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Can someone fill me in on what's happening on ER this season? (possible spoilers)
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Posted by: grecorj

I've watched perhaps 10 seconds this season so I haven't a clue as to what is going on.

I know:

Spoiler Alert! (highlight to read)
several (?) cast members are gone. Is Luka Kocach (sp?) dead? Romano is dead, right? They showed a helicopter landing on him on the People's Choice Awards last night. :D Who else is dead? Carter is having a baby with Thandie Newton?? WTF is going on!!! :)

Anything else I missed?

Posted by: jsmeeker

Spoiler Alert! (highlight to read)
Luka is not dead. Romano is. :(

Posted by: rhuntington3

Spoiler Alert! (highlight to read)
Carter met her over in Africa and fell in love with her and he is the father of the baby. They've come to the States for a while.

Posted by: cello

Since the thread says possible spoilers, I won't bother with tags...

Luka isn't dead, but they did a fake out earlier in the season to make us think he had been killed in the Congo. He's back at the ER, and up until the end of the last episode we thought he was going back soon. But now they hinted that he might be staying, perhaps because of an emotional connection with a new nurse's son. And perhaps with the nurse, too.

Carter dated all of the non-Congolese women he encountered there, I think. They got pregnant, came to the US to have the baby. Abby is pissed.

Posted by: Rcrew

quote:
Originally posted by grecorj

Spoiler Alert! (highlight to read)
several (?) cast members are gone.Who else is dead?

Anything else I missed?

Spoiler Alert! (highlight to read)
Mark Green is dead...

:D :D

Posted by: LoadStar

quote:
Originally posted by cello
Since the thread says possible spoilers, I won't bother with tags...

Luka isn't dead, but they did a fake out earlier in the season to make us think he had been killed in the Congo. He's back at the ER, and up until the end of the last episode we thought he was going back soon. But now they hinted that he might be staying, perhaps because of an emotional connection with a new nurse's son. And perhaps with the nurse, too.

Carter dated all of the non-Congolese women he encountered there, I think. They got pregnant, came to the US to have the baby. Abby is pissed.

The 60 second recap:

Luka went to the congo. They thought he was dead, he wasn't. Carter went to find him and apparently got lost - found a woman though, brought her back instead. Romano's dead - has a thing about helicopters following him around (and you throught YOUR life was bad). Abby goes through mid-life crisis at 29 (I'll be kind) and decides to go back to medschool. Cue replacement Abby, "Samantha Taggart." She's got a kid, how cute. She's a single parent - how nice for Luka. Pratt's caught Bad Boy Doc disease - it's highly contagious. We've got Dumb and Dumber as med students, who apparently are too dumb to realize that they shouldn't be doctors. We've also got the only competent med student to come through the ER since Lucy Knight , "Neela Rasgotra" - unfortunately she also turns out to be as extraneous to the plot lines as Lucy Knight.

And that's your ER season in 60 seconds. :)

Posted by: vman41

quote:
Originally posted by LoadStar
She's got a kid, how cute.

More precisely: She's got a diabetic kid who has behavioral problems, how cute.

Otherwise, good synopsis.

Posted by: grecorj

Thanks all!

And I knew about Green, Rcrew! :D

Posted by: jwjody

quote:
Originally posted by jsmeeker
Spoiler Alert! (highlight to read)
Luka is not dead. Romano is. :(

WOW. I haven't watched any ER this season and this surprised me. For a while he was my favorite character. Such a hardass to people's face but quite kind behind their backs...sometimes...

J

Posted by: devdogaz

I used to watch but about two years ago I just realized I was not at all excited for each new episode of this show and would actually dread Thursday nights at 9:00 because I felt like I had to watch because I had been so involved with the story for so long. I decided to make a clean break and haven't looked back since. The show really has gone downhill over the past few seasons and unless you can't live without it, I would recommend doing what I did and just run away as fast as you can.

This is not meant to disparage anyone for watching this show as I totally understand how you might be hooked. My wife still watches every week. I posted this simply to provide support for those who have been thinking of making the jump but didn't think they were strong enough. I'm living proof that you can break the addiction of ER and still live a full and complete life.

Really.

You can do it.

Posted by: JPinAZ

quote:
Originally posted by jwjody
WOW. I haven't watched any ER this season and this surprised me. For a while he was my favorite character. Such a hardass to people's face but quite kind behind their backs...sometimes...

J

Romano was always my favorite character. Sure he was an @$$hole, but he always told it as he saw it. Didn't lie just so he wouldn't hurt anybodys feelings.

Posted by: Rcrew

quote:
Originally posted by LoadStar
The 60 second recap:
Carter went to find him and apparently got lost - found a woman though, brought her back instead.

Expanding this great 60 second update just a tiny bit since it explains the coming tension between Abby and Carter:

Remember, Carter almost proposed to Abby, then instead went to the Congo. When he returned, and came to Abby's apt. he was asked to leave, and surrender his key.

In his quest to find Luka, and himself, he returned to the Congo. After finding and 'saving' Luka, he elects to stay, and does not resolving anything with Abby, and virtually no communications. He dropped his previous Congo cuddle buddy, and found his new love.

Mean while Abby continues her quest for a meaningful life. We've never been shown anything that explains her return to school. In the latest episode she's clearly upset with Carter's choices. We can only guess as to why.

The stage is set for Luka to stay, and recognize the contribution he can make here, and get an instant family back. Remember Weaver said exactly that to him. That will add to Abby's issues, since now she will have lost both John and Luka.

... soapy enough for everyone? :D

Posted by: LoadStar

quote:
Originally posted by devdogaz
I used to watch but about two years ago I just realized I was not at all excited for each new episode of this show and would actually dread Thursday nights at 9:00 because I felt like I had to watch because I had been so involved with the story for so long. I decided to make a clean break and haven't looked back since. The show really has gone downhill over the past few seasons and unless you can't live without it, I would recommend doing what I did and just run away as fast as you can.

This is not meant to disparage anyone for watching this show as I totally understand how you might be hooked. My wife still watches every week. I posted this simply to provide support for those who have been thinking of making the jump but didn't think they were strong enough. I'm living proof that you can break the addiction of ER and still live a full and complete life.

Really.

You can do it.

I am sincerely hoping that this post was tongue-in-cheek, because this was the most ridiculous drivel I've seen in a while.

While the show might not be as fresh as it was when it first season - what series is after as many years? - it's still entertaining watching, and not just to those who are "hooked." It's not nearly as bad as you make it sound. I continue to watch because I still like the characters, the drama, and the storylines... all valid reasons to watch a show.

Additionally, I'm sure that a show doesn't get a 14.6 rating/23 share from only those who are "hooked" on the show.

To me - it sounds like you have a personal problem and are transposing it onto the TV show. You mention that you dreaded watching, but you felt that you had to. If you felt this strongly, it's indicative of a personality problem on your part rather than a problem with the TV show.

On behalf of those of us who can watch a TV show without feeling that we HAVE to watch a TV show - I'll politely tell you to turn off your TV and go away if you don't like a show, rather than insulting the rest of us.

Posted by: Ben_Jamin75

quote:
Originally posted by Rcrew

Mean while Abby continues her quest for a meaningful life. We've never been shown anything that explains her return to school. In the latest episode she's clearly upset with Carter's choices. We can only guess as to why.

I sorta remember a scene where Abby went to her ex-husband to get him to co-sign her student loan application. The whole reason Abby stopped being a med student was because her ex bailed on paying her tuition.

I might be confusing a Carole Hathaway rerun, but I also seem to remember something to do with Abby knowing how to save someone but wasn't supposed to because she's "only a RN".

Posted by: LoadStar

quote:
Originally posted by Rcrew
Expanding this great 60 second update just a tiny bit since it explains the coming tension between Abby and Carter:

I don't know... after the last episode, it seemed that there was quite a bit of reconciliation between Carter and Abby. They both recognized that their lives had started to improve, even after going their seperate ways - Carter with a family and Abby in medschool again. I sensed that the scene with the two of them was essentially putting the past behind them and moving on.

Admittedly, I think there will still be regrets at the "road less traveled" on the part of Abby (and to some extent Carter). I don't think this will manifest into anything substantial though.

quote:
Originally posted by Rcrew
Mean while Abby continues her quest for a meaningful life. We've never been shown anything that explains her return to school. In the latest episode she's clearly upset with Carter's choices. We can only guess as to why.

Sure we have. There was the scene with Abby doing the desk clerk bit and having people complain and complain at her and her getting grunt work and thrown up on and no recognition. You could see during this episode a decision that she could be so much more than just a desk clerk writing down people's complaints and getting thrown up on.

Posted by: jsmeeker

quote:
Originally posted by LoadStar
Sure we have. There was the scene with Abby doing the desk clerk bit and having people complain and complain at her and her getting grunt work and thrown up on and no recognition. You could see during this episode a decision that she could be so much more than just a desk clerk writing down people's complaints and getting thrown up on.

Abby wasn't just a desk clerk. She was a trauma nurse in the ER. And a very good one.

Posted by: PeteEMT

quote:
Originally posted by Ben_Jamin75

I might be confusing a Carole Hathaway rerun, but I also seem to remember something to do with Abby knowing how to save someone but wasn't supposed to because she's "only a RN".

Wasn't it, she wasn't supposed to do a procedure she knew how because on that shift she was "only a med student". She did it anyways and saved the guys life. I believe it was Susan who signed off on it to cover her.

Posted by: LoadStar

quote:
Originally posted by jsmeeker
Abby wasn't just a desk clerk. She was a trauma nurse in the ER. And a very good one.

Yeah, I know, I mixed up the terms. I guess the scene I'm thinking of was one that showed her doing what the new nurse is seen doing most often, the "admit and assess" phase through the little window they set up. The window was what I was referring to by the desk bit. (I know, Jerry and whats-his-name among others are actually the desk clerks.)

Posted by: Ruth

quote:
Originally posted by LoadStar
I am sincerely hoping that this post was tongue-in-cheek, because this was the most ridiculous drivel I've seen in a while.

While the show might not be as fresh as it was when it first season - what series is after as many years? - it's still entertaining watching, and not just to those who are "hooked." It's not nearly as bad as you make it sound. I continue to watch because I still like the characters, the drama, and the storylines... all valid reasons to watch a show.

Additionally, I'm sure that a show doesn't get a 14.6 rating/23 share from only those who are "hooked" on the show.

To me - it sounds like you have a personal problem and are transposing it onto the TV show. You mention that you dreaded watching, but you felt that you had to. If you felt this strongly, it's indicative of a personality problem on your part rather than a problem with the TV show.

On behalf of those of us who can watch a TV show without feeling that we HAVE to watch a TV show - I'll politely tell you to turn off your TV and go away if you don't like a show, rather than insulting the rest of us.

Well, that seems kinda unnecessarily harsh. I mean, I certainly agree that there's no reason to bash a show in a thread about its plot, but his post was kinda funny, and it is true that the show has really shifted focus since it started. It used to be largely about medicine (remember when patients with interesting medical problems were almost always the primary storyline? when was the last time that happened?) and now it's a soap opera where the patients are usually involved only for comic relief or when they can provoke or dramatize a conflict between the main characters. Not that that's bad, but it is different, and it's not crazy or rude to comment on it.

Even though it makes little sense, I do share the poster's feeling of obligation to watch and a little guilt about not loving the show as much as I used to. I can't explain why exactly (of course I could just delete that SP and forget about it) but I do.

Posted by: PeteEMT

quote:
Originally posted by LoadStar
Yeah, I know, I mixed up the terms. I guess the scene I'm thinking of was one that showed her doing what the new nurse is seen doing most often, the "admit and assess" phase through the little window they set up. The window was what I was referring to by the desk bit. (I know, Jerry and whats-his-name among others are actually the desk clerks.)

That is called Triage, basically deciding who goes first based on how severe/time sensitive their problem is.

Posted by: Rcrew

quote:
Originally posted by Ben_Jamin75
I sorta remember a scene where Abby went to her ex-husband to get him to co-sign her student loan application. The whole reason Abby stopped being a med student was because her ex bailed on paying her tuition.

Pretty correct. IIRC, he was late or missed a monthly payment, and didn't tell her. She was suspended from the program for the remainder of the semester. She elected not to continue.

Yes, she did go to him to co-sign a loan. I guess the point of that was so she wouldn't be beholding to Carter who could have easily taken care of it, and would likely have.

There are some intervening posts that give some reasons for Abby's return. And there's some comments about her and Carter being at peace. I think Carter is, I don't think she is.

Bottom line for me is that we're left guessing about her motivations.

Posted by: lander215

quote:
Originally posted by Ruth
Well, that seems kinda unnecessarily harsh.

...

Even though it makes little sense, I do share the poster's feeling of obligation to watch and a little guilt about not loving the show as much as I used to. I can't explain why exactly (of course I could just delete that SP and forget about it) but I do.

Harsh, bordering on the inane. I feel the same way as devdogaz, an almost obligation to watch it because I have so many years vested already I'm afraid it might actually turn into a good show again. I almost left when Green did, but stuck with it just to see. When they brought Susan back I thought perhaps they'd turned a corner, but they haven't really developed her character any further. And I know inadequate people are in medicine for years, but can we do away with the red-head intern already! How many people have to die before he does? Sheesh!

I skipped the Africa episode entirely last month because I felt no compelling reason to watch. Hit the sack early that night and deleted it off the TiVo first thing in the morning. Other than the baby, no plot twists were lost.

If it remains on the schedule for 2004/05, it'll probably be without me. Too many good shows on to waste time watching this one much anymore. Used to be a Must See....emphasis on "used to be".

Posted by: mwhip

Still my favorite show on TV. I think they will have a big decision to make this year, how many more years they want to get out of it and if they are willing to put in the effort to make it great again. It is better acted than CSI and the camera work is by far the best on TV.

Posted by: devdogaz

quote:
Originally posted by LoadStar
I am sincerely hoping that this post was tongue-in-cheek, because this was the most ridiculous drivel I've seen in a while.

I'm sorry the tongue-in-cheek content of my post was not obvious enough for you.

quote:
Originally posted by LoadStar
While the show might not be as fresh as it was when it first season - what series is after as many years? - it's still entertaining watching, and not just to those who are "hooked." It's not nearly as bad as you make it sound. I continue to watch because I still like the characters, the drama, and the storylines... all valid reasons to watch a show.

Additionally, I'm sure that a show doesn't get a 14.6 rating/23 share from only those who are "hooked" on the show.

I feel the quality of the show has greatly diminshed and the storylines have gone away from the interesting medical issues of the early years and have digressed into a soap opera. I know the show still gets great ratings and I can only attribute it to the fact that people are hooked on the show because the quality is just not there to warrant the ratings. And I don't mean that to be an insult. I'll readily admit that the quality of The West Wing has also gone downhill but I am totally hooked to that show and will continue to watch it regardless. Popular shows stay on the air long after their prime simply because viewers are hooked and will watch those characters they have grown to love regardless of what happens. The difference with ER is that almost all of the original characters are gone and the few that are left are completely uninteresting. I found it easy to break the addiction when the characters I liked kept leaving too.

As far as the personal insults in the rest of your post, I choose to ignore those.

Posted by: DougF

quote:
I think they will have a big decision to make this year, how many more years they want to get out of it and if they are willing to put in the effort to make it great again.

quote:
If it remains on the schedule for 2004/05, it'll probably be without me.

The show is currently under contract through the 2004-2005 (11th) season.