Second to last. When you’re being picked for a kickball team, second to last is a good thing. When you’re talking about the end of a long-running series, second to last is not something you want to happen. Unless you’re one of those folks who thinks ER should have ended 13 seasons ago. For you, second to last means a time to rejoice.
For the rest of us, this week’s installment has begun to make us teary-eyed as we realize that it’s all about to end. It’s hard not to get emotional. Many of us have grown up with the series and can track the changes in our life with the changes that took place within the confines of County General. Needless to say, it was probably a roller coaster ride in both cases.
Maybe that’s the reason the producers and the writers of ER gave us one of the most positive episodes of the series in history. It was a thanks to all of us who have gone through the trials and tribulations of this Chicagoland hospital.
The focus was on the main cast, as it should have been. With the end looming so close, there was no need to clutter up the screen with the interns. Let’s face it, ER hasn’t done much for new blood since Neela and Gallant came on board a few seaons ago. Leave their final appearances to the series finale, where I’m sure they will have number of scenes that show business as usual in the ER.
The storyline that wove through the episode was the staff’s involvement at Camp del Corazon, a program for children with heart disease. Archie was at the forefront of the camp activity (along with guest-star Tom Arnold in a dramatic role), but Sam, Simon and Tony all joined throughout the hour. Two good moments with our favorite attending. First, his duet of “I Feel Good” with Tony, which gave John Stamos an opportunity to show off his drumming skills once again. Second, his proposal-not-a-proposal to Claudia. Those two are meant to be with each other for eternity.
Speaking about Tony … what the hell is going on with her and Sam? We know they’re supposed to be together. So, why this whole little game of how long they can hold off from ripping each others clothes off? Methinks, after listening to his conversation with Alex, that Tony is planning a surprise for Sam as the season ends. It better lead to a renewed romance or I’m going to strangle the TV.
The only person who had a negative vibe this week was Simon. Thing is, it wasn’t even a result of seeing Neela with Ray (courtesy of a web cam). It was due to the return of his heart transplant patient, who was rejecting the new pumper and was now in a coma. This soured his attitude during a very busy day in the ER. Fortunately, it wasn’t all bad for him as he was able to pull a Corazon attendee out of his depression. Okay, okay, I’ll admit it! I’m finally starting to like the guy.
All right, I’ll let you discuss this second to last episode. Come back here next week for my very last review (after three years) of ER. And, if the promos are telling the truth, there will be a crapload of show veterans appearing. See you then.
Clacked by Richard Keller 
on Mar 27, 2009 @ 10:05 EST5EDT
This was the most boring episode of ER ever. I kept fast forwarding through it. Couldn’t stand any of it. Who cares about the adoption story? I sure didn’t. She’s an ass as a person so why would I care if she gets a baby or not? Tom Arnold only made me want to watch “Fight Club” again, nothing more. And what happened to Carter? He got his Kidney and seeing him reconnect with his wife on the phone – that was it? I thought there would be more to that story. At least a little bit. Instead we get Neela on the Webcam. Why? I don’t get it.
After all the guest stars over the last few weeks I this was so lackluster… nothing important happened. And all the kids – I don’t know – we never saw them before, we didn’t really know them – how am I supposed to connect with them?
*sigh*
I think this episode was another reason why people always say that after season eight or nine they dropped ER and never wanted to return. Their finale was last week, they returned to see all the great stars from years gone by, now in these last two episodes we see stories concluded nobody really cares about.
I’m not really angry here it’s just that the quality of the stories over the last two months was a steadily climbing and then we get this enormous drop I’m just baffled I mean come on…
Many of the kids featured were actually real-life participants of Camp del Corazon.
As for Carter…the series finale will wrap up his story and feature a crapload of former ER personnel – living and dead.
That’s great! Can’t wait for it :-) Thanks for the info, now I can look forward to that :-)
Sebastian, I actually thought tonight was a pretty good episode. I do agree about Banfield, but I’ve been saying that for weeks.
I thought the stuff with the camp was very cool. ER is not a serialized show by any stroke of the imagination, so its not like they’ve got several plot lines they have to wrap up before the series ends (The exception is Carter, but it looks like that will be the big focus next week).
I think its important to spend some (a lot) of time with the current cast. While bringing in old cast member is a great gift for the old school fans (and has driven ratings), there are fans of the show now.
Of course you are right Dorv. There was a lot of disappointment on my part that’s all. I mean I’ve been sticking with ER through all those years and at the beginning of the season I wouldn’t have dared to call this episode “boring” or “lackluster”. And I’m not against the kids or anything it’s just this absolute anti-climax. Why after all the suspense in the recent episode do we get a feel-good one this week? I just sat there and thought “ok, nice, Archie’s a good guy, we get it”. I mean it simply annoyed me and I guess in large part because of Tom Arnold. I hate the guy especially because he’s an ass in real life and he plays guys who are friendly first but soon enough shows his true colors. Him grinning was already too much for me. I mean he wasn’t in Fight Club but that moment I would’ve loved to see him in Meat Loaf’s shoes…
I know I’m a cynic. Sorry :-)