Dr. Benton returns to the ER this week when original cast member Eriq La Salle steps behind the camera to direct an episode of the long-running — and soon-to-end — NBC drama. La Salle's visit in effect marks the latest "homecoming," following final-season encores by Anthony Edwards (as Mark) and Alex Kingston (Elizabeth).
In the video below, current ER star Parminda Nagra talks about being directed by La Salle, detailing how he got her to see Neela in new ways.
Also, Scott Grimes (in this video) gives a sneak peek at the goofy superhero costume Archie dons in this week's episode, and shares his own take on La Salle's expert guidance.
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Tensions were running high tonight as our favorite doctors distracted by their own personal problems and agendas dealt with the shootings of two police auxiliary officers Morris internalized his grief over the loss of his father but externalized his frustration as he doggedly fought to save the lives of the victims and vented his anger on a veteran officer Mimi Kennedy assigned to oversee their training I simply cant say enough about the fine work that Scott Grimes continues to turn in as a former slacker who has emerged as a talented doctor mostly in spite of himself When he opened up to Abby about his loss it clarified a lot about his motivation to be a better doctor Morris colleagues had their own share of drama to contend with as well While trying to sort out his relationship with Bettina Pratt treated a high-school wrestler secretly battling bulimia Gates pulled strings with Dubenko to get his unwilling young ICU prodigy into a clinical trial just as ru
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Busy Philipps by Eric Charbonneau/WireImage.com
Sure, you can catch her soon on How I Met Your Mother (as Ausiello reported), but sorry, fans of Busy Philipps on ER, this season's second episode could very well be her last. That's when her do-good-doc character Hope leaves for South America to fulfill her Christian mission — you know, as in faith, Hope and charity. "But the door is not closed for a return," NBC sources tell TV Guide.com. "She greatly enjoyed her character and we enjoyed her. She's a lot of fun." Unfortunately, viewers can probably expect her sex slave, Dr. Morris (Scott Grimes), to be even more annoying than usual when she dumps him for, you know... God. — Reporting by Ileane Rudolph
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Its never too late to choose The simple eloquent words of the terminally ill cancer patient seemed to echo the theme tonight people choosing to take a stand and trying to make things right As this season winds down and we prepare for the imminent departure of beloved characters emotions are running high and the writers seem to be upping the ante in terms of character development and story progression When I think about characters on ER who havent made much of an impression on me Sam immediately comes to mind I have often felt that the role was ill-conceived and underdeveloped a big disappointment since Ive found Linda Cardellini to be very compelling in other vehicles The entire detour into crazy Steve land that kicked off this season was so distracting and uninteresting to me that the ensuing fallout between Sam and her son Alex generated little more than apathy on my end However these episodes with Annabella Sciorr
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Were getting ready for winter break folks but this episode was the perfect finale to what has been a fantastic fall for our beloved ER I have always enjoyed the holiday-themed episodes and tonight was no exception While this one probably wouldnt rank up there with some of the classic Christmases in the ER in my book remember the one where Jeannie Boulet put her star on top of the ER Christmas tree it did have the distinction of featuring Goran Visnjic dressed as a reindeer Just when I thought Luka couldnt get any more adorable I am proven wrong Despite a healthy dose of romances old and new it wasnt all mistletoe and merriment Luka and Abby learned that Ames filed a restraining order after their confrontation The conversation that Luka and Abby had in the apartment was very telling When Abby talked about being afraid of losing what they have she encapsulated in just a few words the concerns of all the viewers who care so much about the happ
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Between Luka toting adorable Joe in his Baby Bjorn and Abbys reactions to the various nanny candidates as well as Morris and Pratts reaction to the Brazilian hopeful this episode got off to a deceptively humorous start However the tension was quickly ratcheted up when Curtis Ames strolled back into the ER hoping to negotiate a settlement in the wake of the malpractice verdict Now we have Lukas nemesis stalking an oblivious Abby in the park and you know this isnt going to go anywhere good By the way is it just me or does it seem at all unusual that Abby would have no idea what Ames looks like But aside from introducing that unfortunate twist in Forest Whitakers ongoing arc tonights episode really belonged to Scott Grimes Poor Archie He wants so much to be taken seriously by his peers and yet he frequently undermines himself by coming off as inept and shallow It is a credit to Scott Grimes that he continues to give a formerly one-di
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Question: Anything new on ER?
Answer: You know that TV Death List I compiled in the Ausiello Report last Friday? Well, you can go ahead and add ER to the list, 'cause I just learned that a major character will die during May sweeps. And it's going to be very sad. I'd go so far as to call it devastating. Also, Morris (Scott Grimes) is going to accept a job working for a pharmaceutical company. Not sure if that means he's leaving the show, but it certainly looks like he's leaving the ER.
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ERI love Maura Tierney! What an awesome episode for her. She says so much with just one look. And who knew Abby and Luka would make such a nice couple? Luka was being the epitome of the perfectly understanding and supportive boyfriend — just what Abby needs at such a stressful time. To keep a baby or not to keep a baby? Interesting timing with the 15-year-old rape victim also having to make that decision. Nice, satisfying ending with Abby telling Luka, "I didn't do it; I couldn't. I want to keep it. I want us to have this baby." Luka grabbing Abby's hand and holding it, of course, made me cry. I rarely get through an ER episode without at least one teary eye. It was also a great episode for Goran Visnjic. It surprised me a bit to see him so stern with Neela and telling her his personal
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ERDing dong, the witch is dead. Well, not dead, just fired. What a way for Eve to go — by pouring urine on the offensive Santa: "Ho ho ho — you piece of crap!" I'm contemplating having that line played on my outgoing voice-mail message for the holidays — just that line, followed by a beep. Kidding. I did enjoy the "You can't fire Eve on Christmas Eve!" line. Tonight's episode was nicely holiday themed and had several happy endings. How wonderful for the little girl who was accidentally shot to make it after they thought she was a goner. Shows you just how important positive mental energy is, and it was perfect to force the shooters to watch the girl being operated on. So cool to see cast members of canceled shows appear on ER, like Lisa Gay Hamilton from The Practice an
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Question: Loved, loved, loved the Oct. 30 episode of Grey's Anatomy, especially the elevator scene with Bailey and McDreamy. After watching, it made me think about one of the things ER, one of my old favorites, is doing wrong these days. Both shows are focusing on their group of young doctors, but while I care about the doctors on Grey's Anatomy, I don't give a &#@% about the doctors on ER anymore. They haven't given us a chance to get to know the ER docs, even with all the screen time they get. We see the young docs on ER moan and groan about their work and each other, but nothing much else in the motivations and emotions department. Whereas on Grey's, they allow the characters to show some real emotions. One of the ways ER could help viewers become more emotionally invested in the new characters is to show them making connections with some of the old favorites — oops, there aren't any old favorites at County General anymore, are there?
Answer: Last week's episode of Grey's inspired me
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