I am – Hercules!!

Weaver goes public with the big news, Kovac hits the hookers, and Abby’s brother gets tossed in stir. “Mr. Zambano” says tonight’s installment is better than most motion pictures:

ER 9.7 FAQ

What’s it called?

"Tell Me Where It Hurts."

What does TV Guide say?

Kerry starts spreading her good news, as Abby gets heartbreaking information about her brother (Tom Everett Scott) and his exit from the military. Meanwhile, Kovac hits a new low in his search for a sexual high; Corday and Nathan reach an impasse regarding his future in medicine; and Chen helps Carter treat a Chinese immigrant being exploited by her employer.

what is TV Guide not telling us?

Kerry's pregnant, which explains her odd behavior in the last few episodes.

What's the "heart breaking" information about Abby's brother?

He's bi-polar, like his mother, and is AWOL from the Air Force. Some tense scenes when he is arrested and accuses Abby of betraying him.

What's up with Kovac?

After a hard day at work, he goes home with a prostitute he meets at a bar.

Bottom line?

A well rounded episode that seems to be setting up the major players for crucial storyline climaxes in the coming weeks.

What lies beyond?

In the next month you'll get to see Kovac face his own personal demons (aka sleep with a med student/crash his Viper), watch Abby go on a soul-searching journey (aka emotional rollercoaster scenes with Oscar Winning Sally Field), and see the brilliant Laura Innes (finally!) get a storyline of her own as her pregnancy is put in jeopardy.

Weaver? I thought this was the Abby Lockhart Family Hour.

Me too. But tonight, we get to see the sizzling Lisa Vidal return as Firefighter Lopez, Weaver's girlfriend from last season. But, it's a blink and you'll miss it scene. Weaver tells Lewis she's pregnant with Lopez at her side. You have to wonder why these actors (Innes and Sherry Stringfield) are woefully underutilized. Their scenes always stand out. Weaver hugs Lewis after telling her the good news; a very subtle yet effective scene in a sometimes overdrawn flashy show.

Mr. Zambano’s rating for “ER” 9.7?

****

The Hercules T. Strong Rating System:

• ***** better than we deserve
• **** better than most motion pictures
• *** actually worth your valuable time
• ** as horrible as most stuff on TV
• * makes you quietly pray for bulletins