It is later that day in the hospital cafeteria, and Joan is pleased. She scoops a large portion onto a plate and brings it to share with Reese. Reese tells her that he has had an epiphany: Unlike Joan, he never truly belonged in medicine. Joan had been at the top of her class and is the best among the attending doctors at their hospital, but Reese is solidly middle-of-the-pack, and he does not think that he will ever be able to rise above that position.

It is the end of the year, a time typically filled with death in the hospital. It is flu season, the holidays usually bring about more substance misuse, and winter weather generally means an uptick in car accidents. Joan is aware of these patterns, and they do not affect her, but there are always younger doctors who struggle with sadness and grief during December and January.

Joan returns home to find a large television set blocking her doorway. She knocks on Mark’s door and explains that his new television (she assumes) is out in the hallway. Mark corrects her: This is Joan’s new television set, his old one.