Back at work after maternity leave, Maryam finds herself immediately on the front line. Catherine sets her sights on a consultant job, and Helen's marital problems emerge.

As Maryam fights to control her anxiety, Catherine weighs up what it will take to progress as a female surgeon, and Helen's sister Debbie comes back into her life.

A routine operation takes a critical turn for Catherine and Maryam wrestles with the idea of adopting another child.