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Friday, 01 June 2007 |
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by Frederic Germay
I have to start out this review by mentioning that I love Stanley Tucci's character and his rather offbeat method of doing things. I didn't catch his name, but he sure left an imprint on our beloved ER. During the first day back at the ER, he showed up about halfway through the episode acting as though he owned the place. Tony had some of that same attitude when he started out this season, except this new guy can actually back up his words with his skills.
His first action during this episode was to blame Pratt for misdiagnosing a patient, and then proceeded to spend the rest of the episode somewhat gleefully pointing out Pratt's incompetences. On most occasions, a new guy attacking a beloved show veteran would pretty much spell out vehement audience dislike emanating towards this latest character for the rest of the season, but I actually started to like this guy. His rather odd and extremely random story about the man sticking a needle in a horse's corroded artery in the year 17-bleh-bleh was one of the funniest and weirdest (is that even a word?) things I have ever heard of in ER history! Another new TV character who I find is somewhat like the fearless Stanley Tucci is 24's Mike Doyle. Played by Ricky Shroeder, Doyle started out by attacking the people at CTU, and now I find that I'm starting to like him!
The rest of the episode was somewhat bleh-bleh itself in sharp contrast to last week's ER event, but I have great confidence in the ER writers to give this season a shocking finale! Ray never appeared in this episode at all, except his apartment and his suspiciously dead fish made a cameo appearance. I guess its understandable that after his little scuffle at the wedding that people would give him some privacy, but when the ER opened -- people should have started to worry. Anyways, Neela (who is probably the last person Ray would want to see at this time) decides to pay him a visit and finds his place empty. Uh-oh!
I really do hope that the writers do not try to kill him off, and judging by the previews for next week's episode, it seems as though that hasn't happened yet. On a side note, I thought the moment between Tony and his wannabe daughter was touching. Despite the fact that I actually like John Stamos, his character has really been obnoxious this season. I think this episode gave him a chance to show his human side. As for Sarah, I really do admire her -- she has been forced to grow up way too early. I only wish I could've been as strong as she was when I was her age!
All in all, it was a solid episode with mediocre tendencies. I give this episode a 7/10.
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