Aahana Swrup
‘Transplant,’ the NBC medical drama, comes to an end with season 4 episode 10, ‘Never Too Late to Start Again.’ The show follows the challenging, yet rewarding journey of Bashir “Bash” Hamed, a Syrian refugee who is pursuing a residency at York Memorial Hospital. In his last year at the establishment, Bash undergoes many complications, including Mags’ unexpected death. In the aftermath, the doctor is left to face his grief and fears for his future alone. Yet, time proves that regardless of what his future may look like, he’s never truly alone, not when he’s surrounded by the friends he has made in the past four years. Thus, when a particularly testing day involving a gas leak throws the medical institution into an upheaval, Bash, June, Theo, and the rest of the medical staff continue to show up for their patients. Simultaneously, they make some heavy decisions regarding the trajectory of their careers. SPOILERS AHEAD!
Transplant Recap
Three weeks after Mags’ funeral, Bash tries his best to deal with his grief and move forward in his life. Nonetheless, the rapid changes unraveling around him serve only to overwhelm and confuse him further. For the same reason, Amira’s return home from her UK trip brings some much-needed comfort and order to his life. Meanwhile, June faces a daunting beginning of her own. She has finalized her transfer to Cleveland, away from York Memorial. Even though she’s confident about her decision, goodbyes, especially to her mentor Dr. Singh, remain a bittersweet affair. Her exit prompts a different complication for the hospital as well, leaving no decided candidate to take up her spot as the Chief of the Trauma Division.
Inevitably, this leads to conflict between Neil and Neeta. In light of June’s departure, Neil makes the decision to re-appoint Novack as the head of Trauma OR. Given Neeta’s problems with the other doctor, her colleague’s decision naturally causes a rift. Alternatively, the Emergency Department Chief’s offer to take Bash on for the now vacant fellowship problem continues to plague the latter’s mind. Nevertheless, these complications come to a halt when a gas leak situation forces the staff to figure out a way to safely evacuate and treat their patients in the face of minimal floor space. Eventually, Bash comes up with the idea to set up medical tents in the outside premises of the hospital. Consequently, the doctors and nurses are able to keep things under control. Thus, a hard day transitions into a hard night, and at the end of which, multiple people find themselves with some crucial decisions to make.
Transplant Finale Ending: Does Bash Leave York Memorial Hospital?
The York Memorial holds a special place in Bash’s journey so far. For a while, his primary concern has been ensuring a safe and sound life for himself and his younger sister, Amira. Once he arrives in Canada, he continues building a new life for his family and finds great support along the way. Nonetheless, it isn’t until York Memorial that he finds a true place for himself to pursue his calling. It’s the first place that actually gives Bash a real chance. For the same reason, he has been conflicted with the idea of his departure for a long time. Losing out on the Fellowship comes with its own convoluted feelings. While he is disappointed, he can’t help but also be happy and proud of Mags, who manages to land the position.
Therefore, now that Mags is gone, the Fellowship becomes all the more complex. Even without the oddity of taking over her job in her passing, the idea of staying at York Memorial is a tricky thing. In the months that he has had to accept his exit from the establishment, Bash has started to indulge dreams of his own. He wants to open an independent clinic and start his own practice. Even though this poses a huge risk, in terms of finances and his career, he’s willing to take a bet on himself and see his aspirations through. As such, the precarious nature of this alternative only leads to more confusion. Ultimately, it’s a mix of things that finally push Bash toward his destiny.
During the hectic process of treating patients during the gas leak, Bash is unexpectedly met with a memory of the past on his phone. In the recording of an innocuous day, Mags talks about new beginnings and how it’s never too late to entertain them. Earlier, his sister, Amira, shared a similar sentiment at her school’s open house. Although she has long dreamed of becoming a musician, she has also recently opened herself up to the possibility of a career in science and medicine. However, instead of being deterred by the daunting unpredictability of the future, she finds a way to be excited by it. Inspired by these instances, Bash makes his own decision and chooses to close the chapter on his time at York Memorial. Ultimately, he decides to open his own clinic with Elliot, his old friend. The hospital has undoubtedly been a crucial part of the doctor’s life. However, now it’s time for another beginning.
Does June Leave York Memorial?
Bash isn’t the only one who deals with the dilemma of choosing between a new path and York Memorial. June, who is in her first year out of the residency, deals with a similar situation. Novack, the head of the Trauma OR, recruits her for the department, hoping they can work well together. Nonetheless, his abrasive and callous personality ultimately gets him demoted from the position. This leaves June as a lone wolf in the department, forced to carry its burdens alone. This, paired with the myriad of other troubles that the doctor faces, her infertility complication, self-harm issues, and Mags’ death, turns her current life into a heavy mess. For the same reason, when the opportunity arrives, June decides to pursue a career elsewhere at a hospital in Cleveland.
On the day of the gas leak, June stops by the hospital to collect her things and say her goodbyes. Nonetheless, a tense scene manages to catch her eye. One of Novack’s patients is in need of a complicated surgery that could potentially harm her uterus and render her infertile. As expected, the doctor has no grace of his own to deliver this intense message to the patient gently and with care. Consequently, June feels an obligation to reach out to her to answer her queries and comfort her during this trying time. Eventually, she decides to step in and perform the surgery herself with the intention of minimizing as much damage to the patient’s uterus as possible. As it happens, this leads to a huge fight between her and Novack right in the middle of the operating room.
Still, the duo manages to complete the surgery with the most favorable outcomes. Furthermore, the instance also serves as a lesson for Novack, who realizes that he has much to learn from June’s more caring disposition. It isn’t as if the doctor is careless about his patients and, in fact, often goes out of his way for the benefit even to his own detriment. However, his empathy and people skills leave much to be desired. Even so, he showcases a major moment of growth when he strikes up a unique deal with Neeta. The latter is already displeased with his appointment as the head of the trauma department. Therefore, he agrees to step down from the position on one condition: York Memorial helps June get out of her Cleveland contract, fines and all, and welcomes her back into the Trauma OR. Ultimately, Novack wants to grow and become a better version of himself, and he knows he can do so with June by his side. This unexpected act encourages the latter to stay at York Memorial and put down her roots instead of running away from true vulnerability.
Does Theo Take Over Mac’s Practice?
Theo’s arc this season also tests his time at York Memorial. He begins the season off with a suspension from the establishment because of his tendency to jump headfirst into his patients’ personal lives. While his inclination toward endless empathy is a benefit, especially when he’s working with kids, it can also lead him down complicated roads. Nonetheless, the situation isn’t completely black and white. Theo learns this fact again and again through his work, helping several patients. Eventually, Mac, the guardian of one of his patients, notices the same fact. Therefore, he advises the doctor to leave the institution behind in favor of a smaller, more intimate family practice.
Mac has his own clinic that can use a change in leadership in the wake of his own retirement. Once he witnesses the care Theo puts into his patients’ treatments, he realizes the young man would make for a much better fit there than at York Memorial. Initially, Thro agonizes over this decision for a long time. Even so, he inevitably comes to the same conclusions. His time at the hospital has taught him crucial skills that he will need to take with him into his career. Yet, it becomes obvious that his future cannot successfully thrive at the establishment. For the same reason, he decides to make the transition to Mac’s family clinic after the day og the gas leak. His partner, Liz, who is a doctor at the hospital herself, understands his decisions and supports him through the big change. Ultimately, Theo, June, and Bash all find themselves at different places in their lives. Still, the bond they have forged together will remain strong.
Read More: Transplant Season 4 Episode 1 and 2 Recap: Crete and Sinkhole
