TVSquad

(S14E13) Before I begin, a big shout out to Jen Creer for filling in on last week's ER episode, which featured the swan song of Abby Lockhart, or not, or, you know...whatever. Don't get me wrong, I like Abby. I just can't take the incessant whining about how bad she is all of the time. I thought we got past it all when Baby Joe was born. But, I guess the producers decided that P.I.T.A (Pain In the Ass) Abby was better for ratings than happy Abby. Ah, always reading the pulse of the viewer!

This week's episode was exciting because we saw the return of Doug Ross and Carol Hathaway. Well, in the guise of Tony Gates and Sam Taggart, that is. I'm sure older fans of the series have seen this relationship coming for a few weeks now and I'm surprised the producers and writers of ER didn't do it sooner. It's pretty logical when you think about it. They're both good looking (although John Stamos has looked a bit haggard these last few episodes), they are both above average in skills in the positions they hold, and they have that I-hate-you-but-I-really-love-you vibe going on. Plus, they're just so darn cute together.

Gallery: ER

I really like both of their characters; Sam's character has grown on me since last season. And, I really don't have an issue with them getting together. But, if the producers of the series are doing this to try and return to the glory days of the Ross-Hathaway thang, then they are doing this for the wrong reasons. That was a very unique relationship for ER and ended perfectly when Carol took the plunge, flew to Seattle, and reunited with her one true love. Gates and Taggart are not that type of couple.

Anyway, Gates has to deal with Julia first. Hopefully, that will be done soon, because I am not digging her character. I really didn't appreciate her this week, when she gave up waaayyy too easily with the prison doctor who was looking for redemption. I have to tell you, Eric Camden would have never given up in trying to give this man some type of answer to his questions, He definitely wouldn't have ended up crying then saying to Dr. Pratt that he couldn't go back in with the patient. That was just bad mojo all around. I have a feeling we won't be seeing too much more of Julia after this week.

Speaking of that prison doctor, he was the main focus of this week's episode, which made me feel that this was one of those 'Emmy consideration' shows that actors like Ray Liotta and James Woods have been in over the last few years. This time around the Guest Actor in a Drama role was played by Jonathan Banks, who I will always remember as Frank McPike on Wiseguy. Banks portrayed a very tortured soul in this episode, and I felt for him because there was no clear-cut answer or direction for him to take. I think all of us have had those moments in our lives -- those times when the world seems to be collapsing around us and we don't know which direction to take.

If there was any good that Julia did it was telling the character that the guilt of his former occupation was what was driving him, not a path that God laid out for him. To have the deaths of all those people on your hands, especially those who were eventually discovered as innocent, would probably drive any sane person to ask for atonement. Unfortunately, he didn't receive any forgiveness this time around. That's why he attempted to try and end it all. Hey, a little tip for all of you in the emergency medicine field -- if someone says he or she is a doctor DO NOT leave them in a trauma room with unlocked cabinets full of medicine. Especially when that said doctor is a bit unstable.

Other than the story of the prison doctor not much else happened on this week's episode of ER. Unless you consider the trauma surgeons vs. ortho surgeons hockey game...

Like I said, not much else happened on this week's episode. This whole storyline was a total waste! What? Now Neela is all of a sudden the bad person because she decided to jump over to another surgical team? My Lord, no wonder the emergency medicine industry is falling apart! Ever since her story lines with Tony and Ray ended Neela has been totally underutilized, and this was a prime example. I like Neela, and I would love to see her in something a bit meatier if her character is to remain on the show.

Next week -- Nothing. In fact, this was the last of the pre-strike episodes filmed. So, unless the strike is settled soon, this may be it for the season, or the series (though, that's pretty doubtful). Instead, the time slot will be taken up by the new series Lipstick Jungle. So, until ER returns, see ya!