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Leave It To Weaver
Written by Lydia Woodward
Directed by Jonathan Kaplan
A truck slams into a coffee bar moments after head nurse Carol Hathaway, six
months pregnant with twins, leaves it. At Chicago's County General Hospital,
attending physician Dr. Mark Greene, gifted British surgeon Dr. Elizabeth
Corday, er surgical trauma fellow Dr. Peter Benton, ambitious attending
physician Dr. Kerry Weaver and senior resident Dr. John Carter treat the
accident victims.
Rumors circulate that Chief of Staff Dr. Donald Anspaugh (recurring special
guest star JOHN AYLWARD) wants to return to performing general surgery and
appoint obnoxious Dr. Robert Romanoto replace him. At a meeting with department
heads plus Anspaugh and Romano, Greene voices his reservations about Romano as
Chief of Staff. But when other department bosses support Romano, Weaver
expresses her endorsement as well. Romano gets the job and appoints Weaver as
the permanent head of the er.
Because of her new appointment as chief, Weaver tells fourth-year medical
student Lucy Knight that she can no longer mentor her. She also informs Carter
he must move out of her basement apartment. Later, Carter has a rendezvous with
Elaine Nichols (recurring special appearance by REBECCA DE MORNAY - "The Hand
That Rocks the Cradle"), the former wife of one of Carter's cousins.
Physician Assistant Jeanie Boulet and second year pediatric er resident Dr. Cleo
Finch treat an end-stage AIDS patient whose 9-month-old son is also HIV
positive. Jeanie's boyfriend, police officer Reggie Moore (recurring special
guest star CRESS WILLIAMS), proposes marriage. Croatian transplant Dr. Luka
Kovac impresses Hathaway with the gentle way he treats a young patient. Benton
and Carla (recurring special guest star LISA NICOLE CARSON) attend a meeting
with a family mediator concerning their son, Reese. Greene's mother dies.
Last Rites
Written by Jack Orman
Directed by Felix Enriquez Alcala
After his mother's funeral, Dr. Greene comforts his father (recurring guest star
JOHN CULLUM - "Northern Exposure") in San Diego. In Chicago, Romano surprises
Corday by appointing her associate chief of surgery. Later, Greene discourages
her from accepting the position, but she ignores his advice. Greene treats Amy
Stehly (PAIGE MOSS), a 20-year-old with end-stage melanoma (skin cancer) with a
"do not resuscitate" order. While her father (MICHAEL HARNEY) is away, the young
woman regains consciousness long enough to tell Greene she doesn't want to die.
She experiences labored breathing, so Greene intubates her. Her father returns
and is furious. Weaver and Greene argue over further treatment. Amy dies.
Dr. Corday treats Elaine, Carter's lover, for breast cancer, recommending a
modified radical mastectomy. After seeing Elaine with Corday, Carter inquires
about her patient status. Corday divulges the diagnosis. That evening while
making love with Carter, Elaine becomes furious when she realizes he knows about
her cancer.
After hearing that the mother of the Ortega baby died, Jeanie volunteers to
become his foster parent but gets rejected. She realizes she really wants to
marry Reggie. Benton meets with a court-appointed therapist, Debra Wexler
(BERTILA DAMAS), to determine what's best for Reese. Later, Carla informs Benton
that he may not even be Reese's father.
Hathaway helps Vanessa Braga (MYRIAM TUBERT), a 70-year-old woman dying of
congestive heart failure. Eventually the woman asks for a Catholic priest.
Hathaway tries to locate one. When she returns to the room, she sees Kovac, a
Catholic, administering a blessing to the woman who believes he's a priest.
Later, Kovac feels Hathaway's protruding stomach as one of her babies kicks.
Easy-going Dr. Dave Malucci, a new second-year resident, and Carter rush to help
at a construction-site accident less than two blocks away and get angrily
reprimanded by Weaver.
Greene With Envy
Written by Patrick Harbinson
Directed by Peter Markle
Weaver introduces Greene to Dr. Gabriel Lawrence (recurring special appearance
by ALAN ALDA - "M.A.S.H."), a distinguished-looking physician reputed to be a
founding father of emergency medicine. Greene immediately dislikes him because
Weaver never consulted Greene about hiring the new attending. Greene and
Lawrence argue about ordering a test for a patient. Corday agrees with Lawrence,
upsetting Greene, but later Greene and Corday have sex together for the first
time. Lawrence fails to administer a pregnancy test on a pregnant 12-year-old
girl and Greene finds the error.
Romano assigns Corday the task of giving newspaper reporter Paula Trancoso
(CHRISTINE TUCCI) a tour of the er. Shocked to see Carter, a resident,
practicing on patients--even though under Benton's supervision--Paula gets in
the way of a trauma. Corday comforts Elaine about her mastectomy. The surgery
goes well.
A teenager pretends to be a relative to gain access to a gunshot victim. In
reality, he's the shooter and fires several shots then escapes. No one gets hit.
Kovac treats Loren Johnson (JENNIFER MORRIS), a battered woman, for a broken
arm. He antagonizes her husband who hits him. But later, the couple leaves
together.
Benton is grateful because Cleo treats Reese for a fever and an earache. Despite
Cleo's warning, the private physician and the parents of a young car accident
victim insist on transferring the boy to a private hospital, and he almost dies.
Weaver summons Reggie and Jeanie as they leave for their wedding in New Orleans.
Inside a room is baby Carlos Ortega. With Weaver's help, Jeanie has temporary
approval as a foster parent. While holding Carlos, Jeanie marries Reggie at the
courthouse.
Sins Of The Fathers
Written by Doug Palau
Directed by Ken Kwapis
En route to work after spending the night
with Greene, Corday notices her photo on the front page of the Chicago Tribune
newspaper accompanied by a story describing the dangerous conditions at County
General. Romano is mainly upset that Corday's picture is bigger than his.
Hathaway befriends an out-of-work waitress, Meg (recurring special guest star
MARTHA PLIMPTON - "200 Cigarettes"). Seven-months pregnant, Meg cannot afford
prenatal care. Hathaway invites her to the hospital, performs free tests and
helps her interview for a job in the cafeteria.
Cleo treats an obnoxious, troublemaking 4-year-old girl, Robin (JESSICA SARA),
who terrorizes the staff. After observing her for several hours, Cleo releases
her. But the child returns in very critical condition. Cleo belatedly realizes
Robin has an iron overdose--from vitamins. Unfortunately, the child dies.
Corday reprimands Benton for performing surgery when he should have been
available in the er. She ignores orders from Romano, who asks her to tell
Anspaugh not to schedule his own surgeries. Romano wants control of the
schedule so he can have Fridays off.
Greene and Malucci work on an attempted suicide victim, Tommy Stevens (JESSE
HEAD), a 17-year-old who tried to hang himself. Meanwhile, Lawrence
administers to Tommy's girlfriend, Becky (ELLEN BLAIN). Lawrence gets a little
too involved with the case and wrongly blames the suicide attempt on Tommy's
busy father, but Tommy confesses he tried to kill himself because Becky
doesn't love him anymore. Tommy will recover from his injuries. Lucy notices
that Lawrence's memory is failing.
Overeager Malucci assists Greene with a comatose parachute accident victim and
speaks to the victim's wife on the phone. She wants Malucci to relay a message
to her husband, which he does--even though it's after the man dies.
Truth And Consequences
Written by R. Scott Gemmill
Directed by Steve DeJarnatt
Multiple casualties arrive at the er due to an explosion in a high school
science class. Several students and their critically injured teacher receive
treatment. One student, Nathan Perez (ISAIT DE LA FUENTE), has a serious eye
injury. His father (MIGUEL SANDOVAL) tries to attack Howie (PATRICK RENNA), the
boy who changed the chemicals in class as a joke and caused the accident. Greene
subdues Mr. Perez, but the man stops breathing. Carter and Greene work
feverishly and revive the father. Malucci treats Quinn (BROOKE BLOOM), a
distraught student with burns, but fails miserably at calming the girl. He asks
Lucy for help and marvels at her excellent and natural communication skills.
During the chaos of the many emergencies, Lawrence becomes noticeably confused
and very agitated--something both Greene and Weaver witness.
The cafeteria job does not work out for Meg. Hathaway examines her and tests
reveal Meg's drug problem. Hathaway secures a bed in the detox unit for Meg, a
position originally promised to one of Lucy's patients, Jesse (VINCENT
KARTHEISER), an attractive artist with a cocaine problem. But Meg leaves without
any help.
Benton treats Benjamin Hearn (JEFF PETERSON), a 16-year-old with cystic
fibrosis, who suffers a tear in his liver due to an accident. His father (JOHN
DENNIS JOHNSTON) insists that he and his other son, Aaron (SCOTT FERGUSON),
donate blood for Ben's surgery because all three men share the same blood type.
But tests reveal that Aaron is HIV positive--something he's afraid to tell his
father.
Elaine returns to the hospital and tells Carter that she's leaving the country
to recover after her upcoming breast reconstruction surgery. Later, Carter
visits Elaine at home and proves he still finds her sexually desirable.
Malucci asks too many questions about Weaver's leg.
Music
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles - I Second That
The Peace Of Wild Things
Written by John Wells
Directed by Richard Thorpe
Members of the er staff administer to elderly people injured in a nursing home
fire. Carter treats an old man who suffers from chronic heart failure. The man's
wife, Jean Connelly (recurring guest star AMZIE STRICKLAND), reluctantly agrees
to a "do not resuscitate" order, and he dies. While examining an older female
patient, Malucci can't diagnose her problem until Haleh tutors him. A gas leak
causes an explosion in the suture room. Amid all the chaos, a new clerk, Andrew
(ANDREW BOWEN), who does celebrity impersonations, starts working at the front
desk.
Hathaway visits Meg at Meg's new job at a pharmacy and witnesses a conversation
between Meg and a drug dealer. With the help of Jeanie's husband, Reggie, the
dealer and Meg are arrested. Later, Hathaway's co-workers give her a party for
the babies.
Weaver speaks with Dr. Renee Spielman (GAIL STRICKLAND - "The American
President") at the medical center where Lawrence last worked. She returns to
County General and confesses to Greene that she can't terminate her mentor.
Greene causes a situation where Lawrence makes a mistake, and the older doctor
defiantly leaves. Lawrence later admits to Weaver that he takes medication for
early Alzheimer's disease. He realizes that he can no longer practice medicine.
Benton obtains a paternity test kit and acquires specimens from Reese and
himself. But he fails to submit the tests for results. Benton tells Carla that
he is Reese's father no matter what. And Jeanie resigns because she wants to
stay home and take care of her son.
Humpty Dumpty
Written by Neal Baer
Directed by Jonathon Kaplan
While at an accident site, Corday attends to a victim, Dean Rollins (recurring
guest star LAWRENCE MONOSON). Detective Cruson (LEO ROSSI - "Analyze This")
tells Corday that Rollins carjacked a vehicle with a woman inside, and the woman
can't be found. Rollins has a life-threatening cut on his carotid artery and
needs immediate attention. Corday coerces him into telling her the woman's
whereabouts. Once at the hospital, Corday and Benton treat Rollins' multiple
injuries. Rollins' victim is found and brought into the er. Weaver and Kovac
administer to her multiple stab wounds but to no avail--the woman dies. Tests
reveal she was raped. Corday feels conflicted about the heroic measures taken to
keep the rapist alive. Later, Weaver offers Kovac a permanent position as Dr.
Lawrence's replacement.
Dr. Theresa Chow (ROSALIND CHAO - "The Joy Luck Club") performs a neurological
assessment on Dr. Lawrence. While he can remember some things, he forgets
others. After his test, Lawrence removes his belongings from his locker. Sitting
in the er, Lawrence watches as Carter treats a man experiencing seizures. Carter
can't diagnose the problem and knows the man will die without proper medical
attention. Carter enlists Lawrence's help and Lawrence saves the man's life.
Cleo treats 15-year-old Chad Kottmeier (EMILE HIRSCH) for possible drug use.
Tests reveal no drugs in his system but a large amount of alcohol. Mrs.
Kottmeier (ROXANNE HART - "Chicago Hope"), herself an alcoholic, refuses to seek
any treatment for her son.
Hathaway visits Meg and her newborn baby in the hospital jail ward on Meg's
request. Meg pleads with Hathaway to convince the authorities to release her so
she can keep her baby, but because of Meg's drug problem, Hathaway refuses. Meg
screams at Hathaway as they take the baby away, upsetting Hathaway.
Great Expectations
Written by Jack Orman
Directed by Christopher Misiano
Greene brings his father and his daughter, Rachel (recurring guest star YVONNE
ZIMA), to Corday's for Thanksgiving dinner. Later, an embarrassed Rachel starts
her first menstrual period, and Corday befriends her. And Mr. Greene falls and
cuts his forehead. Corday stitches it in the er.
Kovac rescues Hathaway--who's experiencing severe childbirth pains--in a subway
station. He carries her to the er where Weaver delivers Hathaway's first
daughter. After transferring up to the Labor and Delivery department, she meets
her obstetrics nurse, Abby Lockhardt. Greene, Hathaway's birthing partner,
leaves Thanksgiving dinner and arrives while Dr. Coburn (AMY AQUINO) prepares
for the birth of the next baby. Hathaway receives an epidural to alleviate the
excruciating pain, but a crisis occurs. The second baby has a prolapsed
cord--the umbilical cord is being pushed out before the baby, rendering the
fetus incapable of receiving oxygen.
With no time to administer anesthesia, Coburn performs an emergency cesarean.
Numbed by the epidural but awake, Hathaway is aware of the complications.
Finally, her second daughter is born. But Hathaway experiences profuse bleeding,
and Coburn prepares to perform a hysterectomy. Hathaway refuses and Greene
insists that her wishes be obeyed. She survives intact and marvels at her two
little miracles.
Malacci impresses Carter with his knowledge of a strange ailment and admits he
attended a less than stellar medical school in Grenada.
Music
Bruce Cockburn - Wondering Where the Lions Are
How The Finch Stole Christmas
Written by Linda Gase
Directed by Fred Einesman
On Christmas Eve, an exhausted Hathaway attends to her 6-week-old daughters,
Tess and fussy Kate. Hathaway brings them to the er where Kovac examines Kate.
Kate has a fever but will be okay. Haleh and Kovac care for the twins while
Hathaway gets some rest.
Meanwhile, rapist and murderer Dean Rollins taunts Corday as she administers to
him. The police have found evidence linking him to another murder. Corday
discovers that Rollins has a blood clot, but he refuses necessary surgery. Even
though she doesn't want to help him, Corday convinces him to have the surgery.
Valerie Page (MINDY CRIST), a 24-year-old heart transplant candidate, gets
treated by Lucy who updates Valerie's status because she is critical and needs
immediate help. Even though no heart is available, Lucy learns that a special
procedure can be performed that may save Valerie's life. Unfortunately, Romano
is the only doctor at the hospital who can perform it, and he refuses her
request because he is off duty. Lucy barges into his home and convinces him to
help.
Carter collects gifts from staff members to secretly give to one another. He
tends to a wounded gang member, Taylor Sparks (KENTE SCOTT), and confiscates a
gun from the youth. Later, Carter gives Taylor one of the gifts in exchange for
the gun he took. Other gang members visit the hospital to trade their guns for
gifts. Carter's proud of his accomplishment until a child is killed by one of
the gang members who got another gun.
Cleo treats a drunken Chad Kattmeier for a fractured ankle suffered during a
party his mother hosted. His mother gave him beer, so Cleo contacts the
authorities and forces Chad to enter the hospital's alcohol treatment program
immediately, missing Christmas day with his mother.
Music
John Lennon - Happy Xmas (War is Over)
Family Matters
Written by Patrick Harbinson
Directed by Anthony Edwards
A police detective asks Corday to talk with Dean Rollins about where he hid the
body of a girl he raped and murdered. Rollins fails to reveal any information.
Later, Rollins tells Corday he wants to die. She promises to administer a lethal
dose of morphine if he discloses the dead girl's location. She gives him the
injection as he's about to confess.
While Carter treats a difficult patient, new er resident Jing-Mei Chen assists
him. Carter recognizes Chen, previously known as Deb, a former County General
medical student who quit medicine and recently returned. Later, the
strong-willed Chen tries to assist a gay female runaway whose parents want to
send her to a treatment center for gender identity.
Kovac administers to 18-year-old Dillon (BRIAN HOOKS), accompanied by his
14-year-old developmentally disabled brother, Jake (ANDREW FOGENAY WILSON). The
two boys live alone. Kovac tries to help them, but Weaver calls social services,
and Adele Neuman (recurring guest star ERICA GIMPEL - "Profiler") insists Dillon
can't care for Jake properly. She takes a frightened Jake away. Kovac tells
Weaver that his wife and children died in the Bosnian war. He does not believe
in separating family members.
Cleo and Benton help high school basketball player Tamara Davis (GABRIELLE
UNION). Overwhelmed by her parents' pressuring her to succeed, Cleo realizes
that Tamara just needs a rest. Meanwhile, Malucci competently repairs Weaver's
car but fears dealing with his young patient, who is dying of cancer and must be
told.
After escaping from his retirement facility, Greene's father barricades himself
in his home in San Diego. Greene asks his father to move to Chicago and live
with him.
The Domino Heart
Written by Joe Sachs
Directed by Lesli Linka Glatter
Valerie Page returns to the hospital for a heart transplant. However a fever,
probably due to an infection caused by the equipment pumping her heart,
jeopardizes the surgery. Despite possible complications, Lucy encourages her to
go ahead with the much-awaited heart transplant, and Valerie does. Afterwards,
Valerie apparently suffers a stroke and remains brain-dead. Her new heart will
now be donated to someone else.
Greene treats Michael Mueller (JUSTIN LOUIS), who is accompanied by his
homosexual companion, Curt Oberg (HANK STRATTON). As a result of an asthma
medication overdose, Michael suffered a seizure. But Greene realizes that Curt
physically abuses his mate and encourages Michael to seek help. Later, Curt
becomes critically injured when Michael backs the car into him.
Chen administers to elderly Mrs. Duffy (PEG PHILLIPS) patient with Parkinson's
disease. Her primary caregiver and exhausted daughter, Louise (DIANE BAKER),
hopes Chen will admit her mother, but Chen refuses. Later, Carter admits Louise
for medical tests after she falls--forcing Chen to order a bed for Mrs. Duffy.
Linsey thanks Corday for successfully getting Rollins to reveal the location of
the body of Linsey's murdered sister. Corday tricked Rollins, and now he's being
transferred to county jail.
Speaking fluent Spanish, Malucci helps Cleo treat two patients suffering the
after-effects of taking Mexican drugs, banned in the United States and obtained
through unlawful prescriptions. Malucci gathers evidence about the illegal
pharmacy.
Hathaway returns to work after giving birth but experiences postpartum
depression. Benton asks a clueless Cleo on a date.
Abby Road
Written by R. Scott Gemmill
Directed by Richard Thorpe
Hathaway's obstetrics nurse, Abby Lockhart, shows up for work in the er--not as
a nurse. Abby's a third-year medical student starting her er rotation. She
learns working in the er differs greatly from working in the obstetrics
department after a patient bites her arm, and Abby makes a misdiagnosis on a
patient who eventually suffers a heart attack.
Cleo treats 13-year-old Marty Dorset (CHRISTOPHER MARQUETTE), a boy who is
noticeably small for his age. An examination reveals bruises on his back, and
Marty explains that the kids at school beat him up because of his size. Marty
also suffers from infected needle marks on his thighs as a result of taking
human growth hormones he obtains off the internet. But the needles he keeps
reusing may be responsible for bacteria in his bloodstream causing a serious
heart infection.
Because Medicaid refuses to cover the treatment, Benton arranges free plastic
surgery on a girl with a severe facial disfigurement from a dog-bite. But Romano
refuses to allow free use of the hospital operating room. When Romano becomes
too ill from kidney stones and can't finish a surgery, Benton completes it for
him. Benton expects a favor in return--operating room time for the girl's
surgery. Romano doesn't object.
Kovac and Hathaway administer to a chronically ill 3-year-old boy. Hathaway
proves that his mother, Kathleen Brant (GIULIANA SANTINI) intentionally induces
the boy's symptoms. Isabelle Corday (recurring guest star JUDY PARFITT) arrives
in Chicago as a guest lecturer and meets with her daughter, Elizabeth. Cleo
shows Greene that she can play basketball as well as a man.
Be Still My Heart
Written by Lydia Woodward
Directed by Laura Innes
Abby experiences a difficult time obeying a patient's request.
Eighty-one-year-old Jean Connelly has a life-threatening infection but doesn't
want any heroic measures taken to prolong her life. Carter insists Abby obey the
patient's wishes. Abby stays with the woman until she dies. Malucci and Chen
work on Dr. George Hudson (LENNY WOLPE), but the two residents compete so much
with each other, they don't listen to their patient.
A family of four is involved in a car accident. Cleo and Haleh take care of the
two mildly injured children, ages five and eleven. Members of the er staff work
hard to keep the parents alive but to no avail. Hathaway and Kovac tell the kids
that their parents did not survive the car accident.
Romano operates on his beloved dog, Gretel, while Corday assists. Isabelle
arrives at the hospital just in time to witness her daughter working on the dog.
Later, she observes as Corday performs CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on an
accident victim. Corday finally impresses her mother. Greene, Corday, David
Greene and Isabelle go out for a special dinner, and David Greene and Isabelle
sing a duet onstage.
Lucy treats Paul Sobriki (recurring guest star DAVID KRUMHOLTZ - "Liberty
Heights"), a 23-year-old law student. Initially Lucy believes he only suffers
from a migraine headache, but the patient later exhibits altered mental status
and begins babbling. Lucy believes he's schizophrenic, requests a psychiatric
consult and waits with her patient. As Lucy's supervisor, Carter needs her to
attend to other patients. When he enters Sobriki's exam room, Sobriki viciously
stabs Carter in the back with a large knife. Carter falls and sees Lucy lying on
the ground soaked in her own blood.
Music
Lo-Fidelity Allstars - Battleflag
All In The Family
Written by Jack Orman
Directed by Jonathan Kaplan
Irritated by a raucous Valentine's Day party in the admittance area as she comes
on duty, Weaver attends to a few situations before entering the horrifying
examination room where Carter and Lucy lie in massive amounts of blood, almost
dead from numerous stab wounds. The police close off the crime scene and search
the premises for the presumed attacker, Lucy's schizophrenic patient Paul
Sobriki.
Benton helps Weaver perform an emergency tracheotomy on Lucy, but he must soon
deal with Carter's possible spinal injury and uncontrollable internal bleeding
from lower abdominal injuries. Barely regaining consciousness but aware of his
situation, Carter takes comfort from Benton. Greene and Corday rush to the er
after being paged during a night out with his father and her mother. They assist
Weaver as she saws through Lucy's chest bone to repair her heart and liver
wounds. But Romano and Corday must later remove Lucy's severely lacerated
spleen. In the next operating room, Anspaugh convinces Benton to try another
tactic before removing Carter's kidney; the maneuver works.
Finally, after Romano and Corday stabilize her, Lucy awakens. As she thanks the
emotional Corday, Lucy suffers a pulmonary embolism. The doctors again open her
chest to clear the clots. But despite their heroic efforts, Lucy dies. When
Carter recovers, his relief at not being paralyzed is dampened by the news of
Lucy's death. Gradually, Lucy's co-workers learn the terrible news as well.
During the chaos, Greene and Weaver realize that Paul got the butcher knife from
a cake tray at the Valentine's Day party. The disoriented and paranoid Paul is
soon brought in and arrested after being hit by a van while running naked from
the hospital. As multiple trauma victims continue to arrive by ambulance, the
mourning doctors go on with their work, minus one of their own.
Music
Spiral Starecase - More Today Than Yesterday
Rufus & Chaka Khan - Tell Me Something Good
Santana - Samba Pa Ti
Procol Harum - A Whiter Shade of Pale
Be Patient
Written by Sandy Kropf
Directed by Ken Kwapis
Kovac witnesses a car hitting 10-year-old Laura Williams (KAYLI and KELSI
DeGREGORIO) then speeding away. Unable to wait for an ambulance, Kovac enlists a
plumber to rush the young victim, via the plumber's truck, to the hospital while
Kovac administers to her. At the hospital, Benton operates on Laura's
life-threatening liver laceration. Benton believes the girl would not have
survived if Kovac had followed procedure and waited for the paramedics.
Much to the chagrin of Corday, her mother and David Greene are having a sexual
relationship. Corday and Isabelle resolve some of their disagreements. After
reading his father's x-ray, Greene learns that his dad suffers from incurable
lung cancer. Isabelle, David, Corday and Greene go bowling together. Later,
Greene talks to his dad, who admits he already knew about the cancer.
Hathaway tries to help two young, sexually active schoolgirls, Andrea (CARA
DELIZIA) and Terri (RACHEL CRANE). A medical test reveals 14-year-old Andrea's
cervical cancer, which is due to infection from a sexual partner. Hathaway
informs her that she needs surgery. But Andrea doesn't want her parents to
discover her sexual promiscuity and leaves with Terri. Later Andrea attempts
suicide and returns to the er. Andrea survives, and Hathaway tries to convince
her to tell her parents.
Carter goes through an excruciatingly painful physical therapy session and then
returns to his wheelchair. Barbara Knight (GWYNYTH WALSH - "The Crush"), Lucy's
mother, removes Lucy's belongings from her locker. She visits Carter and talks
with him about her daughter's final moments of life. Benton and Cleo go out on
another date.
Music
Nat King Cole - Love
Under Control
Written by Neal Baer and Joe Sachs
Directed by Christopher Misiano
On crutches, Carter hobbles back to the emergency room for the first time since
his life-threatening attack and tries to overcome the intense pain from his
injuries in order to perform his job. He treats diabetic patient Adam Pulido
(KEITH LANGSDALE), who attempted suicide by taking an overdose of drugs, and
prescribes a controversial new procedure for him without permission.
Meanwhile, Greene supervises a chaotic er shift while being distracted by his
father, who refuses treatment for his incurable lung cancer. Rushed to the
hospital because of labored breathing, Mr. Greene chooses Corday instead of his
son as his attending physician and confides to her about the cancer. Greene
treats a patient who has a poisonous gila monster attached to his hand.
Chen administers to the handsome male ICU (Intensive Care Unit) head nurse,
Frank Bacon (MORRIS CHESTNUT - "The Best Man," "Under Siege 2: Dark Territory").
Believing his fainting episodes mean nothing, Frank helps Chen with her
patients. Chen finally diagnoses his illness and admits him.
While performing a procedure, Abby makes a mistake that accelerates the death of
terminal cancer patient Kim Tadlock (CAL GIBSON). She later visits the morgue
and practices the procedure on a cadaver--Kim. Meanwhile, Hathaway is plagued by
innocuous calls from her nanny. Corday attempts to keep a brain-dead patient
alive in order to harvest organs, and Benton and Cleo enjoy a sensual game of
billiards.
Music
Simon & Garfunkel - Bookends
Viable Options
Written by Patrick Harbinson
Directed by Marita Grabiak
Two men involved in a car accident arrive at the er by ambulance. Chen
administers to one of them, Terry Waters (MITCH PILEGGI - "The X-Files"), a
belligerent 46-year-old. Waters' daughter arrives and discusses with Chen
personality changes her father has recently undergone. Later, Chen diagnoses him
with Huntington's disease, a progressive neurological disorder--a genetic
disease. But Waters refuses to disclose the illness to his daughter even though
she might also harbor the disease.
A kidney becomes available for transplant, and Kovac preps a patient. But tests
reveal the man suffers from unstable angina. The next candidate arrives at the
hospital and discovers she's 8-weeks pregnant. Since she chooses to keep the
baby, she can't have the transplant. A third candidate tests positive for
cocaine. While Kovac waits for a fourth candidate, Corday takes the cocaine user
upstairs for surgery out of fear that the kidney will be damaged if surgery gets
delayed.
Weaver treats a severely retarded, 14-year-old girl with San Filippo Syndrome
who can't even feed herself. Her foster mother does not have the authority to
give Weaver permission to do the necessary procedure. Romano believes Weaver is
simply prolonging the girl's life and forbids her from performing it. Weaver
defies him and Romano suspends her.
David Greene expresses a desire to move out on his own. A prescription mix-up
almost kills a patient. And Kovac barbecues dinner at Hathaway's house--during a
snowstorm.
Music
Angie Stone - My Life Story
Match Made In Heaven
Written by R. Scott Gemmill
Directed by Jonathan Kaplan
While treating Eli (MATT DOHERTY - "The Mighty Ducks" films), a 16-year-old auto
accident victim, Cleo realizes that the boy's small bowel may be perforated. She
wants Corday to do exploratory surgery, but Corday disagrees with the tentative
diagnosis. Cleo enlists Benton to do the surgery instead. When Corday finds out,
she becomes furious at both Benton and Cleo. After punishing Benton by
performing the surgery herself, Corday tells Cleo that the boy had no abdominal
injuries.
Abby administers to Lynn Parker (KERRI LEE GREEN), an exhausted mother of five
small children, who fainted in a grocery store. When tests confirm Lynn's
pregnancy, Abby concludes Lynn is starving herself in order to induce a
miscarriage. Abby suggests an abortion. Lynn undergoes the procedure but doesn't
want her husband to know.
With Weaver on suspension, an overworked Kovac initially suspects his patient,
Rick Simpson (DAN LAURIA - "The Wonder Years"), suffers from an anxiety
disorder, but tests reveal he has leukemia. Later, Kovac shows Hathaway a
tattered photo of his deceased wife and daughter.
Carter shoves Chen out of the way and takes over when he believes Chen fails to
intubate a patient fast enough. Carter sadly discovers that Lucy got accepted as
a resident to the psychiatry program at County General.
Greene's apartment resembles a hospital room as his father's health rapidly
deteriorates. A hired nurse cares for Greene's dad when Greene is at work.
Greene lovingly administers to his father, but David hates being a burden to his
son.
Music
Stevie Wonder - Isn't She Lovely
The Fastest Year
Written by Lydia Woodward
Directed by Richard Thorpe
Millicent Carter (recurring guest star FRANCES STERNHAGEN - "Cheers") encourages
her grandson, Dr. Carter, to seek professional help. Carter, who has been living
with her since his traumatic attack, can't sleep. He consults with Dr. DeRaad
(JOHN DOMAN), County General's chief psychiatrist. Later, Carter meets with his
attacker's wife.
Abby treats Delia (DAKOTA FANNING), a 5-year-old car accident victim. Tests
prove a recurrence of Delia's leukemia. A previous search for a bone marrow
donor netted no results. Her father, Avery Chadsey (STEVEN FLYNN - "Ulee's
Gold"), is not a match. Abby discovers that Avery has a child, Jessamyn (JULIE
MARIE BERMAN), with his first wife. Against Avery's wishes, Abby meets with
Jessamyn and convinces the 16-year-old to test as a donor.
Cleo and Benton visit Jackie's (recurring guest star KHANDI ALEXANDER - HBO's
"The Corner") house. Although Jackie likes Cleo, she warns her brother that Cleo
appears uninterested in a serious, long-term relationship. Weaver returns to
work after her suspension. Carter administers to 76-year-old Ruth Pooler (RUTH
MANNING), an asthma patient with high blood pressure. Unable to afford her own
prescriptions, she took her husband's medication and became ill.
After his father is treated for pneumonia and released from the hospital, Greene
takes Greene Sr. to Lake Michigan. Here, Greene Sr., a former naval officer,
goes on his last boat ride.
Kovac helps Hathaway purchase a used car at a dealership. Later, he recounts to
her how his wife and children died during the Bosnian war. Unfortunately the car
stops working. They sit on the car and share their first kiss.
Music
Simon & Garfunkel - Bookends
Loose Ends
Written by Neal Baer
Directed by Kevin Hooks
A weary Greene takes care of his dying father at home. Corday visits, and David
gives her the pearls he presented his wife on their wedding day. After taking an
afternoon nap, Greene wakes up and discovers his father is dead. Corday returns
and comforts a grief-stricken Greene.
Kovac gives Hathaway a bouquet of flowers for her birthday. But it's the gift
Ross sends that makes her the happiest--dozens of boxes of animal crackers.
Chen administers to a 4-year-old boy experiencing a long, violent seizure
resulting in brain damage. Tests reveal a rare metabolic disorder. County
General doesn't routinely perform the test that shows this ailment when a baby
is born. Chen starts a petition to rectify the situation and gets a reluctant
Romano to sign it.
Benton argues with Kovac concerning the treatment Kovac gave Chet Fulton
(LINCOLN KILPATRICK) over one month ago. Now Benton's patient, Fulton needs a
below knee amputation due to vascular insufficiency and the lack of proper
preventive treatment. Benton blames Kovac for failing to perform the type of
follow-up Benton does.
Weaver reprimands Carter for doing a dangerous procedure without consulting
Kovac. She also talks to Hathaway about Hathaway's lack of focus on the job. And
while treating a 6-year-old patient involved in a minor car accident, Malucci
and Cleo discover the girl has been sexually molested recently by her father.
Such Sweet Sorrow
Written by John Wells
Directed by John Wells
A sleep deprived Carter experiences mood changes, and Chen worries about him. He
gives a patient the wrong intravenous medication. When the patient experiences a
drug reaction, Carter administers the antidote but doesn't admit to the error.
Chen implores Greene to talk to Carter. Remarkably, Carter willingly agrees to
see a therapist.
Hathaway takes care of a 38-year-old, end-stage cancer patient, Shelagh O'Brien
(RACHEL SINGER). Shelagh's husband, Steve (LOUIS MUSTILLO), and their two young
daughters accompany Shelagh. Shelagh has a DNR (Do Not Rescucitate) order.
Later, with Steve at her side, Shelagh stops breathing. Steve begs Hathaway to
help bring her back because his daughters need to say good-bye. Hathaway enlists
Kovac's help without telling him Shelagh is Weaver's patient. They successfully
resuscitate her. When Weaver finds out, she's furious at both Kovac and
Hathaway. And Kovac becomes angry at Hathaway. They resolve the problem and
kiss. Later, Hathaway confesses she still loves Ross. Shelagh dies with her
family by her side. After witnessing the wonderful, close family bond Shelagh
and Steve shared, Hathaway realizes she must see if she and Ross are meant for
each other. She travels to Seattle, Washington, and reunites with her soul mate,
Dr. Doug Ross. The happy couple embrace and kiss.
Greene boxes the unused medical supplies in his apartment. Corday explains to
Malucci that the hospital staff doesn't respect him as a physician, and he needs
to get serious about his commitment to medicine. Under Malucci's supervision,
Abby fails to properly diagnose a woman with a tubo-ovarian abscess, and the
patient almost dies. Corday encourages Greene to give his mother's pearls to
Rachel. The gift delights his daughter.
Music
Bush - Letting the Cables Sleep
Don Henley - Taking You Home
May Day
Written by Jack Orman
Directed by Jonathon Kaplan
Benton and Kovac rush via helicopter to a school where a shooting has occurred.
The two dedicated physicians argue about which patient gets airlifted first.
Kovac transports 11-year-old Nicholas Rosato (KYLE SULLIVAN) forcing Benton to
stay with the critically wounded adult gunman. At the hospital, the boy's
injuries prove to be much more serious than previously thought. So when Benton
finally reaches the hospital after the gunman expires, his argument with Kovac
proves unfounded. Benton and Corday successfully perform simultaneous but
different surgeries on Nicholas causing Cleo to feel a little jealous.
Paramedics transport 18-year-old college student Gloria Milton (EMILY BERGL -
"The Rage: Carrie 2") bleeding from a knife wound. She's 8-months pregnant, and
Kovac deduces she stabbed herself to induce a miscarriage. Since the monitor
reveals fetal distress, Kovac and other doctors encourage Gloria to undergo a
Cesarean section, but she refuses. Kovac tries in vain to get a court order for
the procedure. Gloria delivers a stillborn.
Carter administers to Gary Mednick (DON TOOK), an agitated car accident victim
with a dislocated hip. Carter gives Mednick an injection of fentanyl (a narcotic
painkiller). But Carter doesn't give him the full dosage. Later, Abby witnesses
Carter covertly injecting himself with the remainder of the fentanyl. She
reports her finding to Greene. Greene, Weaver, Abby, Benton, Chen and Anspaugh
perform a drug intervention. Greene gives Carter an ultimatum--seek professional
help for drug addiction or be terminated. Benton accompanies Carter on the plane
to a drug addiction facility for physicians in Atlanta, Georgia.