I have never been a huge fan of Kerry (though she has her moments), but tonight I was awaiting her and when I saw her enter in with that patient, I was very relieved. I loved her concern and constant motherly (not managerial) watching over Carter, if only for a few scenes. And I am so glad that she had that little talk with "John". No one else seems to remember why Carter is in the condition he is in! At least Kerry brought his emotions up and not just his physical pain. I only hoped she had asked him how he felt about Lucy. Anyways, I knew that if Mark wouldn't be supportive, Kerry would. I realize that Mark has his own problems, but I wish that he had been more of a friend. At least he didn't blow up at Carter bending the rules.

I'm sorry that the rest of what I have to say sounds like a personal review, but I just have to say all of this stuff to people (you guys) who won't call me obsessed! I was very happy to see Carol working with Carter. I loved how she hung up with the nanny to get to Carter's aid, and I liked that she agreed to help him with the dialysis...reminiscent of her work with Doug. She was concerned, but not pushy, letting Carter work at his own pace. I am finally starting to realize she will be gone soon (the reasons finally showing evident now) and I will miss her.

Elizabeth I did not enjoy as much as the past few episodes...I wanted to see some reassuring affection from her as Mark left. Don't get me wrong, I really like her, but I wanted to see more from her.

Benton's scenes were exactly as I predicted...he'd have his very short friendly scenes with Carter at the beginning and end of his shift. I am indifferent to Cleo, but sticking her and Luka in just at the end of the show seemed odd.

I liked Malucchi...many may not agree, but he reminds me of the comic relief in the old ER. Abby seems to be a replacement for Lucy.

I wish Carter had more friendly support. I liked Deb's small hug to Carter and Haleh's cheerful welcome back. There should have been more of that. Gamma's sudden appearance was a pleasant surprise, but he needs more at-work support. I realize that Carter's problems are far from over, but this will it will be hard to be patient. I am still hoping for at least a small mention of Carter's feelings toward his deceased med student.

-- Elaine (mrsclooney78@hotmail.com), March 24, 2000

Answers

Elaine I agree with you but I think some of Carter's work problems are cropping up because he has little home support. (Does that make sense?) He doesn't really open up to people at work. (Except maybe to Benton but got a brush off a few seasons ago remember?) You go home to decompress after work. But if you have no one to go home to...

One of the things that the reviewer (Phyl, is it?) said is that one of the most endearing things about Carter is his willingness to learn. He always wants new info to add to his arsenal. We saw that tonight with Mark and the OD patient(I think). Maybe, just maybe, he'll turn that vaccuum cleaner mind inward and do a little learning about himself. Learn to cope, learn to reach out. Wouldn't that be a storyline! Lucy was right about one thing- he can be a little closed off.

It was fantastic to see Gamma. (even though I agree with Phyl that it is a little painful hearing a grown man call someone Gamma...) I hope all these rumors about Carter going off the deep end are just that...rumors. The end of today's episode said, to me, that he knew he needed help, and he instictively knew where to turn. Maybe he'll talk to Gamma about Lucy. I'd also like to see him turn to Kerry. She offered maybe he'll take her up on it. And there would be the work support.

Just my two cents anyway.

-- (trelles@ix.netcom.com), March 24, 2000.

Is it just me or did Kerry seem really warm toward Carter. Maybe she liked seeing him on crutches, sort of like herself. I thought Noah Wyle played the scene really good. Boy I wish the writers would get those two together. Carter needs a non-blonde bimbo and Kerry just needs, well, a love life period.

-- debbie (riccardoiii@aol.com), March 24, 2000.

Excellent comments, Elaine! I agree wholeheartedly about Kerry. During the commercial break at the 3/4 mark, I was thinking to myself that the episode was OK, but what was missing was seeing someone really talking to Carter. When Kerry approached him, I wanted to hug her and say "Bless you!"

-- Kathy Carter (keefcart@ix.netcom.com), March 24, 2000.

I haven't cared about a patient on ER for a long time. I know this show is about the staff but I remember meeting a patient for one show and getting involved with their lives in such a short period. Last night's ep made me think of the show where Carol decides that she would rather stay on as a nurse rather than med school. She demonstrates this by not letting Kerry have a room for a drunk so that a grieving mother can rock her little boy one last time. I get teary just thinking about them. I didn't feel anything for last night's victim baby (or the old man or the OD guy). That said, I want to thank Kerry and Gamma (Gamma!) for lifting up a rather mundane show. Their scenes of tenderness with Carter were very heartwarming and they felt very real. (Gamma makes soup!) It was good to see Randi too! I also like all the scenes with Mark/Dad/Elizabeth for the same reasons.

P.S. I want a kitchen like Gamma's.

-- maryann (map5860@aol.com), March 24, 2000.

I agree! I had a feeling that Kerry might be the one to reach out to Carter. I was a little disappointed in Benton's greeting of Carter when he entered the ER. After their interaction in Be Patient I thought there might be more between them. I liked Haleh and Deb's interaction...you could tell (especially with Deb) that they were a little bit uncomfortable (not knowing what to say or how to act). It was a good episode and I was glad to see Carter go see Gamma. That step does not seem to correlate with some spoilers we have heard though!

-- amanda (amanda.rehm@home.com), March 24, 2000.

I also felt that the seen between Carter and Kerry was great. I was waiting for something like that through the whole show and I was surprised to see that it was Kerry to do that. I actually thought that it would have been Benton, I know that they haven't had much heart to heart talks, but after what happened I thought maybe things were to change. But, I do see that they might be leading up to something with Carter, I think he realizes that there is some kind of a problem physically and emotionally, and I feel that he is going to get frustrated with the way he feels. I mean that he is going to want to get his job done and the pain is preventing that, I think that is where he is going to start medicating himself. Remember on the Rosie show, Noah Wyle "appear to say" that he will be on crutches for two shows, a cane for one and then all hell brakes loose. I think it is only getting started.

-- Paula (pbranden@dwave.net), March 24, 2000.

Great comments, Elaine I also loved Kerry's talk with Carter, and I found myself thinking that the way she was leaning down talking to him, she looked very soft and pretty. Her hair is a bit longer these days and it makes her seem more approachable and nice...it just stood out in that scene, where at other times when it's been shorter, she looks too tough.

I loved Elizabeth's mother's question, "What will make you happy?"... The same thing we've all been wondering! I loved that she was slow to answer...is she ultimately like her mother and happiest as a single person? Hope so...

Cleo vs. Abby...one actress with no facial expression with one who has unbelievable range of expression. Maura Tierney is well on her way to becoming a favorite of mine.

-- nancy (ntc72@mailcity.com), March 24, 2000.

I agree with your comments, Elaine. I hope that we get to see more interaction between Kerry and Carter in upcoming episodes. Actually, I have been hoping for a Carter/Kerry romance since he moved into her apartment that time. I think that there is potential for some great story lines there. I was one of the people who made the comment about Carter needing his family's support, so I was thrilled to see Gamma. I hope that she will be there for him more now. I can't wait until the next new episode!

-- Katrina (cattrek@ga.freei.net), March 24, 2000.

Nancy, Yes, Kerry looked prettier in that scene than I have ever seen her! It really stood out the way she looked and how softly and reassuring she was talking to Carter. However, I would not enjoy a Carter/Kerry romance at all! I hope they both find wonderful, supportive relationships soon, but not with each other! But that's just my opinion.

-- Elaine (mrsclooney78@hotmail.com), March 24, 2000.

Elaine, maybe Carter and Kerry wouldn't be right in a romantic relationship, but I do think that it would be nice if they develop a close friendship. They both seem so alone, and Kerry doesn't know her parents and Carter never sees his parents so maybe they could have a kind of big sister/little brother relationship. I just want someone to be there for Carter during this time and I think she might be the one.

-- Katrina (cattrek@ga.freei.net), March 24, 2000.

Elaine, Great comments. I'm glad you commented on Cleo and Luka being stuck in at the end. When I saw Luka, I went "oh, yeah." I hadn't missed his presence up to that point. And then I kinda did the same thing with Cleo a few minutes later. But it sure was nice to see Gamma there to take care of Carter, especially after their falling out a while back. She seems to be his only family really around him. :(

-- Diana (Dilynne@juno.com), March 24, 2000.

Also wanted to add my two cents worth regarding Kerry's hair. I've noticed that the new style somehow softens her too, though she's still a very strong woman. I like that.

I DON'T want to see her and Carter be romantic, but love the idea that she can be a good friend/big sister to him during this. I'd hoped for that when he rented from her though and didn't see it much. I'm especially remembering a scene when he tried to talk about evaluating Lucy and Kerry turned up the music (Grace Jones singing "Ring of Fire") with the remote while he was talking.

-- Diana (Dilynne@juno.com), March 24, 2000.

Okay Katrina, I am all for that! A close friendship would be nice, they had that before alittle, they could bring that back. I just don't think I could handle a make out session!

-- Elaine (mrsclooney78@hotmail.com), March 24, 2000.

Did anyone notice that when Kerry asked Carter if he was all right, he said that he was fine, but looked to be shaking his head no at the same time. I thought that was a nice touch and I think he did the same thing when Lucy's mother asked if she could ask him something in Be Patient. It is like he knows he is lying and doesn't want too.

-- Gail (faulkner1@worldspy.com), March 24, 2000.

Comment on Abby: She does seem to be the replacement for Lucy, but she seems to be more like Carter was in the first few seasons. Not so impulsive, willing to ask questions, willing to say "I don't know", and ask for help when she needs it.

-- (trelles@ix.netcom), March 25, 2000.

Wow! I loved your response, Elaine. You summed up my feelings for the episode exactly. Do you think that some of Carter's suffereing is due to Lucy? I'm beginning to wonder.... I really hope so. But although I hope he misses Lucy, I think Carter and Abby should get together and become good friends. They have a lot in common, and I also really like Abby. I couldn't imagine anything crazier than a romance between Carter and Kerry... ugh! Although she makes a wonderful sort of "mother" figure, which apparently Carter never seemed to have.

My brief thoughts and fancies!

-- Jess (Mei0724@aol.com), March 26, 2000.

I loved Carters scenes with both Kerry and his gamma. I hope both of them help Carter through his ordeal. I hope He feels much better soon. I'm all for a romance between the two. I love their scenes together. I want their friendship to streghthen but I eventually want to see more develop between them

-- Brenda (jckwfan@aol.com), March 26, 2000.