ER: The Complete First Season [DVD] [2004]

We originally tuned in about half-way into the third series (although I’d actually watched the pilot whilst my wife was late-shift nursing) and rapidly acquired the taste as late-comers, anyway; but what a joy to go back and watch the whole thing unfold in sequence!Talk about hitting the ground running! They really did get off to a wonderful start – and by some miracle sustained, even built on, the astonishingly high standards set from Go. I can’t believe I’m writing a fan-review about what’s essentially a hospital soap, but I defy any discerning viewer to resist the series’ writing and production values, before even talking about the acting. The acting! The structured interplay of the leads is a joy, especially the accumulating contrasts/unity between humane but technically-flourishing Carter and technically-brilliant and increasingly-humane Benton: Eriq LaSalle is quite magnificent (and my wife adds some oestrogen-fuelled endorsement to that). The moral core established by Anthony Edwards is a masterwork of sustained understatement. Then there’s Clooney: certified straight as I am, even I can respond to his beauty – probably second only to Sean Connery as Bond for sheer physical attraction. The thing is, his study of Ross is also pitch-perfect for the character as he develops, especially in the second series (which I also ordered as part of a grand birthday prezzie for my wife – Hah! talk about your dual-purpose gift, as I’m loving it just as much as she is).It’s hard to pick a fave rave factor for this show, but I think I’ll go for all the character-actors who turn up to cameo patients and relatives. Wonderful, ephemeral work pulled off by these people: and where do they get the precocious kids from – are they farming them somewhere? Amazing. But maybe my favourite quality of the show is the humour, on second thoughts; when they go for it, they can make you laugh out as loud (or chuckle with as much knowing irony) as at any Cheers episode.Honestly can’t recommend this investment highly enough – get splashing if you care about quality TV! For the ladies, Series 2 has a confrontation over a basketball and about a lady between Clooney and Noah Wyle (so excellent as Carter). Look, I know they’re being manipulative in getting these two ultimate objects of female desire angry with each other – but who cares when they’re so good at it! For the record, my other favourite TV show of all time is The Prisoner: so take it from me that ER’s qualities go way deeper than the populist appeal they’ve so encouragingly achieved. Superb.

great

This season of ER is, for me, the best one. I even find the little inconsistencies they never mention again delightful too. Like what happened to "Bob" the Polish doctor (introduced here), did she just go to desk clerk heaven halfway through season 2? And what of Doug Ross's mystery son who is never mentioned again? These aren't spoilers, just minor side issues so don't worry. To describe this season as a whole, I would say it balances high drama and social realism well. And, because its the brainchild of Michael Crichton and Steven Spielberg, expect quirky boderline supernatural too....just a little. As well as the unconventional cases that add spice to this well rounded season. For me, this was the calm season (comparatively speaking), before everyone started fighting custody battles, or getting in a twist about race relations. Watch it, then watch it again...and again, you'll find it takes the bitter taste of 21st Century TV out of your mouth.

Fantastic opening series to a medical drama that lasted 15 years. Some terrific guest stars, which of course will get better as the seasons progress. You get to meet Mark Greene, the loving husband and father who is torn between career progression at County General and following his wife to a new city where HER career is taking off. Next is Doug Ross, the womanising doctor with a heart of gold when it comes to his patients. Carol Hathaway is the main nurse we focus, which I learned was not the original plan, as she was supposed to have been killed off in the pilot episode! This truly is an ensemble cast. There is even a Quentin Tarantino directed episode late in the season. and I dare you to count the Pulp Fiction/QT references featured (Pulp Fiction was released that year, remember)!

The show has aged very well (except for the use of pagers and payphone :-)). The storylines are still relevant and interesting, the actors are wonderful and the drama is fast-paced. Absolutely worth it to watch again!

As an avid ER fan from day 1 I wasn't dissapointed when I watched this dvd series. You can tell that this was in the days before ER really sharpened things up but that makes it even better to watch.My only problem was that when i put disk 2 in it was same as disk 1 so I had to return it but they did get it back to me quickly and hasn't put me off buying any of the other series, a must for all ER fans or those that have only been watching later series.

There isn't a dull episode in this series of ER - lots of medical action and drama between doctors and doctors,doctors and nurses and the public.There are plenty of happy and sad scenes and some great humour. But for me ER fails in one department - it just doesn't make you feel scared thatone day you could end up on one of those trolleys (gurneys)yourself.And having worked in a hospital myself I can assure you it should!

I am not a fan of series as majourity of the tv series are too long whichmakes the story weaker. The ER series stood apart partly becasue it isan emergency hospital which will always be full of patient and doctors.The acting was also superb and it makes one wonders if those guys were actuallyreal doctors. It is worth watching for anyone interested in series and emergency unit.