The Kinda-Weekly ER Thread

[SydneyK]

ER premiered when I was in college. We used to watch it while getting ready to go out (now, I watch it while getting ready to go to bed). It was always most enjoyable when nursing students were watching with us - they could translate all the medical code-speak into real English.

I haven't watched ER since I graduated from college. That is, until last night. I didn't watch the final episode in its entirety, and I didn't watch any of the retrospective. What I did watch was great. But, what I saw reminded me of why I quit watching in the first place. The emotional roller coaster this show took me on (every episode!) was just too much. I loved it, but I couldn't handle it.

[RaggedyAnn]

My collegiate memory of watch ER was my first night wearing a beeper for the local battered women's shelter. We were all watching it in the sisters' room and a beeper went off on TV. I jumped up so fast I hit my head on the sofa. Being that it was on-campus wood framed furniture, it hurt A LOT. That was the day I decided I didn't want a job where I had to wear a beeper-ever.

[ZTA72]

Originally Posted by RaggedyAnn

That was the day I decided I didn't want a job where I had to wear a beeper-ever.

Good choice, I worked in the ER/OR for about 10 years before I made that decision!

I hadn't watched ER in years, but I got caught up in the finale. Glad I did.

[PM_Mama00]

Just watched.

Amazing.

[honeychile]

I don't think I have a favorite episode. Maybe five or six, or scenes from 10-12. I know the one that was the most disturbing to me, though.

It was in the third season, and as much as Dr. Benson drove John Carter, he drove Dr. Gant (a black intern) even more ("Did you check the box that you were black?"). Dr. Benson had really told him off and when Carter walked by, he saw Gant and asked him if he was okay. Gant said yes.

The next thing you know, they're bringing in a mess of a person who had jumped in front of the el train. It's all hands on deck and Dr. Benson is furious that Gant isn't there. Finally, he asks Carter to page him, and when he does, a beeper goes off on the patient. Carter looks at the number on the pager and realizes that it matches the ER. He says, "Sweet Jesus!" as they all realize that the patient is Gant - who obviously doesn't make it. That episode bothered me for a long time!

I loved Jeannie Boulet singing "Good Riddence" at Dr. Anspagh's son's funeral. Also, when Carol Hathaway goes to Seattle with the twins and reunites with Doug Ross.



Did anyone else notice that, as the woman who had just delivered twins was being rushed to surgery, the director alternated scenes of Carol Hathaway during her suicide attempt (first show)?

[ZTABullwinkle]

Originally Posted by honeychile

I don't think I have a favorite episode. Maybe five or six, or scenes from 10-12. I know the one that was the most disturbing to me, though.

It was in the third season, and as much as Dr. Benson drove John Carter, he drove Dr. Gant (a black intern) even more ("Did you check the box that you were black?"). Dr. Benson had really told him off and when Carter walked by, he saw Gant and asked him if he was okay. Gant said yes.

The next thing you know, they're bringing in a mess of a person who had jumped in front of the el train. It's all hands on deck and Dr. Benson is furious that Gant isn't there. Finally, he asks Carter to page him, and when he does, a beeper goes off on the patient. Carter looks at the number on the pager and realizes that it matches the ER. He says, "Sweet Jesus!" as they all realize that the patient is Gant - who obviously doesn't make it. That episode bothered me for a long time!

I loved Jeannie Boulet singing "Good Riddence" at Dr. Anspagh's son's funeral. Also, when Carol Hathaway goes to Seattle with the twins and reunites with Doug Ross.



Did anyone else notice that, as the woman who had just delivered twins was being rushed to surgery, the director alternated scenes of Carol Hathaway during her suicide attempt (first show)?

That scene when they paged Gant in the trauma room, and Carter realized who he was working on was so heart-wrenching. Carter really stood up to Benton later, pretty much said he was to blame.

I thought the name of the song Jeannie boulet sang was "Time of your Life?" I am terrible with song titles, so I may just have the wrong title. I always think of that episode when I hear the song.

The scene that got me the most out of 15 seasons was right after Carter was stabbed and fell to the floor. He managed to say "lucy?" With her lying there dying just out of arm's reach. Carter was brilliant in those few seconds.

I also loved the reunion between Carol and Doug. I was not spoiled about his appearance and remember squealing with joy when he turned around. PERFECT!

I didn't notice them using old scenes of Carol last night, but I did notice the similarities in how the bed was spun, the mom's hair on the stretcher, etc.


My gripes of last night:
-why bring Kem back if she was going to remain miserable. Carter has had enough heartbreak this season. At least he was smiling while surrounded by his friends in the bar.

-none of the nurses/small parts (paramedics like Doris) in the retrospective. They were a big part of the show also.

-why did we need Alexis Biedel for this episode? We had plenty of medical students who could have done her part.

-whatever happened to the heart transplant mom that Dr. Brenner had taken such an interest in?


My favorites of last night:
-the original opening credits and music came back. Love Benton in those credits.

-the look on Frank's face when he realized who Rachel was.

-loved seeing the original Reese at the Center opening.

-nothing blowing up or over the top. Just another day in County General.

-Lydia waking up Archie just like she woke up Mark in the pilot. I have missed her.

-the last line by Carter, "Are you coming Dr. Greene?" Dr. Mark Greene gets to check off the top thing on his list to do before he dies, fix Rachel.


Lastly, did anyone reccognize the bride who fought with her mom? Apparently, it was the same girl who Dr. Ross sent to the prom with an IV when she was having a gall bladder attack with strict instructions to the boyfriend (who she was marrying) to have her back by a certain time.

[ZTA72]

Originally Posted by ZTABullwinkle

The scene that got me the most out of 15 seasons was right after Carter was stabbed and fell to the floor. He managed to say "lucy?" With her lying there dying just out of arm's reach. Carter was brilliant in those few seconds.
My gripes of last night:
-why bring Kem back if she was going to remain miserable. Carter has had enough heartbreak this season. At least he was smiling while surrounded by his friends in the bar. -the last line by Carter, "Are you coming Dr. Greene?" Dr. Mark Greene gets to check off the top thing on his list to do before he dies, fix Rachel.

Agree with all you said above. My thoughts exactly about Kem. My very fave line was the last line by Carter, "Are you coming Dr. Greene?" That made me smile and cry.

My very favorite episode was *Love's Labor Lost*. I remember watching that with my kids on Spring Break years ago. The scenes from that episode in the retrospective still moved me after all these years. I guess it brought back the memories of being an ER/OR nurse.
How's your mom, BTW?

[ZTABullwinkle]

^^Sent you a PM.

[PM_Mama00]

Is there somewhere online that I can watch the retrospective?

[DaffyKD]

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

Is there somewhere online that I can watch the retrospective?

Ask and thou shalt receive

http://www.hulu.com/watch/65986/er-er-retrospective


DaffyKD

[sceniczip]

I remember making fun of my parents for watching this show when I was younger, I used to think it was so boring (of course I was still watching scooby doo and boy meets world ) And now I'm so sad that it's done

I think they had Alexis Bledel on so that she could see the patient die and say that she didn't think it was right for her because didn't Carter do the same thing in the first season? I could be wrong but I thought he went through the same feelings? And didn't Dr. Green help him?

[honeychile]

^^ That's what I thought, too. I think the writers tried any parallel that could logically be made.

And "Good Riddance" is actually "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" so we're both right!

[Thetagirl218]

Ok, I did tear up watching it....

I just watched it with my little sister. Both of us have watched ER since we were deemed old enough to by our parents and then caught up on the re-runs!

My thoughts:

When I first heard the intro music, my sister and I just looked at each, and were like "They brought it back!" I will not lie....I used to run around the house doing the Dr. Benton move during the intro! lol!

I loved the way Lydia woke up Archie! I thought it might end that way too like it did in the pilot!

When I first saw Rachel in the ER, I wanted to cry! I am so happy they brought her back!

I loved how Carter had her follow him around. It made me think of the scene with Carter with his head down outside during the pilot.

Favorite line: "Are you coming, Dr. Green?" My sister and I both teared up at that one....

When the music started to play for the last time, my sister said "I don't want it to be over! I used to hear all the medical terms on that show and want to know that they meant! I love knowing what they mean now!"

She just graduated with her LPN, and is working on her RN.

Now ER isn't the only reason she became a nurse of course, but she loves the medical side of the show!

[DreamfulSpirit]

I finally got to finish watching it with my Mom today. Definitely not the way I thought they would end it. I honestly thought that they would be closing down the ER, and they would be showing the different doctors going off to new jobs an what not.

The retrospective...

Not only were the nurses missing, but I also noticed that Dr. Chen, Dr. Brenner, Dr. Gallant, Lucy were all missing. I don't remember George Clooney saying much, or even making an appearance on it. Correct me if I'm wrong though.

It seemed like each actor talked about how the characters were "flawed" and I was so sick of hearing each one of them saying how flawed each person was.


The episode...

I loved the surprise Rachel had to everyone! Notice the surprise of her and Elizabeth together, since the last time we saw them together (besides Dr. Greene's death) they couldn't stand each other. Glad to see how things have changed since she was a teenager!

LOVED Carter calling Rachel Dr. Greene at the end!

I agree...very cool seeing Reece all grown up!

I wish they wouldn't have left us hanging with what happened to the alcohol poisoning girl.

Anyone else notice how at the very end they pan out so you can really see how big county general hospital is, and how you can see the name of the hospital at the top of the building? I don't think they'd ever done that before.


I don't know what to watch on TV anymore...my favorite shows have ended!!

[sceniczip]

Originally Posted by DreamfulSpirit

I wish they wouldn't have left us hanging with what happened to the alcohol poisoning girl.

You had to remind me that they never told us! lol. I guess they started to show her coming around but it wasn't very promising? Now I'll start to wonder before I fall asleep and won't be able to fall asleep