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September 28, 2006: Graduation Day
As if Abby and Luka didn’t have enough to contend with, tonight manic-depressive Maggie breezed in to meet her ailing grandson and offer her support in a flurry of note taking and NICU staff badgering. However, she also brought an unexpected mix of motherly wisdom and perspective that Abby sorely needed. Sally Field has done an excellent job with this role in each of her appearances, taking a strident character and making her sympathetic and relatable, never sugarcoating the challenges of living with mental illness. Despite her doubts, Maggie actually persuaded Abby to include the baby in a trial that was both risky and promising. (The scene where she insisted something was wrong with the baby reminded me of the scene from Terms of Endearment when Shirley MacLaine loses it on the nurses for not administering her daughter’s pain medication on time.) While I thought it was downright mean to lead all of us to believe the baby had died, the last scene of Abby with her mom offered some poignant closure and set the stage for Abby’s own transition into motherhood. And Luka, as always, was a tower of strength and composure throughout the ordeal. Goran Visnjic brings such emotional heft and sincerity to the role. And no, it doesn’t hurt at all that he is tall, dark and brooding.
Speaking of dark, brooding men with baggage, we now have another one in the house. It appears that former paramedic and newly installed intern Tony Gates (John Stamos) may have some serious anger issues. Sure, that guy from the bar was out of line, but the smackdown he put on both of them was a little bit over the top. Poor Neela, still reeling with grief in the wake of Gallant’s death, obviously needed a friend more than a fling, so I was grateful that Tony didn’t take advantage of her drunken state. I was a little less reassured by his handling of the teenager who overdosed. His actions seemed to portend a maverick approach to medicine. Wow, we haven’t seen that since, well, Ray, who also happens to be vying for Neela’s heart. (And I thought Parminder Nagra was lucky when she had Jonathan Rhys-Meyers falling in love with her in Bend It Like Beckham.) It remains to be seen how this little love triangle will play out, but I am rooting for the competition to shake Ray out of his slacker daze.
Wrapping up the kidnapping story line, Steve’s death was ruled a justifiable homicide, much to the relief of Sam and thanks in large part to the machinations of her somewhat shady sugardaddy, Richard Elliot (Armand Assante). I suspect that at some point this guy is going to expect more than gratitude for participating in the cover-up.
As for the lighter touches, I really enjoy when Kerry gets to show her human side. She was extremely sensitive in her handling of Sam’s post-rape trauma and then put her own job on the line to protect Luka from the hospital board. We were also treated to Morris’ humorous realization that his true calling is medicine. (His exchange with Frank about his suit was hysterical.) As for Pratt, it looks like he is on the road to growing into his attending position and grooming a new crop of interns. And was that actually a happy ending we saw, complete with doctors bonding and baby pictures? I’d like to see a few more of those this season.
For all you television trivia buffs wondering where you know her from, that was L. Scott Caldwell, Lost's Rose, playing the neonatologist. And, in case you missed it, this episode was directed by none other than Mrs. Seaver herself, Joanna Kerns of Growing Pains fame.
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Sep 29, 2006 12:31 AM
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So glad there's a blog.
So confused as to why Neela needs a romantic interest instead of Ray.
So confused, also, as to why I would say anything in favor of Ray.
Help, people, help.
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Sep 29, 2006 2:18 AM
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Thank you Trish for telling us that was Rose from Lost. I was going to look it up and then it was in your post. Whew, I knew I knew her, but she looked so different.
I thought this episode was very manipulative. I have had problems with ER for several years now...it's sure nothing like the first few years were. But I'm loyal to it. Can't stop watching while it's still on the air after all these years.
Don't want Neela with Tony. That's for sure.
I'm with you, Trish, on wanting more humor and genuine friendship among the docs and nurses. And please...NO MORE Africa stories this year. That is NOT what ER is about.
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Sep 29, 2006 3:02 AM
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I have to say, I think the ER I loved is finally back. I have thoroughly enjoyed the first two episodes.
Thank god they didn't have the baby die. I mean really, Abby and Luka have been through enough trauma!
Also,(and this could just be due to the massive crush I've had on John Stamos since he was Blackie on General Hospital) I am liking the Tony Gates character. I love the idea of 2 guys competing for Neela. Plus, you need one maverick doctor on the show at all times, especially since it seems that all the previous ones have settled down!
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Sep 29, 2006 9:10 AM
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I admittedly given up a few years ago, but I still get sucked in. How much horrible things can happen to one group of people? Anyway, I did really enjoy last nights episode, especially the happy ending which is rare for ER. I loved the moment when Abby's mom was leaving and she told her she didn't have to leave. I had the same moment after the birth of my first child when my mom finally left and I had to be a mom, and it made me cry. Very realistic for a show that gets a little over the top.
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Sep 29, 2006 9:11 AM
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Between NewsRadio and ER, Maura Tierney has probably been one of the most overlooked actresses on TV for the last decade. Honestly, if she were to leave the show, that might finally be the end of it for me, but as long as she sticks around (with the occasional visit from Sally Field) then I'll stick around.
Count me in as far as more happy endings and more friendly bonding between the characters - and more Dr. Weaver while we're at it.
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Sep 29, 2006 9:37 AM
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Please don't tell me I'm the only one that makes my Thursdays Mostly Medical(we only need Scrubs to make it a Trifecta.) Is it just coincidence that ER decided to have a "Neela choosing between two Beaus" at the same time Grey's is having a "Meredith choosing between two Beaus" theme?? If Weaver starts baking muffins or George goes to work for a pharmaceutical company I'll KNOW something's up!!!!
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Sep 29, 2006 9:55 AM
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Random thoughts:
Tony reminds me of Pratt back in the day. No wonder they have such a challenging relationship.
Does Neela really need 2 suitors so soon after losing her husband? Sheesh!
I'm mad at the nurses in the NICU for not doing their jobs. If a monitor alarm goes off they should check it immediately!
Glad the baby lived. I don't think Abby or Luka deserved any more heartache in their lives.
I'm glad Kerry stepped up and took the blame for the Clemente issue. I think part of the reason she did was what Luka was going through with the baby. It would have been a really lousy time to lose his job.
I can see Armand Assante's character being a controlling type. Sam had better be careful with him.
I love this show! I hope they throw in an episode of Carter in Africa, too. I miss him.
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Sep 29, 2006 10:04 AM
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When they showed that empty crib, I screamed out, "They can't kill Abby's baby!" Of course, they didn't and that was a nice scene with Maura Tierney and Sally Field.
I was also trying to figure out how I knew the baby's doctor.
Good reporting. Thanks.
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Sep 29, 2006 10:10 AM
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I love this show, but it seemed kind of rushed last night. They seemed to basically gloss over Sam's rape. I mean surely being held hostage in the middle of a shootout, kidnapped, watching your ex kill two people and then rape you which forces you to shoot him qualifies for more than just a hug from your boss.
I know Luka has things on his mind but he and Sam used to love each other and I would think are friends, they didn't even talk about how she was feeling, she was just back at work.
It seems there is a lot of that going around on this show. The not being there for your friends. Why is Tony someone who really barely knows Neelah being her friend and trying to stop her from self-destructing. Where are Ray and Pratt and Abby?
Neela reached out to Abby in regards to the baby, but even last season Abby seemed kind of oblivious to Neela's trauma and pain. I've seen her ask Neela how she's doing twice and that's about it.
Where is Ray by the way? He only had like 3 lines last night and has barely been seen in the last two eps.
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Sep 29, 2006 11:05 AM
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First of all, this is the second time I had to write and post my comments as this website totally lost all my info. Not happy about that.
So, do you think Kerry is more comforting without her cane?
Neela definitely deserves to have a fling with a hot thing like John Stamos. But we’ve seen his explosive side which doesn’t bode well for them having a future together. As far as Ray goes, can we find a rock band for him to play in and send him on a world tour ASAP?
I too, thought I was re-watching the Shirley MacLaine scene from Terms of Endearment. But the experienced Sally Field knew how to make it her own. I’ve seen her in many movies and TV shows over the years and have always been a fan. So, though I know we all have to age, it’s with love that I ask if they can CGI-out her wrinkles.
It took me 20 minutes to realize the neonatalist was Rose from LOST. Though her short hair changed her look, it was her soothing voice that grabbed me from the start.
All of the nightmares that Sam has had to endure, recently and in the past, have drawn me closer to her. Since she’s been around for a while and we’ve invested the time, maybe she can get a storyline that is engrossing and will at least make her a little more likable.
AND, can anyone understand a word coming out of Armand Assante’s mouth???
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Sep 29, 2006 11:16 AM
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i LOVED last night's ep. i was literally on the edge of my seat when sally field's character knew something was wrong with the baby. and while i was upset at the time, their leading us to think the baby died was good tv.
it was quick, each story line was involving...i LIKE john stamos..abby & luca wear me out in a good way...weaver is just one of the gang again...i agree, i could use some more happy endings!
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Sep 29, 2006 11:38 AM
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Deleted. See posting below.
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Sep 29, 2006 11:57 AM
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Help, please! Who is "Sam's SugarDaddy" (Armand Assante) who helped her out with the police? I missed a few episodes last season and I never understood how he came into the picture. Thanks!
On a side note, I too was glad to see a happy ending. ER can be such a dark, depressing show at times. Not that I am complaining or anything, but it's nice to have a smile or giggle thrown in for good measure sometimes. And how great WOULD it be to see Scrubs before Grey's?
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Sep 29, 2006 12:46 PM
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RaoulBova, I appreciate you said you recognize that we all age. I'm just curious why you would think a woman old enough to be Abby's mother wouldn't have wrinkles?
Personally I'm glad Sally Field hasn't chosen to botox and surgically alter her appearance the way some female actors have in order to find work (did anyone catch the old "Charlie's Angels" gang in the Emmy tribute to Aaron Spelling? I nearly lost my dinner). Though, I guess if casting directors have the same attitude RaoulBova has, it's no wonder there are so many more working male actors over 50 than there are female actors.
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Sep 29, 2006 12:50 PM
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