In This Section
TV Guide Spotlight
Also on TVGuide.com
|
« ER
Episode Recap: "The War Comes Home"
Has it really been almost four months since last we spoke? I don’t know about you guys, but as summer fades into fall, I am so ready to slip into my scrubs and welcome the start of season 14. As rumors swirl about whether or not this will be the last shift for our beloved staff at Chicago's County General, I am ready to settle in and enjoy the gurney ride.
Indeed, the action picked up tonight right where we left off in May when we learned about Ray’s horrific injuries and watched as Neela was trampled in the chaotic aftermath of an anti-war demonstration gone horribly wrong. (Actually, I suspect that this particular episode was actually filmed at the end of last season.) Dr. Moretti (Stanley Tucci) kicked off his official reign as ER chief with the resulting “mass casualty” and Neela’s life hung in the balance as a battalion of her friends and colleagues worked tirelessly to save her life. My only disappointment was that any suspense around Neela’s fate was somewhat mitigated by Parminder Nagra’s interview with TVGuide.com that I read earlier today, but it was still nice to see everyone rallying to help their friend. I also loved seeing Leland Orser back as Lucien Dubenko, the only man, in my mind, who would be a viable suitor for Neela in Ray’s absence.
As for the other victims from the bombing, I was very moved by the teenage girl and her grandfather, played by David Clennon. (If there are any fans of thirtysomething out there—my all-time favorite show, by the way—you will remember him as Michael’s coolly vindictive boss, Miles Drentell, one of the best television villains ever.) Her untimely death, followed up by his murderous reaction, was heartbreaking in that I could completely empathize with his response. Speaking of the ill-fated, alleged bomber, Tony, in typical fashion, played judge and jury in an outburst that lead directly to the guy’s death. Is he ever going to learn to contain his emotions and utilize sound judgment and rational thought? As a doctor, aren’t those sort of requirements?
Not surprisingly, my favorite part of the episode was at the very end when Frank, Pratt, Abby, Morris, Chuny and Sam all settled into the waiting room to await news on Neela’s condition. The closing shot was framed in a very interesting way, with Tony off to the side separated from the group. It is my hope that the writers start to break down this wall that they’ve constructed between that character and so many others. I do like John Stamos and I think he would be so much more effective working as part of that core team, building relationships with the rest of the cast. Continuously isolating him and pitting him against the others doesn’t do much to endear him to the viewers in my opinion.
So it seems to be confirmed that we will be seeing Noah Wyle in a few episodes and that Goran Visnjic will return sporadically. If this is truly the last season (and, don't let anyone fool you—that will be entirely dependent on the ratings), I think long-term viewers deserve the closure and link to the past that those characters would bring. But for right now, I'm looking forward to a full season of traumas, trials and action in the ER.
Welcome back!
Need more ER, STAT? Check out the Online Video Guide for interviews and clips.
|
TVGuide Links:
|
|
|
|
Sep 27, 2007 11:57 PM
|
|
I was pleasantly surprised by how entertaining this episode was, a nice way to cap off a REALLY busy night
|
|
Sep 28, 2007 12:16 AM
|
|
It was a good ER episode! I was really pleased how they had Abby stand up and take charge in a couple of places and not get in trouble for it.
|
|
Sep 28, 2007 1:27 AM
|
I'll give you that it was a good episode, but that's because we've seen it all before, at least once. I said last Spring that the wonderful old ER should go out on top, not this way, repeating old storylines and themes.
As a fan since day one, I'll watch it as long as it airs, but though I found tonight's episode entertaining enough, it was old hat.
|
|
Sep 28, 2007 1:43 AM
|
|
All the cast put their best foot forward in this episode! Love the close-ups on various cast's faces. David Clennon did a good job as the former protester for peace turned murderer. And how great it was to see Howard "Dr. Fever" Hesseman as a stoned old-school hippie revealed to be a doc from another hospital caught by Archie treating one of County's patients without authorization! Also loved Archie's quick lab tests proving how below the alcohol limit he and Pratt were to the Tucci character (don't know the character's name yet). All in all, a most excellent episode!
|
|
Sep 28, 2007 2:40 AM
|
|
It was like putting on your favorite pair of slippers. A little worn around the edges and maybe not the newest and most exciting but very very comfortable.
|
|
Sep 28, 2007 3:41 AM
|
|
Episode was better than I expected. If this is ER's last year, I hope it's a good one!
|
|
Sep 28, 2007 8:26 AM
|
|
One other thing about the closing shot. I did notice that John Stamos was separated from the others. This could also symbolize that he has been removed from the "ER" family in his transfer to the ICU. Although the trasnfer itself suggests he was never a part of that family to begin with in terms of "soul". Now he's not even there in body. But what I also noticed was the staff was arrayed in a half circle around who else? Abby. With Luka gone, she becomes the longest serving cast member and the core of the show and Maura Tierney deserves it. I've watched her weekly since NewsRadio over a decade ago. She calmly sits in the middle with the rest of the staff around her. I know people complained when it was announced Luka was leaving it doesn't make much sense to leave his wife still on the show but I am glad they did. With Abby at the center I have high hopes for season 14.
|
|
Sep 28, 2007 8:33 AM
|
"ER" still kicks butt! It really did feel like seeing old friends again after summer vacation.
And, as always, my girl Maura Tierney was terrific. What a thrill it is to see Abby handling the near-chaos in the ER, and even finally allowing herself to take command in a way, as one of the senior doctors. Even Moretti, who, before the flood of mass-casualties, was so smug about his plans to whip the ER into shape, suddenly found himself barely able to cope with the pressures. And he let Abby snap at him because you could tell he was, for a while, out of his depth.
I loved the brief scene when Abby found him sitting exhausted on the stairs and had to reassure him that "it's not always like this."
I don't yet know the ultimate fate of Neela, because I to everything in my power to avoid reading spoilers--although I think Tierney let it slip in an interview several months ago.
But please, everyone, let's just watch the story unfold on the show without discussing future developments--or at least type SPOILER! before you do.
Pretty please?
So, the episode was, overall, a great way to get the season off to a flying start.
|
|
Sep 28, 2007 8:43 AM
|
 I thought that Deubenko was a good match for Abby, but lets give Neela a try. I know I am wrong for this, but for once I was rooting for Tony when he went ape s@@t on the bomber. That man did cause a lot of people pain. I didn't recognize that guy from 30something. Good catch.
|
|
Sep 28, 2007 9:04 AM
|
|
Ramos' move to ICU sets up the next few episodes for a lot interaction between him and Neela (she'll be on that floor for quite a while I think given her injuries). Could somebody explain to me how Ray lost his legs last season. What were the circumstances?
|
|
Sep 28, 2007 9:56 AM
|
First of all, I just wanted to say HI! to everyone... hope everyone had a fun Summer.
GarryB - I with you on Neela... I kept away from spoilers and had high hopes she'd kick it (and maybe spread some fatal disease via care package to Sam's kid in military school (or where ever they threw him until the show recasts him later in the season as a buff fifteen year old). But, alas... how could ER get rid of their very own Cinderella... the object of so many obviously blind men? Who would the guys of ER fight over? Sam's too easy. Guys like a challenge... and Miss Moral certainly loves the angst.
All in all, I was happy with the episode. Like roxymarie said, it's like putting on your favorite slippers... warm and comfy. Loved seeing Howard Hessman... but seriously, isn't the "crazy guy ends up being a prestigious doctor" a little overdone? I'm all for recylcing, but come ON...
|
|
Sep 28, 2007 10:01 AM
|
|
Trish - Not only did David Clennon play Miles Drentell but Stanley Tucci was Karl Draconis during the last season of thirtysomething. I thought immediately of that when I saw the two of them together in the same scene last night. It was great to see David Clennon again on another of my favorite shows.
|
|
Sep 28, 2007 10:29 AM
|
|
I wanted Neela to die. I am totally sick of her character and frankly, a little sick of Negra Parmander, or whatever her name is. She has been nothing but a whiny bitch since she came on the show, Neela that is. I don't care much for John Stamos' character either. Need to have some docs on the show that obey their chiefs. What happened to the reality?
|
|
Sep 28, 2007 12:13 PM
|
I so do NOT think that Neela and Dubenko would make a good couple! Neela needs a younger, more exciting person. Don't get me wrong, I love Dubenko and really wish we could learn more of his story on personal level, but I don't think he's a good match for Neela. All of her other matches are guys that are a little more fun and younger. Plus, I think that both she and Abby have blown off his shy advances in the past and not really given him any respect on a personal level. I think they respect him as a surgeon, but blow him off as a dork in general. Remember how they rolled their eyes when he used that robot thing when he had cancer?
And, whoever asked earlier - Ray got drunk at Luka and Abby's wedding and then got hit by a huge truck while crossing the street. He was just checking a voice mail from Neela on his phone. Both of his legs were crushed and they had to amputate below the knee because they couldn't save him.
|
|
Sep 28, 2007 12:34 PM
|
|
|
