And the ER Has Officially Closed its Doors
Okay, so you were all expecting it. Sage's "Farewell ER" post. I spent three hours tonight watching the behind the scenes discussion with cast and crew about the ER journey, as well as the season finale. And all I can say is...
I want more
.
I know, I know. How selfish of me, right? I've been watching the show since the 6th season aired (though I have seen all of the earlier seasons as well)---meaning I've gotten nine years of ER greatness. Years of watching Carter, crying whenever he cried simply because Noah Wyle is just that amazing. Years of adoring Luka and Abby, sighing with relief when the writers finally allowed them to get married. Years of hating Romano and Weaver, only to eventually like Weaver...and still hate Romano. Years of laughing at scenes that I shouldn't (Anyone remember Romano and the helicopter? Or how about Ray and the truck? Anyone?). And years of being glued to the TV on Thursday, often finding myself in tears by the end of the hour.
Bye ER. You'll be missed (but fondly remembered in my DVD collection).
Oh, and just because I couldn't resist. A recap of some of my fave eps:
Season 6: All in the Family: Carter and Lucy are found almost bleeding to death by Weaver. The two are worked on in trauma and then are operated on up in Surgery. Lucy's injuries appear serious when her chest needs to be cracked open. Because of Anspaugh's quick thinking, Carter survives, however, Corday and Romano are unable to save Lucy, which throws the ER into devastation. Cleo is forced to crack open a man's chest to save his live when no surgeon is available, much to Benton's dismay. Lucy and Carter's attacker is found after he is hit by a car, and he is admitted to Psych with schizophrenia.
Season 6: May Day: Kovac and Benton are rushed to the site of a school shooting where they disagree over who is more critical: the injured gunman or one of his victims. Kovac later treats a heavily pregnant teenager who didn't know she was pregnant and refuses a C-section to save the baby's life. After Abby catches Carter injecting a patient's leftover pain medication into his wrist, Kerry, Mark, Benton, Chen and Anspaugh try to convince him to seek professional help.
Season 7: Rescue Me: Abby's mother decides to stay in Chicago, causing Abby even more trouble. When Weaver accepts Dr. Legaspi's dinner invitation, Weaver learns that she has misunderstood Legaspi's intentions. Carter tries to find a drug addict who has left the hospital against medical advice. Chen's mother visits the ER and invites her to dinner, even though she is surprised by Chen's pregnancy, and speechless when Chen tells her that the father is black. Greene discovers that he has a brain tumor. Corday is sued for malpractice by Mr. Patterson, the patient whose surgery she rushed so she could start her vacation, and later discovers that she's pregnant. Carter saves Abby after an explosion in exam room three.
Season 7: The Crossing: Carter and Luka are called out to the scene of a major train wreck, where Carter is forced to perform a double leg amputation by himself when Corday begins to experience contractions. Weaver and Legaspi treat a young, suicidal girl who caused the accident. Benton lets prospective med student William White follow him around the ER. Luka wrestles with his faith, revealing that he could have saved his wife by sacrificing his daughter. Bishop Stewart grants him absolution before his death. Also, Carter meets a new pedes intern, Rena Trujillo.
Season 8: Secrets and Lies: An unusual patient trigger's the curiosity of Abby, Susan, Gallant, Luka and Carter, which lands them at an all-day sexual harassment seminar. Throughout the day, Carter and Luka clash, Abby and Susan bond, and everyone discovers something new about each other. Susan breaks it off with Carter when she realizes his feelings for Abby, while news and gossip spreads through the ER of Elizabeth and Mark's separation.
Season 10: Midnight: Carter notices that the baby is not kicking. A visit to the hospital reveals he has died in utero, and labor must be induced. 19 members of Neela's family are coming into town for her graduation. Abby, Neela and Lester graduate from medical school. Steve continues his efforts to get Sam back, visiting Luka at work and sending Sam a box of ice cream sundaes. Pratt refuses to believe that a patient of his is in congestive heart failure. Weaver suggests to Abby that she will match at County, unless she fails her boards. Rachel Greene is in town "looking at colleges," although she has a favor to ask of Corday.
Season 11: The Show Must Go On: Carter's last day at County General is marked by a surprise gathering and an 11-year-old patient he delivered as a medical student. Ray is at a party and must takes charge when a balcony collapses. With all of the attendings at Carter's party, the three interns manage the traumas until Luka arrives. Pratt briefly visits his father, without revealing their connection. Upset that Sam won't let him visit Steve, whom he does not know is in jail, Alex steals Sam's credit cards and hitches a ride out of town.
Season 12: All About Christmas Eve: It’s Christmas Eve in the ER, and there’s a new Chief of Emergency Medicine: Dr. Luka “Santa” Kovac, dispensing gifts and time off for honeymoon-bound Neela. Luka and Abby make plans for Christmas Day, but something is on Abby’s mind. Kerry, Pratt and Abby treat a girl who is the victim of a random bullet fired by gang members, leading to a vigil outside the ER and a “scared straight” lesson, administered by Pratt, in the consequences of gun violence. Luka and Ray treat a woman with cancer who chooses quality time with her family over fighting the disease. Clemente’s former flame arrives, and the fires reignite, despite his efforts to resist. When a testy Santa insults a group of blind children, Eve’s extreme response forces Luka to bring in the nursing supervisor, and Eve is fired. Haleh auditions singers for the Christmas party and finds a surprising partner in Morris. Sam discovers the impact Steve’s imprisonment has had on Alex, and takes him to visit his father. At the end of the day, the gang gathers for the annual Christmas party. Luka and Abby exchange gifts, and Abby shares some big news with Luka: she’s pregnant!
Season 12: 21 Guns: In the aftermath of the tragedy befalling the ER, it's a seemingly ordinary day with the usual collection of patients. But soon, the day becomes anything but ordinary as two prisoners intent on escape come to the ER for treatment, along with a hidden conspirator. Their desperate actions place one doctor in harm's way, and forces one nurse to become a tool in their plan. Soon, gunshots ring out, another doctor hits the floor, and a staff member's life is in jeopardy. The medical staff rush to the aid of the injured and quickly discover one of their own is missing!
Season 13: Bloodline: In the minutes following last season's finale, multiple departments spring into action to deal with the aftermath of the shooting. A bound and intubated Luka and a bleeding Abby are found, but is it in time to save their baby? Meanwhile, the surgical team fights to repair Jerry's injuries. Steve and his partners, with a kidnapped Sam and Alex, flee north, but circumstances force deadly action.
Season 13: Murmurs of the Heart: Luka tries to extricate Pratt from a legal mess while Abby, confronted by a vengeful Ames, tries to reach him. Later, Luka finds himself in a tense confrontation with Ames, and Abby must act to protect her family. Neela and Gates rush to get Meg to the hospital. Sam’s new home is soon under threat from fire, but will everyone escape unscathed?
Season 13: I Don't: Luka’s carefully arranged formal dinner for the ER staff gives Abby the surprise of a lifetime when she discovers the real reason for the evening. Luka finds himself dealing with Abby’s reaction, but love prevails, and in the end, events come off as planned. As the celebration continues, Pratt plays an important role with a bit of panache, Morris and Hope find themselves with an opportunity they can’t resist, and Neela finds herself the center of all manner of unexpected attention.
Season 15: The Book of Abby: Abby's first day as an Attending is bittersweet. Neela is hurt when she finds out Abby's news from someone else. Abby and the new ER Chief argue over how to treat a gunshot victim. Abby comes to Sam's aid when she faces a nurses' disciplinary board.
Season 15: Old TImes: A former mentor and colleague visits Carter in his time of need as he waits for a kidney transplant. Meanwhile, a woman is grief-stricken over the sudden death of her grandson. Sam and Neela are stuck at the airport with transplant organs in hand. Banfield bonds with a baby abandoned at the ER.
And of course...the finale.
I want more
.
I know, I know. How selfish of me, right? I've been watching the show since the 6th season aired (though I have seen all of the earlier seasons as well)---meaning I've gotten nine years of ER greatness. Years of watching Carter, crying whenever he cried simply because Noah Wyle is just that amazing. Years of adoring Luka and Abby, sighing with relief when the writers finally allowed them to get married. Years of hating Romano and Weaver, only to eventually like Weaver...and still hate Romano. Years of laughing at scenes that I shouldn't (Anyone remember Romano and the helicopter? Or how about Ray and the truck? Anyone?). And years of being glued to the TV on Thursday, often finding myself in tears by the end of the hour.
Bye ER. You'll be missed (but fondly remembered in my DVD collection).
Oh, and just because I couldn't resist. A recap of some of my fave eps:
Season 6: All in the Family: Carter and Lucy are found almost bleeding to death by Weaver. The two are worked on in trauma and then are operated on up in Surgery. Lucy's injuries appear serious when her chest needs to be cracked open. Because of Anspaugh's quick thinking, Carter survives, however, Corday and Romano are unable to save Lucy, which throws the ER into devastation. Cleo is forced to crack open a man's chest to save his live when no surgeon is available, much to Benton's dismay. Lucy and Carter's attacker is found after he is hit by a car, and he is admitted to Psych with schizophrenia.
Season 6: May Day: Kovac and Benton are rushed to the site of a school shooting where they disagree over who is more critical: the injured gunman or one of his victims. Kovac later treats a heavily pregnant teenager who didn't know she was pregnant and refuses a C-section to save the baby's life. After Abby catches Carter injecting a patient's leftover pain medication into his wrist, Kerry, Mark, Benton, Chen and Anspaugh try to convince him to seek professional help.
Season 7: Rescue Me: Abby's mother decides to stay in Chicago, causing Abby even more trouble. When Weaver accepts Dr. Legaspi's dinner invitation, Weaver learns that she has misunderstood Legaspi's intentions. Carter tries to find a drug addict who has left the hospital against medical advice. Chen's mother visits the ER and invites her to dinner, even though she is surprised by Chen's pregnancy, and speechless when Chen tells her that the father is black. Greene discovers that he has a brain tumor. Corday is sued for malpractice by Mr. Patterson, the patient whose surgery she rushed so she could start her vacation, and later discovers that she's pregnant. Carter saves Abby after an explosion in exam room three.
Season 7: The Crossing: Carter and Luka are called out to the scene of a major train wreck, where Carter is forced to perform a double leg amputation by himself when Corday begins to experience contractions. Weaver and Legaspi treat a young, suicidal girl who caused the accident. Benton lets prospective med student William White follow him around the ER. Luka wrestles with his faith, revealing that he could have saved his wife by sacrificing his daughter. Bishop Stewart grants him absolution before his death. Also, Carter meets a new pedes intern, Rena Trujillo.
Season 8: Secrets and Lies: An unusual patient trigger's the curiosity of Abby, Susan, Gallant, Luka and Carter, which lands them at an all-day sexual harassment seminar. Throughout the day, Carter and Luka clash, Abby and Susan bond, and everyone discovers something new about each other. Susan breaks it off with Carter when she realizes his feelings for Abby, while news and gossip spreads through the ER of Elizabeth and Mark's separation.
Season 10: Midnight: Carter notices that the baby is not kicking. A visit to the hospital reveals he has died in utero, and labor must be induced. 19 members of Neela's family are coming into town for her graduation. Abby, Neela and Lester graduate from medical school. Steve continues his efforts to get Sam back, visiting Luka at work and sending Sam a box of ice cream sundaes. Pratt refuses to believe that a patient of his is in congestive heart failure. Weaver suggests to Abby that she will match at County, unless she fails her boards. Rachel Greene is in town "looking at colleges," although she has a favor to ask of Corday.
Season 11: The Show Must Go On: Carter's last day at County General is marked by a surprise gathering and an 11-year-old patient he delivered as a medical student. Ray is at a party and must takes charge when a balcony collapses. With all of the attendings at Carter's party, the three interns manage the traumas until Luka arrives. Pratt briefly visits his father, without revealing their connection. Upset that Sam won't let him visit Steve, whom he does not know is in jail, Alex steals Sam's credit cards and hitches a ride out of town.
Season 12: All About Christmas Eve: It’s Christmas Eve in the ER, and there’s a new Chief of Emergency Medicine: Dr. Luka “Santa” Kovac, dispensing gifts and time off for honeymoon-bound Neela. Luka and Abby make plans for Christmas Day, but something is on Abby’s mind. Kerry, Pratt and Abby treat a girl who is the victim of a random bullet fired by gang members, leading to a vigil outside the ER and a “scared straight” lesson, administered by Pratt, in the consequences of gun violence. Luka and Ray treat a woman with cancer who chooses quality time with her family over fighting the disease. Clemente’s former flame arrives, and the fires reignite, despite his efforts to resist. When a testy Santa insults a group of blind children, Eve’s extreme response forces Luka to bring in the nursing supervisor, and Eve is fired. Haleh auditions singers for the Christmas party and finds a surprising partner in Morris. Sam discovers the impact Steve’s imprisonment has had on Alex, and takes him to visit his father. At the end of the day, the gang gathers for the annual Christmas party. Luka and Abby exchange gifts, and Abby shares some big news with Luka: she’s pregnant!
Season 12: 21 Guns: In the aftermath of the tragedy befalling the ER, it's a seemingly ordinary day with the usual collection of patients. But soon, the day becomes anything but ordinary as two prisoners intent on escape come to the ER for treatment, along with a hidden conspirator. Their desperate actions place one doctor in harm's way, and forces one nurse to become a tool in their plan. Soon, gunshots ring out, another doctor hits the floor, and a staff member's life is in jeopardy. The medical staff rush to the aid of the injured and quickly discover one of their own is missing!
Season 13: Bloodline: In the minutes following last season's finale, multiple departments spring into action to deal with the aftermath of the shooting. A bound and intubated Luka and a bleeding Abby are found, but is it in time to save their baby? Meanwhile, the surgical team fights to repair Jerry's injuries. Steve and his partners, with a kidnapped Sam and Alex, flee north, but circumstances force deadly action.
Season 13: Murmurs of the Heart: Luka tries to extricate Pratt from a legal mess while Abby, confronted by a vengeful Ames, tries to reach him. Later, Luka finds himself in a tense confrontation with Ames, and Abby must act to protect her family. Neela and Gates rush to get Meg to the hospital. Sam’s new home is soon under threat from fire, but will everyone escape unscathed?
Season 13: I Don't: Luka’s carefully arranged formal dinner for the ER staff gives Abby the surprise of a lifetime when she discovers the real reason for the evening. Luka finds himself dealing with Abby’s reaction, but love prevails, and in the end, events come off as planned. As the celebration continues, Pratt plays an important role with a bit of panache, Morris and Hope find themselves with an opportunity they can’t resist, and Neela finds herself the center of all manner of unexpected attention.
Season 15: The Book of Abby: Abby's first day as an Attending is bittersweet. Neela is hurt when she finds out Abby's news from someone else. Abby and the new ER Chief argue over how to treat a gunshot victim. Abby comes to Sam's aid when she faces a nurses' disciplinary board.
Season 15: Old TImes: A former mentor and colleague visits Carter in his time of need as he waits for a kidney transplant. Meanwhile, a woman is grief-stricken over the sudden death of her grandson. Sam and Neela are stuck at the airport with transplant organs in hand. Banfield bonds with a baby abandoned at the ER.
And of course...the finale.