In this pilot, an older and more experienced Kildare has assumed the role of mentor after the passing of Dr. Gillespie. Kildare and his intern, Dr. Grayson have a patient needing brain surgery after a head injury. The wife tells Kildare that the patient's friend had been paralyzed after such a surgery and that he made her promise not to consent. A young nurse trainee gets emotionally involved, making her wonder if she will be effective as a nurse. When the patient revives from the morphine, Kildare convinces him to consent to surgery. The anesthesiologist informs Kildare and his intern, Dr. Grayson, that the patient's breathing is too shallow to perform the surgery. Kildare realizes that the problem may have come from inhalation exposure and tries to find out what the patient has done in the past. The patient manages to communicate that he previously worked in a factory where fluorescent light bulbs were made, and Kildare diagnoses beryllium poisoning. Meanwhile, Kildare's intern is wanting to leave Blair and take what appears to be a lucrative practice. Kildare, in an effort to keep the intern at Blair, intervenes to get another departing intern the job. The surgery is a success, with both the intern and the nurse having learned something about themselves from the experience.