I have said this a million times before, but The Fastest Year just really added to the lack of commeraderie here. I have already made a bunch of comments about Carol/Doug/Luka on the past few threads, so I won't go on about that here, except to say that I wish Carol weren't having this dilemma with Luka. I wish she were more centered on leaving her family and the friends she has known for 10 year.

Carter...anyone who has read this forum a bit knows that I wish there was A LOT more concern over him. WHERE was Kerry's concern over him? She was my only hope! Basically, everyone has seen Carter act oddly, and every time there is this 'hmmm, Carter is acting so weird' look from someone, and then they just move on. At least last week Carol said something. I loved the flashbacks, I just wish that more people would have a chance to notice them (like maybe in a trauma), and that one would have to do with Lucy's face across the room! I miss his interaction with Benton, Deb, Carol, Malluchi, etc. I cannot believe we have to wait until the season finale to see concern over him. Maybe after his whirling dervish activity next week, he will draw some attention. If not, I will be desperately waiting for the finale.

I was relieved to finally see Elizabeth talk to Mark...I wish she had reached over and hugged him, he was ready to start crying! The same with Luka when he was telling his long awaited story...I wish Carol had hugged him too (hugged, NOT kissed!) Apparently, this is not allowed on ER. Maybe it's just too cheesy.

The thing I don't like about Abby is that she is ALWAYS having problems and she is not trying to be friends with anyone. I'm not saying everyone has to be social at work, but she's just always annoyed and I wish she would sit around once and talk and laugh with everyone. Otherwise, I think she's a very likable character, very caring about her patients, but I jsut don't know about her.

It's still sad that Mark and Carol haven't talked much recently (i.e. his father). And, just a note, Doug is the reason Mark went back to face his family again in the first place.

One more comment...maybe Carol knows a lot about baseball from DOUG.

-- Elaine (mrsclooney78@hotmail.com), April 28, 2000

Answers

Regarding Doug and baseball: Doug told Mark, right before he was going to become Jake's baseball coach, that he hoped no one asked him to explain the infield fly rule. So, he and Carol should have studied up on that together.

-- Phyl (erfan@flash.net), April 28, 2000.

Come on guys, it's not like Carol's house is full of moving boxes and she's 1/2 way through packing. She hasn't decided to go yet! Julianna has but Carol hasn't.

-- Linda (l.brown@mindspring.com), April 28, 2000.

Elaine, you took the words right out of my mouth about Carter. Why aren't his friends more concerned about him? Other than Carol's conversation with him on the last episode, Gamma's conversations with him in the kitchen, Dr. Deraad's conversations with him last night, and Kerry's converation with him on "Under Control," no one has acknowledged his problems! Come on people! This is one of your colleagues (and friends) who almost died! He had to watch one of his colleagues suffer knowing that he couldn't do anything about it! Someone please help him! My expectations are high for the next three episodes--please don't disappoint me. As for the baseball comment, I thougt the same thing. She probably learned what she knows about baseball from Doug. I can't wait for next week!

-- Katrina (cattrek@ga.freei.net), April 28, 2000.

I have to agree with Linda. Carol (the character) doesn't know she's going anywhere yet. She is at a place in her life though where she knows she has some decisions to make.

Regarding Carter, I think the timing is actually pretty good. He's been back to work for a few weeks now and covering fairly good. When someone does ask, he always answers that he's fine. Last night he helped Luka and heard the sounds of doing the spinal tap on Paul, then phased out. Luka had to "call him back" to reality. But that happens to people a lot, phasing out. I guess I'm saying that he hasn't acted quite like Carter, but except for a few instances (like with Pablo) he hasn't acted out enough for everyone to compare notes yet. Most people will accept the "I'm fine" answer until something tells them otherwise because it's more comfortable. Last night set us up for more to come and for that I'm glad.

-- Diana (dilynne@juno.com), April 28, 2000.

I think in regards to Carter that ER is doing what it did so well the first couple of seasons. It's letting a story build gradually. His coworkers are picking up that he's not "all there" right now. He had to be very focused just on physical recovery and is just now beginning to experience the emotional fallout. We will keep seeing a progression in his "slide" and the realization among the staff that he is in big trouble. Except for season 5 (and maybe 4) ER has always given us a long view-no instant solutions, not hurrying through a story line. It was months of seeing Mark and Jenn split up, Doug's slide into sleaze and his comeback, Susan, Susie and Chloe. I think the best is yet to come and I'm enjoying the buildup to it all.

-- Bev (bev.burris@eer-h.com), April 28, 2000.

I agree that the cameraderie of season 1-2 isn't as evident anymore. But regarding Carter...

The first step toward solving any problem is admitting there is one. Carter hasn't really done that yet. People ARE trying to help him, Kerry has asked, Carol has offered sympathy and understanding, his Grandmother has suggested he talk to someone. But Carter keeps insisting that everything is ok, and trying to fix himself. I thought the scene with DeRaad was so cool, it was the first time Carter admitted that maybe something was not right with HIMSELF. (not his patients, not his judgement.) Even if his friends intervene, (they're supposed to in the season finale) this is Carter's problem, Carter has to be the proactive one in solving it.

-- (trelles@ix.netcom.com), April 28, 2000.

Just to clarify to Linda & Diana...what I meant was that I wish the writers hadn't given her just the Luka storyline to worry about just before she leaves. We only have 2 shows left with her and I woudl love to see her interact with the staff like she used to. However, I think that next week this will happen, since Chuni (my favorite other nurse!) and some others will be there to watch Carol open the gift from our 'old friend'. I hope everyone talks about it. Although I don't want a broken hearted Luka either. He's a good guy. So, I hope this makes more sense, I know Carol doesn't know she's leaving, I just wish the writers gave us more of her with everyone. But I could just be being picky. I'm sure this will be shown on May 11.

-- Elaine (mrsclooney78@hotmail.com), April 28, 2000.

You know, I was thinking the same thing about Carol's knowledge of baseball. Especially because she was explaining the very rule Doug can't. ;-) Why do I get the feeling she was using his explanation?

I'm hoping that, very soon, Carol & Mark will really talk. She's opened up to him (and ONLY him) about Doug, but he hasn't said a word about his father. Also, I think it's very appropriate that Chuny is present when Carol opens the package, if indeed it be from Doug (remember, "To Carol and Doug: Get it right this time"). I think that Carol's departure should involve more of the "oldER"ers, since if she is going to Doug they know her history with him. :-)

About Carter -- I don't think anybody will talk to him about everything until Season 7. Carol perhaps one more time, and maybe Kerry.

-- Arianne (CarolRossSusanGreene@yahoo.com), April 28, 2000.

trelles, i think carter admitted he has a problem, and needs to talk to someone, when he went to talk to the psychiatrist.

-- Alexis (lexicat1@webtv.net), April 28, 2000.

The Infield Fly Rule

If there is a runner on first base and less than two out and the batter hits a pop-fly in the infield it is assumed to have been caught, whether it is or not.

This is because the fielder could choose to not catch it and then throw the grounder to second base and then over to first for a double-play while the man on first is stuck standing there due to the pop-up.

See, that's not so hard, is it? :)

-- Rusty Priske (rusty.priske@hrdc-drhc.gc.ca), April 28, 2000.

Arianne..."get it right this time"...I love your quote! And I cannot wait to see Chuney's reaction to a package from Doug, esp. since it seems it will be big due to the expression on her face.

-- Elaine (mrsclooney78@hotmail.com), April 28, 2000.

Alexis, I agree that talking to the psychiatrist was a step forward, but it seemed to me that he was holding back. He had to be prodded to admit that anything was wrong, and before he got too far, he got the 911 and had to leave. His relief at having the excuse to go was palpable. To really be helped, he would need to go back and really start opening up.

I so agree about the lack of camaraderie compared to earlier seasons. Think of some of those lovely scenes where the whole gang got together and showed how close they all are--the party for Carol's return to work in Day One; her almost-wedding to Tag, which still makes me cry, the Christmas party at Carol's house with snow falling through the roof; the ER Banquet that Mark completely messes up where the entertainment is a one-man band and the food is Jerry's cousin's smorgasbord, and they STILL have a wonderful time.

It's been a long time since we've seen something like that. Wouldn't it be great if they did it for this year's finale?

-- Mary (mslyman@erols.com), April 28, 2000.

Mary, thanks for the memories!! I miss when everybody was so intune with one another, and they always managed to have a good time, no matter what the circumstances, simply because they were together.

-- Arianne (CarolRossSusanGreene@yahoo.com), April 29, 2000.

Wow, isn't it great that the writers can remember a tiny detail like Doug's confusion over the infield fly rule, but can't seem to keep things straight from this season? : )

-- Becky (pattonrd@muohio.edu), May 02, 2000.

ROFL, Becky! How very true. Maybe they need to read the summaries!

-- Diana (dilynne@juno.com), May 02, 2000.