E.R.

[azaleaqueen]

Well, it kinda says it all that he didn't feel close enough to her to tell her news like that. "Hey, Honey, I could die!"

[Deleted]

Why was the Gilmore Girl in this episode? Her acting was better than I expected. She wasn't as bad as she usually is. But why was she on? Was it because the Roswell girl was so bad?

[Bonster]

I think Martin left the show on bad terms, so I wasn't surprised she didn't appear. But it was sad, because it kept them from mentioning how awesome the Carter/Lucy stabathon episodes were.

They did show a brief scene from this episode, when Carter falls after being stabbed and then sees Lucy on the floor on the other side of the bed. It was when they came back from a commercial and then after the scene they went right into an interview but not about the scene--which I agree is too bad because that's one of the most memorable episodes ever.

[bklynred]

That ep still gives me goosebumps.

[smitten]

I really liked the finale. This and the Ross/Hathaway episode in March are the first I've watched in about 8 years. I stopped watching the show not because of the cast's revolving door, because I actually think that's more realistic, but because of the stupid promo monkeys that started to say every episode was the MOST. SHOCKING. EVER. and the producers who tried to make it true.

I mean how often does a desk clerk blow up an ER with a loaded bazooka, or a doctor get cut up by a helicopter, or a tank and bomb unit with a burned/long-lost cousin/fireman just happen to show up, or a yellow fever epidemic turn up only in one location in Chicago at the SAME time as a black plague patient with polio. Ok, so I get a bit exaggerated, but I felt like that's what they were going for in the mid 2000s.

The last episode was very understated though, which was in keeping with the first few seasons and I loved it. I admit that it made me tear up a few times, but I had little to no expectations. I was surprised they still had it in them to shock with patient outcomes and emotions, and for me the fact the fact that certain patients stories were so real and heart wrenching on top of knowing that the show was ending made everything that much more emotional overall.

[Mugsy]

I agree with smitten on every point. I drifted away at the same time (after Mark's death, I think), so I don't even know the whole Carter/wife/son story.

I thought the finale was actually perfect, esp. considering I don't know the newish cast members and wasn't invested or knowledgable about their personalities or quirks. Surely no one expected the whole friggin' ER to blow up? Although, given some of the past writing, that could have happened. I thought - like Cheers - the point was to show that even though the show has ended, the daily goings-on continue as they always have.

I also thought the finale had a good mix of cases - delivery emergency and healthy new mom dying from complications, old person finally reaching the end and spouse not wanting to let go (although why was the daughter such a bitch: "I would have walked away from her years ago"?), and a big multi-trauma at the end.

Seeing the pouring rain, why on earth is there not an underpass/cover thingy for the ambulances so they can drop off their patients in bad weather without them getting soaking wet (or snowed upon)? Even my podunk 20-bed hospital has one.

I liked how it seemed some of the former workmates keep in touch and others don't. "Elizabeth's in town? Invite her too!" Very realistic. It's too bad the writing got so histrionic and ridiculous around mid-show because I really enjoyed watching ER again and probably would have enjoyed the new cast, lots of good actors there.

But seriously, how many crashed busloads of marching bands (complete with instruments!) or clown conventions with mysterious rashes or sci-fi weddings with food poisoning are believable?

[Deleted]

I thought the finale was actually perfect, esp. considering I don't know the newish cast members and wasn't invested or knowledgable about their personalities or quirks. Surely no one expected the whole friggin' ER to blow up? Although, given some of the past writing, that could have happened. I thought - like Cheers - the point was to show that even though the show has ended, the daily goings-on continue as they always have.

Agreed. It was just the right tone for the show to end on, with business going on as usual. No major character deaths, no closing of the ER and everyone moving away, no sappy main character weddings or kids being born, it was great. And I loved the parallels to the pilot episode, especially with Lydia waking up Morris. As much as I loved seeing her I do wish they'd explained why she was back. That's just a minor nitpick. Overall, I enjoyed it. I just wish the writing could've been that good in the awful middle seasons, it makes me sad for what could've been.

[azaleaqueen]

Mugsy, you're right. They gave the impression that Chicago NEVER gets any good weather. So why no shelter?

I also got tired of full-fledged physcians living in dingy, dreary walkups. My daughter used to go with a boy whose father was an ER physician and he made in excess of $100,000. And this was 16-17 years ago. In the Deep South yet. I'm sure hospitals pay things like malpractic insurance for their doctors, so there's a savings right there. Odd.

[kathy1977]

And I loved the parallels to the pilot episode, especially with Lydia waking up Morris. As much as I loved seeing her I do wish they'd explained why she was back. That's just a minor nitpick. Overall, I enjoyed it. I just wish the writing could've been that good in the awful middle seasons, it makes me sad for what could've been.

I'm glad you brough tup the scene of Lydia waking Morris. That really was straight out of the pilot. Everybody keeps saying that the show has come full circle because Carter will mentor Rachel Green. But I am thinking it won't be him. I think it's actually MORRIS who is the new Dr. Green. And will be Rachels mentor. I believe Carter will finish out the trauma's that were coming in. But after that he's going to devote most of the first year to The Carter Center. And I think that's exactly where he should be.

It was so good to see Lydia again. She and Halle were always my two favorite nurses.

And speaking of Halle, it would have been so awesome to see her at the bar with Benton, Carter, Lewis, Rachel, and Corday. Halle, was part of the ER before any of them came. in alot of ways, she is ER.

[SApril]

Apr 3, 2009 9:14:50 GMT -4 Binky said:

The retrospective was EXCELLENT though. Loved seeing Anna Del Amico and Maggie Doyle. Would have been nice to see Kellie Martin too though.

I think Martin left the show on bad terms, so I wasn't surprised she didn't appear. But it was sad, because it kept them from mentioning how awesome the Carter/Lucy stabathon episodes were.

Kelly was at the reunion dinner they had recently. I don't think it was a big deal she wasn't included in the retrospect. Actors like Gloria Rueben or Ming-Na weren't included, and they were on for much longer.