ER
DREAM RUNNER
01-15-2009 10:01PM

WAS I DREAMING?—ALEX KINGSTON (“CSI”) REPRISES HER ROLE AS DR. ELIZABETH CORDAY—Neela (Parminder Nagra) finds herself having a recurring dream about her crazy day trying to saving a young girl with sickle cell anemia. Gates (John Stamos) works on saving a patient that jumped out of a window during his sleep. Meanwhile, Neela goes in for an attending interview and is surprised to see Dr. Corday (guest star Alex Kingston). Linda Cardellini, Scott Grimes and David Lyons also star.

Show Cast: Linda Cardellini, John Stamos, Scott Grimes, David Lyons, Angela Bassett, Parminder Nagra

Hmmmmmm......very interesting!!!

OH MY GOD!!!!

Elizabeth is back!! YEAH!!!! This should be a very interesting episode to watch. I wonder how she doing would be my first question.

I'm excited!!!!

Just caught the preview and Im so excited! So what I want to know is Elizabeth at another hospital now in Chicago? This season is going out nicely~!

From the way I took it, with Neela looking at a program in John's Hopkins Hospital was that it would mean that Elizabeth would be at Hopkins.

According to the bit scenes that had been posted, she is with DUKE and is there at the conference for interviews.

did anyone have problems with the show? I mean did the show freeze and stop and went off?

This has got to be the most weirdest, most bizarre ER episode ever created! It was totally goofy and I'm still not sure if I understood it(I have to watch it a few more times). But with that said, I LOVED it!!!! It was GREAT!!!!!

Neela was excellent of course. I'm glad she got an episode dedicated entirely to her character. We haven't seen that in a long time and it really gave her a chance to shine.

I just loved all the Ray mentions. Aww!! That's so sweet!! It's Ray's birthday! They must be gearing up for something really big. I can't wait.

Now, to the most important part. I'm sure some roomie fans are going to use this opportunity to say how upset they are. How much they are disappointed in Neela. How she has regressed instead of progressed. How there can never be a satisfying end to Reela anymore. How could she have slept with Brenner. Blah! Blah! Blah!

My response to that is, get over it!!! It was just a dream!! It was not real! I'm loving the route they are taking. It adds to the suspense and tension and it will make the happy ending between Neela and Ray all the more satisfying. They are clearly redoing the Gates storyline from season 13 in order to test Neela. The only difference is that this time she is stronger and more mature and will overcome. I love it!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait until next week to see how Neela handles Brenner.

One last note, I was disappointed in Corday's return. It was short and meaningless. It had no impact at all. And worse of all, it all seemed a part of the dream sequences. TPTB could have done much better for a returning alumni.

My husband thought it was a strange episode too. But, I loved it!!!! Iwas just confused at the end was it all a dream???

Great episode! Glad to see Neela's personal growth as she becomes more confident and assertive with herself. And, so glad that TPTB are making it a point that Ray's presence continues to be felt since "Haunted."

I was disappointed that Dr. Corday didn't have more substantial scenes. I just hope that she gets another appearance before the finale and stops by the ER at some point for a visit.

And Sam was less frosty tonight...wonder how Daria will fit into the mix...

Brenner/Neela---so glad that it was a dream! Although, I have a feeling that there may be some more romantic tension between these two---at least until Ray returns and she figures out who she wants!

Okay...here's the thing. Gates and Daria? Been there DONE THAT with Kovac and the chick who lost her liver in season 9. (In pretty much the best ER episode EVER "Hindsight"). What was her name? Oh JAYSUS. Can Gates pull THAT storyline off? I love John Stamos...but his character is SO much more LESS sympathetic than Goran's. I'm kinda liking his whole "war hero" deal, but he's nowhere NEAR the actor that Goran is, so it's a little bit sad to watch. SAM finding out about Daria is going to explode in Gate's face. Luka wasn't involved with anyone else when he was involved with the Scooby-snack. I'm kind of sick in wanting to see it all play out, even though I have a serious HATE for Sam.

I'm really, really sorry. To ALL of the roomie fans. But I LIKE NEELA AND BRENNER. The scenes tonight were SO hot. So, completely HOT. Beautifully shot, well done. Sincerely. Those scenes were wonderful.

I don't think it's a secret that I really don't care about Ray and Neela. I don't, but I think something is going to come down after all of this. *sigh* Am I having a flashback? Am I seeing Abby and Carter ALL OVER AGAIN? Yep, I am, and it sincerely sucks. Sorry, but it does. IMO, Neela and Ray have absolutely ZERO chemistry. Just as Abby and Carter had zero. I'm sure I'm going to be smacked over this, but whatever. In my eyes, it's the truth, and I ALWAYS call it like I see it. :dunno:

Neela and Brenner have some actual HEAT between them. Not something manufactured by the writers during a SERIOUSLY emotional time in Neela's life (again...can we mirror Abby a bit more here? ). I love Ray, I do. I'm a bit indifferent as far as Neela goes, but other than Morris, Jerry (OMG,...FANGIRL MOMENT! I LOVE ME SOME JERRY!), Frank, and Dubenko, she's the ONLY character that I can muster myself to give a CRAP about. I like Banfield, and I think I could LOVE her if she hadn't come in at the tail end. And gee...I'm thinking I'm loving me some Brenner. Already. How about that?

Great episode. I kept asking my husband, "didn't we just see this?" Not sure which part was a dream. She woke up in her own bed, so I guess the brenner hotel scene was a dream? In any case, the writers have done a good job at making me more at east with a Brenner Neela relationship. I think I'm still routing for Reela, but we'll have to see. I do think Neela and Ray have chemistry. Sometimes I think Brenner is really hot and sometimes I think there's something cheezie about him. I will say one thing, finally, an episode where Neela is the main focus. It's been quite a while!

I guess to each his own, I personally didn't find Neela and Brenner hot together at all. David Lyons is an awesome actor and he has made me like Brenner despite how crappy he was towards women and his coworkers when he first came on. He is the only reason I find Brenner appealing at all.

I think he and Neela are good as friends but every time they add a romantic element to it, I don't really care for it. That is my own personal opinion.

It was an interesting episode and very telling. I have a feeling we are going to see a different Neela in the remaining episodes, one that fights more for what she wants and not just sits there and lets life pass her by.

I kept thinking "Groundhog Day, ER style". lol I was a bit confused. But I'm thinking if one of the scenarios DID happen, it would be the first one. Followed by "what ifs".... What if I would have made this decision instead? What if I would have made that one? So I'm thinking whatever happened in the first scenario happened for real and next week will take off from there. What do you all think? I'm going to watch it again today. Shows like this is why PVRs and TIVOs were invented. lol

Trainerjen we already know what you feel about Ray and Neela. Because you do explain this issue in every post/comment about each episode. But I respect that because I felt the same about Abby / Luka. Because I never really wanted to know or cared about Luka and Abby and never saw any chemistry between the two. And I know you loved Luka / Abby so much , as I love Ray / Neela or Green/Corday . So we are equal on different couples.

About last night episode I personally didn't find Neela and Brenner hot together at all in that Neela's dream too. It's something forced. Without sparkles, without chemistry.

I want to see in the coming episodes Neela decided and that to know really choose and fight for Ray. Brenner does not know Neela like Ray. Brenner knows the only way to bed. Thats why Neela saw Brenner and her make sex on her dreams. Because sex his only that that Brenner thinks. Remember Neela dreamed the same about Gates? It's the same thing!
But Love is more than sleep or make sex with someone. Love goes through to meet and share life with that person and Ray is the man for Neela.
While the writers have in vain tried to improve Brenner, but I still dont like him. Sorry Brenner fans.

About corday I was a little disappointed because I expected more ...

Personally, I feel that if you don't think there is chemistry between Ray and Neela, you haven't really been watching them over the years. They have incredible chemistry! Granted, they didn't in Haunted, but that made sense. They couldn't see each other for the first time in over a year, with everything that has happened, and have that same chemistry, but they will again soon! Oh, and Brenner is gross! Seriously.

That was the weirdest episode!! LOL. I loved it though, I was very confused though. I'll be watching it again tonight on my TiVo.

I was watching some ER boards and found a girl's comment about yesterday's episode that describes exactly what I think of Brenner:


ABOUT NEELA'S DREAM SEX SCENE:
Thanks GOD it was a dream.
My opinion about episode:
Neela's brain works on dream for advice her about that is all Brenner wants from her - SEX...Nothing more. I think Neela has finally realized that she has to make decisions
Like someone said: Brenner is gross!
Moreover Neela has a sweet, loving and true best friend Ray. Nothing compares to Ray. He's the best man.The best Neela's choice Come on Neela open your eyes!
ABOUT CORDAY:She had a low participation, Corday deserved more and better scripts than show her on Neela's dream. It's not fair for a Corday's fan like me!

Last night episode was a bit strange,I'm really glad that Neela's romp with Brenner was only a dream,everytime I see them together it makes me want to throw something, I don't care for Brenner at all (can we say scumbag)Love Morris,and I'm thrilled that Jerry is back.Looking forward to the remaining episodes.

i think the dream showed neela's insecurities within herself her uncertainty yet when she makes an actual decision it makes her somewhat strong i noticed in each senareio ray is always at the begining .he represents the man and life she wants the man whom she can tease and fight with in a loving way and he is her compass morally and ethically speaking .yet she knows with ray she will have to be strong and work everyday to keep their love together .while the dream with breener showed the insecure ,irresponsible s...y w...e neela .so she has to decide does she want to be an irresponsible childish s...y w...e her whole life or have what she can have with ray in baton rouge a great career where people see her as an authority figure and a capable dr and live a life with a man who loves her ,challenges her makes her a better dr and woman .a man who yes they'll face challenges but who'll be a great partner for her in medice and life and a great husband and father one day. i know that is what she wants .i just wonder how that will come to be if debenko wants her to stay yet i loved when debenko said she had to see if something better was out there.heather

I liked this ep. Confusing but good. I loved it. LOL @Ray being excited about turning 30. I wish Elizabeth had longer screen time!!! I have to admit that Neela/Brenner scene was kinda hot. *whistles innocently and ducks flying objects*

But on a different note, I really hope she comes to her senses about Ray. Sometimes I wish I could smack some of these characters through the screen.

It seems Alex Kingston wasn't enough of a ratings draw because they were the lowest they have been all season.

Very confused episode, the level of Neela, she sleeps and she wakes up, and never knowing that decision to take.... I was anxious with Corday, but I think it was not as good as I waited, she deserved something better. I still find Morris the best, the others were normal.

I respect the opinion of each one, but who says that Ray and Neela don't have chemistry is because didn't watched ER in the last 4 years or didn't render attention. Maybe Ray and Neela are not together but Ray as Neela always went support one for other, in the happiness or in the sadness, what happened is that Ray got to be truer than Neela and to reveal the love, and Neela still fight with ghosts, but in her heart she knows that she loves Ray, only that she is very fearsome to make decisions.
I won't lie that I have been liking some things of Brenner, but just some things. The producers forced the character's change a lot, the boy almost moved by sex for a boy angel. Who doesn't remind that he began ER with two women in his bed, two.... I know that the world is in crisis and who knows he divided his bed with two to help those that don't have house and bed.... lol ..... then he slept with a student and it "kicks" the girl without pity, and still he says that she is not good of bed, that is not a man's of pride attitude, that is the man that says for a woman that love her - to sleep a time with her, for later him to get tired and to leave her.

I don't get to see chemistry between Neela and Brenner, the two bed scenes were a lot of robotics, without emotion, they lie down, have sex, ended, get dressed, and good-bye... without loving.

I hope the next episode is better, because the audience fell a lot.

Kat
...

I thought that this episode was a really great one!!! The episodes keep getting better, and better!!!

The different dreams was cool because we got to see three different views of the characters when they were doing something, and interacting. It was a little confusing, but I hope that the last dream that was shown was real!

Now I am very sorry to all of the Roomie fans out there when I say this. I LIKE SIMON AND NEELA!!! Their scenes were hot, and very cute. I think if Ray returns, and sees these them together, it's going to be very interesting.

I am a big fan of Tony, and Sam, and I was glad to see some nice conversations between them!!!

I was happy to see Elizabeth, and that she, and Ella are doing well. Although she deserved more screen time.

I hope Banfield gets her baby.

Archie and Jerry had nice scenes together, and I thought it was funny when Archie hopped on the bike, and crashed into the dump truck.

With three hours added on to our beloved "E.R." , we will get to see even more great episodes like this one was!

I know there are a few of you that like Simon and Neela but the majority of us are Neela and Ray fans. It's so disheartening that the producers do not recognize that Neela and Ray deserve to be together. Brenner is all right guy but I mean he's too cocky for Neela and I don't think she deserves a guy that always wants something that he can't have. The love scenes were just torture and I just wanted to yell at the screen during them. Yes, Carter and Abby had no chemistry but Neela and Ray do and there are more fans of theirs clamoring for them then there were for Carter and Abby.
It was a good episode but it's kinda shows you how many people want Ray and Neela together as this episode had a low rating and the "Haunted" one was pretty high.
I like the groundhog concept but I was a little confused if any of the scenarios happened and if they will clarify in the next episode. The title of "Love is a Battlefield" hints that there may be love issues for Neela and also Gates and Sam.
I just registered today for these boards because I want the ER producers/writers (if they ever check the boards) to see that are a lot of us Reela fans.....

Wasn't that Scott Grimes dressed as a street musician playing the Tears for Fears Song "Mad World" in the background?

I'm wondering if this is how they are going to incorporate Mindi's pregnancy into the series. ???????

Did anyone notice each time she ran down the stairs, she passed a different character? The first was a tibetan monk (I think), the second was a soldier, the third was a ballerina.

Just watched Dream Runner again and I'm glad I did because now I understand it a lot more and it makes more sense. It is not as complicated as I originally thought. I could go into great detail and pick every scene and every line apart, however, I'll make this brief and just give a general analysis.

One thing that everyone should take into account is that dreams should not be taken literally! Dreams are more symbolic than anything. So don't assume that her sleeping with Brenner means that's what she wants in real life.

A long story short, the first dream is closer to the Neela we know, or should I say the Neela that once was. If you noticed, she is very indecisive, passive, non-assertive, and always blaming herself. It represents the image of the old Neela that has failed and made terrible decision over and over again. The Neela that has no idea what to do with her life. Her two patients that died represent this pathetic existence. This dream is symbolic of the fear that she will remain this weak person unable to overcome and move on.

The second dream was a slight improvement. However, it was only a step up in the sense that she tried to be more assertive, confident, and aggressive. However, she did not fully succeed. There was still a level of self doubt. She still questioned herself and still didn't seem completely sure of what she wanted to do, where she wanted to go with her life, what decision was best, etc. This was a stage of growth and growing pains where one has to go through trial and error. She was attempting to leave old Neela behind and transform into new Neela but she still had a ways to go. Her two patients dying represents her failure once again. This symbolizes her desire to change.

The third dream was when she became a butterfly. She awoke from her cocoon in so many words. She became completely liberated from old Neela and passed the trial and error stage to now graduate to the next level. She now has superior confidence. She knows what she wants, when she wants it. She's aggressive and on top of things and isn't letting anything or anyone determine the outcome but herself. With this mentality, everything seems to go right for her. Her two patients surviving represent this resurrection. She is totally opposite of the first dream and a vast improvement from the second dream. This symbolizes her ideal image of what she wants to become as an individual.

I just about screamed last night in the second dream with Neela and Brenner. I can't stand him!!! Do you think at the very end when the phone was ringing that it was Ray??? I hope Neela decides to find a job down south and just shows us on Ray's doorstep. I really want those two together. I'm glad there are others out there that feel the way I do. They are so meant to be together. I hope the writers will give us fans what we want.

I think you are correct and that also explains the different characters that are on the stairwell each time...the monk equals her peace/submissiveness, the soldier equals her aggressiveness and willingness to stand up for herself, and the ballerina equals how she has evolved as a person she is strong and beautiful and has finally blossomed into what she is today.

Does anyone know which ringtone had Neela on her iPhone?

Well I've seen on other boards that lots of people are annoyed that Neela can't seem to make a decision about her life, like in 15.12. She used to be such a smart ass and now she's a little wishy washy. But I think (maybe) they are trying to show that she doesn't want to commit to anything until she knows if she and Ray still have a chance. Because if she still has a shot with him in Baton Rouge why would she want to be working in Boston or something? So she's putting off making a choice because it would prove she and Ray are over. Maybe I'm a hopeless optimist, but that's my theory and I'm sticking to it.

This is ER, they have to have their angst and drama and it has been that way since the beginning and I don't see it changing their last season. They have to make it seem like whoever Neela chooses; Ray or Brenner, will be the most difficult decision of her life. When in most of the fans minds, they want her with Ray.

Really? Okay. Nearly everyone I know IRL, and a lot of people on other boards I belong to don't care much about the whole Reela deal, and actually think that Neela and Brenner make a cute couple, but fine. So be it. I give up! I know a lot of people didn't agree with ME on Luka and Abby (and yes, you're WRONG! ...just kiddin'. Mostly. ). But really, whatever. Ray and Neela forever. Blah blah.

I agree, G-Unit with everything you've said. VERY well said, in fact. Neela's not annoying me this season as much as she usually does. That's a plus.

I haven't been watching as much the last three years but when did they start doing the voice over, like Grey's Anatomy? Was this just for this episode?
I liked the different dreams and I was thrilled to see Elizabeth again.

I haven't seen anyone else mention this yet, but I swear when Neela was talking to Brenner outside the hotel you could see Dr. Greene behind her. He was with the luggage. When Neela came back downstairs with Dr. Corday, I thought that I saw him again at the check in counter. I also thought that the woman that played his wife might have been in the scene checking in at the hotel with him. Please check your TIVO or DVR and let me know if I was just seeing things.

I had seen parts of the bedroom scene between Brenner and Neela and it made me sick. I finally got to watch the whole thing and that wasn't hot at all. There was no spark or chemistry. It wasn't as bad as last season's finale but it is pretty close. That was the most passionless sex scene I have ever seen on a television show.

Sorry for correct ratings cause you posted last week ratings..they are a little worst this week :

dshortklutz & Els@C

Please, whenever you post outside information, including ratings, be kind enough to document the source as to give that outlet their proper recognition.

You're right ...sorry!

Source:
MEDIAWEEK:
Thursday 1/15/09 results from : Marc Berman ratings

Hugs
Elsa

I must say I was incredibly surprised that the writers included a patient who was a "Dream Runner". The sleep disorder he has/had is actually called Rapid Eye Movement Behavior Disorder (REM Behavior Disorder or RBD). It most often affects men over the age of 65, but I'm lucky enough to have it, too. Hooray!

It's somewhat surprising and yet not that the writers had his girlfriend say that they've tried everything but haven't been able to prevent him from having an episode every few months. Most doctors prescribe Klonopin to treat the disorder, though some physicians use amitriptyline (generic for Elavil), which I take. Both of these drugs have the side effect of increased paralysis during sleep.

I almost wish the writers had gone into more detail about RBD, because an astoundingly large number of doctors have never heard of this disorder. I see posts on sleep disorder message boards about how people's husbands are wonderful when they're awake but tend to beat the women up in their sleep; and that these women are actually considering leaving their husband because they're worried the men are just being abusive. If more doctors had heard of this sleep disorder, a larger number of people would be effectively diagnosed and treated, and the bed partners of RBD sufferers would be injured less often.

Okay, enough about my incredibly fun sleep disorder. I should also say that I loved the Groundhog Day/Sliding Doors thing they had going on in this episode.

Oh, and...Neela and Ray forever!

I don't know...Luka and Sam come to mind.

Or maybe Carter and Abby?

I guess it's all in the eye of the beholder, and in the opinion. Just sayin'.

Little worst? 6.98 million viewers?
These are the worst ratings result of all ER story!
Neither Dr. Corday managed to save the ratings.
I think if the ER producers and ER screenwriters continue to insist Neela/Brenner the ratings go down even more.

Give us Ray/Neela...

Diana as much as I would like to see plenty of Roomie love, that ship left the dock when Shane and ER couldn't get together on his continued presense on the show. Just at the moment we were all thinking we were finally going to witness a glorious relationship between these two after "the kiss", Ray gets his legs amputated. Why Shane was not a part of Season 14 has been discussed on this board before but after ER airs its final episode I would really like to know. To me putting Ray and Neela together was one of the biggest no-brainers ever. Their chemsitry jumped off the screen. Sad just so sad.

Ray returned on 15.05 "haunted" episode. Do you saw that episode? I hope so.
Ray did not come back in season 14 I think because of the writers strike and because the ER production not convened him.
Most fans like me never complied with the emphasis that have little to Ray in the 13 season. They wanted to force Gates / Neela, but failed.
The chemistry between Ray / Neela was always perfect. But they never knew advantage it. And when they (producers and writers) intended to finally do something for Roomies, Shane wanted to leave the Show. I think...Rightly so. He was almost set aside.

But in my opinion, the scriptwriters never managed to get on to do with Neela and then continued more mistakes. I dont forget that Neela thought Brenner repulsive and even then had sex with him. Worse still, Neela and the Australian did it in a ER room.

But Ray returned on 15.05 episode And once again the chemistry between Ray & Neela was undeniable...an amazing chemistry! They seem rather a couple.
As much as They try to clean necessarily Brenner image. The relation of Brenner with Neela has no chemistry.
Neel and Ray have a story, sharing knowledge and friendship that neither Gates or Brenner reached it. Despite all of the Ray / Neela story was never finished on season 13th And much less in episode 15.5. It is a decent and happy final between Ray / Neela we look forward too.

Yes I did see Ray's return episode in October. The two of them are so natural and good together. Such a shame their screen time has been so limited since the end of Season 13.

I watched this ep again and I am 95% sure that it is Dr. Greene. It is pretty clear just before Neela goes into the hotel. It was him again after the meeting. Although if you mean Dr. Greene's x-wife, the one before Corday, then it couldn't be her. Jenn, his wife had dark hair, not blond.

I totally Agree with you. It was just part of Neela's Dream. She technically came back, but in a way she didn't. I really hope she returns for REAL through out the rest of the season.

I hate the way they wrote Courday into it, that was awful and awful writting. The writting sometimes is alot to be desired.