TVSquad

(S13E18) Now, where were we? I think the last time we visited County General Dr. Carter was just returning to the emergency room after a near-fatal stabbing from a patient, while Carol Hathaway was fighting growing feelings for new doc Luka Kovac. Meanwhile, Dr. Greene was dealing with his father, who was dying of terminal cancer.

What? Those things happened seven seasons ago? Well, its just been so long since we've seen a new episode of ER that I just plum forgot what happened on the last new episode (even though I wrote a review on it and could've gone back to re-read it. I'm so silly!). Good news here is that ER is back with all new episodes for the rest of the season, which will probably culminate somewhere along the way with the marriage of Kovac and Abby Lockhart. In the meantime there's plenty of story to tell.

So, let's stop jibber-jabbering and get on with it.

This week's episode had a nice mix of personal and medical issues. It wasn't too heavy, either. In fact, some of the scenes in the first few minutes of the show seemed downright light-hearted. There was the one where Abby and Sam meet those two 20-something girls who have obviously been to the tanning salon one too many times. Then there was the other scene where Morris was talking about some of the cultural parts of a Las Vegas wedding or bachelor party, such as the legal brothels. Ah, Archie. That's why we love you so.

Speaking about Sam, this was her 'spotlight' week on the show as she celebrated her 28th birthday. Hm, if Alex is 13, that means she had him when she was only 15-years-old. Yikes! The character of Sam has changed since she came on the show three seasons ago. I don't know if she's softened up a bit since she came along, or grown up a little bit more, but she is different. Maybe it's because she seems happier. I guess killing your husband in self-defense and putting your troublemaking son in a boarding school lifts a good amount of stress from your life.

The best moments with Sam occurred between her and Diane Moore (guest-star Annabella Sciorra), a photographer of terminally ill patients. At first, their relationship was caustic. But, as they warmed up to each other they developed a closeness. Not romantic (you heathens!), but something intimate. This is especially true after Sam found out that Diane was a recurring cancer patient.

I believe that the best scene of the night was the first between Ray and Neela; the one that took place in the break room. It was extremely awkward and short. The writers and director did right not to stretch the scene out; their awkwardness was shown throughout the episode anyway. What is it with Neela anyway? I know she's cute and everything, but she is just surrounded by guys who want to be with her. There's Ray, and Tony, and now Dr. Dubenko. I wish she would just make up her mind so the others would bother someone else.

Let's move on to Tony Gates' storyline. I'm glad that the writers made Tony confront Sarah on the fact that he may be her father. I'm not glad that they gave Sarah that reaction. It's the same reaction I've seen on every other kid actor on every other show when this type of news pops up. I would have rather seen her more stunned at the news then jumping up in anger and slamming the door. However, the writers did correct themselves when Sarah decided to take the paternity test anyway. By the way, for some reason John Stamos looked a lot like George Clooney this week (ER George Clooney, not the suave, dapper George Clooney of today). Particularly in the scene where he was seated alone at his kitchen table. Must have been the lighting.

A few other items of note:

• That Mae Lee is friggin evil! Did you see the look on her face when she brought the accident victim up to surgery while Neela needed to remain on the ER floor? It was scary. I don't wish good things for Mae Lee.
• Yes, the accident victim who couldn't read was Steve Bacic. You may remember him from the last fewseasons of the syndicated science fiction program Andromeda.

So, on a scale of 1 to 7, 1 being the worst, I'd give this week's episode of ER a 6.

See you next week.