The Hospital Is Always Greener

I am a huge fan of old school ER. I love the stretch of seasons from 1998 to about 2004. It was action-packed, it was dramatic and I had the chance to learn a lot of medical jargon. Compared to Grey's Anatomy, ER (at least the old stuff) was like a medical text book.

Take for instance this direct quote from a nurse on an old episode of ER I saw a few weeks ago:

" I'm going to change your pad and massage your uterus to firm it up a bit."

Yikes. And this wasn't said to just any patient or a bit character, this was someone important. Can you imagine a nurse firming up Izzy's uterus? They just don't make TV like they used to.

So imagine my surprise and excitement when I hear the news this week that Dr. Mark Greene (played by America's nerd Anthony Edwards) is returning to ER this season. Now I know what you're thinking, "Isn't he dead?" Yes and that episode was beautiful. (I dare you to watch it without crying.) Since ER isn't crazy enough for zombies, Edwards is returning to ER in flashback form for the show's final season.

Regardless of the reason, I'm happy he's back. Hopefully he'll bring some of the spark back from earlier seasons of the show.

Photo: erheadquarters.com

In Lieu of Flowers...

The TV Addict put together a lovely montage celebrating our favorite characters and shows we lost this year. It's pretty moving for a video mourning television shows.



It just reminds me how many shows and characters I've missed over the years. I still smile when I see Mark Green on ER and Dana Fairbanks on The L Word. These characters aren't my friends, they aren't my family, but they come into my home every week and I get to watch them grow and change. When they die, even just on TV, it still stings a bit.

Not As Bloody As The Movie

ER is celebrating their 300th episode tonight. Say what you will about the show, especially it's current declining years, but that's quite an accomplishment.

My favorite moments:

• George Clooney saving those boys from the drain pipe. That day, a star was born.
  
• The episode, My Bloody Valentine. Dramatic, scary, sad. Why did Lucy have to die?
• ER teamed up with Third Watch after Susan's niece went missing. There aren't enough great crossover episodes anymore.
  
• Any episode with Red Buttons. Nuff said.
  
• When the Greene/Corday baby, Ella, accidentally eats ecstasy. Who knew baby overdoses could be so funny? Extreme melodrama.
  
• Carter, Kovac and Pratt venture to Africa. Finallly, the travesties are brought to the surface. The episodes were beautiful and incredibly poignant. Some of ER at its best.