I just thought I'd say some things that I haven't heard commented on yet.

First, (and this contains upcoming Mark SPOILERS)

Did anyone get a very strong sense of forshadowing in that couple's story for Mark and Elizabeth....(the fiancee): We've been engaged 3 years...we were going to get married, but then he got sick." Elizabeth (bewildered): "3 years?"

Is that going to be Mark pretty soon? I still cannot imagine that he's going to become that sick in the coming episodes, but I guess if everyone's verifying it, I'll have to believe it. It just seems strange, because this seemed almost like the baseball bat here with this story, but I'm assuming most of the audience does not know about what will happen to Mark, except us, who check spoilers.

And as far as the flight, it was much less dramatic than the previews showed, and I don't even remember Mark whispering "I love you." like how they portrayed it (as if he said it while the plane was going down). Although I loved Elizabeth's frantic worry.

I've already commented on Abby and Luka on another thread, and about Carter in relation to this, so I won't repeat it. I just hope Abby continues to support Carter too and doesn't forget about him. I felt bad that she left without talking to him. (okay, I repeated that) I was very happy to see Kerry finally DO something about her concern, instead of just think about it. ANd I'm glad Carter wasn't so defiant about it. He knew didn't want to be alone. Am I right that Kerry only came in at the end of LUka's shift to help out and really wasn't supposed to be on at all? Because right after she came in she said she was off in 20 minutes. SHe was just covering as much as she could for Luka right? I guess the blonde psychiatrist is gone for awhile until maybe February? I liked her, and actually noticed right away that she wasn't in it.

I really missed Deb and Malluchi. I like most of the characters, but I am finally beginning to agree that there are too many to keep up enough interest in all of them.

Carter's reactions were great, I love seeing him in caring roles. I totally agree that he should have told the son, but honestly, the old Carter would have been more hesitant, and asked someone else's opinion, like Kerry's, and SHE would have ensured him. Maybe he did. I don't think it's wrong he used his own judgment, just different for his character.

-- Elaine (mrsclooney78@hotmail.com), November 10, 2000

Answers

Abby only seems to be supportive of Carter at work. She is asking how he is, but when he tries to go to her with problems (after work) she bails. Interesting dilemma/scenario.

I don't think Carter's proactive response to the HIV+ teen was out of character for him. Over the years we have seen him become more and more confident of his abilities and judgement and use them more effectively. These last two weeks stories were unfortunate for Carter and could leave him with his confidence a little shaken. But what happened in both cases were not his fault. I think his skills and judgement were great in both cases.

I too, loved that it was Kerry who insisted on spending a little time with him, not letting him brush her off. (Have I mentioned that Kerry rocks?) Weren't we making wagers on this topic over the summer? How many of us won our bet?? And are TPTB going to drop this like a hot potato? Or will they recognized a good story when they see one? The only way to find out is to...Stay tuned...

-- S. Trelles (trelles@ix.netcom.com), November 10, 2000.

True that Abby wasn't totally supportive of Carter, but she did warn him that her life was so screwed up that she couldn't be anyone's sponsor. And she only offered to sponsor him until he found someone else.

As to Abby going on a date with Luka instead of to a meeting with Carter, well, wouldn't you? She's been dry for almost five years after all. We all have friends who we support when they need it, but you also learn that sometimes you have to nurture yourself so you don't get drained dry. Especially people in the medical and mental health areas.

That said, it would have been nice if she had checked up on him before she left. (Maybe she didn't know about the HIV kid.) But I guess she was more worried about Luka.

As I said in another thread, I really hate seeing Carter needy. He's caring, and intelligent and creative. Let him play to his strengths for a change. (And get a real relationship with a decent partner.)

-- Kate (yfpy0050@yorku.ca), November 10, 2000.

BTW, we are forming a support group with all the Bobby Simone and Ally McBeal's Billy widows, all the Greene fans are welcomed. =)

-- jules (jules@operamail.com), November 10, 2000.

In response to Elaine's comments on the Mark and Elizabeth scenes last night...I was wondering if maybe part of the foreshadowing was to the point that they may get married sooner because neither want a big wedding. When they were discussing it in the hall after the priest married the patient and his fiancee, I was sitting on the edge of my seat thinking "Oh my God...Elizabeth and Mark are going to get him to marry them right now!" Of course the rational side of me knew that wouldn't happen, but I'm often not too rational during an episode. :)

****And this is a SPOILER...yada yada yada...****

A question about Mark's supposed illness (brain tumor?)...where has this been *officially* posted or mentioned? The only thing I've found about it was that he recieves bad news...I thought it was in relation to Elizabeth's pregnacy...out of wedlock? And why does everyone think it's malignant cancer?

Anyway, back to the point...I, too, missed Deb and Malucci! I figure they'll get their spotlight in the coming epis, but I'm having a hard time remembering everyone's story.

There was one point during the show where Deb is walking through the hall and she turns around...my roommate and I both commented that all of a sudden she didn't look very pregnant anymore. Of course our reception is pretty bad. And previously, boy did she get pregnant fast. Is she caring twins or what?

And Carter/Kerry?! I'm hanging on 'till next week on that one.

Does anyone happen to know who that blonde lady is from last week and the week before last? (actor or character?) She appears, disappears...so confusing.

-- Jen (JMGDrama@aol.com), November 10, 2000.

From what I know about addictive personalities, part of Carter's addiction could lead him to believe he's different, that his situation is different than other members of his twelve-step group. I'm thinking particularly of his medical background. That could make him isolate from the others in his group. Soom after I got into (another) twelve-step group I got a sponsor who had a similar background as mine. I also picked up phone lists and called other people when I needed someone if I couldn't find my sponsor. After all, a sponsor has a life too. Mine didn't take me to raise and neither did Carter's. Also Carter really pushed her, guilted her actually, into sponsoring him (though it was up to her to say no and mean it). I've had to say no to people about sponsoring and other things when it truly did not fit my life at that time. I knew it wouldn't be fair to anyone to overextend myself.

-- Diana (dilynne@juno.com), November 10, 2000.

Jen, for what I know it was confirmed by people who posts here and has been reliable in the past. I dont know for sure if you have checked the thread that says "Mark spoiler", but I could swear I saw your name over there. More official than that, there are no news.

-- jules (jules@operamail.com), November 10, 2000.

My answer contains some spoilers to upcoming episodes:

SPOILERS

Concerning Carter and his neediness, and lack of confidence, I think that we are going to see some pretty strong situations for him to gain his confidence back. He is supposed to be there for Chen when she has her baby, and to rescue Abby from the fire. I think in particular that rescuing Abby from CURTAIN 3 is going to be very cathartic for him, in that he couldn't rescue Lucy from the same place. He should be able to help him to possibly have a little closure. Maybe a trip to Lucy's gravesite to officially say good-bye and to move on might not hurt.

Either way, I think that Carter is going to be more like his old self by the end of December.

-- Laura (ulaks@goldengate.net), November 10, 2000.

We can only hope you're right...poor Carter has gone through too much lately...

-- jules (jules@operamail.com), November 10, 2000.

You are correct about Kerry not supposed to be there. It was her day off and it was implied in a subtle manner that she was with Kim. I guess we'll see them together again in February...by then they could totally be a bona fide couple.

-- Trapper (b8uty_school_dropout@yahoo.com), November 10, 2000.

Kerry'[s storyline with the psychiatrist may be over with by February. Elizabeth Mitchell has been reported to have signed on to guest star on ER for four episodes by several reliable sources. She took over the role of Kim Legaspi fronm Lola Glaudini who was also reported to have signed on for 4-6 episodes. We have already seen Legaspi in Two episodes and I believe that Legaspi is suppoesed to be in two more episodes between now and the end of Christmas. That adds up to four episodes. Her storyline may be over at that point. If she does do six episodeds , her storyline will probably end very soon in the new year.

-- Brenda (jckwfan@aol.com), November 10, 2000.

jules, thanks for the info on "reliable sources." I have read those mark spoiler posts, I just thought a lot of it was speculation. Since it's not, hmmm...starts me thinking as well. I guess we'll find out in a week. Thanks!

-- Jen (JMGDrama@aol.com), November 11, 2000.

Laura, I love your comments, and I hope they DO make a point of the fact that Carter is supposed to rescue Abby from Curtain 3. Whether they'll keep up with that continuity, I don't know.

I didn't catch that Kerry was out with Kim Legespi!? When did they say this? I read it and I can't remember if it was in this thread or another, but when did they say that? All I heard was that she was going to Chrysthanimum (sp?) thing.

And a few other comments, because I was getting ready for something as I watched it so I missed a few things the first time I saw it. First, I loved Kerry's command and entrance to the blood spattered trauma. Her support of Peter was great, although she wasn't sugar coating it by telling him he did a great job. I loved how Benton was turning to everyone...esp. Carter. I wish they would give us more interaction with them like I thought they would, but I'm glad Peter sincerely asked Carter's opinion of whether to close to trauma. And I liked Malluchi questioning Benton about the "numb tongue". Benton told him to tell the patient to get a life, and Malluchi ran off a list of things it could be, showing him up. Funny! I love how Romano just breezes through the ER with comment after comment for everyone.

Mark has been getting cuter every day that he's with Elizabeth.

So I guess Haleh has Carol's job. And to those who were worried, Conni was back.

-- Elaine (mrsclooney78@hotmail.com), November 12, 2000.

I really liked this epi. I LOVED Carter's role -- I think he's the best doctor in that ER, he's so caring and gentle and I think he did the right thing with the young HIV patient. I understood the grandmother's desire to let him "have a normal life," but once he got to an age where he could be sexually active, it was only fair for her to tell him so he could protect himself and others! And I loved the interaction between Kerry and Carter ... Kerry was so kind and so sweet to him, sort of like a motherly friend, which I think he needs. I'm glad she was persistent about them having dinner together. Going home alone and brooding after a day like that would have been a disaster for Carter's already fragile psyche!

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that I *liked* Cleo in this epi. She IS caring, but has probably had to put a shell on in order to protect herself -- kind of like armor against all the sadness and trauma she sees in her profession, and who knows what her personal life is like and what her childhood was like? Perhaps her aloofness is a self-defense mechanism, and I think she is VERY good for Peter. He's been with more "openly" caring women before -- Jeanie, Elizabeth, Carla -- and those relationships never worked. Perhaps a woman like Cleo, who doesn't try to change him, is exactly what he needs (for the record, I did think Cleo's initial reaction to his potential job in Philly was very selfish. He was excited and rather than being happy for him and just waiting to see what happened, she immediately thought of herself.) Overall though, I think she's good for him and perhaps this relationship will allow BOTH of them to share their feelings more openly. With regards to the boy in the ER ... would a doctor REALLY tolerate a kid's atrocious behavior like that? I know the kid was scared, but I would definitely have taken control of the situation immediately. I think Cleo stepped in before Benton either lost his temper or made a mistake in the treatment because he was already frazzled.

Just my $.02 ... well, more like a few dollars. ;-)

-- Cindy (tailchasers51@hotmail.com), November 13, 2000.