ER on tonight!!!!!

[Geoff_M]

I was trying to remember last night, have they ever shown the hospital like that? I have to say that part really gave me the chills.

I don't think so... I think that was a final "treat" for fans.

I found the retrospective every emotional, but probably none more so when they mentioned an episode I had forgotten about: Love's Labor Lost. That episode really rips out your heart and then stomps on it. That and Mark Greene's death were probably the most emotion provoking remembrances for me.

 

[Ohiodislover]

I agree. I think it's comforting when a show ends and you know that the characters lives will go on in the same way even though you won't see it anymore. I was so glad they didn't do something like have a bomb drop on the hospital and that was it. Because that would've been awful, but I wouldn't have put it past the producers of this show. But I think the somewhat anticlimactic ending was perfect.

I thought that the cases last night were ones that reminded the viewers of memorable ones in the past. Or at least they did that for me--Maybe it's just me--IDK?

The older couple was very reminiscent of Mr. Rubadoux, that Carter dealt with early on.

The man that was yelling and being put in restraints, reminded me of the guy who stabbed Carter, and the homeless man that Dr. Greene always took care of, and was in the ER the day Dr. Greene left.

The confused little lady, kept coming back, just like Rosemary Clooney's character.

And Gates--He was so like Dr. Ross going after that Dad about the drinking. I remember Clooney doing that a few times w/ stupid parents.

And of course the pregnant lady who passes--I was bawling when he husband was standing looking the at the bloody footprints.




I loved the shot of the hospital at the end.

 

[welovedisneyx4]

I also don't know if everyone saw it, but the case of the teenage girl with the alcohol poisoning was based on the real death of one of the show's executive producer's teenage nieces last December under the same scenario (though I don't think the parents of the host girl provided the booze as in the finale). Her friends took her to the bathroom when she was passed out and propped her up so she could throw up in the bathtub... and they found her dead in the morning.

I kept thinking that it was going to be the girl that John Stamos keeps, or she was going to be one of her friends. I liked what he did when he went and picked her up and put HELP into her phone and told her to call him for anything, no questions asked.

 

[Ohiodislover]

I kept thinking that it was going to be the girl that John Stamos keeps, or she was going to be one of her friends. I liked what he did when he went and picked her up and put HELP into her phone and told her to call him for anything, no questions asked.

That was really cool

 

[browneyes106]

I agree. I think it's comforting when a show ends and you know that the characters lives will go on in the same way even though you won't see it anymore. I was so glad they didn't do something like have a bomb drop on the hospital and that was it. Because that would've been awful, but I wouldn't have put it past the producers of this show. But I think the somewhat anticlimactic ending was perfect.

I agree with I like how the show ended. The theme was basically life goes on.

 

[smschex]

I thought that the cases last night were ones that reminded the viewers of memorable ones in the past. Or at least they did that for me--Maybe it's just me--IDK?

The older couple was very reminiscent of Mr. Rubadoux, that Carter dealt with early on.

The man that was yelling and being put in restraints, reminded me of the guy who stabbed Carter, and the homeless man that Dr. Greene always took care of, and was in the ER the day Dr. Greene left.

The confused little lady, kept coming back, just like Rosemary Clooney's character.

And Gates--He was so like Dr. Ross going after that Dad about the drinking. I remember Clooney doing that a few times w/ stupid parents.

And of course the pregnant lady who passes--I was bawling when he husband was standing looking the at the bloody footprints.




I loved the shot of the hospital at the end.

I agree. I loved all the echoes of the past.

My kids were making fun of me for tearing up frequently and getting excited to see all the old characters return. I just told them "I have known these people longer than I have known you, so give me a break!"

 

[binny]

omg I LOVED this episode!!!

Wow. I cried, I laughed... what a journey.

this was classic ER at its finest~


I loved the ending. I dont think we have ever seen the whole outside of the hospital, the closest would be when the helicopter killed Romano. I loved the "Are you coming Dr Greene?" Dr Greene has said that to Dr carter at the end of the first episode. I loved how they stuck so close to the first episode.

I was so impressed. I loved how life went on... It was so nice not to be left with a "what happens next???" feeling. We know what happens next, people come and people go and its all part of the great circle. Questions were answered but no real surprises. We were left feeling content. That is rare in a series finale.

 

[babytrees]

Bravo! I loved it! I am like alot of you, watched it religiously for the first 9 or 10 years. I've caught some of the later years episodes, but didn't see them all. But I've been watching this year, and it just got better and better.

I thought the last episode was a real tribute to the fans! Just enough of the old stuff, mixed in with the new people, and LOVED the ending! I cried like a baby during the last 30 minutes!

And honestly I didn't not care at all that Doug and Carol were not in it. There was so much more to ER than them. I always thought Dr. Carter was the real heart and soul, because for many years it really was about his journey, and to see him "hand it off" to Rachel was perfect. And I loved that last shot, where they pulled back and you could see the hospital, and the streets and stoplights and L train. I thought it was the perfect way to end it, by saying it doesn't end, it goes on, we just won't be there to see it anymore.

ditto to everything you said!!

I loved the scan they did of the entire cast at the end....so cool!!

 

[Tumblwd501]

I thought it was a great final episode... I was afraid they'd try to throw in a last minute curve ball at the end (a la St. Elsewhere, Dallas, etc.) but was glad they didn't.

I totally agree. Definitely one of the better series finales, right up there with M*A*S*H, IMHO. I loved all the "cycle" themes that were littered throughout the episode, whether it be the cycle of life and death or the cycles of the ER itself with the new crop of interns and doctors and of course with Carter completing the cycle by teaching Rachel Greene. And I loved all the parallels between the pilot episode and the series finale.

The retrospective show was also very cool. It definitely brought up a lot, "Doh.. I forgot about that!" Or "Doh.. I remember how sad that was!" hehe

I thought the closing shot of County itself was very cool, especially since I don't think we've ever seen a shot like that before in the show. Of course, from a personal perspective, it's always been fun as a Chicagoan to try and figure out where in real life this fictional place would be located! (Near an El stop, close to the river, close to the lake front, etc.)

 

[ZuZugal]

did anyone else want to see the Carter Center actually open and running in this last episode?? I sure did. That would have made it perfect...for me anyway.

Not just open but RUNNING...doctors/nurses treating patients...the rooms being utilized...not just the clean and shiny building but ALIVE with everything in motion and Carter in the midst of it. Now that would have been an ending for me.

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

Actually, I thought the whole "Carter Center" business was a bit forced and unnecessary in this episode. True, they did need an excuse to get some of the ex-characters back together, but they could have done that at some big Chicago AMA meeting or something like that.

 

[figment52]

I hate to say it, but I expected a heck of a lot more. I wish there was a reveal about the kidney. The kidney episode was way better and that should have been the final episdoe.

I missed the kidney story - can someone fill me in?

TIA

 

[Tumblwd501]

Actually, I thought the whole "Carter Center" business was a bit forced and unnecessary in this episode. True, they did need an excuse to get some of the ex-characters back together, but they could have done that at some big Chicago AMA meeting or something like that.

I see what you're saying and I initially thought that as well. But the more I thought about it, the more I felt his opening of the Center actually keeps in line with his character, his general desire and motivation to do good and remain optimistic that individuals can impact others in a positive and meaningful manner. And of course, it also helped that it served as a nice excuse to bring back some of the old characters. lol

 

[Ohiodislover]

I see what you're saying and I initially thought that as well. But the more I thought about it, the more I felt his opening of the Center actually keeps in line with his character, his general desire and motivation to do good and remain optimistic that individuals can impact others in a positive and meaningful manner. And of course, it also helped that it served as a nice excuse to bring back some of the old characters. lol

Well said. And I think it was important to see that Carter was going to be OK. He was healing and doing what he wanted to do, and going to try to get back w/ Kem. Loved the comment that his Grandfather would be rolling in his grave that he spent all the money.

 

[figment52]

I loved how the actress that played Dr. Greene's wife still can't talk about the episode where he dies. That choked me right up too.

 

[keenercam]

I loved how the actress that played Dr. Greene's wife still can't talk about the episode where he dies. That choked me right up too.

That interview got to me so much. How amazing that a storyline/character in a series could so profoundly affect the other actors involved.

 

[Ohiodislover]

That interview got to me so much. How amazing that a storyline/character in a series could so profoundly affect the other actors involved.

I still cry just thinking of those last episodes w/ Dr Greene. And don't get me started on the version of Somewhere over the Rainbow.

 

[figment52]

I still cry just thinking of those last episodes w/ Dr Greene. And don't get me started on the version of Somewhere over the Rainbow.

THANK YOU!!

I heard that version again recently and I loved it and knew I had heard it somewhere before couldn't remember where. That explains why it was so moving for me. I LOVE that version.

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

I see what you're saying and I initially thought that as well. But the more I thought about it, the more I felt his opening of the Center actually keeps in line with his character, his general desire and motivation to do good and remain optimistic that individuals can impact others in a positive and meaningful manner. And of course, it also helped that it served as a nice excuse to bring back some of the old characters. lol

Actually, I would rather he had some sort of clinic associated with County Hospital (Didn't they already have one at some point that was paid for by Carter money?). To me, it looked like a big, snobby, self-indulgent building rather than a charitable clinic.

 

[TeresaBelle]

I loved the shot of the hospital at the end.

Me too! It took my breath away! We've never seen that before, at least I don't remember seeing it. Especially the 'COUNTY GENERAL HOSPITAL' illuminated sign at the top corner.