Remember when there was a new...

Remember when there was a new Darren on Bewitched? How about when Chris on The Partridge Family changed? Then there was a new Steven on Dynasty and, of course, a new Becky on Roseanne (and then back to the old). Now we have a new Alex on ER. Alex, just to remind you, is Samantha's diabetic son, and he's now being played by Dominic Janes. Maybe Oliver Davis had to do full-time work on Rodney? Anyway, I noticed it right away, even though at first they were using clever camera work so he was only seen from far away. I laughed when the detective told Sam (after Alex's photo was distributed): "Nobody recognized your son." Of course they didn't; he's being played by someone else. Glad for Sam's sake that she finally found him and that he's OK. But her journey getting to the missing Alex included a scene that brought back nasty memories for me. I must admit that I once fell asleep at the wheel not a pretty time in my history. I didn't hit an antelope like Sam when I did it though I rear-ended a truck and luckily no one was hurt. Not once have I come close to a repeat performance. But back to Sam. Awesome work by Linda Cardellini, as always. And what was with Abby thinking she was Super Doctor? Glad Pratt handed her the clue phone and reminded her she's a resident now. I want more Maura Tierney in future episodes, please.

Did I miss Noah Wyle? Yes, but not horribly, since they slowly downplayed his importance last season and gave equal time to the rest of the ensemble, like the soon-to-depart-yet-again Sherry Stringfield and the increasingly funny Parminder Nagra as Neela (so glad she told that new Bad-luck Schleprock intern Teddy to go home). Speaking of funny nice to see Sara Gilbert back as Darlene, I mean Jane, before she spends most of her time playing Darlene, I mean Mitchee, on Twins. Next week Danny Glover returns and in future weeks we get Kristen Johnson and John Leguizamo, plus John Stamos for a couple of shows. Bring 'em on  the more the merrier in the ER!