ER 7.17 FAQ
When did the last new “ER” air?
March 1.
What’s the new one called?
“Survival of the Fittest.”
What does TV Guide say?
“A freak shooting incident takes place during a typically busy shift. In a swamped ER, Benton questions why Mrs. Howard (Adrian Ricard) is present. He operated on the 79-year-old nursing-home resident a month ago, but she's back in the hospital because she hasn't been eating. When two police officers arrive with a gunshot victim, the disoriented Mrs. Howard calls out to them, claiming that her purse has been stolen. Minutes later, she grabs an officer's gun - and shots ring out. In another development, Carter treats an overweight student for an asthma attack and discovers what triggered it.”
Who’s responsible?
Teleplay is credited to versatile series producer Joe Sachs, who also serves as a show technical advisor.
The news from Suckometrics?
It’s a typically compelling installment, and, boy, it’s great to have the show back! These guys are showbiz pros, and not in a bad way.
What’s TV Guide not telling us?
Tons of stuff!
When does the shooting occur?
About 15 minutes in.
Anybody hit by those gunshots?
Yes.
Will we be surprised at who gets hit?
Yes.
Does the shootee die?
Yes.
Is it anybody we care about?
That would be telling. (We can tell you Benton thinks the shooting may have been racially motivated.)
C’mon, Herc! Give us SOME kind of spoiler! At least tell us what triggered the overweight student’s asthma attack?
Some kids were sniffing spot remover in the back of the kid’s bus. A lot of other kids on the bus are affected too, including a pregnant teen who hasn’t told her mother of her condition, and one of the sniffers, who gets some REALLY bad news.
Is this the best of the patient plots?
No. There’s a great twisty story about a woman who may not be be able to get her eggs harvested in time when she is diagnosed with a brain bloodclot.
Any other big news?
Carter decides he hasn’t lost interest in his underage girlfriend after all. When he says he’s reconsidered their relationship, she asks if her age is still a problem. He responds, “Not an issue. Anymore.”
Does the Carter/Lockhart romance appear any less inevitable?
No. Abby is meant for John. Carter’s impromptu effort to keep Lockhart out of the loop with regard to his new romance backfires. Bigtime.
What else backfires?
Malucci’s April Fools joke on Luka.
How’s Mark Greene?
At work and seemingly fully recovered. Mostly he’s worried about 7-month-pregnant Lizzie, whom Romano still doubts can handle her surgical duties.
Any hot lesbian complications this week?
Nope. Legaspi spends the episode off-camera.
What about Ming?
Tonight’s episode is Chen-free.
Any big surprises?
Romano unexpectedly demonstrates he’s a human being.
How does it end?
After Lizzy makes a key decision, Mark feeds her ice cream as the Turtles’ “So Happy Together” wells up on the soundtrack.
HERC’S RATING FOR “ER” 7.17?
***1/2
The Hercules T. Strong Rating System:
**** better than most motion pictures
*** actually worth your valuable time
** as horrible as most stuff on TV
* makes you quietly pray for bulletins
Was that Haldol??
