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Episode Recap: As the Day She Was Born
While much of the focus tonight was on Neela, it seemed like almost everyone at County was dealing with some sort of personal or professional crisis.
Let’s start with Neela walking around the ER naked. No great surprise that this was a dream that reflected her own insecurities about her birthday, her decisions and her life in general. Unfortunately, both Harold and Tony were on the receiving end of her bad day. When Harold came clean about his decision to change specialties, Neela went straight from surprised to unsupportive to downright bullying the poor kid. Next up for a haranguing was Tony. While she did make some valid points about his tendency to jump from relationship to relationship, she was pretty tough on him and somewhat hypocritical given her personal track record with men. I loved that Dubenko was the one who set her straight in the end, reminding her of the unique talents she possesses and offering the saddest (and most inedible) birthday confection I've ever seen.
Since I’ve never been a big fan of the Tony/Sarah drama, the story with the ailing grandfather left me kind of cold. I was really annoyed at the way the grandmother dismissed Tony’s authority as a doctor throughout the entire ordeal. (Though it was nice to see Six Feet Under’s Frances Conroy keeping busy playing yet another edgy matriarch.) Tony really was quite the trooper tonight fielding hits from every angle and taking it all in stride. At least things seem to be progressing well with Sam, who was busy herself dealing with the difficult case of a father who appeared to be the victim of an abusive son. Thankfully, in this case, Sam’s instincts were incorrect.
Archie and Frank provided their usual dose of comic relief as they battled over what turned out to be Frank’s hurt feelings. Watching Pratt put his management skills to good use as he helped the “pen-tapping garden gnome” and portly desk clerk come to terms with their feelings was a highlight. It was a much needed lighter moment for Pratt who also learned of Bettina’s health issues and faced her lack of confidence in his ability to deal.
We also saw the kick-off of a storyline featuring former Sopranos star Aida Turturro. It has been reported that she will be around for several episodes so I’m curious to see where things will go with this story. I am also hopeful that tonight's Neela-centric episode may be leading us to a reunion with Ray. Hey, a girl can hope, right?
One final thing— how miserable did Abby, Luka and Joe look in that terribly fake photo at the beginning of the episode? I hope this is not a sign of things to come for our favorite family.
Need more ER, STAT? Check out the Online Video Guide for interviews and clips.
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Apr 17, 2008 11:41 PM
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I am also hopeful that tonight's Neela-centric episode may be leading us to a reunion with Ray
Not another Ray fanatic? Oh my god - ladies he is now sans legs and is not coming back - I hope!
The episode last night was just okay. ER has seemed to have lost a bit of a spark that it showed last season. Maybe it's due to the fact that the writers decided that Abby could only be happy for a very limited amount of time.
Writers - we need to care about these characters - and it is much easier to do so if you don't turn our favorite character Abby into a cheating, lying alchoholic with very few redeemable qualities!
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Apr 18, 2008 11:18 AM
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I really liked last night episode. (And you can count me in as a Ray/Neela fan also! Although I read that he won't be back this season I'm keeping my fingers crossed for next season.) I already care about most of these characters. It's why I tune in week after week. The back and forth between Frank and Morris was great comic relief. I think Neela's story was realistic of someone turning 31 and feeling that they may never 'have it all'. I laughed out loud at that picture of Abby and Luka. Miserable! Finally, I think the grandmother was fustrated and didn't really view Tony as much more that a slacker, but obviously her view changed by the end of the show.
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Apr 18, 2008 11:57 AM
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I thought the extremely obvious un-happy picture of our favorite little family was waaaayy to over the top! I mean come on...
It was fun seeing Neela again though. With all the stuff that's been going on with Abby I sort of forgot that I liked her! And though Morris and Frank were starting to get annoying, I did really like the part where Prat, to his own surprise, was able to use his 'skills' to solve the problem. I thought that was funny and clever!
Harold stuff - interesting, have no problem with him moving on to other things (and hopefully off the show... we only need one comic relief guy and Morris is it).
Did anyone see previews for next week? I missed them...
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Apr 18, 2008 12:40 PM
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Well, the ep was OK. If they're planning on Neela, Sam, Gates & Pratt the "leads" of the show, it'll be pretty boring. The only one I care for is Neela, but hey, I'll still watch.
The grandfather story left me kind of cold too. The emotion was gone from that storyline and I went from liking Sarah to wanting to smack her upside her blonde head.
Frank & Morris were SOOO funny!!! Morris taping the desk and the "frank s*cks" post it was SO funny!!! And Frank's "garden gnome" comment left me in stitches.
But yes, the show is missing something -- maybe recognizable faces. I was thrilled to see Nurse Lily!! Like I said before, Pratt doesn't impress me (never has), I'm sick of Sam and Gates is OK but I don't care for him.
The pic w/ Abby, Luka & Joe...eeekkk!! Did they say "pretend your sucking on a lemon" instead of "cheese"??? Looking forward to next week's ep!!!
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Apr 18, 2008 12:52 PM
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olivia- the previews for next week
PREVIEW ALERT
showed Abby and Luka in crisis, Abby in the ER getting her stride back, and (can't wait for this scene) Abby telling Sam that she's getting tired of Sams holier-than-thou (not her exact words) attitude towards Abby.
PREVIEW OVER
I think they showed way too much in the preview, it seemed like the whole story arc of the show!
I liked this week. Morris and Frank were the best part.
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Apr 18, 2008 1:08 PM
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After last weeks episode, I was concerned about the show itself. But my eyes were opened to future possibilities. I'm hopeful for Neela to finally find someone she can go home to everyday or night. Wouldn't it be something if Ray would come back into her life?
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Apr 18, 2008 1:43 PM
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After last weeks episode, I was concerned about the show itself. But my eyes were opened to future possibilities. I'm hopeful for Neela to finally find someone she can go home to everyday or night. Wouldn't it be something if Ray would come back into her life?
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Apr 18, 2008 1:47 PM
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I like the fact that Neela could get back together with Ray, only in my storyline it would be that she goes wherever he is and stays there. Sorry, I'm in the minority. I just don't like her character.
The show was okay. Void of much action. As Wheezy says, the best part was Frank and Morris. You KNOW something was missing when that's the case.
I keep forgetting ER is coming back again next year. It's already getting boring again and there's just no promise that next year will be good. I've been saying for 18 months that we're gonna' get drab, repetitive episodes that take away from the wonder that was once ER, and so we'll most likely not go out with a bang but with a whimper. Sad.
I really like Dubenko, but we never get much of a storyline for him. I think this show will only be saved by some spectacular guest stars, because right now, blah.
Oh, I did find a really really really good thing about last night's epi. That mumbling new dork doctor wasn't on!!
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Apr 18, 2008 2:33 PM
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Not my favorite episode but I wanted to mention a few things. The picture of Abby, Luka and Joe scared me terribly because they did look so unbelievably miserable. I too am hoping that it's not a preview of things to come for them. I SOOO want them to stay together.
I loved the part where Dubenko told Neela "The moment we start comparing ourselves to others is the minute we forget that we're doing exactly what we're meant to be doing." This is so true and a wonderful lesson for anyone to learn!
Finally, I just had to laugh at Archie and Frank and was utterly suprised when it turned out that Frank's feelings were hurt. He seems to me to be a type of guy that could care less if he was invited to a party or not but this just proves you can't judge a book by it's cover.
As for Sarah's grandfather's storyline the only part I liked was when Sarah thanked Neela for what she did. I thought that was nice of her especially considering all the bad feeling Sarah has towards Neela because of her mom and Tony.
I can't wait for next week to see Abby and Luka again. I missed them this week.
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Apr 18, 2008 4:22 PM
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My honey doesn't watch this show, but was in the room when Morris and Frank resolved their problem and he was laughing pretty good. Way to go writers, that was good stuff. "I coulda grabbed a burger on the way over, and I might not want to sing karaoke, but I can listen to it." or something like that. There's a lesson there for all of us.
I too loved what Debenko taught Neela. It was moving and sweet. I kinda thought he was going to kiss her at one point (and wanted him too). The good one is right in front of your eyes Neela, open them!
Trish - I believe the whole point of the grandma being like she was was to prove how much Tony has grown up. I was so glad when she yelled at him about always being right. That really opened his eyes, and he made the right call. She even said that she always looked at him as the kid who hadn't grown up, but doesn't think that anymore.
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Apr 18, 2008 5:32 PM
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Ranger99
I'm Ray fanatic too. Is it a problem?
Cause I dont care about Abby and Luka boring storyline...Enough!
But without Ray ER basically SUCKS.
Lately Ray was only my reason to see the show...and Roomies of course.
with or without Ray coming back to the show. Neela is acting like season 12 and 13 never happened. Ray lost his legs because of Neela!
Neela does not seams feel guilty for what happened to Ray.She quickly forgotten her best friend?
I hate the new neela!!! She lost her sense and Dignity!
And Ray can work without legs Roger99.
He's a doctor...Ray does not need the legs to cure or treat the sick people.
And he can put prostheses..
People without any of the members may work or marry or have a relationship...
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Apr 19, 2008 5:57 AM
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And one more thing:
I do not have an arm and I am teacher. So do not understand why Ray can not return to ER.
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Apr 19, 2008 6:03 AM
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He could be a teacher, but I think he'd have a difficult time in the chaotic ER with people being rushed here and there and some procedures requiring a great deal of physicality. I remember the times when Weaver would get frustrated at how her disability sometimes interfered with her work.
Don't know about Neela, but I know I certainly wouldn't feel guilty that my best friend (who'd been carrying a torch for me), got drunk, walked in front of a truck and lost his legs. I'd feel a lot of different things, but guilt wouldn't be one of them.
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Apr 19, 2008 10:24 AM
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Even sense not guilty. She feel anything right?
Nobody forgets so suddenly someone so important in our lives.
Because she may not have pushed Ray for the truck. But influenced the whole tragedy with her indecision.
She cannot always excuse himself as a victim of everything...
The others also suffer!
And another thing:
I can not understand why a doctor has to be good physically to be doctor. This is ridiculous!
That does not change my opinion on Neela. She simply changed. Yes, but for worse.
And I do not forgive Neela.
She took Ray's head quickly and already planning another new lover.
Sorry but this enough for me!
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Apr 19, 2008 1:35 PM
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