287. Lights Out (from tv.com)

First aired: 4/26/2007 Production Code: 2T7820

Episode summary coming soon

Airdate subject to change

From NBC Universal Media Village

April 26th, 2007

ER --(10:01PM-11:00PM) --(TV-14)
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"Lights Out"
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TIME CRUNCH - STACY KEACH ("PRISON BREAK") AND ANNABELLA SCIORRA ("LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT") GUEST STAR-- A busy ER is putting the pressure on Kovac (Goran Visjnic) to take care of the overflow of cases prior to being shut down for renovations. A lonely Sam (Linda Cardellini) befriends a terminally ill photojournalist (guest star Annabella Sciorra) with a negative outlook. Pratt (Mekhi Phifer) gets a scare when his brother unexpectedly shows up in the ER. Meanwhile, the tension between Gates (John Stamos) and his father (guest star Stacy Keach) hits an ultimate boiling point. Maura Tierney, Shane West, Scott Grimes and Parminder Nagra also star.

All this talk of season 14 being the last, and this episode summary makes me wonder about that.

It seems like they are planning to go forward past season 14 if the ratings can remain strong, and by 'renovating' the hospital it gives them a chance to set up some changes next season that will enable them to carry on without Luka and Abby.

Hopefully we will see some stronger characters debut over the rest of this season and over the course of next season to give the show more solid characters along with Ray and Gates.

Remember in Season 8 both Eriq La Salle and Anthony Edwards left the show and the show still carried on. I believe that this show can be great even without our favorites, Luka and Abby and hopefully they can develop the remainder of this season and season 14 to showcase what makes ER what it is, an amazing drama about County General with an ever evolving cast.

I for one will not stop watching just because those two characters leave. We've been through it before.

Sorry kind of went off on a tangent there. First post haha. That's just what I believe could come of this "hospital renovation"

Probably they can even change the name. are u nuts! that's it for the changes at least speaking for myself I'm through with that. I cna no longer watch an ER that doesn't even resemble what I first loved. Whit Luka, Abby and Kerry gone that really is it for me watching Er. They shoould end it now and leave us fans with a happy ending, for other people they cna start a new show abotu a hospital but not in Chicago not County NOT ER

I think you're right. After I saw the previews on Thursday night I started to wonder if this was the end. But thev'e gotted rid of almost all of the original characters now. Besides the nurses, nobody on the show dates back before season 6. I don't know how many loyal fans will stick around if we keep losing people with a decent amount of history in the hospital.

As it stands right now, Season 14 is supposed to be the final season and no one has a contract that extends past that. Goran's ends this season, though he has expressed an interest in doing 5 or 6 episodes next season. Maura wanted to leave with Goran, but is contracted through 14. I believe Linda's contract is up at the end 13 as well. Fourteen years is a pretty good run for the series and I think it would be nice for the show to end on the high we have seen it have this season.

There is really no reason to change the name when that would be no different then simply creating a new medical drama and there will always be those, in fact TNT is launching one this summer. It's time to bring the existing arcs to their natural conclusions and bring things to an end, like MASH, ER has reached it's time to say good-bye, let them go while they're on a high.

Wait wait wait wait what? Luka and Abby are leaving? No way man! I didn't know that! Oh man. By the way this is my first post but when was this revealed? Oh man am I out of it.

Goran and Maura have both confirmed it in media articles that have been released within the last month, you'll find copies in Goran's thread as well as in the General ER one.

Okay, my heart has officially been broken. At least the characters will be happy, as well as the actors, and had a good long run.

Unfortunately all good things must end. Welcome to the board though Jedi, take a peek at the FAQ and Moderator FYI, and if you have any questions feel free to pm me.

JD
ER Forum Moderator.

People seem so concerned about revolving staff changing the popularity of ER. Let's remember (take it from a true-blue ER nurse) that ER has revolving staff as a standard. People move on, it's the nature of the job. Fortunately, we have formed relationships with some of the "newbies" and I think that the "show will go on." At least I hope so ... I have been faithfully watching this show since I was 13 years old (season 1) and am now an ER nurse (not that obsessed about the show, just happened that way, LOL) ... but this show is so reality based on a lot and I love how they keep up with current medicine/ER trends. Anyways, I am in the club of "keep her going" and I hope to watch Season 15

Thanks for your opinion, and welcome to the forum!

Make sure and read through the forum FAQ and Moderator FYI, and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to pm me.

JD
ER Forum Moderator

I am new to this forum as well. I had no idea that ER was planning to end.

I am kinda split between shuttin' it down and keepin' it going...

I have seen this show from the beginning and I absolutely love it. I talk about these people with my husband like I actually know them (but I do have a life, I swear!). Every episode it different from the last and the characters are always going through something that someone can relate to.

Then again, it has been on the air for a long time and I agree that it should end while it is still good. Why wait until no one is watching to give them a good send-off?

oh wow annabella will be on ER! i miss her on CI, wish she would go back to the show, i didn't like the new partner of logan's anyway!

Thinking about it even though ER is going on it's 14th season, I still think the show should continue. ER does not keep the same cast members all the time, and they do a good job with all the medical terminology on the the show. I do think storylines should be improved, but other then that when their is a good show and a large variety of people watch it faithfully for years. But, also I am sure that the writers might be getting a little tried too.

Two hours and counting...

’ER’
The heat is on as the ER is about to be closed for renovations. Kovac (Goran Visnjic) is feeling most of it as he works to move patients through the system quickly. Sam (Linda Cardellini, right) bonds with a dying photographer (Annabella Sciorra), and Pratt (Mekhi Phifer) gets an unexpected visitor. Speaking of heat, things are getting very warm – and not in a good way – between Gates and his dad (John Stamos, Stacy Keach) in this new episode.

Because I know someone will ask, the opening song

by Norah Jones/Thinking About You

Yesterday I saw the sun shining
And the leaves were falling down softly
My cold hands needed a warm, warm touch
And I was thinking about you

Here I am, looking for signs of leaving
You hold my hand, but do you really need me?
Guess it's time for me to let you go

I've been thinking about you
I've been thinking about you

And when you sail across the ocean waters
And you reach the other side safely
Could you smile a little smile for me?

Cause I've been thinking about you
I've been thinking about you
I've been thinking about you
I've been thinking about you ...

Wow! twenty mintues in and no Neela. I guess it is her turn not to get any screen time.

Okay, you have to admit it, Luka smirking behind Abby when Morris is threatening to send her home is too funny.

Wow...before walking down the darkening hall Luka hands his resignation to Anspaugh, he tells him its not him, hes quitting as Chief, he just wants to be a Doctor.

The preview is wonderful!

I also really enjoyed the promo for next week!

I really liked this episode. It was so thoughtful and deep in so many ways. You could really see the characters and their personal biases while interacting with patients... Pratt disagreeing with Morris over his brother... Gates disagreeing with everyone... even Luka chiding Abby a bit over not stopping Gates. You could obviously tell that Ray was thinking of Neela as he gave that little speech to Dimitri (and my gosh, Dimitri played beautifully -- how did he not get that solo? ). Sam and the cancer patient were wonderful. The way the cancer patient spent her whole life only focused on what she wanted to do (photography), with no family... and the way Sam spent her entire life doing what she had to do for Alex, and wishing for freedom... the way she got her out of the hospital to be at home was just wonderful. The nurses had great interaction in this episode.

I almost felt that Luka's resignation was out of character, but of course he had to do so, since they need a reasonable explanation for Goran's abscences next season (and keep him alive and happy ). Still, it felt kind of out of place for him. He's an excellent leader and he stays calm, I don't think it would have really been too much for him to handle. But, like I said, they have to have a reasonable lead into season 14.

I felt really bad for Katey (and Ray was quite insensitive to her, I thought). You could tell she was totally crushed. I felt just terrible for her.

Gates and his father were very powerful this week -- I really felt for him (OMG, did I really just say that? ^2). It reminded me of my own relationship with a family member. Props to Stacy Keach for portraying an alcoholic to 100% of accuracy... even driving the girl around drunk. For once, it didn't seem a bother to watch a scene about Gates and his crew. Very well done.

And of course, I'm dying to see next week's episode!

I really liked this episode. It is without doubt the best one since we came back from the hiatus. I think it is great how they are really developing Sam's character. The story with her and the dying photographer is one of the most touching stories of the season. It is easy to see how both of them can relate to each other and I find their interaction very worthy.

Liked the storyline with Ray and the kid. Ray gave the kid great advice in the end and I think he can relate to it because of his relationship with Neela. I think that Ray is obviously great with kids, especially, troubled teen boys. It's just too bad that TPTB never explored this. I felt the storyline could have been a little bit longer and maybe should have started a little earlier in the episode instead of the middle. However, I thought it was pretty good.

It was great to see Morris hand it to Gates. Morris has really grown alot since he first came on the show and I think people are starting to take him more seriously even though he still has that crazy side to him. He has become one of my favorite characters on the show. The only weak spot in this episode was Luka(very rare I know). I just did not find his resignation believable. It just seemed to out of nowhere to me. Anyway, can't wait until next week.

I have to disagree with Lukas resignation being "out of character," if you go back to Hindsight, he told Erin that the reason he entered medicine was to "help people," and here he is wasting most of his time with meetings and paperwork. Clearly Luka is feeling that the reason he entered medicine is lost in the bureaucracy that is administration and he's finally had enough, and he wants to go back to simply treating patients again.

The Luka resignation did seem a little odd but, since he had to fired Kerry he has been acting a little strange anyways. Morris is so funny especially when Pratt was trying to ask Bettina out, and then Morris impressed her with knowledge about her report Pratt's face was priceless. Where I come from we have a name for that... But, that was so funny. and I am happy Tony got sent home. He is very arrogant, and cocky. i really did not feel bad for him I felt bad for Sarah seeing all that violence, hasn't that little girl seen enough. Even though if sarah stayed with Tony it would help with neela's decision to dump him, but I don't think he can offer her a stable life. He is still to messed up himself to be helpful to a young girl. I don't even think he will make it as a doctor after morris ran down the list against him. All I know is Tony is going to find the wrong Doctor to mess with and i can see his career OVER!!!

NBC.com/ER has the recap and pics posted for this episode...when you get to the homepage click on episodes and it will take you to the recap.

From tvguide.com

ER
by Trish Wethman April 26, 2007: Lights Out
“It’s never too late to choose.” The simple, eloquent words of the terminally ill cancer patient seemed to echo the theme tonight — people choosing to take a stand and trying to make things right. As this season winds down and we prepare for the imminent departure of beloved characters, emotions are running high and the writers seem to be upping the ante in terms of character development and story progression.

When I think about characters on ER who haven’t made much of an impression on me, Sam immediately comes to mind. I have often felt that the role was ill-conceived and underdeveloped — a big disappointment since I’ve found Linda Cardellini to be very compelling in other vehicles. The entire detour into “crazy Steve” land that kicked off this season was so distracting and uninteresting to me that the ensuing fallout between Sam and her son Alex generated little more than apathy on my end. However, these episodes with Annabella Sciorra have really allowed the actress to stretch and I think she has risen to the challenge admirably. Hopefully, seeing life through the eyes of someone who is losing their battle to live will allow Sam to go after opportunities rather than waiting to see what life hands her.

Archie, on the other hand, has never been boring. He has been, at times, manipulative, indecisive, cowardly and dim but he has always managed to balance that out with an earnest, self-deprecating sense of humor and irony. (Much of the credit goes to Scott Grimes who brings such charisma to the role and has continued to allow the character to evolve in surprising and unexpected ways). Seeing him put Gates in his place was an awesome thing to behold and I love that Luka gave him props for his decision. That dressing down was a long time coming and Archie nailed it. Gates is a maverick who is flawed on many levels and not nearly as talented or indispensable as he thinks he is. While you do have to feel bad for what the guy has dealt with on a personal level, I still don’t feel like he has become that much more likable or interesting as a character — just slightly more sympathetic. When Sarah stood and watched in horror as Tony kicked the crap out of his deadbeat father, I had to wonder how the heck he is managing to retain custody of that girl with no legally binding relationship to her.

While I found the entire shutting-down-the-ER story to be kind of trite, it was an interesting way for Luka to come to terms with his lack of interest in administrative responsibilities and “BS meetings” (his words, but god, do I know of what he speaks!). It was also such a treat to see County General fixture Dr. Donald Anspaugh (John Aylward). I’ve commented before how I love the nods to the show’s history and he is one of those characters who immediately link the present to the past (along with actors like Deezer D. and Laura Ceron who have been along for the ride almost since day one).

As for Pratt, I’m really not feeling the chemistry between him and the other doctor, and the story with his brother doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. It’s almost like you can hear the writers scrambling to figure out what to do with this story in the absence of Danny Glover as the father who binds them together. I do hope that the writers find an interesting story for Mekhi Phifer next year and allow him to emerge as a leader and a romantic lead.

Next week, don’t forget to heed NBC’s warning and tune in 10 minutes early for "a wedding event." Gee, whatever could that mean?

tvguide.com/blog

Hey everyone,

Lights out was a good episode

I love Pratt, his smile and laugh is so contagious, or is it just me!lol

They are really building up the whole Ray, neela and Gates triangle or square if involving Katy
The fact that Neela didnt talk to Gates and Ray and Neela are "still waiting" makes me think that all the spoilers regarding the roomies may be true. The little hints and prolonged waiting especially since we are coming towards the end of the season . Ray and Neela have got to be!!

I was just wondering if anyone else noticed a striking similartity between the character of Dimitri ( the boy who tired to sabotage fellow bandmate so he could play the solo) and Reese Benton? What I mean is, Dimitri looked EXACTLY like Reese all grown up. With how long ER has been on, I think it's possible.

Anyone else catch that?

I checked it out on IMDB: Reese Benton was played by an actor named Matthew Watkins, who is actually deaf. It would be cool for them to bring Reese Benton onto the show again, though. Maybe as a deaf patient (though they've been down the deaf patient trail once before already).

thanks!

I HATE how they have this board set up now. I made this as a topic last week thinking since it wasn't about an existing character this new mod wouldn't move it on me. Guess not!

That boy looked really familiar, but I didn't think of reese. But you are right. The really look alike.

The boy you refer to in "Lights Out" is on the HBO Original Show called The Wire.