Both Giuseppe and Giorgio take the exam for the available position. They each have to diagnose a patient and the examination board isn't kind to either of them.

Giorgio goes to see Cloe perform, but afterwards, he makes an important decision. Giuseppe finally finds Aniello, who is not doing well at all.

Moscati can't find Aniello in the hospital and discovers he had run off. Moscati goes out looking for him.

Moscati discovers what Aniello died of and feels profoundly aggrieved and powerless. He seems to have doubts about his role as a doctor.

Sister Helga and Moscati give the patient a bath and talk about how medicine is nothing without love. Moscati has some unorthodox teaching methods, as well as some novel "therapy" for his patients.

Giorgio is getting settled in his new office and gets an unexpected and unwelcome visitor. Giuseppe has a big evening ahead of him with Elena and her father, but he gets some news he has to take care of and is delayed.

After being left by the taxi driver, Giuseppe goes in search of the Esposito home. The taxi driver was right about the danger. Meanwhile, Giorgio shows up at the dinner and greets Elena and her father.

Elena is at the fancy dinner, and is worried about Giuseppe, but at the same time, she is fascinated by the after-dinner entertainment. Giorgio is taking advantage of Giuseppe's absence. Meanwhile, Giuseppe is working against the clock, realizing that his patient, from one of the poorest and most dangerous neighborhoods of Naples, has a terrible disease.

Moscati and his assistants do what they can, but they discover that the government has a different view of the situation.

Moscati tries to calm the crowd of people and help them understand that it isn't necessary to burn all their household belongings, and that cholera is transmitted through their drinking water. He promises to help treat them as Elena watches the scene from afar.

Giuseppe would like to spend more time with Elena, but at the moment there is too much to do at the hospital. A woman brings a baby to the door of a church to leave it, but she is suddenly taken ill and falls to the ground.

Cloe really does not want to stay in the hospital and Giuseppe finds a solution, but not everyone is thrilled about it.

Elena tries to convince her father that Giuseppe will change after they get married. He remains very skeptical. Giuseppe is spoon-feeding Cloe to give her some nourishment, meanwhile telling her how he decided to become a doctor.

Giuseppe goes to see Giorgio in his fancy doctor's office, hoping to convince him to see Cloe. It's clear Giorgio has chosen the career path of least resistance, and seems more interested in fine art and fine cigars, than in treating patients who need it.

Suor Helga is good at reading Giuseppe Moscati's moods and senses something is wrong. Giuseppe knows Elena is suffering on his account but at the same time, he can't help being dedicated to his patients over everything else. He writes Elena a letter and takes it to her house.