November 16, 2006: Reason to Believe
Tonight's episode was directed by
Ernest Dickerson, who is best known for his work as a cinematographer on a number of
Spike Lee films including
Malcolm X,
Jungle Fever and
Do the Right Thing. (This is his third directing stint for
ER, having worked on two episodes in 2005.) Mr. Dickerson definitely crafted an edgier, more intense episode than we've seen in recent weeks, with cases that were compelling and polarizing.
Tensions were running high on many fronts. Luka and Abby faced off over a possible spousal-abuse case and ran up against their complicated work relationship as he reminded her of her place in the pecking order. "Let's try this. You be the resident, I'll be the attending, OK?" Ouch. Of course, his callousness was likely the result of his agitation over the package he received from Curtis Ames. When he pulled the cop aside to ask for his help, his fear for his family was palpable.
Fred Ward has been popping up all over my favorite hospital dramas this season. First we saw him over at Seattle Grace on
Grey's Anatomy as Denny's father. Tonight, he was Eddie, a barfly with whom Abby connected. I'm not really clear on what his purpose was other than to further stir the pot with Luka. I did find it interesting that she reminded Luka of her status as a recovering alcoholic, and then headed to a bar for dinner. Are they setting up something here?
We got a little more exposition tonight in regard to Tony's relationship with Meg. It was pretty clear that the romantic feelings were one-sided, that the living relationship had sprung from some sense of duty, and the sex was convenient but unfulfilling. However, I found his bluntness during their conversation a little off-putting. I'm still really on the fence about this character, so it is hard to say if I feel for him or want to smack him. Thankfully, Pratt inflicted some well-deserved pain on his overly confident student. No matter how talented he might turn out to be, Gates has had that punch coming for a while now.
Speaking of Pratt, he had some problems to contend with on the home front as well, as he unexpectedly walked in on his brother frolicking with another young man in the shower. Greg was understandably upset when he realized that he had been misled by Chaz, but I was happy when he relented and let him come back. I am also interested to see what develops with the church and the drug-exchange program.
Mekhi Phifer deserves a nice, juicy story line that involves more than yelling at interns or romancing random ladies in his apartment.
To be honest, I'm not quite sure what I thought of the whole story line about Neela as the Blue Lady and the kid with rabies. It seemed a little disjointed, since these homeless kids appeared from nowhere and seemed to pick Neela out of a crowd. And when exactly did Tony come up with the nickname "Mayday"? Has he called Neela that before? I am not a big fan of these stories that are somewhat self-contained and seem completely irrelevant to everything else that's going on. It was great that the kid overcame the odds, but the story had a mystical overtone that seemed out of place in an episode that was otherwise grounded firmly in reality.
Next week - a Thanksgiving
ER "event" that looks like it will focus on Abby in peril. I hope there aren't any helicopters involved.
