see Sunita removed from the brothel she currently lives in and moved under the protection of Madame Zhou.
Parvati’s condition worsens, and the village won’t get more water until Tuesday. Handprints begin to pop up on shacks for good luck, but a man known to Lin passes away in the night. It’s a somber mood throughout the village, as the man is undoubtedly not the first or the last. Lin struggles with the death as Prabhu panics, thinking Parvati will be next. I really hope she makes it through, as I really want Phabhu and Parvati to make it.
It’s time for Lisa to fulfil her part of the deal, and Sebastian escorts her to the hotel room. Meanwhile, Madame Zhou and Karla talk while their men retrieve Sunita. The two discover that maybe they aren’t as different as they thought – both enjoy power and are unapologetic when others die for their own plans to succeed. Karla continues to hold a grudge against Madame Zhou for the death of a friend, but is forced to put her trust in her for this deal to work out. Maurizio receives a warning to stop his heroin dealing, or else… and Sebastian stresses when Lisa does not return on time, with the dealer forcing her to stay the full night instead.
Khader is surprised to find Lin at his house late at night, and reminds Lin that the village has their own rules and ways of dealing with such things. Lin stresses the village needs clean water and medicines. Khader encourages him to leave the village to deal with their own mess, and leave. But Lin cannot do that because the village and the people in it have his heart, and he’s a good man. Khader says he will help, but it will not be a secret. The village must accept that, but Lin knows they will not.
Madame Zhou questions Karla about her relationship with Khader, and Karla denies that they are lovers but confirms she is loyal to him. Madame Zhou replies that loyalty comes out of love, fear or debt, and Karla changes the subject. She’s saved from further questioning when the men arrive with Sunita and a few of her friends. Karla watches as the young woman walks into the lion’s den, and later screams to be freed from her room.
Prabhu sits outside Parvati’s room, telling her stories as she rests. I think this is one of my favorite scenes from the whole show, his dedication to her is beautiful to watch. The next morning, bottled water is delivered as Khader promised Lin. Khader makes a speech about knowing the struggles of the village, but the village leader is not happy to see him or the water as he knows it is a debt the village must eventually repay.
