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Episode Recap: "Under the Influence"
Goran Visnjic phoned it in tonight, literally, as we caught a too-quick glimpse of him and an aggravated (and sadly, hung-over) Abby conversing about his extended stay in Croatia.(Despite this painful separation, Luka still looks as gorgeous as ever with his longer, tousled hair.) We also had a chance to get reacquainted with two old favorites who are still making the ER rounds. Arrogant, resident-hating cardiologist Dr. Kasen consulted on the unusual case of the young father-to-be suspected of self-inflicting a dangerous arrhythmia with amphetamines. The always-wonderful Amy Aquino also reprised her role as obstetrician Dr. Coburn, who worked to save the man’s baby while offering Abby counsel as she dealt with her fall from the wagon. (Was I the only one who was surprised to learn that Coburn was Abby's sponsor? Was this established previously?)
I have to say that despite Luka’s absence, it seems very uncharacteristic of Abby to be handling this situation so badly. As a parent of a young child, I know how hard it can be to deal with the demanding work-life balance, especially when your partner is otherwise engaged, but come on — are we expected to believe that Abby is that susceptible to her demons? It just seems like a cheap storytelling ploy to me and I find it incongruous with the recent development of that character into a wife, mother and leader in the ER.
Meanwhile, there is a character who actually seems to be developing in a more appealing way. I don’t know if it is the lack of untamed facial hair or just the detour to the ICU, but Gates has not been nearly as grating this year as I found him last season. He has matured and come into his own in many ways and I loved his interaction with the flirty young chaplain (Reiko Aylesworth). I would love to see him develop ties with someone other than Neela. (Though between you and me, I think he and Sam would be an excellent match.)
Speaking of Neela, I enjoyed watching her struggle with her preternaturally bright (and very young) surgical intern. While I question the logic of taking advice from Crenshaw, it was fun to watch Neela attempt to intimidate her charge and then eventually revert to a mentoring relationship that is more natural for her. I’m also glad to see that the writers have backed off the Tony-Neela angle. Let’s give the girl 15 minutes to recover from the Ray situation before they push her into a relationship.
While you all know what a fan I am of Archie, his storyline left me cold. I'm glad he finally got some... satisfaction, but why are the writers keeping him tethered to Hope at this point? Let the boy move on with his life.
Finally tonight, I was glad to see that they are going to give Moretti some backstory. It seems that his son will figure into the story soon, and I am anxious to see what kind of impact that will have on his unflappable facade.
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Oct 25, 2007 11:40 PM
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I missed tonight's ep, so thanks Trish for the quick post. Re: your question about Abby's AA sponsor, I think John Carter may have been her sponsor at one point, maybe this other doc took over when John went to Africa.
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Oct 26, 2007 12:21 AM
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I don't recall John Carter being her sponsor either, but it could very well be. I suppose it is indeed possible since he was an addict.
I fell asleep during the show so I missed the whole cardiac event. In the promos the network showed us they kept asking "why does no one in the ER want to treat this man?". Well, I didn't get the answer to that question. Was this a mislead as usual, or was it true?
Nothing about tonight actually interested me, but I guess it wasn't a bad show.
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Oct 26, 2007 12:28 AM
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actually, abby was carter's sponser from when he got addicted to painkillers. i was also suprised that coburn was her sponser, i never knew that,
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Oct 26, 2007 1:33 AM
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I'm watching this episode right now and I'm going crazy trying to figure out where I've seen the attractive asian patient who had the food problem that Dr. Morris didn't want to work on. Another TV show or movie (or maybe Days of our Lives)?? Can anyone help me out here?? Thanks in advance!
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Oct 26, 2007 1:45 AM
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Not to put too fine a point on it, but any excuse to put those twin car dealers onscreen is a good excuse.
Great googely moogely!
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Oct 26, 2007 2:06 AM
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What I don't get is all this doing it alone foolishness mentality the writers are wanting us to believe Abby has. Hello, her and her husband are doctors, can't they afford a live-in nanny for a few weeks or months? Duh. Better than the alternative of drinking...right. duh.
I really like Dr. Moretti, hope he is there all season. He is presented as a guest star still, right?
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Oct 26, 2007 2:48 AM
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Peachy, the Asian patient is Walter from Grey's Anatomy (Joe's boyfriend).
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Oct 26, 2007 6:42 AM
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Quote: "While you all know what a fan I am of Archie, his storyline left me cold." -- Cold? It left me grossed out! Inappropriate and disgusting is my opinion. An ambulance? Gross. Sure hope I don't need ambulance service anytime soon...
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Oct 26, 2007 7:09 AM
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Missy5177, Peachy_D meant the female patient with the foot problem not the male with the heart/drug problem.
It was a good episode, but Abby is getting on my nerves lately. Yes, Luka is not there right now, but how long was she a self-sufficient, stand-alone person who didn't want to rely on anyone? Did Abby go soft since getting married and having a kid? And, yes, surely she can afford a better caregiver for her son than the ditz that wasn't watching him at the playground last week.
I'm not sure I like the new Chaplain. She sure isn't anywhere near the sort of person I would want counseling me. "That must of been a hell of a prayer." That sounds like a Chaplain--not!!
I agree, I do like Tony's character more this season and Neela does need a break from him. She had already told him it was over at Luka and Abby's wedding, when she picked Ray over him. She needs to keep it that way.
The new surgical intern was cute but very annoying. Neela really needs to shut him up. His being very young (19) has a lot to do, I think, with his runaway mouth and trying too hard to look good. Glad they came to an understanding at the end.
Can't wait for next week.
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Oct 26, 2007 8:49 AM
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I think the Asian girl with the foot problem was Jamie Chung from Real World San Diego. I think she also has been on Days of our Loves also...
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Oct 26, 2007 9:11 AM
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I think the Asian guy with the heart problem was the hiker from Grey's Anatomy (with the frost bit nose), not joe's bf.
Come on guys give Abby a break - the relapse happened not just because Luka's gone but because her kid (in her mind) almost died the day before. I think that's reason enough to at least understand why she isn't her usual self. Plus, yeah she's very independent and all, but her relationship with Luka has helped her open up to not just doing things by herself. That's a good thing!
And I've recently re-watched ER from season 4-11 and no where in there did we ever see or meet Abby's sponsor, so that was a cool new story line! (and to answer someone from an earlier comment, Carter wasn't Abby's sponsor, she was his for a little while).
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Oct 26, 2007 10:30 AM
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I don't think it was uncharacteristic at all for Abby to succumb to her personal pressures. Falling off the wagon shows us that even people who look as if they're in control during stressful times can reach a point where things just get too much. And I'm glad the writers haven't forgotten that she is indeed an alcoholic--it hasn't been mentioned much for a long time.
Between Luka's absence, Joe's fall (and now his seemingly constant crying), and the usual high-pressure life in the ER, it's unfortunate but understandable that Abby gave in. We're used to seeing her handle everything no matter how crazy it all gets, but in the end, she's still human--and, at the moment, very lonely.
I'm surprised some of you--including Trish the Blogger--aren't more understanding.
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Oct 26, 2007 10:45 AM
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I know this is off topic but can someone explain to me how Ray lost his legs? I missed that episode and to my knowledge it hasn't been aired again. I hope Abby gets some reliable help soon - mostly because it's affecting the character's storyline in a negative way. This always happens when writers bring children into the equation.
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Oct 26, 2007 11:07 AM
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I think they are doing a great job portraying Abby's struggle. Alcholism stays with you no matter how many years you are sober and no matter how on track you get your life. You may not struggle with the urges on a day to day basis but in the back of your mind it will always be there. That is why Dr. Coburn couldn't help Abby because she was unable to admit she is still an alcoholic. I was surprised by the level of denial she had already become comfortable with and that she didn't seem to have a deep sense of guilt regarding the care of her son. All in all I am glad they came back to this. I'm not saying it was necessary for the writers to have her picking up a bottle but at least acknowledge her problem. By the way, I think Carter asked Abby to be his sponser but I'm not sure she actually was. I think she may have told him she was not that far into her recovery that she could handle being sponser. Could be wrong though!
With that said, the new geeky kid kind of reminded me of a young Dr. Green. Good to see Coburn and Kasan. If only we could bring CCH Pounder back for a cameo.
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Oct 26, 2007 11:17 AM
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