TVSquad

(S13E12) Well, that was unexpected.

Laura Innes' character, Doctor Kerry Weaver, wasn't in many episodes over the last few years, but it looked like she was coming back into the normal ER fold. It started late last season when the issues with her degenerative hip condition were resolved, allowing her to walk freely without the need of a crutch. Then, after preventing Kovac from getting fired, she was demoted back down to the ER as a mere attending. She became a medical reporter for a local Chicago news broadcast, and she began dating her segment producer. Things were looking up for Kerry.

Now, it looks like she's leaving for good.

Well, it certainly didn't help that Kovac had to fire her to make some necessary budget cuts. Really, I thought that by the end of the episode things would kind of even themselves out and Kerry would remain. All right, I didn't really think that she would stay. Gosh, I've watched the show long enough to know that when you see an episode where a character's job is in jeopardy, and they have a bigger, brighter opportunity somewhere else, that character will be saying good-bye. That, and the fact that Kerry was the focus of a good portion of this week's episode, which is something that hasn't happened for a long time.

If this all comes true, and Kerry does leave next episode, this will mark a pretty significant turning point in ER's run. Becoming a cast member way back in the second season, Innes has been there the longest (this is not counting the nurses or the desk staff). When she leaves that will make Goran Visnjic's Doctor Luka Kovac the senior member of the cast (he came in during the sixth season). This might not last long, though, as there are rumors that Visnjic may be leaving ER as well this season. If that happens then Maura Tierney will become the senior cast member (season six, as well). I guess it was good that they beefed up the cast this season with some younger talent.

Okay, enough about that. The resignation of Dr. Weaver was important, but other things went on this episode as well. For instance, remember all of those medications that Pratt and Hope gave to the church clinic? Well, it came back to bite him on the butt this episode. One of the church's patrons who partook in those meds came into the ER and died under Pratt's care. Turns out it was the medicine that caused the patron to get ill in the first place. While this looks bad for Pratt I like where the storyline is going. For many seasons Pratt thought that he was better than many of the other doctors and that he could do what he wanted. But, that karma is now coming back to haunt him. In the previews for next week's episode it looks like it may be getting worse before it gets better for Greg.

This week also gave us the continuing love triangle between Neela, Gates, and Meg . . . the woman Tony lived with all of those years. Meg came to the ER drunk and really let Neela and Tony have it. I'm not too sure I like where this storyline is going. It's already been shown that Tony has a short temper and is willing to take matters into his own hands. He shows this side again after Meg tells him that he won't be able to see Sarah again if Tony doesn't stop seeing Neela. This could end up pretty ugly.

The final story line this week was with Sam, son Alex, and Grandma Gracie. Gracie was some nice comic relief for this week's pretty serious episode. I don't know how long she will be staying on ER, but it looks like for at least one more episode. Alex is another story altogether. The whole kidnapping incident looks to have messed him up big time. This week we found out that he stole Archie Morris' credit card to buy a few Xboxes, iPods and jewelry for his mother. Next week it looks like he assaults his grandmother and sets his new house on fire. The boy is messed up.

In summary, good episode all around. See you next week for the final (?) farewell of Kerry Weaver.