One of the greatest aspects of this episode was Peter Benton... despite my *intense* disappointment over next week's previews, I think we all agree that we loved the hidden aspects of compassion in the ER's most stoic characters(Romano, Benton, Weaver). But Benton's behavior, to me, was the most touching simply because of his obvious love for his former student, so personal. It was beautiful, the care and gentleness and near-panic with which Benton handled Carter... well done, Eriq LaSalle (not that the other two weren't phenomenal). I eat this stuff up. Hope it continues!

-- Cat (Cat@Cat.com), February 18, 2000

Answers

Cat, I couldn't agree with you, more! It was very heartening to see that Benton cares so much for Carter, that he could completly lose his cool. I think we already knew that's how he felt, deep down-- but, it was nice to finally witness it. Hey, he was so determined to save Carter, it almost cost Carter a kidney!

As for Romano and Weaver, they can both be so brash, it's almost shocking when you see how capable they are of true kindnesses...

I can never fully dislike Romano, again...now that I've seen how much he loves his dog.

-- Shari Moore (shari_moore@yahoo.com), February 18, 2000.

I CAN NEVER LIKE ROMANO BECAUSE OF THE WAY HE ACTED WITH LUCY. HE WAS SO HEARTLESS AND HE COULD HAVE BEEN THE REASON SHE GAVE UP. HE MADE IT SEEM LIKE THE ONLY REASON SHE WAS BEING SAVED WAS BECAUSE SHE WAS A RESIDENT AND NOT BECAUSE SHE WAS A REAL PERSON WHO WAS ALL ALONE AND WAS VERY SCARED,

-- LISA POPLIN (CHEYENNE245@MSN.COM), February 19, 2000.

Lisa,

I think you misunderstand what Romano was going through. Think how he normally acts and you can see that he was being warm for him. He always masks his feelings with jokes. Lucy knew him well enough to understand what he really meant.

Lucy never gave up. She was scared and she knew how dangerous a pulmunary embolism (PE) can be, but by the time things got out of control, she was asleep and had no opportunity to give up.

Personally, I never felt that Romano was cold or unfeeling. He is a brilliant doctor, but he isn't an attractive person. He developed his abrasive personality as a defense mechanism. But remember over the last few weeks how many times he has come through for Lucy, Benton, and others. The girl with the dog bites, the girl with the bad heart, the plum job for Elizabeth, etc.

-- Dennis Fitzgerald (dennis.fitzgerald@erols.com), February 19, 2000.

I too think Lisa misread Romano's remark to Lucy. Many times when we are stressed to the max a sarcastic remark will escape our lips instead of breaking down with tears. Would you have rather that the character of Romano would have said to Lucy--"Oh, Lucy, we are so sad that you have been stabbed and I'm going to do my best doctoring just so I can see your smile one more time." That would have been in character-- I'm so sure. I seriously doubt that his chief concern was his investment into her medical training. Lighten up!

-- joan (joanofarc24@hotmail.com), February 19, 2000.

I also think that he was trying to reassure her by being so light-hearted. He didn't want her to realize how serious her injuries were. He used jokes to cover up his concern and make her feel safe.

-- Polly (pollywhitaker@juno.com), February 19, 2000.

I personally love the direction that Romano's character has been moving in lately. He's retaining his rude facade, but the smashing, and then refusing to give up after Corday stated time of death was beautiful. Not phony, not overdone, but touching and beautiful. Lately ER characters have been so 2 dimensional, I'm glad that he was so upset over Lucy.

-- Rachel (raingrrrl@chickmail.com), February 19, 2000.

I think it would have been worse for Lucy if Romano got all mushy and choked up because she would realize something was seriously wrong if he was to change his personality so drastically.

-- 2222 (rachelrr@ivillage.com), February 22, 2000.