Under the Chief

The setup

Harriet's probation at a busy hospital ends tonight, and she assumes her job does too: the head nurse, Vanessa, has been lobbying for her dismissal. The floor goes quiet after the evening surgeries, the chief of surgery keeps looking her way and episode 1 ends with him telling Vanessa to keep everyone out for a while. The one quiet space on the floor is the on-call room. Episode 2 plays out on both sides of the door: Harriet, who has just sworn at the boss and been told he likes it, and Vanessa in the corridor, deciding Harriet is not his type and still checking the time.

Why it earns its number

A hospital after dark is an unusual stage for this collection, and the series uses it well: a power gap, a rival at the door and a shy hire who finds her nerve at the worst moment. The tension comes as much from who is waiting outside as from what happens in the room.

Who should collect it: For anyone who likes a night-shift story with a shy lead who finds her confidence and a rival who finds out.