Quacks
- TV sitcom
- BBC Two
- 2017
- 6 episodes (1 series)
Sitcom about Victorian medical pioneers, created by Rev writer James Wood. Also features Rory Kinnear, Mathew Baynton, Tom Basden, Lydia Leonard, Rupert Everett and more.
Episode menu
Series 1, Episode 4 - Fourth. The Indian Mesmerist
Further details
William has a bladder stone and needs Robert to perform a lithotrity on him - a grim genital operation. William has the unenviable choice of excruciating pain or taking John's potentially lethal new drug chloroform during surgery.
In her quest to expand her medical knowledge, Caroline arranges for her and William to meet Llantha Kapoor, a famous mesmerist. With John tagging along, the three of them meet the charismatic Kapoor at a local curry house for a demonstration of his hypnotic powers.
Meanwhile, Robert is suffering from the shakes and having vivid nightmares of his time in the navy. All William knows is that something unpleasant happened to Robert. In a hammock.
Believing in therapy as a form of treatment, William becomes determined that Robert should divulge his story to try to cure his shakes.
Broadcast details
- Date
- Tuesday 5th September 2017
- Time
- 10pm
- Channel
- BBC Two
- Length
- 30 minutes
Cast & crew
| Rory Kinnear | Robert |
| Mathew Baynton | William |
| Tom Basden | John |
| Lydia Leonard | Caroline |
| Ed Gaughan | Peters |
| Kayvan Novak | Mr Kapoor |
| Marcia Warren | Mrs Agar |
| Alison Lintott | Mrs Cobb |
| Lisa Jackson | Mina |
| Dominique Moore | Rosie |
| Will Jennings | Medical Student |
| James Wood | Writer |
| Andy de Emmony | Director |
| Imogen Cooper | Producer |
| Justin Davies | Executive Producer |
| James Wood | Executive Producer |
| Rachel Hillman | Executive Producer |
| Ben Worsfield | Co-producer |
| Robin Peters | Editor |
| Lucy Spink | Production Designer |
| Rachel Freck | Casting Director |
| Richard Cooke | Costume Designer |
| Ed Rutherford | Director of Photography |
| Niamh Morrison | Make-up Designer |
| Ian Arber | Composer |
| Matthew Scrivener | 1st Assistant Director |
Video
The bladder stone
William has a bladder stone so Robert talks him through his options. None are pleasant.
Featuring: Rory Kinnear (Robert), Mathew Baynton (William) & Tom Basden (John).
Press
James Wood's comedy set in the days of experimental Victorian medicine continues to delight and engross, even at its most gross. Tonight, Caroline has her first curry, William is doubled up with abdominal pains from a bladder stone that Robert is eager to operate on, and Tom is writing narrative poetry on chloroform. The centrepiece, however, is Robert's recollection of his days stranded on a desert island, which involved turtle riding and pelican tackling.
David Stubbs, The Guardian, 5th September 2017