The Royal

Dr Ellis confronts local prejudice after discovering that one of his patients has contracted a rare disease while abroad. The illness is uncommon and was picked up overseas. Brigid faces a major choice concerning the future of her baby Aisling.

Counting Chickens is a television programme presented as a single episode. It falls within the episode‑type format and is classified under the genre of drama. The show centres on a handful of characters whose lives intersect in a small community, delivering a compact narrative that unfolds over its runtime. In this installment, Dr Ellis finds himself facing the ingrained bias of his own town after learning that one of his patients has returned home with a rare illness contracted overseas. The discovery forces him to confront the community’s scepticism and hostility, as he strives to ensure the patient receives appropriate care despite the prevailing prejudice. His struggle highlights the tension between professional duty and local attitudes. Meanwhile, Brigid is confronted with a pivotal choice concerning the future of baby Aisling. The decision she makes carries significant weight for both the child and her own circumstances, prompting her to weigh the possible outcomes carefully. Her resolve underscores the personal stakes involved when a single choice can shape a young life’s direction. Both storylines converge on the theme of confronting difficult decisions under pressure. Dr Ellis’s battle against communal prejudice and Brigid’s consequential choice about Aisling’s future illustrate how the characters must navigate personal and societal challenges within the tight‑knit setting of the programme.