TiVo Community Forums Archives - Has ER "Jumped the Shark"

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Has ER "Jumped the Shark"
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Posted by: Alan Flanary

Okay... when the bald doctor got his arm whacked off by the helicopter blade, I'm thinking... okay, I suppose that could happen. Then, the same guy gets killed when a helicopter falls out of the sky and lands right on him?

Now in the guide data for tonight I see, "A psychotic patient threatens the hospital with a stolen Army tank..." Huh??

Posted by: iguru42

yep sure sounds like it has jumped

Posted by: farleyruskz

Absolutely; this show jumped after Mark Green died. I canceled my Season Pass earlier this season.

Posted by: Graymalkin

Y'know, if Fonzie had jumped that shark tank with an Army tank, he wouldn't have had anything to worry about.

Posted by: FatherTed

ER used to have amazing writing and acting. Now it's just another bowl of schlock on the TV.

Posted by: Redleg

First Batman left, then Eyebrows, then Green took about forty episodes to die of cancer. John became a spoiled rich kid, a raging junkie, and then a saint. Then they went to Africa for about a year.

We've had some of the most awful "special guest star" moments in television history, culminating in the recent Kafkaesque piece of dreary blackness starring Bob Newhart.

Somewhere in there was a horrible live episode, a Breakfast Club ripoff, a helicopter arm amputation (actually, this was cool), a helicopter crash, and now a crazy tank.

Posted by: smak

I have never seen one episode of ER, but I noticed those weird things. The helicopter crash, the tank. I was wondering what the hell was going on, even though i don't watch.

As far as I know, the first few seasons were riveting with just ER doctors and their day to day life. Why do they think they need to add in these wacky plots?

-smak-

Posted by: ccouger

I thought the same thing, and gave up watching ER when they killed off Mark Green. It was always about the lives of the characters, and not just pairing each of them off with each other. Once it settled into that type of soap opera, it was unwatchable for me. I did tune in for the helicopter crash, but that was more out of scorn for the show than in hoping to be entertained by it anymore.

Posted by: devdogaz

I was going to post the exact same thread title when I saw promos for the "tank" episode. I stopped watching a couple seasons ago but it sure seems that the writers are running out of realistic stories to tell. And the realism was always the reason ER was so successful. The actors that left ths show should be glad they weren't around for this garbage. It's probably better to be unemployed than to be involved with this show right now.

Posted by: Rob Helmerichs

Oddly enough, for all the show's flaws (this is a show I watch mainly out of habit and respect for a past near-greatness), the tank thing was actually handled pretty well...

Posted by: serumgard

This thing jumped the shark about a season after Batman left (which would make it about 8 seasons ago). The tank commercial was arguably the most ridiculous preview I've seen for that show since it's been on.

Posted by: jeff125va

quote:
Originally posted by Medieval Guy
Oddly enough, for all the show's flaws (this is a show I watch mainly out of habit and respect for a past near-greatness), the tank thing was actually handled pretty well...

I sort of agree. Except for the obvious - there's no way some nut's just gonna break in and steal a tank, especially w/o some serious long-term planning which is still nearly impossible - it could have been a lot more ludicrous. I probably watch it for the same reasons. I liked the rest of that ep though, esp the part with Frank, never expected that.

Posted by: Rob Helmerichs

...although some nutjob really did steal a tank--I'm pretty sure most of the tank footage was actual news coverage from that event. So it CAN happen!

Posted by: Redleg

This was certainly inspired by actual events, but I think the guy who stole the tank in real life a few years ago was on an expressway (in California?). Since I'm pretty sure that guy was killed at the end, too, I don't think they'd use that footage.

We were noticing how fortunate it was there were only 80's beater cars parked along the road and no Lexuses (Lexi? :) ).

Posted by: PeteEMT

And if you watch, the Ambulance has the roof-tear BEFORE the tank hits it.

I was kind of waiting for one of the docs to say "Hey! That's my car!"

Posted by: Rcrew

Pretty sure the real tank incident did happen here in CA. Where ever it was, it wasn't only express way travel. He took out cars and at least one motor home on the journey.

Now I'll have to google it to find out if the guy had active or reserve military status that aided him in getting the tank.

Posted by: Rcrew

Here you go:

quote:
Shawn Timothy Nelson officially died Wednesday, but methamphetamine, alcohol and deep sadness took his life a long time ago.

Family members said internal demons motivated the 35-year-old unemployed plumber to go on a 23-minute rampage in a stolen tank, leaving a path of destruction on streets and freeways.
Nelson, they said, couldn't cope with the recent loss of both parents to cancer, his wife of six years to divorce in 1991, and -- perhaps the final straw -- the loss of his live-in girlfriend last month.

He was also faced with financial ruin resulting from serious neck and spine injuries and the theft of costly work equipment from his truck. Nelson's home was in foreclosure and his utilities had been cut off.

Posted by: Rcrew

Now, back to ER. I liked last night's show. There were a few times I was uneasy with the medical treatment shock scenes, but there were several moments of character development that made the episode for me.

Spoiler Alert! (highlight to read)
Two were with Frank, when he was talking to Pratt about the 'boys' in his Vietnam platoon, remembering each ones name, and exact cause of death, saying they could have become what Platt is; and the way he spoke to his daughter.
The other moment was with Corday/Green and her dinner date with ???? (playmate's father)
And I'd include Sam and Luca's moment near the end when she calls him back to come watch videos with her son.

Jumped the Shark, I vote no. Taking new directions, probably, but this season, I'd say ER is out of intensive care, and on the way to recovery.

Posted by: Philosofy

The scenes of the tank were filmed Feb 1 in Chicago.

Posted by: PeteEMT

Okay dumb question, how do you do Spoiler tags?
I can figure out how to do it manually, but maybe there is a faster way :)

Posted by: Rcrew

[ spoiler ] [ /spoiler ]

Remove the spaces before and after the key words.

Posted by: PeteEMT

Ahh Thanks, in that case

Spoiler Alert! (highlight to read)
I kind of chuckled when Carrie suggested the student (cant remember his name) divert the Tank by standing in the middle of Lake Shore Drive and playing Tienamann(sp) Square. Kind of dark humor, I know

Posted by: Rob Helmerichs

quote:
Originally posted by Philosofy
The scenes of the tank were filmed Feb 1 in Chicago.

I think those were the scenes that were shown "live" in front of the hospital. I'm pretty sure the "news coverage" shown on the TV sets in the ER were from the real incident...

Posted by: aaronw

I guess I have a stronger attachment to this show than a lot of other people. It is definitely my #1 show, and has been for years and years since it started.

Some of the stuff last year was, i admit, a little bit off kilter as far as 'getting back to medicine' with Abby and Carter. But, I think the show has had tremendous success in being on this long and with a pretty good cast rotation.

I was also a little concerned when I saw the previews with the tank stuff, but I think they didn't play it up *too* incredibly much.

One of those 2 new med students need to go.. too many new people. I think that the indian girl, whose name of course I forget, is really helping the show out.

I still definitely look forward to every new episode.

Posted by: BelugaWhale

Althought the commercials for this week's episode were rediculous and cheezy (yes, cheezy with a Z!), I thought the episode was pretty good. Even better now that it sounds like they didn't pull the tank story completely out of thin air.

I don't think that the series is as good as it was in its earlier days, but I do think that this season is an improvement over last season. It's not dead yet, and in my opinion in remarkably good shape for such an old show that has such huge cast turnover.

Posted by: Corey140

quote:
Originally posted by Medieval Guy
I think those were the scenes that were shown "live" in front of the hospital. I'm pretty sure the "news coverage" shown on the TV sets in the ER were from the real incident...

I don't think so. On the tv, you can clearly see those were Chicago PD cars. I think they filmed everything new. I don't think any of it is the footage from San Diego.

Posted by: Rcrew

Hey, those of you who are shouting "Jumping the Shark", and the early episodes were so much better, because of this tank episode...

Lets take a walk down memory lane to an early episode that had an arms dealor visit the ER. You know the one, where Jerry gets into his stuff, and ends up blowing up the ER with a LAWS rocket.

Now that's a realistic episode...

At least the Tank was copied from real life. Anyone got a link to some guy blowing up anything with a LAWs rocket?

Posted by: Redleg

quote:
Originally posted by Rcrew
Lets take a walk down memory lane to an early episode that had an arms dealor visit the ER. You know the one, where Jerry gets into his stuff, and ends up blowing up the ER with a LAWS rocket.

Thanks, I forgot about this one! I wanted to add it to my list! :D

Posted by: jlb.x

Actually, Jerry blew up the arms dealor's truck parked in the ambulance bay.

Didn't someone also drive through the ER doors at one point?

Posted by: Rcrew

quote:
Originally posted by jlb.x
Actually, Jerry blew up the arms dealor's truck parked in the ambulance bay.

Sounds familar, but I believe he shot the rocket from inside the ER, and did lots of damage there as well. He was gone from the show for a while, and I connect that incident to his departure.

Posted by: justapixel

This show has not only jumped the shark, but it jumps several an episode. I thought sharks were solitary animals, but they are apparently schooling around County General.

Come on - Frank suddenly is Mr. Wonderful and nobody knew about it? I don't like all the cheesy action, like helicopters crashing into the hospital (twice) and tanks, but when they change the personalities of the characters drastically after we've gotten to know them so well, it's annoying as hell. Turning Weaver into a lesbian was bad enough, but then having Carter become a junkie and all the other character changes is just some major shark jumping. I like that Abby has remained true to her core character while growing and developing some depth. Given ERs history, I'm sure they'll suddenly have her go crazy or shoot up the ER or something. :rolleyes:

Posted by: Rcrew

Well, I'm not surprised at your view of Abby! Do you think you just found a character to identify closely with? :D :D

While you make some very solid points, I don't think they are pushing the show closer to the edge of the tank. I really do think this season has been a turn around.

Now if they would have just put the red headed a/h Dr wannabe out there to confront the tank personally, I'd be a happy camper. Hey, he could have toked up before stepping out, and would have probably enjoyed the experience.

Posted by: PeteEMT

Weaver suggested that

Posted by: Snappa77

When is Morris gonna get his?!?! He deserves to have his hand cut off or have a helicopter use his head as a landing pad. The fact that no one has really exploded on him and told him he isn't worth s**t as a doctor is aggravating. Week after week after week that little weasle slugs his way thru the ER. Ditching cases and work, taking easy ones etc etc etc.

When I saw the preview commercials for the tank episode I was hoping that Morris would get killed somehow. I even held that hope all the way till the credits ran.

If he makes it to the end of the season I will be pissed. At least have a patient or another doctor (Pratt) kick the living hell outta him. Something. That little creep deserves it. The writers better come thru and make me happy. :mad:

Posted by: drew2k

I think Morris will get his soon... but did you notice how his attitude changed after the Vet was brought back into the ER? He seemed to be a little more motivated, and maybe that was a wake-up call. I personally don't like the character, but I notice that ER always needs to have one screw-up doc each year. Last year it was Pratt, but they decidedd to rehabilitate him...

Posted by: skanter

I thought the tank thing was a bit much, but I'll have to admit I enjoyed all the cars being crushed.

;)

Posted by: Maui

quote:
Originally posted by justapixel
Come on - Frank suddenly is Mr. Wonderful and nobody knew about it?

Okay, I liked that part, mainly because they didn't have Frank become Mr. Nice guy. They did show that he is more than one dimensional but remember, despite what the wife said to Neela and what Frank said to Pratt while under the knife, he still woke up spouting the same crap at them that he had been before he had the attack.

Posted by: Rcrew

Perhaps Morris will get busted for drugs! Then he'll go to prison, and someone can take his temperature!

Posted by: cptodd

quote:
Originally posted by Rcrew
Perhaps Morris will get busted for drugs! Then he'll go to prison, and someone can take his temperature!

OUCH! That might get him sent back to the hospital so let's not hope for that. The less of him in the hospital, in ANY capacity, the better.

Posted by: Swirl_Junkie

I think somebody needs to stick a fork in this show, It's done.
I oddly watch it occasionally, but it goes waaay overboard ten times an episode.
I think they need to kill it soon. It's become a monster.

Posted by: JYoung

This week's episode with the tank was no where near as bad as I feared.
In fact, it was pretty good.
However, the series should have ended after Greene's death.
The scene with Carter repeating the same speech about life and death that Greene gave him back in the first episode would have been a perfect coda to the series.

Posted by: Maui

quote:
Originally posted by Swirl_Junkie
I think somebody needs to stick a fork in this show, It's done.
I oddly watch it occasionally, but it goes waaay overboard ten times an episode.
I think they need to kill it soon. It's become a monster.

But it's a highly rated monster that many people seem to still enjoy, myself included.

Posted by: Rob Helmerichs

quote:
Originally posted by Maui
But it's a highly rated monster that many people seem to still enjoy, myself included.

I, as well--it's not what it was, but it's still good enough to watch. (Unlike West Wing, which not only isn't was it was, it's spitting in the face of what it was...)

Posted by: justapixel

quote:
Originally posted by Rcrew
Well, I'm not surprised at your view of Abby! Do you think you just found a character to identify closely with? :D :D

Um......she's an alcoholic nurse with a lot of personal problems and who has a mentally disturbed mother and brother.....

Should I identify with her? :confused:

Posted by: Rcrew

quote:
Originally posted by justapixel
Um......she's an alcoholic nurse with a lot of personal problems and who has a mentally disturbed mother and brother.....

Should I identify with her? :confused:

quote:
Originally posted by justapixel
... I like that Abby has remained true to her core character while growing and developing some depth...

... strong, smart, intuitive, and determined... is more what I had in mind, not to mention easy on the eye. ;)

Posted by: DougF

quote:
But it's a highly rated monster that many people seem to still enjoy, myself included.

Same here, I still like it. It's never again going to have the magic of the first three or four years, but what show ever does?

As for ratings, it consistently finishes in the top five, only behind CSI and Friends and behind Survivor and American Idol when they are on.

In fact, for the week ending 2/22, it even finished at #4 (ahead of Survivor).

http://www.nielsenmedia.com/ratings...t_programs.html

Posted by: justapixel

quote:
Originally posted by Rcrew
... strong, smart, intuitive, and determined... is more what I had in mind, not to mention easy on the eye. ;)

I like your interpretation far better than mine. :)

Posted by: Rob Helmerichs

quote:
Originally posted by Rcrew
... strong, smart, intuitive, and determined... is more what I had in mind, not to mention easy on the eye. ;)

Well, that may be so. But she still has a pancake on her head. :D

Posted by: cptodd

quote:
Originally posted by Medieval Guy
Well, that may be so. But she still has a pancake on her head. :D

Is that what that thing is? I was afraid to ask! :D

Posted by: Rcrew

quote:
Originally posted by cptodd
Is that what that thing is? I was afraid to ask! :D

..... zoom....