"The Test"
This was definitely one of the tougher episodes in recent memory, especially being the mother of a son. Watching Gates' brave young patient succumb to his terminal respiratory disease was almost too much to bear. The scene with the chaplain and the mother watching his struggle for each breath was heartbreaking, made even more so by the courage and conviction the boy demonstrated by making the decision not to go on a ventilator. On a much more lighthearted note, I felt like there was a lot of chemistry between Sam and Gates as they butted heads over the ethical handling of the case. I've said it before, but I really feel like a Sam-Tony pairing would be an interesting place to go, especially when you think about the kids and the connection they would have there. Come on
ER writers, throw me a bone!
As Pratt and Morris opted for a rather nontraditional approach to preparing for their board exams, a new attending came on the scene. I loved
Kari Matchett on both
Invasion and
Studio 60 and I think that as an attending alongside Moretti, she will provide a nice counterbalance to the overwhelmingly youthful staff at County General. Speaking of Moretti, what is the deal with his son, Brian? The kid looked completely strung out and I was confused by Moretti's somewhat bemused reaction to his son's incoherent ramblings. Obviously there is more story there, but as of right now, I have no idea where it is going.
I wasn't the least bit interested in Harold's quest to learn the secrets of sex from a horrified Neela. I really hope that they'll give Neela something more interesting to do than be followed around by this overeager Doogie Howser. It's going to get tired really quickly.
When she wasn't busy fighting with Gates, Sam was coming to the aid of abandoned teen Heather. When I first saw the young women, I thought she bore a striking resemblance to
Linda Cardellini. Then I realized that it was
Mae Whitman, a former child actress who is clearly making the transition to more adult roles. (Her résumé includes roles as the daughter of
Meg Ryan and
Andy Garcia in
When a Man Loves a Woman and
Sandra Bullock's child in
Hope Floats.) It was clear from the getgo that this teen was seeking attention, but her careless IM clued Sam into the depth of her depression.
Finally, Abby continued her downward spiral, fumbling some cases and even opening up to Pratt about her stress level. (If she fired the nanny, who the heck is watching Joe?) But what I'm not getting is, if she sees the root of the problem, why isn't she trying to help herself? Hopefully Luka will swing back into town soon to get the family back on track.
Need more ER
, STAT? Check out the
Online Video Guide
for interviews and clips.
