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Dr. Ross returns to the 'ER'

Posted: Friday, March 13, 2009 2:01 AM by Denise Hazlick
Filed Under: , ,

George Clooney, who rose to entertainment fame and prominence as Dr. Doug Ross in the first few seasons of NBC's "ER," returned to the drama Thursday night to help the vaunted series move toward its conclusion in April.

Clooney was featured in a storyline that also featured the return of his longtime paramour Carol Hathaway (Julianna Margulies), Dr. Peter Benton (Eriq La Salle) and Dr. John Carter (Noah Wyle) in a tale of donor organs, history and decisions that change lives.


NBC
It's been a long time since Dr. Doug Ross was seen on "ER."

Clooney spends half the episode talking a grandmother (played by Susan Sarandon) into donating the organs of her brain-dead grandson to needy patients, which includes Dr. Carter, who is awaiting a kidney.

Overall, for all the hype, the end result was less than thrilling. After all the drama that swirled around Dr. Ross' return -- it was a pretty flat return. Once the organs had been harvested, both he and Hathaway were only seen again in a passing moment, once they learned the organs had been successfully used (but never learned one of those organs went to old-time friend Dr. Carter). Did the storyline help the overall conclusion to the series finale? Yes. Was it worth the heralded wait? Ahhhhh ...

On a final note, as someone who lives in Seattle, there was one big faux pas that stuck out. Margulies, as Hathaway, who is now affliated with the organ donor network -- calls Spokane (pronounced Spo-CAN), Spo-CAIN -- please. If she's been living in Seattle for the past 5 years or so, she won't make that mistake (and the show producers shouldn't have either).

What did you think of Clooney's return to "ER"? Was it worth the wait, or did you also ask yourself  "is that all there is?"

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Comments

Please... I have lived in Seattle area for years and I still run into long timers who say Spo-CAIN. Get real.

Patrick, Redmond WA (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 2:22 AM)

meh. He's always nice to look at but Clooney was wasted in this appearance.

Tracy, Lincoln, CA (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 2:27 AM)

Come on..it was cool that he even showed up.

Simonee (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 2:31 AM)

I thought the storyline between Benton & Carter was More interesting. The teacher was back looking out for the student. Benton essentially saved the kidney Carter was having transplanted, by being a friend and being thorough. 800 cc's of liquid gold.

It was nice to see Clooney come back. He didn't need the money and put his ego aside. Even though the storyline could have been better. Maybe it will expand next episode.

chas (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 2:47 AM)

George is ALWAYS worth the wait.

Susan Tucson, Az (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 2:58 AM)

It was appropriate for the show without being concocted or overly manipulated.  I haven't watched ER in years and I thought it was great to see the old duos together again.  Don't trick it up too much...and they didn't.  ER was always more about truth than soap.  Kudos to the writers for being fair to the story and giving the true audience something worth viewing.  No  jumping the shark here.

Paul Dumas, Dallas TX (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 3:02 AM)

I guess these highly-stressed professionals never had the opportunity to send holiday cards or announcements of opening practices or pending marriages, etc., during the years since they passed the most wonderful years of their lives in Chicago.  Therefore, it is only by chance/fate/grand design/God's will that Dr. Benson runs into Dr. Carter and that Hathaway and Dr. Ross have no idea who received the kidney.  

How sad!  What a lonely existence?  

It's been ten years since I left my profession for retirement, and I still speak to those friends I had in the profession and know where they live and what is happening in their lives.

Jamie Lee (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 3:09 AM)

Didn't see it, don't care, ER should have ended when Dr Greene died. He was the moral compass of the show and without him ER became a hollow shell of itself.

ann, middletown, ct (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 3:21 AM)

there was about as much chemistry between Carol and Doug as a week old baloney sandwhich. Marguiles had this pained expression like she rather be anwhere else.  one of the attractions of er in the early years was the passion between these two...where'd it go ????

Anthony. Nesoho.Mo (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 3:57 AM)

Although it was evident that Clooney was going to return to ER from the previews the week before (they said everyone was going to return...)...the event was not very exciting at all.  I mean, as an avid viewer of the show, how many times have they had to talk someone into donating organs???  All the time..so the storyline was typical in my opinion.  
The fact they didn't know that Carter was one of the recipients and Neela and Sam didn't mention him being there was "shocking" considering he had returned to work.
All in all, typical episode.  Good scenes with Carter and Benton though...very much enjoyed that!! Other than that, it was like when Alex returned, nothing spectacular.

Holly VanMeter, Frankfort, Kentucky (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 4:35 AM)

As a long time viewer, I liked it.  Doctors have to do their best whether they know the benefiting patient or not.  Dr. Ross is the idolized version of a doctor, still committed medicine in his middle years.  With the woman he loves and the job he loves.  

Steve, Eureka, CA (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 4:43 AM)

It was great, true to original characters - it felt as if they hadn't left - we learned the girls were well, that they have remained together and look great! Was wonderful to see the old gang and instead of hyping up a story line for the stars, the stars "acted" in the characters they created - way to go!

ERS, New Port Richey, FL (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 5:12 AM)

 I BEG TO DIFFER--- I LIVE IN POST FALLS, ID & IT IS CALLED SPOKANE FOR THE PASS 57 YRS--- NOT SPO-CAIN. YOU WERE WRONG & Margulies & PRODUCERS WERE CORRECT. PERHAPS YOU NEED TO APOLOGY.
 

LYNN PARKISON-- POST FALLS, ID (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 5:23 AM)

I too was disappointed.  Maybe the producers were trying to show that life outside of County General (for Ross and Hathaway) is pastoral and therefore lacking in the usual chaos and pathos of their previous life in Chicago.  Nevertheless, the serendipitous encounter with Neela and Sam (and Carter's dependence upon the kidney) should have generated more drama than a simple chat in the lounge with Ross taking roll of his former associates, virtually none of which had any connection with the characters now at County.

Mark Greene's appearance had so much more punch earlier in the season.

Fortunately, the scenes with Benton and Carter were much more effective.  Hopefully Carter's not done yet and there will be a nice conclusion of his situation, fitting since the show was originally supposed to revolve around his character when it was originated. (Michael Crichton has said in the past that his experiences as an intern (via Carter) formed the basis of the show).

Ed Hanna, Lake Mary, FL (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 5:59 AM)

I thought he did an excellent job and yes, it definitely helped in trying to bring "closure".....I hate that word...to ER.  He was Doug Ross......like he had never left the show.  Personally I cried through most of it because it was really nice to see everyone back together again.  I wasn't expecting his return tonight...thought he was going to be on the last episode but it was nicely written and for anyone like me who has watched the show since the VERY BEGINNING it's like losing a few friends.....I'm very sad it's ending but life is like that so we move on to the next thing.  George was his classy, cute, sweet self.  He honestly seems to be the same on the show as he might be in real life.  I give him major kudos!!!

Bailey, Phoenix, Arizona (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 6:22 AM)

Were you expecting Dr. Ross to be in every single minute of the show?  That would have been unrealistic. We only needed to see a glimpse into the lives of the Dr. Ross and Carol Hathaway and that's what we got.  I thought it was very well done.  

j, springfield, il (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 7:10 AM)

You're right on the 'Spokane' issue. But this was not supposed to be 'The George Clooney Show.' He was part of an ensemble; a group of actors cast to bring to life realistic characters in a realistic hospital setting. I don't watch series television religiously, yet I am all too familiar with the hype surrounding this show. However, despite the hype, 'ER' was and still is an example of excellent television.

George Clooney's return engagement remained true to his character, as did that of his fellow cast members. If, in your opinion, the writers didn't give Mr. Clooney the screen time you had hoped for, it would appear that you may be one of those typical George Clooney fans who simply become weak at the sight of him, rather than appreciate his efforts as an actor.

With only 40 some-odd minutes to work with, the writers and producers of ER did an excellent job of merging the current cast with those former members while maintaining the goal of providing a solid storyline. Last night's episode of 'ER' was spot-on.

Dave Stone (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 7:11 AM)

I think the scenes between Eriq La Salle and Noah Wylie were like a trip down memory lane come full circle! Who would have ever thought old, cold, arrogant Benton would care so much about his little buddy, Carter---not to mention save his life during the transplant surgery.

Clooney and Margulies, on the other hand, phoned in their performance.  Hathaway's mispronounciation of "Spokane" made the hair on my neck stand straight up.  Could explain why we haven't seen Margulies in any big work of late.

Robin Phillips, Houston, Texas (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 7:21 AM)

this whole season has been a disappointment.. each storyline has been flat.. the characters seem like they're walking through the motions ... I get what they're trying to do with paying respect to all of our beloved characters by bringing them back one last time... but it almost seems like they thought of this at the last minute and are making it all up as they go along. It's been a great show for years. But I think the swan song could've been composed a bit better.. /sigh

Dan, Naperville, IL (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 7:32 AM)

I was thrilled to see the episode, and personally, thought it was very classic Dr. Ross.  He always had a way about getting to someone and making them see things his way just as he did with Susan Sarandon's character.  It was nice just to know they were happy together as a family in Washington State.  I do wish they had know the kidney was going to Carter, but I guess we can't have it all.

Ann, Williamston, SC (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 7:45 AM)

I think it was great to see George and Julianna together again. It was a great storyline. They didn't even advertise him coming back on the commercials this week so it wzs meant to be understated.

Michele, Ohio (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 7:45 AM)

Dr Ross has settled down and the people from his pass are just that; iin the past.  The new group at the hospital now don't have a clue and are going on making new history.  All in al it was just another bla episode.  The operating room scene with Dr Carter on the table and Dr Benton going thru the checklist was a contrast as Dr Benton in the past would have been like the kidney surgeon just  go cut do it now!

Kitty Marsh (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 7:46 AM)

I was disappointed that there was no interaction with Doug & Carole & "old" county Drs.  I don't think that he should have known while trying to obtain consent, but it would have been nice if they found out afterwards, somehow, that Carter got the Kidney.

Christie, Dallas, TX (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 7:49 AM)

The Doug Ross of old did the best for his patients, consequences be damned. He was hedonistic and did what made him happy. So, he could have stayed that way or he could have matured. What we saw in this episode was a snapshot of his current life. He is still with Carol raising their daughters. LIke all good men, he has matured and embraced commitment.
As for all the hype about his return, there had been a lot of rumors but the last I heard he wasn't doing it. I don't know if American television showed him in commercials for this episode but I didn't see him including on the ads on Canadian television. (Do not attack me now for being Canadian, I have been a huge fan of ER since day one, and my Canadianism has nothing to do with it).
And just being able to look at George Clooney for 10 or 15 minutes is always a good thing in my book.

Leeanna Canada, Southern Ontario (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 7:57 AM)

I liked this episode a lot.  It wasn't too stunt-y.  Looked like a lost episode.  As if Clooney had never left.  

Len Barry (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 8:00 AM)

I felt let down with George Clooney's return.  I think they should have found out that the kidney was going to Carter and played upon that some but I guess organ donation is anonymous in "real life".  On the other hand, Eric La Salle's part was great!  It was good to see him back; I didn't realize how much I missed Peter Benton.

Sue, Cincinnati, OH (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 8:08 AM)

I was disappointed that in no time they were not all together in someway. You are correct they should have at least mentioned that it was for John Carter.

Harolyn, Wagoner OK (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 8:14 AM)

i thought if was a great episode...one of the few times i've watched er this season. it was much more satisfying and realistic that carol and doug don't find out who the kidney recipient is.  What we do find out is that dr. ross looks upon chicago county as the place he did his residency, nothing more, nothing less.  great episode.

alison orr, brandon, ms (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 8:15 AM)

I thought it was a wonderful return for the both of them - one of my favorite episodes this season.  It showed a softer and compassionate side of him - much more so than the early years of ER when he was so cocky!  And while that suited him then - I thought this portrayal suited him now.

Joanie Nowak-Shenandoah, PA (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 8:15 AM)

George Clooney can't act...he never could!

John Doe, Denver, Colorado (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 8:22 AM)

I enjoyed seeing George Clooney, Margulies, Lasalle, and Noah Wyle again.  I think the show was well done, considering the number of characters to be worked into one hour. (Where was Dr. Green?) My thanks to all of them for coming back to the finale. I will miss "ER".

Mary, Albany, GA (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 8:23 AM)

Yes, the return was appropriate to the story line.  What did you expect?  A breathless run in at ER?  Too phony.

Katy (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 8:26 AM)

I liked the episode. Since there are only 3 episodes left I think they are tying up the loose ends nicely. It was nice to see Clooney and Margulies and a real surprise to see Susan Sarandon.

Faun Max (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 8:27 AM)

I thought the entire episode fail short of expectations. I thought it would be like one big reunion. The biggest let down was not revealing who the kidney went to.

favor (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 8:31 AM)

Um - did we see the same episode? It was awesome. Vintage Doug Ross. Showing Doug and Carol still together, still in love - it was a Valentine for the fans. And Sarandon was heart-breaking in her role. I loved the Ellen DeGeneres shout-out. It was perfect, and MUCH meatier than I thought it would be. I was prepared for a one-scene walkon.

Sherrie S. North Myrtle Beach SC (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 8:32 AM)

George's return was fantastic. the whole story line was excellently done by all the cast..it was a very moving story.and George was just great.km

kay m. old bridge, nj (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 8:33 AM)

How could you complain?  It is not like Clooney only showed up for two seconds in a flashback or something.  He really couldn't be at County - like they said, he didn't know anyone there anymore except for Anspaugh and the nurses.  Perfect way to tie up Carter's and that mom's storylines and it kept them in Seattle.  What else could you really ask for?

KM (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 8:37 AM)

Have to argue your local-person gripe, Denise. I live in Bangor, Maine, and have all my life. Virtually everyone outside of Maine pronounces it "Banger" -- either "Banger" (as in "that which bangs") or "bang-gurr."  But it's pronounced "Bang-gore." Yet people who move here from away often never stop pronouncing it incorrectly. In fact, a woman I work with, who is 53, has been here all her life -- but her parents are from Ohio, and their pronunciation has stuck with her. After more than five decades living here, she calls it "Bang-gurr." It drives me nuts, but lends credence to the believability of Carol mucking up "Spokane" after five years. (*sigh!*)

David Fitzpatrick, Bangor (that's Bang-gore), Maine (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 8:43 AM)

I thought the show was very disappointing. It actually looked like the Dr. Ross / Carol Hathaway part could have been filmed long ago. Also, I thought is was interesting that when told the kidney went to a doctor in Chicago, Carol didn't inquire as to whom the recipient was. It would be human nature to ask since she was from Chicago and had met tons of doctors over the years.

Jo-Jo, Central, PA (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 8:46 AM)

I really liked it. The story line...the ending.  It showed the importance of organ donation.  Remember George Clooney was playing the role of Dr. Ross, not George Clooney. Susan Sarandon was marvelous! It was wonderful to see how the relationship between Dr. Benton and Carter had progressed through the years. These final episodes have given a kind of closure to the ER fans.  We've been able to check in with our favorite characters, to see how they have continued on in their lives.  As a long time ER fan, I think it was just what the doctor ordered!  

Karen, Madison Hts, MI (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 8:46 AM)

I thought the Clooney return was OK. I kind of liked the twist that the kidney went to Carter but that Clooney and Hathaway didn't know (yet). The chance remained that someone at County would figure it out, since Ross told Sam and Neela to tell folks at County that Doug Ross said hello... As for the Spokane thing, I noticed it - and I have never even BEEN to Washington. Kind of a major flubola.

P. Hayes, St. Louis, Mo. (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 8:53 AM)

Hmm, so what did you expect: the daring and sometimes reckless Dr Ross of the past swoops in to save the day? I liked this episode because it shows us a more mature Dr Ross, but still the ultimate patient advocate (editorial comment: something we need to see more of from our healthcare system, instead of the reality of money grubbing insurance companies and physicians who think more abot their bottom line than their patients). I think it helps give us, the fans, a sense of closure that Doug and Carol are doing just fine and by a twist of fate, they played a part in helping an old colleague.

David, Tucson (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 8:54 AM)

As a fellow Washingtonian, I was also annoyed with the Spokane slip up.  The producers should have done the research.  I was not impressed with the episode at all.  It would have been much better if they had at least learned that the kidney went to Carter.

Jennifer Martin, Virginia Beach, VA (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 8:57 AM)

It was a bit disappointing.  Great to see them all and Benton was Benton in the operating room but perhaps there is more to Clooney's return.  Hopefully it was not just a 1 episode return and they will discover Carter got the kidney and make a return to Chicago one last time.

Chris, NYC (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 9:00 AM)

All what hype? i didn't hear a peep, and i watch NBC pretty regularly. Would like to have seen Doug Ross once more, even tho I haven't watched ER in several years.

Dawn, Memphis, TN (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 9:08 AM)

It wasn't spectacular, but all in all I loved it and I love the show.  I am going to miss it so much.

brooke (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 9:08 AM)

I was an avid ER watcher back in the beginning years and returned to watching it last night.  While it was great to see the former characters return, the episode was a disappointment.  I couldn't believe the mis-pronounciation of Spokane!  See why it's time ER left the tv world.

Cynthia Meyers, Covington, WA (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 9:12 AM)

While I do agree that it would have been fun if they had discovered that the kidney was for Carter, it was worth the wait.  It was nice to see that the characters are still together (after all the drama back in the day) and it was fun to see them again.  I did not expect either of them to have a huge part, that might have detracted from those who are still with the show, but it certainly felt like old home week and left me with a smile on my face.  

Lynn Worpenberg, Cincinnati, Ohio (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 9:13 AM)

I enjoyed last nights story line.  Really enjoyed the way they brought in Nurse Hathaway and Dr Ross.  And I also did not notice all the hype on their return. I was glad that they did return.  Thank you

Cathie, Traverse City MI (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 9:14 AM)

I have to say that I definitely enjoyed Benton's and Carter's returns much more than Ross' and Hathaway's.  I know nothing about organ donation or procedure, but as much as Ross was asking Neela and Sam about his old colleagues, it didn't seem right that he and Hathaway never knew that Carter was one of the organ recipients.  At least the couple, along with Benton, seemed to have a happy ending. Everyone else's stories seem so sad.

La'Shay, Houston, TX (Sent Friday, March 13, 2009 9:15 AM)



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