Status Quo
Happy New Year,
ER fans! Welcome to the remaining episodes before our favorite hospital (east of the Rockies) shuts its doors with a bad case of writer's strike. Luckily, tonight's episode was a great one that reminded me again of why I love this show.
When Haleh has that get-together at her place to celebrate "the good old days," I want an invitation! I think my fourteen years of loyal viewership has earned me that much, don't you? Doug and Carol's twins are in third grade? Carter may be coming for a visit in the spring? How great was it that the brief (and unfortunately sad) return of Jeanie Boulet precipitated such an unexpected trip down memory lane? Call me ridiculous, deluded and sentimental, but I love the idea that Doug and Carol really are blissfully ensconced in Seattle with their daughters, sending periodic pictures to the nurses at County General. As we've talked about before, one of my favorite things about
ER is the enduring history of these characters and their stories. Tonight's episode provided a great reminder of that link between the past and the present.
Jeanie Boulet's visit to County General in the wake of her son's collapse and potential AIDS diagnosis showcased once again the grace and dignity that
Gloria Reuben brought to the role. It also reminded me of how emotionally stirring I always found her performance to be. (Who remembers when she put her star on top of the ER Christmas tree? Anyone?) It was also a nice touch to see
Cress Williams reprising his role as Jeanie's (now ex) husband Reggie. This actor seems to specialize in tortured spouses since he is also busy dealing with the collapse of his marriage to Bailey on
Grey's Anatomy. (For more on Gloria Reuben's all-to-brief return engagement, click
here.)
The story with Jeanie's son Carlos nicely overlapped with Pratt's ongoing struggle to be taken seriously by Anspaugh. After watching Wexler dress down Sam for sharing a personal story with a patient, I am ready to see her go right out that door and I think Pratt is ready to take the reins. I liked that Dr. Daniels encouraged Pratt to fight for the position and that Jeanie's wavering faith during her son's surgery reminded Pratt how important it is to fight for what you believe is right, no matter what the emotional toll might be.
Other interesting tidbits tonight included the ongoing sexual tension between Gates and Sam as they worked together on the case of the military couple dealing with the repercussions of a rape. It is like the writers have read the blog and said, "You know what? Trish is right. Sam and Gates do belong together. Let's make it happen." I am enjoying the slow burn between these two and hoping that it leads to something interesting (that lasts for more than two episodes.) Meanwhile, Neela got her flirt on with the cute, overly confident (and conspicuously single) surgeon who coerced her into an orthopedic rotation while her visiting cousin had Harold and Morris swooning and vying for her attention. I enjoyed the part where Neela had to remind clueless Archie that not all Indians have been to India (and Harold's emphatic retort that not all African-Americans have been to Africa).
It looks like emotions will continue to run high next week as Abby makes her return from rehab. It will be good to have her back in the fold.
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Online Video Guide for interviews and clips.
