NBC
(Season 15, Episode 4)
Take a good look, ladies and gentleman. What you saw in this week’s episode of ER was the final post Pratt and Abby. It’s a slim and trim group comprised of equal parts experience and newbie and there’s a sense of curiosity as the old guard gets used to the new faces. Why they decided to do this for the last season of the series is beyond me. If it works, then my misgivings will be moot.
Despite what was shown in the previews (Damn the promotion department! Damn them all to hell!) there was more than just one thing going on in the ER this week. In fact, there was so much that we can give you five points to mull over during your egg whites and wheat toast (two points on Weight Watchers). Let’s get a move on, shall we?
A kinder, gentler, kick-ass Banfield – We’ve seen the bitchy side of Dr. Cate Banfield over the last two episodes. This week we got to see the kinder, gentler side as she began to adjust to both the workings of the ER and its staff. Viewers were also introduced to a side of her that we wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley. It’s a fact we wouldn’t want to meet her there because we saw what happened to that mugger who decided to take advantage of her. Doctors – they’ll beat the crap out of you, then they’ll treat your wounds.
A little more of Banfield’s history was also revealed this week. During her first appearance and last week’s conversation with Abby we got a feeling that something tragic happened to her son seen in a family picture. This time we encountered an aural memory of Banfield as she recalled a past trauma room incident. It seemed like Dr. Greene’s voice emanated from that memory, but it was hard to tell. We may get more information about this during the Anthony Edwards flashback episode.
Scary child case 5,252 – Over its fourteen previous seasons ER has had its share of scary children. The tradition continued this week with one of the scarier children the series has produced. Usually, these kids did something to a parent or sibling, turned out to be remorseful in some way, and went away to that ‘other’ hospital for only a short period of time. Not this week’s child. This episode’s crazed youngster looked to be going away for an extended stay. It gave me the chills when she smiled after Banfield confronted her about what she did to her sister. Made me want to give my 7 and 5-year-old daughters big hugs and take them out for a late night stack of pancakes.
Tony channels Uncle Jesse – Was it me, or did anyone else feel that John Stamos was channeling his Uncle Jesse character from Full House when he found out that Sarah had pierced her tongue. It was the facial expressions and tone of voice that brought back memories of Stamos’ most famous character prior to his role on ER. The producers of the show are smart to keep Sarah a tangible part of Tony’s life. The same thing should be done with Samantha’s son Alex. For the last season or so he’s been just a name. Time to bring in an actor to portray the 15-year-old child of our favorite nurse.
Archie’s single ways – Maybe I remember it wrong, but wasn’t Morris the type of guy who would previously jump on a woman’s bones at a moment’s notice? Now, after Hope really tore his heart out (that harlot!), he’s really playing the lonely bachelor role. This doesn’t fit Archie. Then again, our favorite ER Attending has been ill-fit in his skin since the death of Greg Pratt.
Things may be turning around, thanks to the return of a patient in this week’s episode that he bonded with during last season. Archie and the call girl/physical therapy student are a perfect fit for each other; more so than he and Hope were. Problem is, Archie is so afraid of starting a relationship that he doesn’t even want to call her. Luckily, the intern he is mentoring gave him a push in the right direction. Here’s hope that good luck shines on the County General redhead.
Neela and Brenner- When we first met Dr. Brenner, he was a cocky, womanizing prat who thought his excrement had the aroma of roses. Apparently, shagging a co-worker during a brief moment of passion changes a man. Now he’s just cocky and determined to make Neela fall for him. What a git! This is one relationship I’m not rooting for.
That’s all for this week. Next week on ER, it’s Halloween and all is spooky at County General. Plus, Neela meets up with one Ray Barnett. Keep those comments coming in, folks.
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Clacked by Richard Keller 
on Oct 24, 2008 @ 11:13 EST5EDT
the voice at the end with banfield your right it was greene u could hear it i listen to it agian online at hulu.com but it greene treating her son darryl. the flashback epeisode should explain more of it…. remmebr the first time banfield came in adn hulah said u look familiar there a reason why and mark with make it all clear … my guess is that her son came ino the er banfield seeming to be very confiedent tried to tell greene wha was wrong adn greene went with her and the misdianoses was later discovered and the son died the husband came in and asked why this happened and banfield said i dont know i was wrong or something like that but then the husbands reply must have been thats not good enough doctor… well that is my thoughts i cant wait to see what the true story is
I’m not buying this whole turnaround with Brenner. So overnight he no longer degrades his students (Remember how awful he was to that student last season [Laverne?]). Plus he now wants to give up his caddish ways. I continue to enjoy Morris–I think he and his student had good rapport. And I hope he gets back into dating!
P.S. Thanks for the review!