"ER"...saying goodbye
 

Warning, there are spoilers here (I don't know how do to the tags).

I searched for threads since "beginning" (that is, of this incarnation), for the tv show ER and came up with NO results. Shocking to me for a show that's been on for 15 yrs.

In any case, I'm just going to assume that those of you that are fans or even ex-fans already know the show and don't need an explaination.

In my opinion the show has definately been dragging the past few years (with the exception of some great epi's) but I have watched since episode 1 and have just kept on truckin' with it.

I have been loving all the cameo's this season by departed staff from years past. I really didn't like the way Dr. Greene was featured ala flashbacks. I get why they wanted to feature Anthony Edwards, but the character is dead so I just seemed weird to me. I also didn't like how Dr. Corday only showed up for a couple short scenes with Neela, why bother?

At first I was a little miffed that they brought Carter back in present time only to throw "kidney failure" into the mix. I didn't like that one of my favorite characters might die as a "shock factor" for the series. As as small aside, I wonder how much of this sequence (and season) of shows was already in the pike before Crichton died or if it is all from the minds of other writers.

Which brings me to tonight's episode, which I absolutely LOVED. Overall I thought the whole plot was a little too "perfect", "Oh look, people will die without transplants, gut-renching decision by organ doner's guardian, makes the obvious yes decison, transplants made, recipents live".

However, that has been a common formula for some time so I just go with the flow. At least my Carter will survive. I absolutely loved the way they brought back Dr. Ross, Hathaway and Benton. I felt down right giddy seeing my early ER fav's back on screen in character. I thought at first that each appearance was going to be the way they featured Corday, so I actually clapped my hands when they came back on screen.

I know, dorky, but when you've given 15 yrs. of your attention to something, you can become a bit invested.

So, I know there have to be other ER fans on TFP, what are your thoughts/feelings on this final season? Tonight's episode?

I liked "ER" the few times I watched it, but I never became a fan. I'm just not wild about hospital dramas. But it had a fantastic run.

This show's still on the air?

I watched it to see if Clooney would come back. I figured he wouldn't, but was pleasantly surprised to see I was wrong.

I was waiting for the two women doctors that were picking up the organs to mention Carter's name, then I was a little pissed when they didn't, but I think it worked better the way the writer's went. Carter and Ross weren't really buddies back in the day, anyway. John was a lowly intern.

Also, does anyone else think of him as The Librarian now, instead of Dr. John Carter, besides me?

ER started the year I got into nursing school. Needless to say, it was "must see" TV at school.
I followed the show for several years faithfully but got bored with it around the 8th season and stopped watching it religiously for the past 3-4 seasons till this year. I lost interest in the show when it became more of an evening soap opera dealing with the personal lives of the doctors more than a medical drama featuring a full cast of characters.
That and the annoying habit of showing 3 new episodes in a row, then repeats for 3 weeks, then one show, two more repeats, then 4 in a row, etc ,etc, etc

I started watching this season hoping it would be really good, but it isn't. I'm just finishing out the season and will be happy when its gone. IMO, it has lasted about 5-6 years too long.

finally saw an episode, after missing it all this year (I have hockey on Thursday nights) to see that Drs Carter, Ross, Benton & Hathaway (is she a doctor?) were in cameos last night.

As an added bonus, there was Ernest Borgnine & Susan Sarandon. Great episode to drop in on.

One of my favourite characters from the show was Dr. Romano. irrascible, contentious, arrogant, and a softie at heart. With a real hate on for helicopters, first loosing his arm to one, and then being crushed by another. One of the more absurd plot lines. As absurd as when Dr Wayne Fiscus went off on his dream walk when he nearly died in St. Elsewhere.

Ya, I liked St Elsewhere, and was happy that E/R started up, to replace my fix. Even the character Dr. Anspaugh reminded me of Dr Aushlander in St. Elsewhere

I was a huge fan for about the first 5 years, but like Fotzlid said, it's gone on about 5 or 6 years too long. I've watched it on and off for the past 4 or 5 years but never cared much about the characters in recent years as it seemed the show was more about the drama of their lives than it was about the ER itself, and the stories seemed to be recycled far too often. Not to say it wasn't a good show - it was, it just outstayed its welcome.

As an aside, we've seen them film many scenes around here and I have to say that John Stamos is quite a douche-bag.

I was religious about it in its first several seasons. I literally haven't seen a single episode since the one in which Greene died. Not because I was upset about that in particular--I caught that one by accident, not having seen one in quite a while before that. At some point I sort of lost interest, and it really never got me back.

Hathaway was a transplant coordinator. Honestly, I was surprised to see Clooney back. It's good to see he's not too big for TV. :)

I'm definitely going to miss this show. It's not been great for a couple of years now but it had some amazing seasons in it's lifetime. I know it's a long shot but I'm hoping for a reboot of the show 2-3 years from now.. These past few episodes revisiting old cast members have been nice but then again the show has picked up for me since Abby left. Jeez I hated her.. I'm not looking forward to seeing her next week.