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Episode Recap: Skye's the Limit
There’s a new chief in town…again. And apparently, she’s just as horny as the last one. I love that Lucien happened to be the beneficiary of Wexler’s “love the one you’re with” approach to relationships, though I don’t think that will end up satisfying him emotionally in the long run.
Despite some light moments in this episode directed by the former Dr. "Watch out for that helicopter" Romano, Paul McCrane, there was some heavy stuff going on tonight. Wexler’s first night in her new job brought a tragic case of a misunderstanding gone terribly wrong. The bigoted son’s misguided attempt at revenge over his father’s life-altering injury went awry and resulted in the murder of the Hispanic woman’s son. Meanwhile, Pratt found himself at a career crossroads as he began to doubt his future at County; and Tony juggled the demands of his own parenting adventures while handling the case of an injured boy and his emotionally-detached father.
The overriding theme of the complicated relationships between fathers and sons even carried over into Luka and Abby’s ongoing struggle. As Luka earnestly attempted to reconnect with his wife, son and friends, his detachment from the situation with Abby became more apparent. Abby’s pent-up anger and frustration bubbled over into more self-destruction as her drinking continued to escalate. In a way, it seems to me that the writers really boxed themselves into a corner with this storyline and I don’t like that Abby is the one paying the price. Luka’s protracted stay in Croatia did seem somewhat unrealistic in light of what the man has gone through to find his way back to a family. The revelation of his father’s death came like a punch in the gut because I really felt like Abby has a legitimate right to be hurt and angry and was finally opening up and being honest about it. I just wish that they had allowed the character to struggle with her emotions without having a complete meltdown. While I have faith that Luka and Abby are in this for the long haul, I am concerned about how they will reconcile this storyline with Goran Visnjic’s finite time on the show.
It is hard to believe that next week, we will be celebrating ER’s 300th episode. That is quite an achievement for a television drama. Here’s hoping this landmark episode will offer some hope that things for our favorite docs will improve soon.
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Nov 29, 2007 11:44 PM
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I thought this was a good episode. And for me, this year, that's saying a lot.
I think Luka was being a total ass, but now we have to feel sorry for him, rightly so, because of his father. Still, I side with Abby on this one. The Luka character has taken quite a hit and is not the Luka we know and love. I want the old one back again. The fans deserve to see them joyously happy.
Anyone notice that when Tony was complaining about not understanding girls' sleepovers that he said something about "they just want me to talk about DJ and such?" I can't remember how that went exactly, but I laughed.
Well, Trish, it's not just the Chiefs who are horny. Lucien seems to have the hots for every woman!! But I think this is the first time we actually saw the poor guy "get any".
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Nov 30, 2007 2:19 AM
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We're all agreed that Wexler is an impostor, right? That her character is Amanda Lee redux?
1) Sincere, almost panicky, effort to avoid being named Chief;
2) Polling subordinates rather than making decisions;
3) Complete hands off in Trauma;
4) Overly empathetic with mother of Bat Boy, refusal to call TOD; and,
5) Portmanteauing George Sand and TS Eliot into "George Eliot".
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Nov 30, 2007 2:28 AM
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Luka was always detached from who his women really were. He thought he and Sam were doing great too remember? I think Luka sees Abby as somebody else and now she wants to be seen as herself. Good job all around.
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Nov 30, 2007 2:41 AM
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I have to say, I don't care what the Abbey lovers will say, she was a total jerk. Luka's father was sick and lives in another country. If it doesn't involve Abbey or her own family she doesn't care. Abbey has always been about herself. Why Luka puts up with it is a wonder to me. Luka didn't leave on vacation now, do you think he really enjoyed coming back to see his father dying of cancer. That's not a holiday. I can't believe how much people stick up for Abbey. She choose to start drinking again, she choose to cheat on Luka, yes I know she was drunk. But come on people, it takes two to play. If the roles were reverse and Abbey had to take care of her mother, she would of left and not cared about anything else, because it's always about Abbey. She never grows up.
Abbey lovers post away about how wrong I am, I just don't care. I'm so sick of Abbey, thank heavens this is her last year.
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Nov 30, 2007 6:34 AM
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I agree with you, Lady: Abby is a jerk and always complaining and feeling sorry for herself. She's so annoy with her rolling eyes and moping.
And while Abby did have a right to be highly upset at Luka for staying too long in Croatia, that's NO EXCUSE -- let me repeat that for the Abby lovers -- NO EXCUSE to take up drinking. Come on... it's one thing to drink when it's just you in the picture, but she's responsible for a kid, too. I don't care if Joe is being taken care of someone else, she still needs to have her wits in case something happens.
The death of the Hispanic kid didn't need to happen. I don't know how many times I yelled out for the doctors to tell the son what happened. Would it have changed his bigoted ways? Probably not, but at least he wouldn't have gone off to kill the kid. Argh!
And yes, that was great what happened to Lucien. He has pined for a long time for Nela without reciprocation that it was time for him to find brief happiness in someone else's arms. Let's hope he truly won't get emotionally attached to her.
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Nov 30, 2007 8:15 AM
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This show never ceases to amaze me. I just loved this episode and was moved by the wonderful acting. I was punched in the gut though when the cleaning lady's son came in on the stretcher after being attacked by the racist kid. That whole story line was gripping. I wish that Abby didn't have to sink so low either, very hard to watch after she has come so far over the years. And what is up with ignoring Pratt and his abilities, I dont think I can handle it if he leaves the show. He is just one of my faves. The Skye storyline with Lucian was cool too, we have watched him pine over Neela for so long it was nice to see him "get" someone for a change. I am going to miss this show so much when the eps go into repeats, I look forward to Thursday nights and have for years now.
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Nov 30, 2007 8:33 AM
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While I'm not an 'Abby Lover', I am usually sympathetic to her. But she is trying my patience now. She knows this problem is out of control, but instead of sitting Luka down and explaining to him that she is in total breakdown, instead of reaching out to her sponser or going to meetings, she is still reaching for the bottle without trying to stop. Not even for her son's sake. I don't know where the writers are going with this, I didn't think they they would let it get this far. And I also think they are taking Luka out of character a bit. I don't think he would have been in Croatia all that time without at least visiting his family or bringing them over there to visit him.
But, I will stay tuned to see where this is going.
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Nov 30, 2007 8:38 AM
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And I also think they are taking Luka out of character a bit. I don't think he would have been in Croatia all that time without at least visiting his family or bringing them over there to visit him.
That is a good point. As much as Luka loves his son, I was a bit surprised that he didn't check in from time to time to see how he's is or to update Abby about his father's condition. I can't go more than a day without checking in on my family when I go on a business trip.
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Nov 30, 2007 8:54 AM
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...Good morning...the actress that portrayed the Hispanic woman is Oscar nominee (for "Babel") Adriana Barraza...
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Nov 30, 2007 9:27 AM
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I thought Lucien coudn't fool around after his cancer bout many years ago. Didn't he ask Abbey to be with him for the last time and she turned him down?
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Nov 30, 2007 9:33 AM
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I thought Lucien was "out of commission" too after some surgery a few years ago.
Off topic. Can anyone tell me how Extreme Home Makeover is celebrating it's 100th episode, when it's only been on for a couple of years, and ER is celebrating it's 300th? after how many years?? I don't get it.
Thanks people!
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Nov 30, 2007 9:53 AM
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Oooohhh- safire67, excellent point. I had almost forgotten that even though I just saw that episode last week. Good memory.... At first I was skeptic of that scene but then loved when Lucien started to get into it. What was it he said "nice desk" or "so this is your desk?"- AWESOME either way... I also think they are setting her up to be with Archie as well. All that talk about no strings attach and all the energy between her and ARchie? What else could it be...
I think Abby made a valid, albeit very drunken, argument. Luka is the one who talked her into this marriage, and baby, by saying they would handle it all together. He went on and on with this argument until she finally conceded to the wedding he planned without her knowledge. Then, he left just days after. I kind of wish they would not have brought her back to the bottle and simply dealt with her basic emotional issues. She has always had a hard time trusting those she is with and to be alone so soon after the marriage and for such an extended time would rightly make her question the commitment he has to the relationship. And then, to have her brother-in-law thrown into the mix when they could seriously use some time to reconnect, ouch. I'm not saying it's all Luka's fault. He just didn't think it through. I totally get her annoyance at the whole situation and how she does not want to say anything...
I must admit I think the drinking has gone too far. From what we have come to know about Abby is just seems a bit farfetched she would put herself in so much denial. If she was still single I would not question it one bit but now that she has Joe I think realistically she would be going through more regret and would realize what she is doing.
Lastly, I have never been a big Sam fan but lately she seems to really be the moral compass of this show. She's the nurse yet she's the one who has to school these docs on ethics.
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Nov 30, 2007 10:08 AM
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I thought Lucien coudn't fool around after his cancer bout many years ago. Didn't he ask Abbey to be with him for the last time and she turned him down?
Lucien told Abby that he 'wasn't sure' everything would still be working after the surgery, so he wanted to be with before -- and after to 'make sure everything was still in working order'. Apparently, it is!
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Nov 30, 2007 10:08 AM
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Hey ER friends,
Regarding Lucian, remember how Abby got that "escort" lady to help out Lucian "one more time" before his surgery? Well I think its later in that epi, after Lucian's had the surgery, that he says something to Abby about hiring the escort again a bunch of times and thanked her...so i think it was at that moment where we find out that everything works again for Lucien.
So, though I do love Abby and have since she came on the show, you guys make a good point about how if something were wrong with her family (mom, brother), she'd be on the first plane outta there (though she'd probably take Joe)....but still, we saw her countless times choose her brother over Carter and that is sort of what brought about the end for them (remember when gamma died?) BUT I think that just goes to show you she's not perfect either so you've got 2 hurting people (Abby, and now Luka) who are acting rather dysfunctional with each other. Let's just hope the writers have mercy and give them a happy ending. I hear they go to Croatia next week or something? I wonder if they'll be mia for a few episodes...
Oh and to answer someone's question, ER is about half way through it's 14th year.
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Nov 30, 2007 10:31 AM
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