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Episode Recap: "Officer Down"
Tensions were running high tonight as our favorite doctors, distracted by their own personal problems and agendas, dealt with the shootings of two police auxiliary officers.
Morris internalized his grief over the loss of his father but externalized his frustration as he doggedly fought to save the lives of the victims and vented his anger on a veteran officer (Mimi Kennedy) assigned to oversee their training. I simply can’t say enough about the fine work that Scott Grimes continues to turn in as a former slacker who has emerged as a talented doctor, mostly in spite of himself. When he opened up to Abby about his loss, it clarified a lot about his motivation to be a better doctor.
Morris’ colleagues had their own share of drama to contend with as well. While trying to sort out his relationship with Bettina, Pratt treated a high-school wrestler secretly battling bulimia. Gates pulled strings with Dubenko to get his unwilling young ICU prodigy into a clinical trial just as runaway Sarah showed up on his doorstep. A flustered Abby took out her domestic frustrations on her smitten intern while her recuperating roommate Neela received an unexpected visit from Dubenko in the midst of her babysitting duties for Joe.
While I’ve enjoyed the first three episodes of this season, I do not feel completely satisfied that the writers have established an overall tone or theme for this season. The stories feel somewhat disjointed to me and lacking in cohesion. I’m hoping that in the coming weeks, we will start to see some of these plot lines intersect and fill in some of the blanks. Meanwhile, I am enjoying Sam's romance with the hunky police officer (though I am pretty much waiting for the other shoe to drop because it usually does where Sam is concerned) and I still really enjoy Leland Orser as Dubenko, a character who has been quietly developed over several seasons and still continues to surprise both with his confident gravitas as a doctor and his all-too-real humanity as a guy struggling with his somewhat inappropriate romantic yearnings. Here's hoping that all these developing stories are leading somewhere interesting and fresh.
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Oct 11, 2007 11:32 PM
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"Here's hoping that all these developing stories are leading somewhere interesting and fresh."
Those are your words, Trish, and my thoughts exactly.
This season is fun and comforting to watch, and I will watch it until it's done, but it's not fresh. These are different characters with old storylines. After all these years, it's understandable.
It's amazing to me, also, but I'm beginning to think my favorite character is Dr. Morris. It goes without saying that Abby is wonderful.
Sheesh, I hated to see that baby crying for all the scenes he was in. Okay, we get that poor poor Neela had a stressful day babysitting, but why make a real-life baby cry constantly for those scenes? For me, that's not entertainment.
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Oct 12, 2007 1:50 AM
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I thought the call Morris was going to get involved the death of his girlfriend and his regrets for not traveling with her to her new six-month job.
The Pratt situation with his girlfriend was funny. Reminded me of the Seinfeld episode in which Elaine informed Jerry that she often "faked it" with him during sex.
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Oct 12, 2007 7:59 AM
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I can't help it, I am an eternal ER fan and will be till it goes off the air. I am loving Morris too who I used to not stand. Funny...
I usually don't watch previews, however I did get a glimpse of next weeks episode and it made me tear up so I can't wait to see it.
I'm also starting to like Tony Gates a little more. The ICU seems to have matured him.
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Oct 12, 2007 8:35 AM
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I have been really enjoying ER's rejuvenation. I really wish they would give Pratt a little more serious storyline. Morris has really been on it lately, considering how annoying he used to be. Although I love Maura Tierny's Abby. It does slightly annoy me that somehow she is allowed to bark orders at her superiors. I think they need to just put her in her place every once and awhile.
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Oct 12, 2007 8:50 AM
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I've been loving "ER" all these years, but especially last season, which I think was its best ever. And I'm just as happy with the new season so far.
But I'm glad we didn't have to put up with Moretti this week, who grates on my nerves the way Romano did--and thus puts a damper on my enjoyment of the show whenever he appears onscreen.
As far as Abby occasionally barking orders at her superiors like Moretti and getting away with that--hell, I'll admit it's kind of a turn-on, for lack of a better phrase. I think it's pretty much recognized in the ER that she's right about 99% of the time, but doesn't gloat about it when her diagnosis turns out to be the correct one among differing opinions--unlike Moretti, whose smirk seems to be his permanent facial expression. Abby is invaluable (as is Maura Tierney), so it's unfortunate that this will be her last season. I thought it would be so cool to see her become Chief Attending before the end.
It might be "ER"'s last season too, if the ratings ultimately decide its fate.
I'm not too concerned about familiar storylines--that's bound to happen on occasion--because I'm comfortable with the characters and know what to expect from them. I see that as a plus, not as a sign of predictability. And I don't really feel a need to recognize an overall "theme" for the season, either. I just take each episode as it comes and enjoy the ride.
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Oct 12, 2007 9:16 AM
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Pinkie- I'm with you. What the heck where they doing to that kid to keep him crying for those scenes? It was driving me crazy cuz I kept thinking he was going to wake up my soundly sleeping 4 month old.
I love, love, love Morris and really wish they could have done showcased him somehow other than killing off his mean dad. Why can't someone in this stupid hospital come from a normal, somewhat happy, family? I know lots of people have issues but jeez every now and then you do find those people who's lives have not been complete misery..
And I am soooo not looking forward to next week's episode. Perhaps it makes me uncomfortable because I have two little ones at home but really does everyone who is a part of this show have to end up hospitalized?
Lastly- LOVED the shout outs to Randi and Jerry. Bring back Randi. She was rad!
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Oct 12, 2007 9:56 AM
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What were the shout outs to Randi and Jerry?
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Oct 12, 2007 10:03 AM
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The shoutouts to Randi & Jerry were during the scene when Morris got the phone call about his dad. It was a background conversation about the phones being so crazy. They mentioned Jerry was "slinging beers in Alaska" I think...don't remember what was said about Randi.
Here's my prediction: The mom of the sick kid in ICU is going to be the new love interest for Gates. They hugged a quite awile (even the kid said, hey, isn't this about me) and she called him Tony. Hmmm...
I'm not looking forward to next week's show either. We'd better get the kleenex ready! Although, I couldn't help but thinking it might bring Luka back. 
When Abby went to talk to Morris outside, did anyone have a flashback to when Morris was smoking pot, which ultimately led to what's his name's demise (1 armed guy - I'm blanking)?
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Oct 12, 2007 10:37 AM
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Frank said "Not even Randi is available" and "Jerry is off slinging beers in Alaska"
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Oct 12, 2007 10:42 AM
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And yes, I did think of the day Morris' career was saved. Ramano caught him smoking the reefer in that same spot but then a big bad helicopter came down and killed him!
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Oct 12, 2007 10:44 AM
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It's funny, Pratt and Morris used to drive me nuts and I couldn't stand their characters. They have both grown on me over the years and now they're two of my favorites. Abby and Neela are holding the 1-2 positions, but Pratt and Morris are right behind.
I cried during the scene when Mimi Kennedy was sitting with the dead auxilliary officer's body. She's a fantastic actress and so versatile. I've follwed her since she played a rich snob on "Homefront" and the hippie mom on "Dharma and Greg". That was a very moving scene.
I guess the previews from next week pretty resoundingly answer the question "Can the writers ever give Abby any sustained happiness?" Jeez, give the woman a break!
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Oct 12, 2007 10:50 AM
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I can't WAIT for next week's ep!! Let the brilliant Maura Tierney shine!! LOL! Plus aything that brings back Luka is fine by me!!
I really liked this week's ep, more so than last week's! I've always liked Gates and I'm glad he's "growing" up in the ICU. I'm also glad we didn't have to deal w/ Moretti this ep. He would've made things a lot worse! I also think Neela has the patience of a saint to have a crying baby for HOURS and looking like she just stepped out of the shower! LOL! Bless you Neela!
LOVED the shout outs to Jerry & Randi...when was the last time we saw Randi answering phones???
One thing I miss: having more doctors that we actually care about. We now have 4 (in the ER): Abby, Pratt, Morris & Gates (and he's a floater). Yesterday was a perfect reminder of why Kerry Weaver's missed. At least I do Also can we get a surgeon or two please?? Paging Drs. Benton and/or Corday!! I mean Dubenko isn't Superman!
On a side note, how hot did Maura look yesterday?!?! LOL!! Abby's looking quite good. I guess motherhood agrees with her!
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Oct 12, 2007 10:54 AM
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Great8- I totally forgot she was on Homefront. What an awesome show. I've loved the most awesome Kyle Chandler ever since!
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Oct 12, 2007 10:55 AM
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Hi Pinkie - I agree with you... Morris is moving up on my favorites list (but, then again... I've always been a fan of local boy Scott Grimes).
The scenes with Neela babysitting Joe were too painful to sit thru. Bad enough, I had to watch inept Neela trying to BS her way through yet another idiotic situation... but set to the tune of a baby crying? I flipped thru the channels whenever she came on.... which was nice since nothing she was doing had anything to do with advancing the plot, so I didn't have to worry about missing much.
I know no one will agree with me, but Abby is just so damn cocky that it's quickly annoying me. Between her and Neela... doesn't anyone else get any "play" in the ER? Does EVERY guy have to want them... sheesh... Didn't Dubenko have a crush on Abby before as well?
I know most of that sounds negative, but it's like when you see something with SO MUCH potential just slacking off... it's bothersome.. this show is better than that!
At least Tony is becoming less of a loser.. but did they just drop the whole "dyslexic" story altogether?
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Oct 12, 2007 11:33 AM
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