NBC
(Season 15, Episode 2)
“Ever been at a crossroads?” – Archie Morris
“Who are you talking to?” – Abbie Lockhart
Good-bye, Abby. We’ll miss you. Oh, you had your ups and downs … mostly downs. And you had your highs and lows … mostly lows. And you had your good times and bad times … mostly bad. Okay, okay! You made the Ancient Mariner look happy-go-lucky!
But, we loved you. Despite your moping, and your drinking and your toying with the emotions of people like Carter and Luka, and your constant indecisiveness — because you were human; Probably the most human person in County General. And that’s why, after ten years, your farewell was a tearful event. Well, at least for me.
So, let’s talk about Abby for a bit. And, we can also add in some additional points for you and your friends to talk about over at the coffee machine.
The Abby Lockhart from another universe - Who was this Abby Lockhart who entered the ER as a 1st year Attending? She was happy, funny, compassionate and practically buoyant. Man, if a move away from County was the thing to turn her life around she should have done that years ago. Seriously, it was good to see Abby in such a good mood after constant periods of depression and self-doubt. I would have been unhappy if Abby left the show on a dark note … these ER folk need some happiness in their life once in awhile.
The rooftop scene - Yikes! Maura Tierney is a better person then I am. Just watching her standing near the rooftop’s edge may me cringe. I wonder if the nervousness that Abby showed was acting or the way Maura was feeling at the moment. Yes, I’m sure there were a number of people ready and willing to get her should she happen to trip and fall towards the edge, but that thought didn’t affect the illusion of the scene. It made me feel anxious as it was going on.
The operating room scene - Are we sure Abby wasn’t drunk this episode? In the operating room observation area she certainly sounded like she was high on something other than life. Her expansive gestures and compliments to both the room and the surgeons sounded like a drunk guy who slobbers ‘I love you’ while hugging you and throwing up at the same time. I guess seeing that one of your patients will survive gives you that giddy feeling.
During that period of euphoria she did come to a conclusion that everyone who watches the show has come to already: Neela and Dubenko need to date. Really, it needs to happen for the greater good of the show. It may not seem like they would be compatible, but I personally believe that their relationship would have a chance.
Dr. Cate Banfield – Hey, Dr. Banfield! Do you read the personnel files of those under you? It seems like you don’t since you practically ripped the head off of Abby as soon as you saw her. If you did read the files you would have know that Abby was at County General for 10 years both as a nurse and doctor. But, you just go ahead and exert your steel rod of discipline to get the job done.
I am not liking this Dr. Banfield and am disappointed that the creators of ER would put a character like her on during the show’s last season. This should be a time to celebrate a program that has been regular viewing for many of us for 15 years. Instead, we have to put up with this new hard-ass.
The County General wall of fame – Wow! I did not realize how many doctors and nurses have left the show, in one form or another, since ER began. Del Amico, Knight, Greene, Hathaway, Lewis. Woodward? Who’s Woodward? This, along with Abby’s tango with Frank, gave me a case of the teary eyes. It was also fitting that two of the oldest characters from the show, Abby and Haleh, were the ones who revealed the wall of name tags. When it’s all said and done Haleh and Chuny will be the only two cast members who were part of the original group. My, how times have changed!
Folks, let me know if you are interested in us continuing these ER reviews on CliqueClack. If so, I’ll see you next week.
Clacked by Richard Keller 
on Oct 17, 2008 @ 01:03 EST5EDT
I totally agree with you about Dr. Banfield! I just want them to hurry up and get to the episode about her past, so hopefully I can at least feel something for her. It’s a little irritating to watch now.
The names on the wall that weren’t old doctors (L.Woodward, N. Baer, R. Arollo, J. Orman, S. Gemmill, and Salmunovich) were/are past and present writers, directors, makeup artists, and crew members. I’m a nerd and I paused it and looked up those I didn’t know.
I’m going to miss Abby!
I was really pleased, as well, at the way they handled Abby’s departure after all these years. I became a big fan of this show about 11 years ago, and in spite of what I read from MANY people/bloggers/critics, I still look forward to it each and every week–or other week, depending on when it should or will air. The writing, story lines, character developments may not be what it was a decade ago, but for the other garbage on network tv now, it is still a joy to watch each and every new show.
Like all things that must be, this being the last year of this fine show, I will continue to tune in to see how they close all of the loops and trails of this once grand, and still, very fine show. Abby’s departure did bring tears to my eyes, and it was just like a family member leaving for good.
And I DO hope you continue to blog on this one! Thanks for your hard work in doing so!!
I enjoyed Abby’s final episode. I get that they probably didn’t want to overshadow her farewell, but I would have wished for Luka to interact more with the staff. And Morris really is coming into his own; it’s nice to see that the ER will still have heart.
Please continue to review ER!
It’s my hope Banfield makes them all quit in the end.
I really enjoyed this episode. Lasrt week’s, also. It would be awesome if the entire season can be like this, so this amazing show will really have a proper send off.
Abby was always one of my favorites, and I think a lot of her behavior (like observing in the OR and lobbying for Sam) wasn’t because she was drunk or high on anything other than the fact that she’s going to be starting a new life away from the place that meant so much to her and also let her down over the years. As she basically said to Dr. Banfield, look, biatch, you can do or say whatever the hell you want to today, because I’m outta here and I really couldn’t possibly care less WHAT you think.
Oh, wait, that sounds like the job I had for 19 years, which were the 15 best years of my life. Never mind :)
BTW, I generally don’t cry at movies or things like this, but yeah, this one brought the tears to my eyes. I’m gonna miss her.
And yes, PLEASE continue your reviews. I beg you :D
Yes–definitely keep up the ER reviews.
Am I going to cry at every episode of ER this year?! My favorite part was when Abby burst into the board room and really gave them a piece of her mind–and then “Don’t make me come back here.” I’ve been an ER faithful through it all and I will truly miss it when it’s gone.
Yes please – keep up the reviews. I’ve been watching ER since day 1 and even though I think Abby is a problematic person I loved her dearly, it’s been many years watching her grow and change, and I think Carter was an a** with her, he just left to Congo and sent her a letter (through Luca!?) to say ‘hey I’m staying here’ – what kind of person does that? I’m glad she’s with Luca, they were meant to be. I thought this eppi was beautiful and I hope I could listen to everything she said (voice-off) again, I didn’t quite understand the meaning of it all. But I thought she is finally in a good place now and I’m only sorry she couldn’t say bye to Neela properly, come on! They’re best friends! and she only gets to tell her through the glass panel and ‘you 2 should date!’ speech? I thought, at least with Neela, that she would have some time in private to give each other a hug – I was a bit disappointed. And please don’t mention Neela-Dubenko, they have so nothing in common. I think Neela is better off with Ray, or Brenner even, than her friend-mentor and father-figure Dubenko. That would be like the Abby-Stanley Tucci (can’t remember his ER name!) disaster, no chemistry, no nothing.
I really think it was time for her to go, with Luca no longer in the show, being married and with her kid and having sorted all kinds of complex problems and situations, it was enough: let her be and live in peace.
She will be missed, very much. I think Maura is a fantastic actress and I congratulate her on all her years as Abby.
So long my friend! B x