(Season 15, Episode 11 – “Separation Anxiety”)
We now come to the final ten or so episodes left in the run of ER and, as we now know, an end of an era (for now) when it comes to scripted programming at 10:00 pm. Until then, there is plenty more story to tell of the valiant doctors and nurses of County General — both past and present. In the next few weeks look for appearances by Eriq La Salle, Alex Kingston, Noah Wyle, and, I believe, George Clooney. Though Clooney may come in as a patient named Danny Ocean. Who knows.
So, let’s get down to the rectal thermometers, shall we?
Sam hates Tony: Waahh! You sent my son out in the snow and he killed a girl! Now, I hate you! How long is this going to go on between Tony and Sam? She’s so pissed that she didn’t even tell Tony that Alex was being released. If anything, Sam should be angry at Alex because he manipulated Gates into letting him and Sarah go to the party.
She wants to be pissy … fine. Just don’t do it at work. This is an emergency room, and you can’t let personal feelings interfere with the treatment of patients. Yes, I know that personal feelings have interfered with the treatment of patients for years now. It’s just that this time it seems so petty rather than just, you know, stupid. Snap out of it, Sam! Just look at what your anger has done to Tony (see below).
Banfield’s baby: I have to wonder if Dr. Banfield’s age on ER is the same as Angela Basset’s in real life: 50. It would certainly make sense considering how low the percentage is that she can have children, even with in vitro. I’m personally torn as to whether or not she should have a baby. On one hand, she finally has closure when it comes to her other son, who died years before. On the other, she is such a career woman that, perhaps, she would feel resentful about having another child.
If anything, she is certainly brave to be trying this out. The risk of failure is so great and her hope is so big that Banfield could have a big emotional crash. This being ER it could go either way.
Orphaned drug dealer and younger brother number 5435: As the series comes to an end we end up seeing many of the stereotypical patients making their last appearances on the show. This time it was the ‘older brother who is dealing drugs to give his younger brother a chance for a life’ character who took their bow. My wife actually thought that Banfield would be adopting the younger brother. I believed so as well until the end.
Archie falls for a drug dealer … kinda: Archie seems to fall for the most interesting women. His first “regular” relationship was with a very religious intern. This time around he falls for a undercover cop who is deep in as a drug dealer. I want to see the results of this one come to fruition before the end of the series. I think they would make a cute couple.
Neela as a playah: Finally someone had the guts to say it! It was a 13-year-old girl, mind you, but at least she told the truth that Neela likes to, uh, play the field a bit. She’s been doing it for several years now and we’ve tolerated it as best as we can. Now, she better make a decision soon to satisfy all of her fans. If not, then we’ll see endless fan fiction scenarios on the web. I say go with Ray — Simon’s still a git.
Tony and Daria: Really? Come on! Tony barely talked to Daria in the ER. Now they’re nekkin on the street? Really? Come on! If alcohol does that to Gates all the time I highly recommend that he stop drinking as soon as possible.
Next week on ER: a bit of time travel and the return of a past cast member that I mentioned at the beginning of the post. I’ll leave it to you to make the decision on who it is.
Clacked by Richard Keller 
on Jan 09, 2009 @ 11:05 EST5EDT
Rich: I think Tony barely talking to Daria bit is a reach. It seemed to me (maybe not so much recently) that there was always that tension there, and Tony was just oblivious to it. Until he figured it out, and he may have distanced himself more.
Now that he’s in this bad place, he’s finally given up ignoring the woman that’s been throwing herself at him for six months.
Oh, and Variety is reporting (in my case, via AICN) that NBC is looking at picking up an additional three episodes of ER, having something to do with the pick up of producer John Well’s new show, Police.
I think both Sam and Gates are really unlikable. I just cringed when they were on the screen. They are both immature—they actually do deserve each other.
I continue to enjoy Morris. Love Scott Grimes! I hope he finds love by the end.
Neela–I hope she gets some clarity and realizes that she belongs with Ray!
I actually never liked John Stamos as an addition to ER. I know most critics lauded him as the best thing to happen to it in years, but I never liked his character, the “dramatic” storylines given to him, or how he played the role.
I also thought Banfield would adopt the kid as soon as he was introduced, given the lack of creativity in the writers’ room. (See “Did I miss Christmas”?)
This is a side note, but does anyone know why Abby left so close to the end of the series? Was it Maura Tierney’s decision, or did they write her out? It seemed odd, especially given the departure of Mekhi Pfifer just a couple of weeks earlier, and because she has been around for so long, it’s strange she wouldn’t stick it out to the end.
Abigail, answering to your question about Abby leaving I read somewhere that Goran wanted to leave and keeping Abby on screen alone (without husband and child) for longer was a bit ridiculous. All the people she use to work with were gone, Luca too, and after the Kevin fiasco no wonder she wants to leave the place. They tried keeping her around for a while after the wedding (obviously Luca’s character was going to disappear after the wedding, whether is was Croatia or another job in another city) with all the being drunk think, Kevin, then rehab, then Mekhi P. dying etc…. it was more than enough for ‘bad luck in life’ Abby and the right time to leave.
About this eppi I liked it, I love Archie (unbelievable how I use to hate him) – I hope he finds a girlfriend and soon, I think Neela was definitely glad to hear from Ray (and he’s thinking about her!!) and I’m sorry for Dr Banfield, at least she’s showing a heart and she’s being nicer to everyone, especially her poor husband, he’s got patience! Anbout Gates and Sam OMG please get over it Sam, I’m not sure I understand why she’s blaming him… it was an accident, no one’s fault, it’s not like the didn’t have a driving license, and Tony didn’t give them drugs or anything like that. She’s a bit over the top and I’m sorry for Gates as I think he was trying with her really hard – as always men just get drunk and get into bed with someone else (well, and women – see Abby) but Daria? I’m sorry for her because obviously she likes him a lot and it’s going to be bad for her. I hope Tony moves on from Sam, with or without Daria. Ray come back!!
Thanks so much, Beatriz! I was wondering why she left– I love her as an actress and her character (though I agree, things did get ridiculous towards the end).
And I second the call for Ray to come back!