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Episode Recap: Owner of a Broken Heart
It’s been too long, my fellow ER fans. But we are back now and with the recent announcement of a fifteenth and final season, I’d say we have much to look forward to. While the strike was a big blow to a lot of shows, I think it was a mixed blessing in the case of ER. Had this season been allowed to play out as expected, our beloved staff of County General may very well have limped to the finish line and quietly gone out with a whimper. This landmark show simply deserves better than that and the abbreviated season seemed to ensure that the planned story lines and possible return engagements would carry over to next season, allowing the dedicated fans some closure.
The more things change at County, the more they stay the same. Since the earliest days of Doug and Carol, the doctors and nurses have been mixing it up and now we can add Tony and Sam to the list. As they awkwardly dealt with the aftermath of their kiss and Sam learned that Tony and Julia had broken up, they also handled the difficult case of a heart-transplant patient desperately (and dangerously) trying to extricate herself from a complicated relationship with the fiancé of the donor who kept her alive. I love that these two are finally giving in to their chemistry. I only hope that their relationship is given a chance to evolve a little bit.
In a shocking and unexpected twist, Pratt butted heads with someone! This time, it was cocky new attending, Dr. Tom Brenner, whose egregious lack of professionalism in dealing with the interns was certainly hard to overlook. Usually, the new attendings make their entrance right into the chaos of the ER so I was surprised and somewhat confused at how they introduced this particular character. (For a moment, I thought that NBC had played a switcheroo and dropped in an episode of Lipstick Jungle.) However, I wouldn't get too attached as attendings don't seem to last very long these days.
As for our beloved Luka and Abby, we watched the aftermath of Abby’s relapse played out through bittersweet flashbacks. Their ongoing struggles with the “collateral damage” of Abby’s alcoholism and tryst with Dr. Moretti were painful to watch, but played against some of the touching and beautiful moments that have shaped and defined their relationship, I feel reassured that everything is going to work out. That look on Luka's face as he locked eyes with Abby in that last scene was further proof that the bond these two share is stronger than any obstacle they will face. If the rest of this season packs even half the emotional wallop of their reunion, we're in for a good ride.
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Apr 10, 2008 11:18 PM
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Wow, Trish, that was fast and good!!
I actually liked this show. Hated the new guy. Hated the opening scene. Loved Loved Loved the two women librarians duking it out and ending up in the ER. My fave story in a long time.
And I was all smiley and felt all snuggly when Luka and Abby hugged in the airport. How scared she must be to have to tell him the truth, but I can't stand it if they ever break up. I'm sure they won't, or it won't be permanent since there's only one more season to go.
And I agree that the writer's strike really did save this show. I was getting so disappointed with the dull stale storylines, but tonight I was ready for whatever they wanted to put out there. I wasn't crazy about the heart transplant story because it was too obvious, but heck, I missed these people!! And John Stamos finally was the guy I've been waiting for. Sam is a great match for him and brings out the naughty little boy in him we all know and love.
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Apr 10, 2008 11:47 PM
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I loooove Abby. the scenes with her sponsor were really poignant; they should give Janet more air time. and I love Abby and Luka; the flashbacks really worked. I could do with a whole episode devoted to just them.
I had a hard time understanding a word the new guy said. was it just me? he's a mumbler.
Morris was back to buggin this week.
I've never liked Sam so I don't particularly care about her getting it on with Tony. and can't she ever get a guy who's not someone else's sloppy seconds?
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Apr 11, 2008 2:11 AM
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Wheezy, I am glad someone else said it!!! I thought I was just getting old, but I couldn't understand a word the new guy said either!!
I thought Sam looked great. I love her with the dark hair.
I thought last night's show was really boring tho. I am finally ready to say my last good byes to the ER staff.
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Apr 11, 2008 7:58 AM
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I'm still one of those die-hard fans who would not miss "ER" for anything.
I hate the new guy, too. One of my few gripes about the show: why does every new attending have to have such an awful personality? Think back over the past few years. I don't even remember all of their names, and they do seem to come and go in quick order, but do they all have to be so annoying, smug, and disrespectful? I loved it when Pratt told the Brenner "I'll introduce you to the floor" if he doesn't wise up fast. I hope this guy doesn't hang around too long. At least Skye was awesome to look at.
Sam and Tony seem like a good match. I have no problem with it!
Last but not least, my Abby.
I was getting nervous about her impending reunion with Luka, not even sure if she would make the trip to see him (funny how they fly back and forth to Croatia as if it's a commuter flight). I hope this rough patch will be the last.
And I want to see Abby back in the ER!
She's at her most brilliant and compelling when she's making a snap diagnosis (almost always the correct one) and keeping her cool when all hell is breaking loose around her. I miss that!
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Apr 11, 2008 8:41 AM
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Briefly, I agree emphatically with all said (yes, I was replaying on my DVR Simon's mumblings and still didn't entirely understand).
I think the show's terrific. And Abby remains amazing. Her facial expressions, intonations, body language speak volumes. So richly drawn a character--attributable to her acting prowess and otherwise compelling presence. I dentified with Luka, too (as a male).
Every character fit in (save for little use of Neela but next week appears to offer more of her).
Still, to me, an exceptional hour of television.
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Apr 11, 2008 8:59 AM
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It seems I'm in the minority, but I was very disappointed in last night's episode. First of all, a heart transplant patient would have her own cardiologist that she would see regularly. Even if that doctor was unavailable, the ER doctors would have gotten the cardiologist on call. It just didn't make sense.
And as much as I love Maura Tierney, I think we've all had enough of Pathetic Abby. We want Strong Confident Abby back. Hopefully, after seeing Luka again, she'll be back next week.
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Apr 11, 2008 9:04 AM
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All I can say is I can't wait to see what happens with Abby and Luka. As Trish mentioned their reunion was a relief to me. It made it seem that all will be right with their worlds. I also loved how they had Abby's flashbacks missed in with all the good times they've shared.Very good and poignant writing.
Hated the new guy and I didn't understand a word he said anyway either.
I like Sam and Gates. I think they'll make a cute couple. The rest of the show was alright. Not my favorite episode but good.
Sadly, I think it's a good thing they're ending the show. I'll miss it terribly but I want it to end before it gets too unbelievably stale! It's been on a long time and I've seen shows go on too long and it's never a good thing.
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Apr 11, 2008 9:24 AM
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MBS, you're right, we will be seeing A LOT OF NEELA next week. Is that a dream? or is she really walking around the ER naked?
Tony and Sam encounter, maybe it's because I haven't gotten any in a while, but DANG that was hot!
Over all I'd say a good episode.
Welcome back ER!
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Apr 11, 2008 10:34 AM
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I, too, am a die hard, never-miss-an-episode fan of ER. I was so glad to see it back last night. I loved the Abby/Luka and Abby/Janet scenes. I'm sure the writers will resolve the Abby/Luka story line to everyone's satisfaction. I guess I'm in the minority, but I didn't hate the new guy and I enjoyed the transplant story. I thought it was touching. I'm thrilled that ER is back and I'm looking forward to the remainder of this season and the next!
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Apr 11, 2008 10:58 AM
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OK, glad to see that my fellow ER fans could confirm that I'm not in dire need of a "Miracle Ear". Mumbling + British accent = HUH??? Had to hit the CC to get what he said, which I have to say was almost just as hard to follow when they're all talking over each other whilst treating emergency patients at hyper-speed.
And let's hear from the ladies. Is this new guy that worthy of feminine adoration? From a guys standpoint, I gotta give him props for the opening scene, but I just don't see it. Maybe it's the accent?
While the transplant story may have been predictable, it was still done with the usual emotional depth that ER brings to the table. It's what separates it from that dope-opera that comes on an hour earlier on that MIT-hating network.
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Apr 11, 2008 11:15 AM
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Well - I didn't love last night's episode, but I did LOVE the new guy! It was great to see someone come into the ER and have a spine for a change.
Thank god for Archie or last night's episode would have been extremely boring! You can always count on Archie to liven things up!
Am I the only one that is sick and tired of all of the misery that Abby has to go through? I would love to see her smile, laugh or maybe act like she is enjoying even a small part of her life! Hey - I love ER but come on!
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Apr 11, 2008 11:19 AM
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I was shocked by that opening scene! Yikes!
The librarians were great. One of them had my favorite quote of the show...
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Apr 11, 2008 11:43 AM
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Well, the ep was OK for me. It had its high points (Abby/Luka) and its low points (new guy).
I'm with most of you -- I kept yelling "what the f&^&% are y ou SAYING"??? Cause I didn't understand a freaking word the guy uttered!!! I almost had to go close captions but I think that would've made it worse. My sis & bro in law had the same problem. ENUNCIATE, newbie!!! UGH!!!
Was I the only one who thought Janet would've had to physically put Abby on the plane to Croatia?? LOL!! Seriously, Abster!! GO be with that hunkelicious Luka!!!
Morris -- Oh Archie....you couldn't be any dumber!!! LOL!! That taser scene was hilarious!!! Morris is good in small doses...
Wasn't digging Sam/Gates...I stopped liking Sam after the "Canon City" ep, where she dumped Luka after he drove her to find her bratty kid...ugh!
Bring on the next epi!!!!
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Apr 11, 2008 1:30 PM
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I love Abby and Luka as if they were old friends of mine and I root for them every chance I get. I trust that they will make it through their issues.
I did not like the new guy. What gives him the right to act so smug??? I mean, who the hell is he?
I stopped liking Sam when Abby confessed her alcoholism, and Sam had the nerve to act like she was above any of that! I mean, isn't she the one who shot and killed her sleeping ex-husband?
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Apr 11, 2008 2:30 PM
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