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April 12, 2007: Photographs and Memories
During the seven long weeks since the last new ER episode, news broke about the impending departure of Goran Visnjic. That disturbing development got me thinking about what I’d like to say to the Powers-That-Be over at the Peacock network about the future of our beloved show. Herewith, my plea, along with some thoughts about tonight’s developments.
Dear NBC,
For starters, let me just say up front that I have been a fan of ER since those heady, early Must-See-TV days. I’ve stuck by the show while all of my favorite characters — Doug, Carol, Benton, Mark, Carter — have taken their leave. Heck, even Kerry had won me over by the time she departed for Miami with son Henry in tow. So, I think I’ve been patient and I’ve given new cast additions a chance to grow on me. I’ve invested myself in the stories and the natural evolution of characters who came and went, sometimes with little fanfare or explanation. (In my heart, I keep trying to convince myself that Jerry is still recuperating from those gunshots, while my head reminds me that Abraham Benrubi is over on Men in Trees now.) Basically, I’ve stuck it out and frequently suspended my disbelief, probably a lot longer than a good number of former fans. (I knew this was the case back in September when I told friends I was blogging ER and they responded with, “Is that still on?”.)
There’s no easy way to say this, but I think it is time to talk about letting go. Like the photographer capturing the last days of hospice patients (poignantly portrayed by Annabella Sciorra), there is a heroic beauty to ending on your own terms with grace and dignity. As news of Visnjic’s exit became public, I started thinking about all the plot contrivances the writers would have to throw at us in order to justify separating Luka from Abby and baby Joe. Maybe a sick father in Croatia? A hospital scandal? Death? As I thought about all of these options, I got angrier and angrier. Luka and Abby are the heart and soul of this show. Viewers have anxiously waited for them to find some happiness, and now it will likely be snatched away to accommodate further cast turnover. (As a fan of Neela and Ray, don’t even get me started on the rumors that Shane West may be following suit.)
It is no secret that networks, NBC included, are interested in making money. (How else can you explain the proliferation of cheesy B-list celebrity-hosted game shows?) John Stamos was widely credited with leading the ratings resuscitation this year, and there is a good chance that the show could sustain some of that momentum into a 14th season, even without some of its star players. But is that really what we want? I, for one, would be very satisfied to see this beloved, once-groundbreaking series end on a high note. A wedding for Luka and Abby. A new romance for Ray and Neela (or Neela and Duenko, since it doesn’t appear that that is out of the question based on their tense interactions tonight). Maybe Alex really turns around and proves himself to Sam. Maybe Pratt steps in for Luka. Maybe Tony shaves. I don’t know. Maybe I am crazy to think that the Powers-That-Be at NBC will listen to the ramblings of one dedicated fan. But I can hope, can’t I?
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Apr 12, 2007 11:59 PM
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Thank you Trish for conveying so eloquently what many of us feel. Would it kill us to get a happy ending for the characters we care about? I've been invested in the Neela-Ray and Luka-Abby romances for awhile, and news of possibly both Shane West and Goran Visnjic just really...kill me. I can also see a lot of fans who are personally invested in Luby and Reela devastated and angry.
I'm not even going to mention the semi-tragic spoilers I'm party to, but all I can say is, as a personal fan of Neela-Ray (who I credit for me starting to watch the show) and becoming a fan of the rest of the cast, including Luka and Abby, it may be time for the show to let go or for it to end on a high. With dignity and grace.
Onto the ep, thought Sam was good, and really touched by the trucker story even though it seems like a bit of an exaggeration...also a little annoyed by the whole Dubenko-Neela thing. Seriously, is Neela that lucky? I really HOPE that they don't go anywhere with Neela and Dubenko. Ick. One love triangle is enough for me.
Hilarious that Abby knocked the binder out of Hope's hands. Serves Hope right for telling people. Also loved how Luka and Abby confronted Morris and Hope on it as well. haha!
And sorry, I know, I know, how cute were Ray and Neela by the jukebox? I really saw awesome chemistry there.
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Apr 13, 2007 1:11 AM
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I figure that Luka will probably go back to Africa with Doctors Without Borders.
Wow Trish, I thought I was in the minority about killing the show. The show has been in a vegitative state on life support for some time now - probably after Noah Wyle left. I too remember those early years and how excited I was to watch.
At this point, I just skip forward through it and watch it in 30 minutes. I'm hoping for some great surprise like I used to get in the old days.
Pull the plug NBC! At least pull the plug on tragic endings and storylines that the show did better 12 years ago.
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Apr 13, 2007 3:29 AM
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Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of Parminder Nagra, but I'm quite annoyed by Neela's multiple love triangles. Come on, ER - it seems highly unlikely that everyone at that hospital could be in love with her (besides Pratt and Kovac)!
Let's resolve the loose ends and send the show out on a high note.
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Apr 13, 2007 8:42 AM
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Sadly, I think this is true. I find that I watch this show almost out of habit than interest. Its what I've always done on Thursdays, so I keep doing it. But I think its heyday has passed. It would be sad if this show persisted on for a few more seasons, sank in the ratings and had a very poor, almost ignored series finale. Send it out on a high note!!!
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Apr 13, 2007 9:20 AM
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I hate to say it but I agree. I hadn't heard the news until I read this. When Luka leaves I'm done- regardless of how they do it. I HOPE they wouldn't kill him. I mean, I still get teary thinking about Mark.... Anyway, YES- Luka and Abby, two characters that I have grown to really care about and probably the main reason I still watch, deserve to have a happy ending!
It's been a great show, and I have stuck with it since the beginning without fail but I cannot stand to see anyone else leave, especially a main character.
I'm so sad. Between this and Michelle getting kicked off Survivor last night I think I need a little "TV break".... ok I'll be watching again tonight but you know what I mean!
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Apr 13, 2007 9:24 AM
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Wow....nice to see us in like minds around here but I would have to say that I liked last night's episode...a LOT. I could really sense that 'feel' that they have been seaching for all season. That cast back to the original season's energy. High def filming will never take us back there in terms of grittiness (oh and please do not try. It failed miserably in The Balck Donnellys) but solid camera work, writing and directing will. All of that came into play last night. I want to see the photographer again. I enjoyed Abby's banter with her chopper 'anti-buddy', with Hope and with Luka. I was intrigued and interested in every single story line. And that is a first. The social issues did not slap you in the face like they sometimes do. They were nicely interwoven. I don't know what the plans are for Goran Visnjic, but you know what, a year without Luka around would give us a chance to see Abby develop even more professionally. As much as I enjoy all of the Luby moments we have been privy to, I can see his character being in the background...in Croatia on family business...in another job elswhere...at home with Joe. With her personal life in order, maybe the high note we need to have - and have the series go out on - is Abby achieving all of her professional goals at last. She needs one more year of residency for that. Abby's story has been a part of the ER matrix in a much stronger way than even Carter's. She has bridged us from nurse to med student to intern to doctor. And it's been a ride worth waiting for in my estimation.
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Apr 13, 2007 9:29 AM
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I agree with you, teech. I don't think NBC is ready to shut the show down this year so if we have to go forward without Luka at least don't let it be at the expense of Luka & Abby. He can get a job somewhere else in Chicago or something. I heard they were trying to strike a deal with Goran to make a few appearances next season like Noah Wyle did the season after he left; maybe that will work out.
All I know is that if Luka/Abby don't get the happy ending they deserve even the diehard fans will stop watching.
that said, I thought last night's episode was just meh. Sam doesn't thrill me and yeah, the Neela admiration society is getting a little too crowded to be believable. it was good to see that smarmy little sugical intern (MyLei?)screw up in front of Dubenko. she's a tw*t.
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Apr 13, 2007 10:08 AM
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Last year on the Today Show when Matt Lauer was doing his "Where in the World is...Matt Lauer?" series he met up with Goran in Croatia. Goran told Matt Lauer that next season on ER (which is this season) they would be filming a few shows from Croatia. So, Abby and Luka will definitely be getting married there. Very excited for that!! It will be so beautiful.
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Apr 13, 2007 10:19 AM
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I'm going to have to disagree with the general sentiment here. I still LOVE this show and I think that if the writing and acting talents stays in the form it has been, (especially over the this and the last season - S12), we are in for a treat for season 14. I'm very sad to see Luka go, but as long as they give a 'happy' exit to this character and not tragedy and/or heartbreak for Luka and Abby, I will be satisfied and continue to watch.
I agree with the poster who said that we still have alot to look forward to with Abby's character. I also heard that Goran was to come back for 6 episodes next year. That would help to tie up any loose ends. I'm also interested to see where they go with Hope and Morris, what will be coming Pratt's way, how will a potentially changed Alex affect Sam? I don't want to think about Shane West leaving, but if he does, how will it affect Neela. Even Gates, who I don't particularly like, has potential for interesting story lines. I have been watching ER since the beginning and even back in the 'glory days', every episode was not a 'gem'. There were ups and downs just like now, and I still say, we are having mostly 'ups' right now. NBC has promised us at least one more season, and I hope that they keep that promise.
All that being said, I also liked last nights episode alot, but this new admission from Dubenko about his feelings for Neela threw me. When did Neela become such a man magnet?
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Apr 13, 2007 12:21 PM
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I'm hoping that since Kovac is a newlywed father with an infant, he won't be heading back to Africa or Croatia. Maybe he goes into private practice to get a bigger paycheck to support his family.
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Apr 13, 2007 12:53 PM
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Just give us one more season to wrap things up formally. Just one more season....
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Apr 13, 2007 12:56 PM
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This is going to be tricky... I hope they don't kill Luka. Too many deaths among the staff ....
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Apr 13, 2007 1:35 PM
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It's to good to have "ER" back!
I've been a fan since the beginning, and I honestly feel this past season has been its best! No more truly annoying characters like Romano--I really like everyone in the cast now, and I do agree that Abby and Luka have created a true center for the show (Maura Tierney can do no wrong in my eyes). So I'm sad to hear the news of his impending departure, but I hope it won't be under tragic circumstances.
That'll be quite a challenge for the writers.
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Apr 13, 2007 1:46 PM
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It's to good to have "ER" back!
I've been a fan since the beginning, and I honestly feel this past season has been its best! No more truly annoying characters like Romano--I really like everyone in the cast now, and I do agree that Abby and Luka have created a true center for the show (Maura Tierney can do no wrong in my eyes). So I'm sad to hear the news of his impending departure, but I hope it won't be under tragic circumstances.
That'll be quite a challenge for the writers.
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Apr 13, 2007 1:46 PM
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