From NBC Universal Media Village

ER"
"UNDER PRESSURE"

05/01/2008 (10:01PM - 10:59PM) (Thursday) : CAN YOU FEEL THE PRESSURE?-JOSH STEWART ("DIRT") GUEST STARS--Pratt (Mekhi Phifer) decides to fight for his relationship with Bettina (Gina Ravera) despite her reluctance. Neela (Parminder Nagra) treats a young injured couple (guest star Josh Stewart) but quickly finds out about their criminal status. Abby (Maura Tierney) is scared her relationship with Kovac (Goran Visnjic) is over when he shows signs of giving up. John Stamos, Linda Cardellini, and Scott Grimes also star.

Looking forward to seeing what happens with Abby and Kovac this week.

Let me just get this out of the way: I just love Pratt!!!! His character really moved me tonight. It took a lot of guts for someone with his history to express his feelings like that. His story with Betina has really touched me. Out of all the ER characters I find his to have more growth and maturity. Even though Pratina's story was just a small part of the episode, it effected me much more than the other storylines.

I wish I could say the same for Sony. A power couple they are not!!! Cute, but not a couple I look forward to watching every week.

The diamond thieves story was good and intriguing. I haven't quite figured out yet how it related to the main characters in general but I'm sure there were some connections that were obvious as well as subtle.

It sure was a joy to see Morris in serious mode for a change.

I'm glad we're seeing a lot more of Neela. The cases she has been involved in recently have been really life changing. I hope that's a positive sign for what direction her character goes in. Let's just hope one of those directions lead to a certain southern city in Louisiana.

Next week's episode looks emotional. I can't wait.

Question, how many times has this hospital er been shut down/evacuated?

Love the growth and maturity of both Pratt and Morris. I didn't see Morris' character as one that was going to last, but they have done a lot with him.

So I guess Luka can't even face Abby now?

Someone please tell me why Gates had to play hero instead of coolly walking out of that trauma room and alerting police to the situation.

And that is one lovelorn jewel thief. The housing bust really does suck. (Just kidding; the actor was pretty good in that final scene. And the patient looked like Hilary Swank, didn't she?)

Poor Morris. He held it together pretty well. Pratt, sweet and touching. But all that green in his shirt and the bouquet and foliage was a tad distracting. Anyway, the whole scene with Betina was...well, bittersweet.

That Parminder can really cry on cue, huh?!

The episode was good overall, maybe with the exception of gates and Sam. They really don't do anything for me. it reminded me of classic ER. I felt bad for the couple, I can fully understand their situation. With the way the world is going now many people might have either acted out those same ideas and emotions. I do wish they had him talk to Morris and neela more about them and how much they loved each other. It could have helped Neela and Morris talk about their own love lost. That could have hepled to tie more of the character situations with them.

They problably have Gates in the hero role since he is ex military? I am guessing he was just a regular solider during the Gulf War, and then used his GI bill to go to school?

I would really love Neela to have that moment with Ray that Pratt had with Betina! Just letting all her feelings out like there was no tomorrow and finally admitting to Ray that she is in love with him. Now that would be the perfect roomie moment.

Have you guys ever noticed that during the last few episode of the last 4 season's Neela has always had some type of drama and stress.

I too, thought tonight's eppy was great, even with the total lack of Goran....I cannot believe how much Pratt's character has grown through the years! I just loved him tonight, and was so blown away by how well the scene with him confessing his love for Bettina went. Very moving.

And *wow* has Scott Grimes gotten good or WHAT? He was really on his game tonight. I agree with what a previous poster said - this was like classic ER, focused on patient storylines, and it was good to see. Even though there was no Goran. Sigh.

Cheers to all, Trifioso

Let me just get this out of the way: I love your posts, G-Unit! You always seem to be able to read my thoughts, and you sum up everything so well. I look forward to your comments each week....

Trifioso

Yeah, me neither. It feels contrived to me, like they were thrown together because the show needs to have a love/lust story going on since Abby and Luka, the only established couple at the moment, are fighting. Neela's in denial and Pratt's been in limbo with Betina, so it's like, okay, let's hook up Sam and Tony.

Did you hear Morris refer to having had a girlfriend? Aww, Morris. He was happy with Hope.

Thank you Trifioso!

I'm sliding into the minority tonight I guess, I was bored to tears with this episode, and am ranking it up there with NICU as among my least favorites of the series. I had a hard time keeping interested in what was going on, maybe because I really don't feel drawn to any of the characters who were involved in the plotlines. I'm not looking forward to next season if this is the foundation we're going to be working with...unless some serous character reworking takes place.

JMHO/JD

I rarely post in here anymore as the episodes of late, have failed to wow! me. But tonights episode...well, WOW! I thought it was awesome. It was such a treat to finally see Scott Grimes's character in such an emotional storyline compared to his usual goofy, antic type storys. And Henia is right. The whole Sam/Tony storyline just doesn't have the passion that we've seen in the past with other power couples.

I don't know, since next year is the last year, I guess anything could happen. But how about if Goran V. decides not to return and Maura stays, maybe she could hook up with Tony. That might have more spice to it. Although, if the rumors are true about Noah Wyle coming back, that could an interesting triangle.

And speaking of 'how many times has the E.R. been evacuated', how about how many times a gun has been fired in the E.R.? Weren't metal detectors installed sometime around season 9? Did I miss something and are they gone now?

Well, I didn't see it as that. I saw it as him giving himself some time and space to work things out (and yes, he had plenty of time to himself in Croatia *natch*, but that was before his world tumbled down around him). I still have hope and faith. I guess I'm too much of a romantic not to.


Maura's leaving at the beginning of next season. Not sure exactly when, but she's confirmed that she's going. So no, no Abby and Tony (ICK!!! ) and no Carby reunion. Sorry, I couldn't stand Carter and Abby together. They were the best of friends, and it should have stayed that way...contrary to what's perpetuated by When Harry Met Sally, men and women CAN BE completely platonic friends. (and yes, I realize that Abby and Luka have been friends for years...but they were a couple FIRST. It's a completely different dynamic.). I'm still a believer in Abby and Luka. They'll get their HEA.

As for the episode...I have to agree with JD. I was bored to TEARS with most of it. Though I loved the Pratt/Benita scenes, and I thought that both Morris and Neela were TERRIFIC in their scenes (just looking at each other, they spoke VOLUMES to each other), it just seemed to drag for me. Sam and Gates bore the heck out of me. Never been a fan of Sam, and though I LOVE John Stamos, it doesn't seem like he can find his ER "niche".

Ah..I see. I hadn't heard that she was leaving early next year. I liked Carter and Abby together, but I guess you're right about them making better friends. I do agree with you about Sam. I like Linda Cardellini, have been a fan since Freaks and Geeks, but I never have been able to get into her character this time. I hope John Stamos can find his "niche" as well. I don't know what it is, but for some reason I keep wanting to pair everyone up on the show. Make them all be in a couple as opposed to being by themselves. Which is funny considering I'm really enjoying being single right now.

Nothing wrong with that.

I like Linda too, I think she's a terrific actress, I just can't stand her character. I thought the Luka/Sam relationship was forced...I didn't like them together at all, and I thought that Luka was searching for a "family", but Sam and Alex were WAY too messed up to give him that. I was SO relieved when they broke up, and Luka found his way back to Abby. I found it funny when Luka told Sam that he and Abby were having a baby, and Sam looked upset. I was like "YOU DUMPED HIM LOSER!" Sorry. That's probably TOTALLY just me.

Again, I didn't like Abby and Carter because I thought they should have kept them "just friends". That's again, probably just me. I have a LOT of male friends, and I don't GET the mentality that says that men and women can't be platonic. Good thing for me that my man gets that about me as well.

So anyways, yes, Maura is leaving at the beginning of next year (episode two or three maybe? See the interview that JD posted with MT and JW in the "general spoiler" thread). I have complete and utter faith that Luka and Abby will get their HEA. Didn't Goran threaten to "come after" the producers if that didn't happen? Seriously though, I want it...I think I NEED it at this point. NOBODY gets an HEA on this show (other than Carole and Doug, and that was after she'd spent two years without him. Then all we got was her showing up where he was living and him smiling at her. ). I want the wine, sunshine and roses for Abby and Luka. I just DO. They're the only couple I've cared about for a VERY long time on this show (and that's not really a bad thing...this isn't a soap, FFS.). Maybe it's my own personal experience that's pushing me with this. The "Luby" storyline SO closely mirrors my own relationship (other than all of the hostage situations, alcoholism, hysterectomies, etc. ), that I feel like true love needs to triumph. I love how comfortable Maura and Goran are together, and that reflects in the way they play their characters. Again, just IMO.

Gates is pathetic. How you you nail a guy on back of the head with a metal plate...the guy hits the ground, the gun flies across the room and Gates still can't get the gun or take control of the perp

I LOVED THIS EPISODE!

In my opinion, this was the best episode of season 14! From beginning to end, I was completely engrossed in the drama, with butterflies in my stomach b/c I was worried how it all would end!

Scott Grimes and Parminder Nagra--weren't they absolutely amazing during the scenes and interaction with the jewelry thieves? I loved seeing Scott with some serious scenes--He is so great. I was watching a couple of episodes recently on the TNT reruns in which he has some scenes in which he really gets to use those skills and I love it. I also love the funny Morris too Remember when he caught Sam and Gates kissing on the roof, and he said "oh get over yourselves, I already know.." Hilarious!!

Also, Dr. Pratt--wow, have we seen him grow up over the years. The scenes with Bettina were great, and I love that we have seen him mature from a guy who just seemed to care about getting the next date, to one that is showing true sacrificial steadfast love.

All in all, this epi reminded me of the reason why I've watched ER since it began. Great drama, great storylines, and characters! It should be interesting to see the fall out with Dr. Morris after this episode...it looks like he will have a hard time dealing with what happened...

yea i just realized we know very little about morris.

what ever happened to this...

This was a great episode. I used to hate Archie Morris but the past 2 seasons he has grown on me. He was excellent this week as well as Neela and Pratt. I was on the edge of my seat through most of the hostage scenes, waiting to see what would happen next. Good stuff.

Great episode from beginning to end.
Scott Grimes quite simply stole the show in my humble opinion.
Wow! The last time I witnessed such a strong dramatic performance from him was in the show ‘Jigsaw’ last season. It's a pity Morris is such a light-weight character most of the time as Grimes is obviously a wonderful dramatic actor. Very interesting to throw him and Neela together in this episode, both nursing broken hearts, both recognising the need to move on!!
Once again I will say, poor Neela! Has her meltdown already started? And what direction will it go? She nearly got shot, she seemed to be quite catatonic in that final scene after the sniper shot the young jewel thief.
On an aside. I hate to be the one to acknowledge that I think we saw the new ER chief in action managing the evacuation of the ER quite superbly! Well done writers, this guy is starting to grow on me.
Based on what transpired between Pratt and Bettina in this episode, I don’t think he’s likely to care much, his priorities have suddenly changed and I think career is about to take a back seat to his personal life.

ok let me start off with saying that i loved this whole show up untill the last scene....why did the sniper shoot the guy....he had given up...he had just lost his wife and realized there was no point anymore...he was surrendering and the sniper shot him anyway....maybe its just me but that really bugged me

well that's my only critisism...the rest of the show was fantastic....the storyline was very good...one of the best this season....my favorite scenes were with pratt...i'm glad he realized that he loves patina...it shows a lot about his character....i wish the writers would quit all the abby/luca drama and just let them be happy....my goodness....there are happy couples in real life you know....you dont always have to make bad things happen to them

oh wait i lied =)...the other thing i didnt like was when gates had to hit the guy in the back of the head and then he didnt even get the gun! i was like come on!!! did you just decide to stroll over there and slowly pick up the gun....and then neela was just standing there watcing them...i was yelling at her through my tv to go get the gun

anyway....great episode and i hope they have more like it