Set in the heart of Chicago, the longest running medical drama in U.S. history will be closing it’s doors after 15 seasons.
“ER” premiered on Sept. 19, 1994. It originally starred Anthony Edwards as Dr. Mark Greene, George Clooney as Pediatrician Doug Ross, Sherry Stringfield as Dr. Susan Lewis, Eriq LaSalle as surgeon Peter Benton, Noah Wyle as Dr. John Carter and Julianna Margulies as Nurse Carol Hathaway. It currently stars Parminder Nagra as Surgeon Neela Rasgotra, Scott Grimes as Dr. Archie Morris, John Stamos as Dr. Tony Gates, David Lyons as Dr. Simon Brenner, Angela Bassett as Dr. Cate Banfield and Linda Cardellini as Nurse Samantha Taggart.
The show has had many memorable episodes including “The Pilot” where we learn that Nurse Carol Hathaway has attempted suicide possibly over her relationship history with pediatrician Doug Ross. Season one also had the classic episode “Love’s Labor Lost,” where Dr. Greene misdiagnoses a pregnant woman with preeclampsia and as a result of the mistake she later dies.
In season 2 in the episode “Hell and High Water,” Dr. Doug Ross saves a boy from a storm drain, In season three the episode “Union Station” where Dr. Susan Lewis leaves the ER to live near her sister and niece in Phoenix and Mark Greene finally tells Susan of his feelings for her.
In Season 5 in “The storm parts I and II,” Doug Ross decides to leave ER and relocate to Seattle after showing a mother how to change the medication for her dying son and leaves his love nurse Carol Hathaway in Chicago. Season six had “Great Expectations,” where Carol gives birth to her and Doug’s twin daughters Tess and Kate. Season six also had “Be Still My Heart,” Dr. John Carter and medical resident Lucy Knight (Kellie Martin) get stabbed by a mentally ill patient and Lucy does not survive. Also in the episode “Such Sweet Sorrow,” Carol Hathaway also leaves the ER and reunites with Doug Ross in Seattle.
In season eight in the episode “On the beach” Dr. Mark Greene dies of a brain tumor in Hawaii. In season 11 “The show must go on,” Dr. Carter leaves the ER to work in Africa. In season 12 in the episode “The Gallant Hero and Tragic Victor,” Neela’s Husband Dr. Michael Gallant (Sharif Atkins) dies in Iraq. In Season 13, in “The Honeymoon is Over,” Neela learns of her former roommate and love interest, Ray Barnett’s (Shane West) double leg amputation after being hit by a truck. In Season 15 in “The Book of Abby,” Dr. Abby Lockhart (Maura Tierney) leaves the ER and relocates to Boston with her Husband Dr. Luka Kovac (Goran Visnjic) and their son Joe.
“ER” has had many memorable guest stars over the years including Rosemary Clooney who played a delusional singer, Bradley Whitford who played the widowed Sean O’Brien. Sanford Misner was featured as the patient Joseph Klien, who Carter reads Walt Whitman’s “Leaves Of Grass.” Ewan McGregor showed up as Duncan Stewart, who holds up a liquor store with Carol Hathaway inside. The list goes on with other actors whether they are high profile one or ones looking to make a name for themselves
As this series draws to a close, many familiar faces have already returned or will be returning during this final season. In an episode titled “Heal Thyself,” Anthony Edwards reprised his role as the beloved Dr. Mark Greene in a flashback sequence as he cared for Dr. Banfield’s dying son. William H. Macy who portrayed Dr. David Morgenstern appeared in the episode, “A Long Strange Trip” to visit Oliver Kostin. Noah Wyle guest starred as Dr. John Carter in five episodes in search of a new kidney and to work in the ER. Shane West also came back to his role in two episodes as Dr. Ray Barnett in “Haunted,” where he comes to visit Neela and we learn he has prosthetic legs, and “Shifting Equilibrium,” where Neela leaves the hospital for a new position and reunites with Ray. In the episode titled “Old Times,” George Clooney, Julianna Margulies, and Eriq LaSalle return as Dr. Doug Ross, Nurse Carol Hathaway and Surgeon Peter Benton. We learn that Peter Benton now works at Northwestern while Carol and Doug are now married and work at a hospital in Seattle.
Sherry Stringfield who portrayed Susan Lewis is also returning and so are many other beloved characters in the series finale titled “And in the End” that airs on Apr. 2 on NBC at 9 p.m. ER has entertained many viewers over the years. It will be greatly missed.
Sources: IMDB.com, TV.com, NBCuniversal.com