TVSquad

(S14E12) "Were you ever drunk at work?"-- Sam to Abby

Good evening, and thank you for flying TV Squad. We know you have many choices in which television reviews you read, and we appreciate your clickage. Our regularly scheduled attendant Rich Keller is unavailable this evening, so I will be serving up complimentary opinions and maybe even a little snark. Truthiness is $5. We appreciate correct change. So, sit right back and let's get started.

Gallery: ER

It seems that whenever I fill in for Rich, I end up reviewing Abby-intensive episodes. Tonight was no different. After her descent into alcoholism, adultery, and irresponsibility, she is on the right track to getting her life back now. It can't possibly be that easy. What would life on ER be like if Abby were happy? It's probably good for Rich that he missed Abby's return this week. She's leaving for Croatia tomorrow to join Luka and Joe. Considering that the actors who play Abby and Luka are both leaving the show, I wonder if they'll end up getting killed off, or just deciding to make Croatia their home.

Abby certainly could have a send off after this episode. Things were left unresolved with a pissed-off Sam after Abby's confession, but she basically had a good shift, helped a little girl, and was completely honest with the staff about her alcoholism and rehab. It's either a great start, or a full-circle finish. If she comes back after this episode... Why? What more does she have to do?

I know I was supposed to get choked up by the little girl singing during her eye exam... but it was precisely because I knew that I was supposed to get choked up that I didn't. Especially when they re-played the song at the end for Abby. Ugh. Too manipulative.

I liked the foster mother in this episode. I know I've seen the actress before somewhere. She did a great job of conveying softness when she was with the kids, but also the honest frustration of a woman who works too many jobs and has too many responsibilities. If she doesn't want to have a foster kid with disabilities, then you have to wonder about her motives for having so many foster kids, and I am jaded enough to think it might have something to do with a monthly check from the state. I know the check isn't big-- but if you have checks coming for five kids, it might do some good. Regardless of the character's motivations, it was a nuanced performance and I ended up liking the character because of it.

I didn't really get the point of the character (Ernie) who saved Sally, the red-head who was so out of it on drugs and alcohol that she didn't remember being beaten so badly that her arm was broken. Ernie was disfigured and stuck around to have his head sewn up and then Sally thanked him grudgingly. I kept wondering the whole time whether it was going to turn out that Ernie had actually harmed her-- but what was the point of all of that? They spent so much time on that story arc that I thought there was going to be a bigger payoff.

I agree with Rich about Julia Dupree. He has written in past reviews about his mixed feelings about her. I have mixed feelings about her as well. She just lays it on a bit thick sometimes. I mean, she is a chaplain, so I guess she's supposed to, but one minute she's telling Gates that you can't have love without faith, and the next she needs martinis to deal with her brother. Is this supposed to give her some depth? I really like the actress Reiko Aylesworth-- she was great on 24 and The Dead Zone. But I think she is either still finding her way with this character, or she is just being given a crappily written character (I think it's the latter). And what on earth is she doing with Gates? Could it be more obvious that he's just not that into her?

Neela's entry into Ortho-- they're really reaching with having her roller skating down the halls and having all the docs be hockey nuts. Hello, hospitals are always trying to reduce the possibility of a lawsuit-- not increase them.

All in all, not a stellar episode, not a terrible one. I'm not so desperate for new television from the WGA strike that I thought it was thrilling. I'd rather be watching the first season of Heroes on DVD. Wonder whether Abby will be back-- but don't see much point if she is. As Rich said, the supporting characters can keep the show going without Abby and Luka, especially with the wonderful Scott Grimes as Archie leading the charge.