The new TV season across the pond is getting underway with the return of old favourites and some new kids on the network block, but there’s one old faithful that has kept me entertained for 14 years that embarks its 15th and final season this very evening in the US.
Yes, the first episode of ER’s last bow goes out on NBC tonight, resolving the climactic events of last season that left the lives of several main characters in jeopardy. Well, it was an ER season cliff-hanger, it wouldn’t have been right if they’d all just walked off and got a coffee, would it?
While I have absolutely no idea what happens - I’ve managed to stay spoiler free, and NBC is keeping the admission cards very close to its chest - I shall be there every week once season 15 comes to Channel 4, as it inevitably will. Just like I have been for the previous 14, going right back to my university days…
But for now, we have 22 more episodes of fine medical drama to come, with the producers promising a host of old faces returning to the fold from the long history of the show. It’s probably no surprise to see that original cast member Noah Wylie (aka Dr John Carter) will be on hand for four episodes throughout the run, which seems to be part of the deal the actor struck when he left full time duties at County General. I’d like to think we’ll see him in the very last episode to bring things full circle - the first episode saw the rookie medic’s first day in the ER.
But long-time fans will no doubt be thrilled to see Anthony Edwards reprise the role of Dr Mark Greene, in what is said to be a tear-jerking flashback episode that will also star former cast members Laura Innes (Kerry Weaver) and Paul McCrane (‘Rocket’ Romano). Details of the storyline are unclear, but it will also involve new regular actress for this final season, Angela Bassett.
Other expected returns are for Alex Kingston as Elizabeth Corday, who has been working primarily in Britain to ride out the US writers’ strike (as some 3 million of you will have seen for last night’s finale of Lost in Austen). We may also see Mark Greene’s wayward daughter Rachel who could arrive at County General as a first year medical student (I see potential for some guidance from Carter to mirror the early relationship between Greene and Carter, mark my words).
However, there are some doubts over whether remaining original cast members Sherry Stringfield (Susan Lewis), Eriq La Salle (Peter Benton) and Julianna Margulies (Carol Hathaway) will make similar appearances to say farewell. Producers have storylines prepared for every major character to come back if negations are successful, but who knows…
And then there’s the most famous and feted graduate from ER - the Hollywood legend that is George Clooney, who played womanising heartbreaker Doug Ross. ER literally made him a star after years of struggling as a TV actor, and he previously made a cameo appearance in the show when Margulies left for pastures new. The word coming from Clooney’s people is that the actor won’t be making a return appearance, which will be a disappointment to the fans. However, Clooney famously has a great sense of humour, and this could be so much smoke-screening to keep the audience guessing up to the last minute.
But whatever the closing season of a great TV institution brings in terms of old faces, there are still fantastic storylines and excitement to come from ER between now and next spring. So sit back and enjoy it while it’s there. And don’t worry, Channel 4 will probably keep running it for the rest of time anyway…
Leave a comment