The Choice

In many respects, Smith sees the Storeys - parents David and Marcy, and children Ryan and Rachel - as the perfect example of a truly loving family. Ryan had thought about going to seminary school, but decided instead to go to medical school in an effort to save his father, himself a general practitioner. Dr. Storey underwent a simple heart valve replacement surgery, but complications from several surgeries later resulted in him suffering permanent brain damage. Ryan feels responsible as he both convinced his father to have the surgery, and now wishes that his father had died instead. Ryan wishes that he could go back and convince his father not to have the surgery, which would result in what Ryan considers two quality years instead of the eleven years David has lived with the mental faculties of a child. Ryan does get his wish as Othniel sends him back as Dr. Thomas, the heart surgeon on his father's case. Smith makes Ryan realize that it isn't only letting his father make his own decision on his fate, but also for Dr. Thomas, with Ryan's thoughts and feelings, to do what is truly in his heart.