MDA

Episode 1

Second Chance: Part 1

52 mins

Happy's home life appears to be in crisis and it's rubbing off at work. His mood is not helped by having to inform a leading medical research laboratory that MDA won't be indemnifying a human drug trial they have planned. But when Happy meets the charismatic director of the laboratory, Dr Robyn Masterson, and hears her dynamic presentation, he has a change of heart. Amanda also becomes involved with the research lab when she has to defend one of the medical researchers, Dr Julia Delvecchio from a negligence claim. Julia is having problems at the lab, as does her co-worker, PhD student, Luke Rodman. Amanda decides to take the case to court, despite being uncertain of how Julia will cope with the pressure. Robyn introduces Happy to her patient, the engaging but desperately ill teenager, Belinda McRoberts. Belinda is to be the first recipient of Robyn's new drug, which, it is hoped, will save her life. Robyn persuades Happy to assist in her presentation to the university ethics committee to get the approval required for the trial to begin. Impressed with Robyn's groundbreaking work, Happy becomes increasingly dissatisfied with his life and especially with his work at MDA. He surprises everyone when he buys a motorcycle. The phrase 'mid-life crisis' hangs in the air. After deciding to back Robyn's drug trial, Happy spends more time at the lab. Amanda is forced to take responsibility for the day-to-day running of MDA, at the same time as she is trying to defend a distressed Julia. The ethics committee decides to reserve approval of Robyn's planned trials until further results are obtained. Although not the outcome she was hoping for, it is good enough for Robyn to continue with her plans. However, when there is a break-in at the lab and the rats are released from their sterile cages, the viability of her entire project is at risk.