I was kind of wondering who everyone thought would be involved in helping Carter through his recovery. I am kind of continuing my response in Nancy's post about the rerun break (just before this), but I figured before it got too long, I should open my own thread.

So I was thinking, it is obvious that Benton will be important, which I love, but I was also kind of hoping that Mark will notice that Carter is not okay (even though Carter will probably try to convince everyone that he is), since he has gone through this too. If you look back to all of the seasons, esp. the first season, Mark has always liked him and always been supportive and encouraging with him, even in his mistakes. I would really like to see Carol talk with Carter about it, but unfortunately, with her leaving, I think they may have her a little more preoccupied with her reason (whatever it is) for leaving. I'm still hoping though. I had also previously hoped for Carter and Elizabeth to talk about Lucy's last living moments, but I don't know if that would happen now either. As for the new people, I don't mind Deb as much anymore and maybe she could be a good friend. Maybe Dr. Dave will cheer him up in some way.

* I wish Lucy had survived so that they could cope together.

-- Elaine (mrsclooney78@hotmail.com), March 06, 2000

Answers

I think we'll get one of those Kerry moments, where she matter-of-factly shows she has a compassionate side. I expect her to say something oblique like, I know it's difficult to get around the ER on crutches; take it easy on yourself. Or something like that. She's done it before with Carol's pregnancy (where the patient with an AIDS-related disease threw up) and keeping Jeannie's HIV status secret.

I'm also thinking, how the heck is John going to be able to go into Curtain three? Or have someone come up behind him? Or treat a serious stab wound? Lots of emotional and psychological minefields there.

-- dana w. (shelbeydavid@netscape.net), March 07, 2000.

I agree with everything you both said, especially about how Carter will react to curtain area 3, people coming up behind him, and everything else you said! I hope, like you said, that Benton and Mark will help him (even though Mark doesn't seem like the *perfect* one because look how long it took him to get over his own attack), I also like the idea of Deb helping him since they were friends before. (The next part is a bit of a spoiler, I guess, so stop reading if you don't know what's going to happen to Carter later in the season.)

If Carter does get addicted to painkillers, do you think any doctor will disown from the 'family' of the ER. (I know that is explained oddly, but it was for lack of better words) Recently, a very close friend of mine (and an ex-boyfriend) was accused of being on drugs. He wasn't on anything, but some people who used to be his friend now think he is 'dirty' or a druggie (even though it was *proven* he wasn't on anything!). This was soo hard for him, because his girlfriend and long-time best friend was one of those people. Does anyone think something like this will happen to Carter when people find out about his addiction? I certainly hope not, but I have, unfortuntly, found out that in real life people do that. But maybe all his close friends being doctors will help.

Okay, I've babbled on enough!! For anyone who's still reading this thanks for not giving up on me in the first paragraph!!

*~Amelia~*

-- Amelia (sorry@msn.com), March 07, 2000.

After I made my post I was thinking along these same lines. I think a really interesting person might be Dr. Anspaugh. Being in his administrative position, he's bound to follow up on how Carter's doing (for police/court purposes, or even just staff morale purposes) Carter and Anspaugh certainly have had some tough moments in the past (when Carter was leaving his surgical intern position) but I think Anspaugh came away from that with a certain amount of respect for Carter,and of course vice-versa. And I'm not certain, but I seem to vaguely recall Anspaugh mentioning a stint in the Marines during Vietnam--if so, he might have an interesting perspective on dealing with emotional pain/ psycological pain while on the job. I'm thinking of some combination of a Marine-like stiff upper lip paired with the compassion we know he's capable of (shown during the Scotty storyline).

Speaking of Benton, we're seeing his kinder/gentler attitude toward Carter now and it will be interesting to see Cleo's affect on this also. She might make it easier for him to be open, emotionally available for Carter (as she encouraged him to go for coffee "to talk" rather than go into the jazz club)

-- nancy (tbc@po.cwru.edu), March 07, 2000.

I think Kerry may reveal to John what the source of her "problem" was in treating the killer. This may also lead into what may have happened to her in the past...(would love more insight into Kerry's character). Also remember that Mark teatered on that drug precipice (trying to get Doug to write him a perscription) and his return to smoking.

-- Deb (KHege@AOL.com), March 08, 2000.

I would love to see the Carter/Benton relationship grow, but I don't know if Peter is going to be capable of providing the support John needs right now. Remember when John confessed to Peter about lying to Lucy's mom, Peter couldn't do anything but put his hand on his shoulder. Mark could be a great friend to Carter now except that he just found out his dad has cancer. Maybe Kerry & Deb can provide the emotional support & stability John desperately needs. John doesn't have any close friends in the E.R. anymore and it will be interesting to see who steps up to help him.

-- ann (sapphire_172@hotmail.com), March 08, 2000.

I agree with whoever said that Cleo would be a part of Benton supporting Carter. At first I didn't really like Cleo but actually she seems alright, and knows how much Peter cares about Carter.

As for Mark, do you remember in post mortem when he talks to Carter about Dennis outside after he freaks out during a trauma? I want a scene like that again, it was sweet.

I also hope Exam 3 freaks him out somewhat. Then maybe he'll remember Lucy lying there too.

One more note, I think it's funny that people are starting to use "John" sometimes now on this forum, instead of Carter. Like a more affectionate way of refering to him now.

-- Elaine (mrsclooney78@hotmail.com), March 08, 2000.

I'm thinking that Carol may really help Carter out. While they may not be classified as friends, at least not close friends, they do get along well. Besides, Carol is often more perceptive and sensitive to the needs of those around her. It would be an interesting angle for the writers, since both characters are going through a life-chaning period. Carol with her babies, and of course *we* know that she is leaving in May, and Carter losing Lucy and being himself injured (survivor's guilt and the like).

They're both in pain -- she emotionally, he both emotionally and physically -- and could use an understanding friend. They would mirror each other's lonliness, as well, because they are experiencing a similar kind. The two of them, unlike Luka, have supporting friends around who know them well and love them, are concerned, yet they each do and will probably feel alone in the world. I've noticed that they seem to deal with emotional trauma in a similar manner, too.

Many people seem to feel that Carter loves Lucy, while I'm not sure of this I'm not arguing it. So there again is another similarity in their situations -- losing a loved one. She in what we assume is temporary, he forever. It would be such an interesting angle!!

-- Leigh (WillnGraceNYC@yahoo.com), March 08, 2000.

The character I would mostly see helping Carter to cope is Luka. We know he is a caring man and he too has lost significant people in his life (maybe in a similarly violent way)It would be a good way to know him better too. Besides, wouldn't it be great to see Noah and Goran acting together. Two for the price of one!

-- Manon (brault@saglac.qc.ca), March 10, 2000.

I think and hope that it will be Benton that helps Carter out, but also, I feel that the show is going to carry this "addiction" problem into the next season. Like, for example, the hospital will find out about his addiction and at the end of this season the "cliff hanger" will be....."Dr. Carter has the possibility of losing his job because of a drug problem. Will his medical career be over?" Something like that anyways. But, definately it should be Benton, they already showed those two together, Benton helping him out, I mean. ALL IN ALL, MARCH 23RD BETTER GET HERE FAST!!! I hope we are not all setting ourselves up for a disappointment. :-)

-- Paula (pbranden@dwave.net), March 10, 2000.

I wish I could think that Carol will be instrumental in helping Carter through this period, but I don't think it will happen. Historically, Carol has embraced only the lowest of the downtrodden while basically turning her back to those she knew who could use a hand. She was completely unsympathetic immediately following the attack, and, despite the voluminous protestations of the JM faithful, she has shown herself to be frequently self-centered and concerned more with proving others wrong than with doing the best for the staff or the patients.

I realize I'll probably be flamed for this, but Carol has been sticking in my craw for a long time, and I can't help but give voice to my objections. Doug could do better...and I hope he is.

-- Don (dgow@excite.com), March 21, 2000.

In response to Don...oooh, viscious! But not entirely unfounded... I should start by saying that I like Carol, she's among my favorites but not my very favorite, and I did like D&C quite a bit. However, what I like most about her is her fallibility...she's a real person, thoroughly well written, and completely believeable. So if she's as like a real person as a TV character can be, she's not going to be a saint. We're shown her rougher edges because they exist, they've been thought out by the writers and they make sense. (Hence the reason for your feelings?) She can be self-centered, because we all are, she might not make the best shoulder for Carter to lean on because she's got a ridiculous amount on her own plate...

So please let's not all attack Don, 'Kay?

-- nancy (tbc@po.cwru.edu), March 21, 2000.

Nancy,

Thanks for your kindness. And you bring up an excellent point; seeing the downside can and does make the character more three dimensional.

Being Mrs. Clooney, however, I have to opine that Doug might be better off with you! :-)

Don

-- Don (dgow@excite.com), March 22, 2000.