Lahela & Stitch

**Lahela & Stitch** is the fourth episode of the first season of *Doogie Kameāloha, M.D.*, and the fourth episode overall. It is set to air September 29, 2021.

## Synopsis

Lahela wonders if it’s time to define her relationship with Walter. That thought is suddenly sidelined when Walter is rushed to the hospital for an appendectomy — that falls on Lahela to perform. After Clara’s work conflicts with yet another family milestone, she decides to go part-time, much to everyone’s surprise. However, a big announcement at the hospital may change her mind. Both Lahela and her mom confront the challenges of being strong, smart women in today’s world.

## Plot

Lahela talks with Steph about her situation with Walter and why the two aren't as affectionate as they should be. Steph remarks that she should try and get a photograph with Walter for his instagram, and the two devise a plan of action to get Lahela featured.

Lahela, Walter, Steph and their friends organize a game of golf so that Walter and Lahela can get a photograph. Things become increasingly complex, however, when Walter begins complaining of a pain in his abdomen, and Lahela questions whether it could be appendicitis. Walter jokingly remarks that he doesn't need to go to the hospital, but this is soon found to be false when he doubles over in pain. Lahela calls the hospital ahead of time to arrange for an OR to be booked for the removal of Walter's appendix. Lahela feels unsettled, however, when she arrives at the hospital to find all of the doctors are busy and she will have to remove the appendix herself.

Meanwhile, Clara prepares to give a presentation about Hospital Efficiency to the Chief of Staff, her superior. They are thrown off, however, when he is late to the meeting and when he arrives, begins talking about things unrelated to surgery and her presentation. Despite Clara's efforts to mitigate the effects and continue with her presentation, she is unable to do so and this forces her to overrun and she misses Brian's production.

Arriving at the production, she apologises for missing it, but Brian and Kai remark that they never actually thought she would attend. This affects Clara, and she becomes concerned when the two both tell her that she is usually too busy to be involved in their lives anyway. Later that night, Clara tells the family that she has scaled back her work to part-time in order to be more involved with her kids lives.

After the surgery, Lahela tells Walter that it went well and talks with him about taking a walk around the hospital. Walter is reluctant to talk with her, however, and brushes her off repeatedly. She finds this odd, but opts to leave Walter alone for the meantime.

During the first couple of days of being home after changing to part-time at work, Clara finds it difficult to integrate with her children's lives. Brian finds her annoying and doesn't want her to play his video games with him, given he plays with his friends. Furthermore, Kai wishes to bake alone and not be supervised; this leads to Benny suggesting that Clara should hang back and stop smothering the children.

Lahela talks with Steph about Walter, and Steph puts forward the idea that perhaps Walter feels undermined by Lahela and her wish to always be right. She tells Lahela that she should perhaps hang back and stop being right all of the time. Steph suggests that they partake in an escape room with Walter, and idea which Lahela agrees with. They are able to convince a reluctant Walter to join them during the game.

As they begin the escape room, they are joined by a further two players of which are visiting Hawaii. Lahela finds it difficult to cope with the game given how simple it seems to her but difficult to everyone else. After a while, and numerous nods by Steph to scale back her efforts in the game, Lahela is unable to contain herself any longer and solves the escape room quickly. She tells Walter that she tried to be calm, but if he cannot accept her for her intellect then so be it.

Meanwhile, Clara talks with Benny about the ice shave truck and about the chief's retirement. She tells him that she wants the job badly, but doesn't want to spend any more time away from the children. This is a notion that he understands, but tells her that they should take a say out together to think things over. The two go surfing, and Clara eventually decides that she will put her name forward for chief of staff.

Later that day, after telling the chief that she would like to put her name forward, Clara talks with Lahela. She tells Lahela that she is gifted and should never be ashamed of that or of who she is. This inspires Lahela, and she talks with Walter.

Walter apologises for ignoring her and avoiding her, but remarks that it felt weird after Lahela saw him so weak and had to perform surgery on him. He tells her that her intellect is attractive and doesn't put him off. With this, the two make-up and kiss. Later that night, Walter posts a photograph of the two on his main instagram — an action that warms Lahela's heart.

## Cast

* Emma Meisel as Steph Denisco
* Matthew Sato as Kai Kameāloha
* Wes Tian as Brian Kameāloha
* Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman as Charles Zeller
* Mapuana Makia as Noelani Nakayama
* Kathleen Rose Perkins as Clara Hannon
* Jason Scott Lee as Benny Kameāloha
Guest Cast

## Trivia

* The title of this episode is a parody to Disney's *Lilo & Stitch*. Jason Scott Lee who plays Benny Kameāloha voiced David in *Lilo & Stitch*.