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February 15, 2007: Crisis of Conscience
Thankfully, tonight’s episode brought us back to the interesting cases and patients that draw out the best and the worst in our favorite ER doctors and nurses. We were also treated to some more superlative guest-acting. Sean Young is certainly no Forest Whitaker, but she was poignant and sympathetic in her portrayal of the mother suspiciously dying from liver failure. Though I wasn’t the least bit surprised that the hateful older son was complicit in her scheme to slowly kill herself without jeopardizing the insurance money for her sons, I did think this was an interesting way to once again call Gates’ moral compass into question. Luka’s assessment of Gates’ ability to lie without a second thought was spot-on. It was interesting to juxtapose this story against Neela’s refusal to participate in Manish’s surgey due to her own reservations about his motives for donating a kidney. (Frankly, I was somewhat surprised at Dubenko’s pragmatic approach to the situation since he normally seems to be a higher-ground type of guy.) It was just another example of how different Gates and Neela are in their approaches to their work and their values.
Meanwhile, we were also treated to a reunion of sorts between Maura Tierney and her former NewsRadio costar, the hilarious Andy Dick, as the temporarily psychic epilepsy patient. There is something just so inherently funny about Mr. Dick that I find it difficult to take him seriously. But if there is any role that he is well suited for, it is certainly a person with neurological anomalies.
For those of us who were wondering why Crenshaw had suddenly turned so… not detestable, tonight we got our explanation. Apparently, he and Jane (Sara Gilbert) have been partaking in some “hospital kink,” complete with a slightly off-putting dominant-submissive twist. I had practically forgotten that there was a subtle flirtation between the two of them back before the holidays, and I appreciate the follow-up on the part of the writers. But, in a word, yuck.
Things are apparently not looking so hot on the love front for Sam. I’m bummed about Ben’s lightning quick departure, because I thought there were some interesting places to go with that character. But my guess is that Kip Pardue was underwhelmed by the stagnant story line and took his leave sooner than expected. Or maybe he just hates Alex. Based on your comments, I would say he is not alone. (You know who you are!) Alex did not do much to muster sympathy tonight, but I do have a crazy new idea that I am going to posit via this week’s blog. (I want it on the record that I thought of this scenario first so that if it comes true, you can all back me up in my quest for compensation from NBC.) OK, on the one hand we have Gates and his maybe-daughter Sarah. On the other hand, we have Sam and her demon spawn. Get Sam and Gates together so they can swap parenting horror stories, and maybe the eager-to-please Sarah (who obviously has a lot of caretaking experience) will bring out the best in the eager-to-be-slapped Alex. I think I’m on to something here. What do you think?
And finally, from the files of the NBC shameless cross-promotion police, how many of you caught Dubenko’s little “Save the cheerleader, save the world” Heroes shout-out after operating on the little girl brutalized by her teammates? She could have used some of Claire’s self-healing powers big time. I’m just saying.
Next week, a blizzard and a missing child. I’ve got chills already.
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Feb 16, 2007 12:04 AM
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OK, 5 minutes into the show and I'm already so excited. LOVE the Jane and Dr Moby dynamic! Sarah Gilbert is pregnant in real life- who wants to see little Baby Crenshaw?
Sean Young's playing 39? Please.
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Feb 16, 2007 1:09 AM
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WOW, do we ever have a different viewpoint and attitude about the differing choices of Gates and Neela on this ep. And I suspect that we have similarly different views of the characters on the whole.
Gates leads with his heart, to an imbalance sometimes, but after what so recently happened with Meg dying on Sarah, he's especially sensitized to young people being orphaned. But, technically, he was correct that Sean Young's character never actually said she'd taken a hepatoxin. The closest she got was smilingly telling him that she'd heard that some chemical, mixed with juice, "carried quite a kick." It's easy to infer a lot from that, but it wouldn't legally qualify as an admission, so giving those kids the benefit of doubt on the official cause of death was not out and out wrong, as Luka finally came to realize.
The ever self-righteous Neela, on the other hand was quick to be rigidly judgemental about Manish's decision to take $50,000 for donation of his kidney. I agree with her that a public policy of endorsing or allowing open sale of body parts could give wealthier people an advantage in obtaining organs that currently are in scarce supply. But I also agree with Dubenko's point that if everyone else in a voluntary organ donation transaction benefits, it makes NO sense for the donor to be the only person receiving nothing from it. And so far as harvesting organs from deceased individuals is concerned, maybe if family members knew they could realize financial benefits over and above any life insurance, maybe more organs would be available - over and above the number needed by wealthy people - and those years-long waiting lists would be shortened. But I digress.
I accept Neela's ethical position and her remaining faithful to it in her own personal conduct, but I've always found her a tad too self-righteous and judgemental of others whose views differ from hers.
I DID catch the quick Dubenko reference to the 'Heroes' recent slogan, "Save the cheerleader, save the world" and found it very witty.
ER has been a consistent joy for me over the last few years, even when others felt it was foundering, but I think that last season and this have demonstrated that this show still has plenty of juice in its veteran legs!
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Feb 16, 2007 1:40 AM
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Done with Sam and Alex. Talk about buggin. I think Kip Pardue's character skipped town to avoid getting too involved with such LOSERS. this storyline is tired and old.
I am warming to Sara a bit though; I bet she spent alot of time taking care of her goofy mom.
Neela was buggin tonight too. Get over yourself! And who the f is Manish?
Andy Dick was good, nice to see him play it subtle. I would've liked to see more of his storyline and none of Sam Poor Me Waaah I'm a Bad Mom.
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Feb 16, 2007 2:16 AM
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Exactly my thoughts re Neela. I've always thought that of her. The whole world is about her and she is always right. I cannot stomach this character and her holier-than-thou attitude.
I thought tonight's episode was very much like the old ER episodes. This show usually does no wrong...as long as they stay in Chicago and don't go to Africa.
Sam and her kid are definitely boring. They should have moved to Minneapolis also. It's funny, but while watching them I thought that Sam and Gates would be good together, as long as we never had to see them again. 
It goes without saying, but I'm going to. Luka and Abby are just the best and the chemistry is great.
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Feb 16, 2007 3:15 AM
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I enjoyed this episode so much. It was funny (Crenshw & Jane and "Save the cheerleader, save the world *lol*), sweet (Luka & Abby) and had some nice roomie moments (Ray & Neela). But of course that was not all. The story worked really well.
I don't care for Alex. I don't like him since they swichted the actor.
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Feb 16, 2007 7:37 AM
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Good to see ER getting back to it roots... great guest stars... focus on the cases... less drama and soap opera type relationships that "other" medical shows tend to slide into.
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Feb 16, 2007 8:31 AM
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Didn't this happen before -- Neela being self-righteous? Or am I thinking about Abby? LOL
Anyway, my 4-year-old distracted me during the scene with Luka signing the death certificate. Did he change it to suicide or did he write what Gates' recommended? I would love to see the oldest boy scream at Gates for affecting the insurance claim.
Sam and her son? Yawn.... She's in a no-win situation.
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Feb 16, 2007 8:31 AM
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When Andy Dick's character said that he was "the real deal", I couldn't help but think of the name of Phil Hartman's radio show on "NewsRadio" -- "The Real Deal with Bill McNeal". I wonder if that line was an acknowledgement of that, or just a nice coincidence. That was one of the more underrated sitcoms of all time. Anyway, that was a nice little reunion between "Lisa" and "Matthew".
I am not compelled at all by Gates' storyline. The writers are trying to force us to care about his situation when we really haven't known his character long enough to be invested in it. What we do know about him is that he's a selfish liar. That's how I feel, anyway. I hope Neela finally realizes how Ray feels about her and acts on that.
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Feb 16, 2007 9:22 AM
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Funny, but while a lot of people here seem to see Neela as self-righteous and/or self-centered, I've always seen her as someone filled with self-doubt. I remember several episodes during her earlier years in which she botched a diagnosis or treatment of a patient and really tortured herself emotionally over it, even after her colleagues shrugged it off. If anything, she almost cares too much--I don't see that as being judgemental or self-righteous (but I confess I watched a tape of this episode very late last night and began to doze off for a minute or two at a time, so I may have missed a few things about her storyline).
I always love seeing Sara Gilbert (I even loved her in the very funny but short-lived WB sitcom "Twins"), and it's good to see her again as Jane. But having a kinky thing going on with Dr. Crenshaw? I always assumed women weren't his cup of tea socially.
I'm definitely NOT an Andy Dick fan, so seeing him yammer on in the ER just made me roll my eyes and sigh.
And I guess I like Sam a lot more than most of the posters here. I really feel for her, especially considering the anti-Christ of a son she has to deal with. Wasn't she considering sending him off somewhere to wherever people send evil, sociopathic children? I wouldn't wish him on Gates or anyone else.
Speaking of Gates, I'm still interested to see how recent events will affect him in the long run. I don't see him as a bad guy. Sarah suddently turned all sweetness & light, even when she caught Neela leaving Gates' bedroom for work. That's some turnaround.
I also snickered when they said Sean Young's character was 39. It worked for Jack Benny, not for Sean Young.
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Feb 16, 2007 10:23 AM
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Last nights show was ok. I didnt love or hate it.
Normally I love Neela but last night she really bugged me! Who cares if he was getting paid! Like Dubenkos said millions of people get paid to get away eggs and sperm. And the rich are able to afford invitro while others can not. I am not trying to start a debate I am just saying she needs to calm down!
I am not sure what I am feeling right now towards the younger people on the show such as Sara and Alex. They both kind of bug me. I guess we will just have to see.
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Feb 16, 2007 10:35 AM
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Seeing Crenshaw being submissive really gave us insight into why he's such a jerk...he's just asking for someone to snap back and stand up to him (like Neela did last week).
The main addition I have to add from all the others is about Sara and Gates. Is it just me, or was it a bit creepy that Sara lit candles with that dinner she made? I mean, it was chili, not filet mignon. I know she is a kid trying to make a nice meal, but I really hope that they don't go down the wrong road. I.E. have Sara trying to replace her mom as Tony's caretaker and fall in love with him, therefore forcing Tony to tell her that he might be her father. That does seem very "ER dramatic" in a bad way.
This season is definitely improving on the slump of the past few years, probably because they're giving so much focus to Maura Tierney, who I've loved in everything from NewsRadio to junk like Forces of Nature. I love Neela, but her character is wasted nagging Gates, get her with Ray already! Just have her watch A Walk to Remember and she'll be his forever.
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Feb 16, 2007 10:42 AM
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LoriK27 - My radar went up when I saw the candles, too!
While I appreciate Dubenko's point of view, and acknowledge that the laws should change, I give kudos to Neela for doing what is right within the law. She took Ray's advice - good sign! I think it shows the completely different moral compass that Neela and Gates have, and shows that their relationship will not work.
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Feb 16, 2007 11:19 AM
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Great8- I love that you remembered the name of Bill's show, NewsRadio was such a great comedy. I love catching it on reruns. Anyway, I thought Andy Dick was great in his role. He's always a bit kooky but it was great seeing him with Maura again, now if we can get just get Dave on there....
I agree with you NumberFive'sMom- I really was in agreement with Gates last night and thought the same thing about it not being a lie because they didn't know for sure. Thank god Luka changed the cause of death at the end. Wonder if Gates will ever know he did?
Oh and Trish- I like the idea of Gates and Sam together, a much better fit than him and Neela!
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Feb 16, 2007 11:31 AM
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My only problem with the whole suicide/gambling debt/life insurance thing was: if the mother and the older son agreed that she would kill herself in such a way that the insurance company wouldn't be able to deny a payout based on suicide, and thus erase the debts she'd racked up in her son's names and make up for losing their house to foreclosure, why did they bring her to the ER? Granted, the younger son wasn't in on it, but if she were trying to avoid causing her sons additional grief, a quiet death at home seems to have been a more dignified way to go. Maybe that's what the older son meant by "She couldn't even do this right."
Trish, just out of curiosity, are you saying "yuck" to the dominant/submissive relationship of Crenshaw and Jane or "yuck" to the fact they're playing it out inside the workplace? Or both?
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Feb 16, 2007 12:34 PM
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