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Episode Recap: Status Quo
Happy New Year, ER fans! Welcome to the remaining episodes before our favorite hospital (east of the Rockies) shuts its doors with a bad case of writer's strike. Luckily, tonight's episode was a great one that reminded me again of why I love this show.
When Haleh has that get-together at her place to celebrate “the good old days,” I want an invitation! I think my fourteen years of loyal viewership has earned me that much, don’t you? Doug and Carol’s twins are in third grade? Carter may be coming for a visit in the spring? How great was it that the brief (and unfortunately sad) return of Jeanie Boulet precipitated such an unexpected trip down memory lane? Call me ridiculous, deluded and sentimental, but I love the idea that Doug and Carol really are blissfully ensconced in Seattle with their daughters, sending periodic pictures to the nurses at County General. As we’ve talked about before, one of my favorite things about ER is the enduring history of these characters and their stories. Tonight’s episode provided a great reminder of that link between the past and the present.
Jeanie Boulet's visit to County General in the wake of her son’s collapse and potential AIDS diagnosis showcased once again the grace and dignity that Gloria Reuben brought to the role. It also reminded me of how emotionally stirring I always found her performance to be. (Who remembers when she put her star on top of the ER Christmas tree? Anyone?) It was also a nice touch to see Cress Williams reprising his role as Jeanie’s (now ex) husband Reggie. This actor seems to specialize in tortured spouses since he is also busy dealing with the collapse of his marriage to Bailey on Grey’s Anatomy. (For more on Gloria Reuben’s all-to-brief return engagement, click here.)
The story with Jeanie’s son Carlos nicely overlapped with Pratt’s ongoing struggle to be taken seriously by Anspaugh. After watching Wexler dress down Sam for sharing a personal story with a patient, I am ready to see her go right out that door and I think Pratt is ready to take the reins. I liked that Dr. Daniels encouraged Pratt to fight for the position and that Jeanie’s wavering faith during her son's surgery reminded Pratt how important it is to fight for what you believe is right, no matter what the emotional toll might be.
Other interesting tidbits tonight included the ongoing sexual tension between Gates and Sam as they worked together on the case of the military couple dealing with the repercussions of a rape. It is like the writers have read the blog and said, “You know what? Trish is right. Sam and Gates do belong together. Let’s make it happen.” I am enjoying the slow burn between these two and hoping that it leads to something interesting (that lasts for more than two episodes.) Meanwhile, Neela got her flirt on with the cute, overly confident (and conspicuously single) surgeon who coerced her into an orthopedic rotation while her visiting cousin had Harold and Morris swooning and vying for her attention. I enjoyed the part where Neela had to remind clueless Archie that not all Indians have been to India (and Harold's emphatic retort that not all African-Americans have been to Africa).
It looks like emotions will continue to run high next week as Abby makes her return from rehab. It will be good to have her back in the fold.
Need more ER, STAT? Check out the Online Video Guide for interviews and clips.
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Jan 3, 2008 11:54 PM
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I used to be the most die hard ER fan, but I have not watched in 3 years. I decided to give it a go again just because Jeanie was go to be on. I'm so happy Doug and Carol are happy together in Seattle. Just as I always hoped it would be. Gloria was great as every and I totally remember her star on the tree. It makes me miss the old days of DR. Green and Dr. Ross, Benton and Carter. I miss that show It just isn't the same now.
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Jan 4, 2008 12:38 AM
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Trish, thanks for your recaps. I appreciate them. So many of my favorite shows are left off the blog list (like "Cold Case" and "Amazing Race") that I appreciate being able to read about "ER."
I have been a fan since the very first episode. My husband and I starting watching it in September when we were newlyweds and have watched it together ever since. No, it is not as good as it used to be (few things are these days) but it still way better than any reality show or game show.
Frankly, I am tired of the way TV is these days. Yes, I watch a few of the reality shows like "Survivor" or "Amazing Race" but that's my limit. Although I enjoy them, I wish the idea for them had never been born. There are many, many good shows on television that don't get the chance they deserve to continue on ("Invasion," anyone?)because their slots are taken up by more profitable reality or game shows.
Oh, well, I'm not saying anything that hasn't been said before and probably nobody will care what I say. But at least I get the chance to say it (that's one good change about TV viewing over the years--a place to express yourself).
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Jan 4, 2008 1:47 AM
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You need to re-write Last Night's TV blurb on the front page: "ER: Pratt decided to leave County for a hospital that appreciates him."
Because he didn't. He decided to stay at County.
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Jan 4, 2008 8:34 AM
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I thought this was a good but not great episode--probably due to Abby's absence.
I have to say that I never really liked Jeanie. I'm guessing that flowers wilt whenever she walks into the room. What a downer! I know she has been living with HIV for ages, and I'm sorry it was passed on to her son, but for some reason she just doesn't tug at my heartstrings. She always has that same sadsack look as Afre Woodard.
I know I sound cruel and heartless for saying so, because she is obviously meant to be that most sympathetic of characters, but I just never warmed up to her.
I don't hate Skye--I think she's still trying to strike some sort of balance or rapport with her underlings, but she's having trouble doing so. I don't think she wants to come off as cold and insensitive (i.e. her admonition to Sam about mentioning her personal history to a patient), but it is her responsibility to see that certain protocols are followed in the ER. Although I do admit that her quickie with Dubenko a few months ago was a tad bizarre.
I'll be counting the hours until Abby's return!
Does anyone know how many pre-srike episodes are left to air?
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Jan 4, 2008 8:52 AM
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I think Jeanne's son was adopted. He was left at the hosiptal because he was HIV positive.
I thought it was strange that Dr. Anspaugh was in the episode and didn't interact with Jeanne since she took care of his son when he died of cancer.
I like the idea of Sam and Gates too.
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Jan 4, 2008 9:43 AM
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it is so nice to have a new show to blog about! yea! (not for long, but I can enjoy it while i have it!). we don't know how Carlos' surgery resolves, do we, so wouldn't they /shouldn't they be back next week? previews dont look like it, but, it be nice to get some resolution..
i want to like skye b/c i love that actress (and miss whatever the heck that show was where she was half alien...i really did like it despite my inability to remember what it was called...!!)
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Jan 4, 2008 10:35 AM
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IMDB is your friend, Karen. Actress Kari Matchett played Dr. Mariel Underlay in the 2005-06 series Invasion on ABC.
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Jan 4, 2008 11:15 AM
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Ms. Matchett seems better served here than in "24" last season (sleeping with the vice president and then with someone out to betray him? really?). I also liked her in "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" as the lawyer who flirts with Mathew Perry. And of course, I wish "Invasion" was still on especially with her hybrid character there. Count me as also glad that Gloria Reuben made a return appearance even if it was only for this episode. The one with Abby back next week should be good as well!
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Jan 4, 2008 11:33 AM
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I think the writers have change over the years and just dont keep the connectivity with the past. As mentioned, you'd think Anspaugh would at least want to say Hi to Jeannie. I think they made an effort but just seemed blatant that everyone in the ER has changed since Jeanie's time.
I did catch something - i heard mention that Carter may visit in the Spring? Is that true? Is a visit from Carter in the works - really?
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Jan 4, 2008 11:56 AM
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suzybeezy,
I believe Noah Wylie was supposed to return and bring Dr. Carter back for a few spring episodes, but with the writer's strike going on, it might not happen.
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Jan 4, 2008 12:05 PM
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I thought it was strange that Dr. Anspaugh was in the episode and didn't interact with Jeanne since she took care of his son when he died of cancer.
Great point - who can forget Jeannie singing "I Hope You Had The Time of Your Life" at the son's funeral? Sniff..sniff..
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Jan 4, 2008 12:31 PM
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Kari Matchett also played Kate Armstrong, organ-recovery coordinator and Treat Williams' ex on the short-lived 2007 TNT series, Heartland.
@ Karen: The fact that Kari is Canadian makes her more than "half alien"... at least in your country.
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Jan 4, 2008 12:33 PM
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GaryB, to answer your question: According to the Strike Chart on Ausello's blog, there are four left.
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Jan 4, 2008 12:57 PM
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It's rare that a Pratt story tugs at my heartstrings, but this one did. I'm always conflicted about his character. He sometimes seems like a great guy, but then he tends to complain and whine when he doesn't get his way before he finally steps up. This is has been the character's pattern from the beginning. Glad they had the Daniels character involved, because at first I thought he'd pull the cliched race card. Anyway, with this story you could definitely see what he was going through.
And thank god for Haleh and Chuny, because you'd have no one recognize old characters when they come back!
Finally: another doctor falling over himself for Neela? Yawn. But keep the cousin around - she's definitely sexier than anyone on the show right now.
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Jan 4, 2008 1:49 PM
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