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« ER
February 8, 2007: Dying Is Easy....
So let’s start with the important stuff first. I am thrilled to report that all the bad facial hair in the ER has left the building (at least for the time being). The porn ‘stache is gone and the Stamos stubble is now a mere (five o’clock) shadow of its former self. The disturbance in the force has been resolved and now we can get back to focusing on important medical matters, like how ridiculously tall, dark and yummy Goran Visnjic is. (Oh, and you can be sure there will be more on that in a minute. I just need to regroup after all the crying I just did.)
ER has an amazing track record with memorable guest appearances, and that streak continued tonight. As a huge fan of Six Feet Under and his work on that show, it was great to see Freddy Rodriguez as Simon, the leukemia-stricken comedian. His interaction with Abby, Sam and Morris was very entertaining and bittersweet, and I was glad to see that he finally got a chance to do his act, albeit from a hospital bed. Sam, for one, was definitely in need of some levity in light of the situation with Alex. It looks like she is going to have a tough decision to make, but I am glad to see that she is coming to terms with the seriousness of his issues. I think Sam understands that bad is possibly embedded in the poor kid’s DNA and Alex’s troubles run deeper than “a phase.” It was also nice to see Ben providing support, though I am still waiting for the other shoe to drop with that guy.
I was relieved that Pratt’s situation was resolved swiftly and in his favor. Though I doubt that any medical board would realistically look beyond his actions and give him a break based solely on his good intentions, I think that the story has run its course.... So realism be damned! It will be interesting to see if Pratt will follow through with the challenge to legalize the clinic and what story possibilities that opens up.
Tony and Neela. Tony and Sarah. Tony and Meg. I’m so tired of all of it. If the writers intented to make it painfully obvious that Neela belongs with just about anyone other than Tony, they have succeeded brilliantly. Sure, I feel bad for the guy and especially for the little girl who is still reeling from the loss of her mother, but enough already. How much should Neela really be expected to put up with, considering she has been with this guy for what seems like a week? I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I think Ray and Neela are much more appealing as a couple than Neela and Tony, but she really belongs with Dubenko, whom I love more and more every time he appears on screen. (Props once again to Leland Orser, who has given this character such depth despite his very limited screen time.) Now there’s a quality guy who would be worth a little frustration and maybe even an illegitimate kid or two. On a somewhat unrelated note, I did enjoy the little moment between Neela and Crenshaw. I loved that he came out of left field with that compliment when she matter-of-factly explained that she was going to break the rules just to be “nice.”
And finally, for those of you hoping to tie up loose ends from last week’s standoff, it seems like that ship has sailed. Instead we got the start of a wonderful new chapter for Luka and Abby. What can I say about that reverse proposal except that it just proved once again that Maura Tierney and Goran Visnjic are really the heart and soul of this revitalized show? They keep me engaged and they keep me coming back for more. On that note, see you next week!
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Feb 9, 2007 12:05 AM
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I loved that the head of the medical board was played by one Clyde Kuhatsu (apologies if I spelled that wrong). He's been one of my most favorite character actors since he remarried the Bunkers and Stivics on All in the Family as Reverand Chong.
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Feb 9, 2007 1:32 AM
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im just glad that the porn' stache is finally glad.
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Feb 9, 2007 4:24 AM
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I hate to burst your bubble, but Dubenko cannot have any illegitimate children. Remember he had cancer a year or 2 ago and his ability to have children was erradicated. But you are right that Neela and Dubenko would be amazing. I would love to see that character be brought into the forefront of the show. I wish he could be like Eric LaSalle's character and be the Surgeon Fellow in the ER.
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Feb 9, 2007 9:22 AM
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I agree Trish, seeing Freddy Rodriguez was wonderful. I miss Six Feet and Rico! Anyway, he did a great job and I really felt for him and I wanted him to make it to that stage. At least they didn't show him die, I don't think I could have handled that.
I'm also tired of the Tony back and forth, pick a direction and go with it! At first I thought the writers were taking his character somewhere, now I wonder? Note to writers- don't waste John Stamos please!
Finally, I loved the ending! For once we get to see Abby and Luka happy- it's about time!
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Feb 9, 2007 9:27 AM
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I agree with the assessment that in the real world, Pratt would have gotten the ax. For a tv show, I'm glad it worked out this way.
On a side note: That preacher has a great voice ... I've heard it on several commercials and on one of my favorite shows, City Confidential.
Another side note: It was wonderful to see all the church members attend Pratt's hearing to support him. When Pratt embraced the priest, I thought about how cool it would have been if that were his father.
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Feb 9, 2007 9:39 AM
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I agree that Luka and Abby (especially Abby) have become the heart and soul of the show (can't blame me for being partial to Maura Tierney who is gorgeous and such a brilliant and underrated actress). That proposal scene had just the right touch.
Pratt's hearing did have a rather storybook ending, but that's okay. I was glad to see Hope step up and confess her involvement to Morris.
I really hope Sam ships off her evil son to some kind of rehab or bootcamp!
I agree that Gates needs to pick a direction and head that way--I think the writers finally realize that this storyline has been stuck in neutral.
Neela and Ray (again) would be nice.
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Feb 9, 2007 9:53 AM
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I think Neela needs to be with Ray. I have wanted them together from the begining. They just have something there.
Im sorry but that young girl that lives with Tony gets on my nerves! I am not sure why but she is annoying and I do not like any scene with her in it.
I love Morris. I wish we could have seen more of his Morris side last night. Till next week...
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Feb 9, 2007 10:03 AM
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...as I was watching last night, I knew Trish that you would start your recap with the important stuff first: bad facial hair is gone, thank God! and I thought I was the only one who thought that Neela belongs with Dubenko...
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Feb 9, 2007 10:14 AM
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Another excellent show in an amazing year for my all time favorite medical show. Last year while on vacation as I sat down to watch my brother asked me snidely, "You still watch ER???" And to him I now say, "Damn straight, sucka!" Though the last couple of seasons have been hit or miss at times, I'm still amazed week after week since the season premier. And it's 13 years old, which is what, like 91 in people years? Oh wait, that's for dogs.
I may be in the minority, but I was actually a little more interested in the Gates character last night than I have ever been. Maybe it's the whole stepping up as the father(?) figure thing that added a little more depth. Plus he wasn't his usual wise-a**, "I'm always right" self either. It could be interesting to see where they take his character, but hopefully in the opposite direction of Neela.
SO glad Ray is back to the Goatee Shadow instead of the Disco Stache. As for Gates, I think the producers need to give Mr. Stamos an electric razor to use before his scenes because that 5 o'clock shadow at times became nearly a full blown beard between scenes and then he was practically clean shaven (for him) in the next.
Abby, Abby, Abby, who in their right mind wouldn't say yes to her? Good going, Carter. You should have hung in there, bud. And Luka, you're one lucky SOB. Best darn nurse/doctor, mom, wife-to-be a guy could ever have the fortune to have drop into your life. And who doesn't deserve it more considering what's happened in his life. Losing your family to war, turning into a self-destructive womanizer, almost buying the farm in Africa; that man's been through hell and came out the other side, for sure. Happy to see how he's turned his life around. A lesson to us all, I think.
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Feb 9, 2007 10:29 AM
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I've always loved the idea of Dubenko and Neela together. Did you happen to notice the look in his eyes when, during the surgery, it was mentioned that she and Gates were an item? He looked sad.
And of course, they had Ray looking at a pic of himself and Neela... taking it off the refridgerator. A sure sign that he's going to move on for real this time... and also a sure sign that Neela's going to want him now. Next we'll spend the rest of the season watching these two in romantic angst... sigh... What's the old saying? No matter how much things change, they always stay the same...
Someone pass me a bucket...
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Feb 9, 2007 10:49 AM
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Sarah needs to go live with grandparents or something and Sam's kid needs to go to boot camp, then we can concentrate on getting a better story line for John Stamos.
So glad Dr. Pratt is back in the ER.
I liked the stand-up comic with leukemia story--he did a great job.
Abby, good for you! I loved that she asked Luka to ask her to marry him again. They are the greatest couple.
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Feb 9, 2007 11:17 AM
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I found the backstory of Tony and Meg a bit creepy on Tony's part. You sleep with your best friends girl, everyone knows about it, she gets pregnant and no one cares who the real father is? Come on!! If you can be that complacent about something as serious as fatherhood how good of a guy can you be? Tony sucks!!!
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Feb 9, 2007 11:47 AM
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If you all will remember, Sam's son saw her kill his father after he had kidnapped them. I believe this is why he is acting up.
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Feb 9, 2007 11:59 AM
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I don't like the John Stamos character whatsoever, even when he's being "decent". They took him so far over the smarmy edge, that I don't feel there's any way to redeem himself now.
I don't give a rip who Neela is with either.
I have always liked Leland Orser and would like to see more done with his character.
I hope everyone watched while ER went to final credits. I found myself smiling as Luka sank to his knees and proposed, and Abby giggled. Very nicely done and so sweet. Wonder if they'll have a ceremony on camera, or just go get married and tell everyone later.
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Feb 9, 2007 12:34 PM
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