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« ER
Episode PreCap: Tandem Repeats
As Morris deals with the emotional fallout from the hostage drama, Abby faces a tough decision and Neela comes to blows with Dubenko while dealing with her critically ill patient (guest star Aida Turturro).
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May 8, 2008 9:15 PM
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Hello, friends...
I beg your patience while I try my hand at this recap stuff. I've spent the last 90 minutes taking copious notes while wearing out the pause button on my remote; I just need a bit longer to make something coherent out of it. Stay tuned...
Trish, thanks for starting the page for me.
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May 8, 2008 11:56 PM
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We pick up this episode shortly after the events of last week's tremendous outing with Archie speaking to a counselor. Turns out the hospital mandated it for all participants in the hostage situation and shooting. Archie seems as fine as he says he is. Yeah, right...
Abby is at a job interview at a hospital that looks like it has its act together.
Highlights from the admit desk: Brenner (back to being an utter Twit this week) introduces a new R4 to the staff. It sounded like he said her name was Cameron Tawyer, but we all know that we can't understand a damned thing that comes out of his mouth. Hm, seems a little possible chemistry between the new kid and Archie... Samny is at it again: Sam and Tony can't seem to find enough time (or places) to be together. I laughed when he goosed her. An unstable patient is running around in only his underwear and Tony eventually has to tackle him to the ground. Sam cracks at the sight of Tony lying atop the tackled patient: "What, you couldn't wait a half-hour?" Seems there were some evil doings between Laverne and Brenner the Twit...
Roll opening credits.
Typical crazy cat lady. Abby works with her and sneezes all over her smuggled-in kittens before calling for a social worker. Abby and Chuney then have a nice bonding moment over Abby's potential new job and her Luka troubles.
New auto accident patients roll in: A nice-looking, clearly altered young woman who crashed into a pole and a man who swerved to avoid hitting her. He'll get off easy with a mere dislocated hip.
Neela and Dubenko are in the OR again with Sheryl (the lovable heart patient from last week) trying to clear up an infection from her previous surgery when Dubenko is called away for a crashing ICU patient. Neela is flustered at first by being abandoned, but gets her bearings and plows forward.
Abby takes Lois, the female crash victim. Brenner the Twit tries to chime in but Abby nicely crushes him under her shoe like the insect he is. Abby inform the patient that her parents have been called, but Lois is not at all happy about it. Lois' mother shows up in the trauma room, but she's confused: she's looking for her son Lonnie. Lois chimes in: "I'm right here, Mom..." Awkward much?
Dubenko and Neela check in on Sheryl, who is feverish and not at her best. Neela professes concerns about Sheryl's status to Lucian, but he assures her that all is within parameters.
Abby tells Lois' mother that her son's (I know, it confuses me too) liver is in trouble. True to form, Abby does a splendid job of nursing both patient and mother through these rough moments.
Trouble afoot: Pratt, Archie, Frank and Charlie (a heretofore unknown hospital security guy) are gathered around a computer watching a security video. Sam stumbles upon them and realizes that the video is of she and Tony. She drags Tony aside.
Abby corrals Pratt to find out if he knows whether she's been accepted for the attending position. No news yet, despite the offer she got from the other place. Pratt says he'll get an answer as soon as he can. Abby got her test results: Lois' liver is failing. Mom follows Abby in and assures Lois that Dad isn't coming. Turns out Lois has been taking third-hand, imported hormones. Abby orders them tested, but County is scaling back such tests. "I love County!"
Sam and Tony botch an attempt to secure the security dvd while Frank is distracted by a smuggled-in kitten. Abby dispo's the crazy cat lady. (I don't have a whole lot of room cast aspersions here: I have four of my own...)
Abby is called back in to Lois, who is now vomiting blood by the quart. She expertly recommends a new drug treatment to stabilize the patient (and in so doing, squashes Brenner the Twit once again).
Neela and Lucian discuss Sheryl, who is septic. Neela goes to Sheryl to break the bad news: the family should be called back...
Lois is stable now, when all of a sudden, the Dad shows up. (Mom was obviously mistaken.) Predictably, Dad freaks out. Abby gets a phone call from the other hospital and asks for an extension on making her decision to accept the job. She doesn't get one. So she accepts.
Neela tells Sheryl and Family how bad things are, but Sheryl is not ready to quit despite Neela's concerns. She even gets her son (I'm supposing) to film Neela for her survival blog.
Lois' parents are arguing in the hall when Abby gets her latest results (Where she got them from in light of the new policy, I missed due to taking so many notes at such a frantic pace). She escorts them back into the trauma room to discuss them with Lois. Yep, the imported estrogen was toxic. The liver is all but toast. Only a transplant can save her. Dad is not having it. Mom ignores him and signs up to be tested as a donor.
Sam and Tony's second effort to pilfer the dvd is successful. Well, at least they got away with a disc...
Pratt and Archie have a nice scene while Pratt is scurrying off to visit Bettina. Pratt is concerned about Archie's experience at gunpoint, but Archie swears all is well. Conversely, Archie is happy that Greg is a front-runner for ER chief and about his warming relationship with Bettina.
(A side note: Yes, I've been calling for Morris' severed head on a stick for many months now, but after last week, I like him. That's why he's been "Archie" all through this. Sue me. It was a great character-building script and a superb performance.)
Abby corners Pratt on his way out for an attending update and she informs him that she took the other job. Greg promises he'll fix everything when he returns. I must confess to feeling a little doubt here; Pratt's history s a follow-through guy has been spotty at best...
We are now at a trauma resuscitation conference being led by Brenner the Twit. Many are in attendance, including Sam and Tony. Archie loads the cd with the presentation slideshow into the projector. It isn't the presentation cd. Tony has that; he stole it earlier. It's a security dvd. Oops. Hilarity ensues. (I'm understating it because I'm in recap mode; the truth is it was hysterical.)
Greg has a touching scene with Bettina during which he suggests moving in to take care of her during her recovery. I don't see him in a rush to get back to the hospital to talk to Anspaugh...
Lois' mother is a match, but her liver is cirrhotic, so she isn't a good donor candidate. Lois crashes. Naturally, Abby gets her back. Damn, she's good.
Pratt *did* come back. He and Archie have another heart-to-heart. Greg offers Archie a shoulder.
Back at the admit desk, the enhanced security video is all the rage and Sam and Tony are getting earfuls of good-natured ribbing. Sam turns the tables by kissing Tony AT everyone. Read it again; it works. Then she announces that Tony is her boyfriend. The snug smile on his face as she huffs away is priceless. Samny is definitely working for me.
Brenner the Twit and Laverne have an exchange that starts professional but takes a steep nosedive in a real hurry. I can't do it justice here without typing out the entire battle, but I can tell you it was ugly. I hope someone sticks a spear through Brenner(the Twit)'s throat very soon.
Abby is wheeling Lois up to the OR, apparently Mom's gonna do it, regardless of the risk. Abby calls the Dad aside and scolds him. Rather well, it turns out: Dad asks to be tested as a donor.
Neela checks out Sheryl's blog while the family visits Sheryl; There's an online video of the whole family dancing (badly, happily) to EWF's September. Neela tears up. She chastises Dubenko for leaving her in surgery, then storms away. We don't know where.
Abby closes her locker, leaves the lounge, dispo's a patient, helps Laverne with a procedure then walks out the door. I'm smelling an exit... Pratt approaches her after having spoken with Anspaugh.
Archie has wisely reconsidered his stance on the usefulness of the post-crisis therapy and makes an appointment with the counselor.
Pratt escorts Abby back into the ER and introduces her as County's new attending physician. She calls Luka to share the news.
Cue the insulting NBC cow who says "Stay tuned for more ER" when we all know damn good and well that there is no more to stay tuned for. (Previews, yeah, but no more show.)
That wraps up my very first recap. I'll be back later with a review.
Be kind...
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May 9, 2008 1:57 AM
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You did fine. I would just tell us a little more about what you like,
I didn't like much tonight. Neela is one of my favorite people and I would like to see more of her and Dubenko. And I don't want them to screw with Abbey and Luka.
Ah. well.
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May 9, 2008 2:23 AM
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sjpatrick you rock! I missed tonight's ep but now it feels like I saw the whole thing. thanks sooooo much!
ps Samny. it took me forever to get that!
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May 9, 2008 3:36 AM
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stupid doublepost
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May 9, 2008 3:36 AM
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SJPatrick:
You did a fine job for your first time. Nice to see there are still a few of us left who care so much for this show. TV Guide should take you on, since Trish can't be bothered to write this blog anymore. What an insult.
I guess "ER" really put one past me this week. I was very reluctantly preparing myself for Abby's exit for the new job. I remember thinking YEARS ago how great it would be to see Abby move up through the ranks and eventually become an attending--or, even better,Chief Attending--by the time the show goes off the air. Oddly, though, knowing that Maura Tierney won't be a regular for the final season (I believe she'll be in a few early episodes?)the last scene, in which Pratt makes the announcement to the others, left me sort of confused as well as elated. Perhaps this should have happened last season, instead of the whole falling-off-the-wagon-sleeping-with-Moretti story?
Whoever may have inside info as to how Abby's story will turn out, please post a spoiler warning first! Thanx.
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May 9, 2008 9:09 AM
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Hey, stand-in recap guy, long-winded much?
Pratt's all grown up now. He was surprisingly generous with himself when dealing with Bettina, Archie and Abby. I'd really like to see him get the ER Chief spot.
Archie tried to stay stoic in light of what he went rhough last week, to the point where he had even convinced himself that he was okay. It showed amazing growth in his character that he recognized he wasn't as fine as he professed to be.
This seems to be a recurring theme this season: Pratt, Morris and Tony (and to a lesser degree, Neela) have all matured this season as people as well as doctors (Archie all at once last week). If the writers keep up this arc (please, please, please), I feel better now than I did at the beginning of this season about the current cast being the core of a much-improved ER.
Ah, my beloved Abby... I was very happy with her scenes this week and a lot of important things happened in her story. I totally whiffed on whether she'd get the attending position given that Maura's series exit is imminent, but I'm glad her character got this recognition. Two points to the writers for so perfectly blind-siding me. The faux classic final walkout was a nice touch. 
Samny (that's Sam and Tony for any of you who still don't get it — <wink> to wheezy) this week was a perfect example of ER comic relief done right. Their entire adventure in this episode was a riot, while still advancing their relationship. And no one had to be just plain stupid to draw laughs. I really hope this couple sticks.
I was sad that Neela's patient didn't fare better than she did, but I saw it coming. It hard to fault either doctor in this situation; they were both right. The Sheryl-blog video scene was done beautifully.
Now for the flip-side of the coin: Will someone please take an ax to Brenner's chest? Repeatedly? A *large* ax? Based on tonight's episode, I'd like to see Laverne fall on her sword and get Brenner canned. Seriously, characters like him are not good for this show. ER is at its best when the staff are clearly willing to work together amid whatever they've got going on in their personal lives. Ten years ago, Mark Greene would have personally fired Brenner, Anspaugh's nephew or not. And when he did, I'd have cheered.
Okay, red. you asked for it.... 
Wheezy, thanks. Yeah, I went a little overboard, so you were pretty much *there* after my recap. I coined "Samny" way back when with the curbside kiss. It's the first 'shipper name I ever came up with. As I said back then, if anyone comes up with anything better, I'm all for it.
Garry. thanks for the compliment. As usual, we're in total agreement in all things Abby.
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May 9, 2008 9:19 AM
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Excellent recap, sjpatrick! We can see the painstaking work that you put into it. I enjoyed the episode, as usual. A good mix of drama with a dash of lighthearted fun. I couldn't believe what a jerk (to put it kindly) Brenner was. I kept waiting for some type of explaination as to why he would be treating the resident (I forget her name)like that. Great scenes with Neela, Lucien, Abby, Pratt, Morris etc. Good work all around!
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May 9, 2008 9:24 AM
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Thanks for posting this recap, sjpatrick! I was watching LOST (like Trish probably was) and totally forgot to set up a recording for ER. And NBC only posts a two-minute video recap. So now I feel as if I'm caught up. Good work!
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May 9, 2008 11:14 AM
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Thank you so much, sjpatrick, for the recap! I couldn't watch because I had no electricity last night due to a storm, so I'm very appreciative for the work you did putting together the recap!
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May 9, 2008 11:18 AM
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Hey sj, great recap, and thanks, I appreciate it.
As far as other possible shipper names, how about just Sany? When I saw Samny, I thought it was just a typo, to be honest with ya.
As far as Brenner goes I have a perfect solution: The girl confides to Abby what happens and Abby fixes it her way or brings others into the situation that brings him down, or makes him want to leave or set him up all the while letting him know EXACTLY WHY he's being brought down.
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May 9, 2008 11:36 AM
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Since I can't go without ER, I watched it and DVR'ed Lost! LOL!! Seriously, great recap there sjpatrick!!!
My lil Abby-Wabby is an attending! Way to go Abs!!! Glad she "stayed" at County! Next week is looking like it's going to be explosive in the very least! Can't wait!!! But I do agree that Brenner needs to go back to whatever hole he crawled out from under. I don't care that he's Anspaugh's nephew or not. He needs to go!!! Doesn't the doc he slept with remind anyone of Wendy Goldman from back in the day? There's a little physical resemblance! LOL!!
Great storyline for Dr. Lockhart...the whole Lois thing was heart breaking. Where have I seen her mom before? I know the dad always plays an ass (in every role I've seen him) but mom looked very familiar too!
Poor Neela! She's grown so much!! Frank's like "that STILL doesn't look like sex to me". LOL!!! GOod one Frank!
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May 9, 2008 11:52 AM
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The actress who played Lois' mother is Beth Broderick, whom I first saw as one of the aunts on "Sabrina". For me, she's in the category of fabulous actresses who pops up all the time on TV, but without much name recognition.
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May 9, 2008 12:17 PM
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I haven't posted before on this site, but I wanted to tell you sjpatrick how much I appreciate your recap! I haven't missed an episode of ER for a very long time, but last night I had to tape Lost (I HATE that they put that on opposite ER) and I was at a baseball game so only saw the last 15 min. of ER. I was hoping to read a good recap today to find out everything I missed. I was disappointed with the couple lines from Trish...but so happy to see a nice thorough one from you! Thank you for taking the time do it!! 
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May 9, 2008 12:18 PM
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