Juan Gonzalez

This character seems to be a regular at the hospital, although he is seen only in one episode. He is well-known to Mari - "Not again!" she exclaims, when he appears in her doorway. As a pest catcher, he is often bitten and in need of wound care or antivenom.

This time his injury is a snakebite on the back of his left leg but the clinic has none of the correct medication in stock. He was working behind the old bakery and says that "Grains brings rats, rats bring snakes." He is able to kill the snake for identification purposes, a dangerous Russell's Viper, with the full moon making the animals more aggressive.

His appearance is of an aging, short and rotund man of Iberia complexion with a dark receding hairline. Lydia seems to call him Mr Gonzalo, but the episode credits say otherwise. She describes his life over the past ten years as gambling, killing snakes, drinking too much coconut fenny and cheating at gin rummy (but thinks no-one notices). He denies this last point in particular.

Juan has a carefree attitude but is perceptive. He knows there is a problem when two doctors come to see him. Mari has to tell him that the hospital has no drug left to treat him with. Gabriel has been sent to collect a new supply from the Dhoni Clinic in Kochi but is already delayed due to city traffic and then has an accident himself.

When his condition worsens and he is delirious, he asks for his late wife. He was married at some point. Juan follows a Catholic faith and asks for Father O'Shea to give last confession. However, Gabriel runs in with the antivenom just in time and so the patient recovers, wondering why the priest is there.

Appearance: Episode 1.02

Actor: Raj Zutshi [IMDB]