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ER: The Test

by Richard Keller, posted Nov 2nd 2007 12:23PM

Abby and her family in happier times(S14E06) Hey you! Yeah, I'm pointing at you, the producers of ER. What the hell do you have against Abby Lockhart? I mean, ever since she was introduced way back in season six you have just piled mound upon mound of crap on her. I thought you had enough of taunting her when she gave birth to baby Joe and married Luka. But, you just decided to shovel one more mound of poopie on her because Maura Tierney, who plays Abby on the show, wants to leave? What, you didn't get enough sadistic pleasure torturing Mark Greene all those years?

Sheesh!

Gallery: ER

The War Comes HomeThe Wedding PhotoER - BloodlineER Cast Photo 2ER Cast Photo 3Abby LockhartER - Family BusinessER - Family Business2ER - GravityNeela RasgotraTony and PrattLuka KovacDr. Neela RasgotraAbby and NeelaDoctor Archie MorrisNeela RasgotraER - From Here to PaternityDoctor Greg PrattStanley Tucci

In all honesty, if this wasn't a fictional series, I'd be blaming all of this on Luka right now. As I said last week, the man should find a way to balance his time with his father with that of Abby and baby Joe. I can't believe that there isn't someone else to help in over there to refit his father's house for a wheelchair. Aren't Europeans touting their close-knit neighborhood relationships over us slovenly Americans? Come on, have a barn raising and get back over here, Luka! Even if it's for a few episodes so you can take Joe and Abby away.

All right, rant over. Back to the episode. While it seemed like so much happened this week on ER there was only one major storyline (even Abby's plot was a 'B' story). That was the return of Joshua Lipnicki. I grew to like Josh and was sad to see his untimely demise. I don't know if it was brave of him or childish of him to let Tony be his voice in the decision not to tube him. I know Josh wanted to protect his mother but I wonder if she would have fought so hard to keep him alive seeing how much pain he was in.

I wonder why Sam's reaction was so harsh to keep Josh alive. It was clearly the boy's decision and, just like a DNR, it should have been a non-argument. Perhaps it's the fact that Josh was very close to the age of her own son and she was feeling a bit guilty about not talking to the boy for awhile. I had thought that Sam had gotten past all that guilt. Apparently, I was wrong.

By saving that spoiled, rich girl from jumping in front of a train I guess Samantha felt a bit of redemption. I'm sorry, but I didn't feel any sympathy for this kid, even after she told Sam that her father left her in Chicago while he went off to New York with his new wife. I know it was supposed to be sad and, by the sad music that was playing, we were to feel something for her, but I just couldn't muster anything up.

The other 'B' stories this week did nothing for me. That whole thing with Harold holding a plastic bajingo and asking Neela questions about lubrication was nearing stupidity. I know Harold is inexperienced but that's going to extremes. The introduction of new part-time attending Skye Wexler was interesting because she was so, well, benign at first. No anger, no superiority (except when she told Sam she's been an attending for 10 years). That is until Grady kept calling up Morris' name in diagnoses. That's when she lost it. Her rant against Morris, who had no idea who she was, was actually the funniest part of the episode.

The story with Moretti's son was also a bit dull, but there was an underlying mystery to it all. Why was his son back in Chicago? Frankly, he looked a bit high to me while on screen. I did notice that Moretti was talking to Abby in a concerned way the episode before and I wonder if his son is an alcoholic as well.

Next week -- Abby is on the precipice of disaster. So, what else is new?

Is it Luka's fault for the way Abby's life is tumbling into despair?
Yes it is. The man should be in Chicago taking care of his family.109 (32.9%)
It's Abby's fault. She has always been fragile and this is just another chink in her armor.27 (8.2%)
It's a mix of both and they should be ashamed of themselves.94 (28.4%)
It's Carter's fault for not marrying Abby in the first place.101 (30.5%)

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Brian

Yes, Moretti's son, what was the book he was reading? Does that have any answers to what is "wrong" with him?
And what was it that Dr. Morris's t-shirt said?

November 14 2007 at 3:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jamie

phuzface, mae whitman was also a guest star of Grey's Anatomy last season (the girl bent at 90 angle with scoliosis or something) and way farther back than that, she was the cute little girl from Hope Floats.

I think Abby's relapse makes sense, though I do hate to see her go through it all again. She's always been my fave.

Also I'm willing to bet Moretti's son has bipolor, it makes sense that the writers would bring that kind of story line back. Especially because we haven't had to much BP drama in the past couple seasons. And this way he and abby will bond or something.. well, probably not but you never know!

November 06 2007 at 9:09 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Lyn

I am trusting Maura Tierney with Abby's storyline. She has been asking for this relapse for a year now. She has felt that they needed it to complete the growth of the character and this is the last year of her contract. Plus it must be fun to go to work and wallow in all this drivel. Heh

November 03 2007 at 6:56 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
carocaitbob

Heather was played by Mae Whitman. She played the girlfriend Ann/Egg on Arrested Development.

November 03 2007 at 6:38 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
phuzface

Can anyone tell me the name of the actress who played the girl who attempted suicide in this episode? I recognize her from something and it's been bugging me that I can't remember what. I checked IMDB and it didn't say.

November 03 2007 at 12:43 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
BartmanDK

Im with you Richard, Abby needs some love from the writers! Nothing ever goes her way, and when it finaly does (the baby and marrying Luka) it doesent take long for it to go bad! If this is the last season i hope they turn this around soon becaus i hate to leave a show with her luka-less and drinking again

November 02 2007 at 10:39 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tracey

Oh and the song is called "How to Fight Loneliness" by Wilco, good band.

I guess I really didn't comment on the episode; instead I talked about the show in general so I'm going to ramble on about a few things regarding a few storylines and some oh so minor character analysis.

I think it's just the natural order of things for our resident burden-borne Dr. Abigail Lockhart. Maura Tierney's character has a lot of baggage that hinders her ability to be/stay happy and a new baby and marriage can be overwhelming and stressful. Add to that her husband is not around to help her so she is basically juggling her duties as a (new)mother, (new)wife and a doctor which is quite a lot to handle for anyone, let alone someone prone to breakdowns (“I'm not having a meltdown. A meltdown involves throwing things. This is, like, a pre-meltdown,” Abby, in episode Officer Down). She's basically a single mom who feels alone and perhaps depressed. Most alcoholics handle situations like these by falling off the wagon. The question is: How strong are these stressors compared to her will power? The next episode will probably allow us to see whether or not Abby ultimately goes down that path again by attempting to drown her sorrows in a bottle of Merlot.

I agree that the scenes between Moretti and his son were mysterious and I want to find out more. What is his problem exactly (either some sort of substance abuse and/or bipolar disorder) and what affect does this have on Morretti professionally? Either way, it parallels Abby's woes.

Sam is most certainly feeling guilty about her son and I also believe that it played a major part in her strong objection over Josh's wishes. Actually, I think speaking up about it was gutsier than saving that emo girl. She stood up to Gates and the attending! She may be a nurse but she knows what the protocol is in that situation and it would have been wrong of her not to have addressed it.

Tony was put in a tough and tragic spot wouldn't you agree? He sort of became a surrogate father to Josh in such a short time and had to make one of the hardest decisions a father would ever have to make for his son. The move to the ICU is having a tremendous impact on that character, for the better I believe, albeit difficult. The evolution of the character played by Stamos was shown to me when Gates and Pratt were not only able to talk civilly, but to smile and be genuine about it as well. These guys used to be at each others' throats! I think those two have a lot in common with their approach to medicine and life in general. Both were arrogant know-it-alls but they came back down to Earth eventually and eased up, better yet grew up.

Then there's Morris, he brings the funny. Every drama needs a touch of humor and this character serves that purpose. Returning to County General after having Pratt cover his shift so he could study and his energetic pep talk about the test was classic Archie. His character has definitely grown on me. I loved his expression and reaction to the browbeating he received from the fill-in attending when he did nothing wrong (did anyone notice how Grady the intern with a massive crush on Abby, put the blame on Morris to protect her?).

I think ER has a family feel to it (as evident by Luka and Abby's wedding) and has had so for the last several seasons. This cast of characters gels and fits the newer County General. This is a vital part of the show because it allows viewers to relate to and care about the characters. I believe this is what keeps this old boat afloat.

November 02 2007 at 10:36 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tracey

Yep, it's still alive and kicking, it just doesn't get the press that other shows do (it's been under the radar so to speak for a number of years now). Those that gave up on it missed out the last few seasons. It's been good, however, this season so far...well I wonder because they say it's the last year and if this is the case, I never expected it to go down this path for its final season. I hope that if this is truly the last year, and I hope it isn't because I've enjoyed the last few seasons, that it goes out in grand style and exits with some of the excitement and appeal of it's entrance.

November 02 2007 at 8:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jason Blosser

ER is still on?

November 02 2007 at 5:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Brandi

I am also looking for info about the song at the end of the episode...

November 02 2007 at 4:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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