Dr. Death – Season 2 Episode 8 Recap, Review & Ending Explained

Surgeons, Bachelors and Butchers

Dr. Death Season 2 Episode 8 begins with the whistle-blowers in holding cells. Anders’ wife gets the three of them released from prison. Authorities claim they shared privileged information and broke doctor/patient confidentiality. Karolinska wants them silenced, and Ana wants to go to Russia to help Yulia, despite being told it’s not a good idea with all that’s going on. 

Benita is rushing to meet the editor after the whistle-blower report is leaked. Benita is using it to get an expose published about Paolo’s crimes, while the Karolinska board of directors summons Anders, Nate and Ana to “defend’’ their report. Ana goes to Russia hoping to save Yulia’s life but she is heartbroken to learn from her family that she has passed away.

What happens at the hearings?

Anders, Nate and Ana attend a hearing to share their findings. However, instead of showing interest in the published work (which they didn’t even read) the board members led by Nils Headley accuse the three of them of breaching patient confidentiality and insinuate they’re acting out of spite. They claim the patients agreed to the treatments under false pretences, and he didn’t have ethical approval. They reveal there are more than a couple of cases and they put forward information on other victims including Hana, Yulia, Chris Lyles and many others. 

Nils Headley collars the 3 of them after the hearing, and he threatens their careers, but they walk away, ignoring his threats. Nate poses the question to Ana and Anders – Where exactly is Paolo now? Turns out, Paolo is continuing to operate in Russia with his ”miracle work,” and he’s working with a German TV crew to get his profile out there. 

Due to the media attention surrounding the case, the second hearing that Ana, Nate, and Anders attend with the Karolinska board, the institution has no other option but to call in a third-party reviewer. After the hearing, Anders, Ana and Nate learn about Benita Alexander after the release of her expose on Paolo. 

Paolo realises he’s in trouble when Benita’s expose reaches the public eye and has an angry outburst, kicking his motorcycle to the floor. 

What happens at the end of Dr. Death Season 2? 

Six months later – Betina attends a hearing to announce a verdict on whether Paolo will be charged. Anders, Nate and Ana also attend. Paolo walks in and sits down. They say negligence took place during Paolo’s tenure in Sweden. However, they don’t have the grounds to charge him with any criminal conduct. Therefore, there are no grounds for legal liability and the investigation is closed. 

Paolo Macchiarini continued to perform surgeries abroad, even after losing his position at Karolinska. Three years after declining to press charges, the Swedish Prosecutors reversed their decision, criminally charging Paolo Macchiarini in connection with the deaths of Yesim Cetir, Chris Lyles and Andemariam Beyene. He was only found guilty of one charge, the felony of causing the bodily harm of Yesim Cetir.  

The season ends with Paolo washing his hands of blood after having operated on yet another poor victim, unaware of the horror that awaits them. 

The Episode Review

The final episode brings all the timelines together in a very satisfying way, and brings closure to the story, despite the unsatisfactory way in which the Dr. Death of season 2, Paolo Macchiarini, essentially got away with murder.

Episode 8 is the best of the season and features some good performances all around, with the highlights being Gustaf Hammarsten, Luke Kirby and Ashley Madekwe as the whistle-blowers who try to bring Paolo down for his crimes. It’s their story that takes centre stage, and they prove to be a formidable unit.