ER: Season 1 [DVD]

Throughout most of the late 80s and early 90s, drama was essentially dead on television. Most of the line-ups were sitcoms. Popular shows were Cheers, Cosby Show, and Seinfeld. Many of the popular dramas of the early 80s were all but gone or nearing their end.In 1993, NYPD Blue came a long and cracked things open, but in 1994, ER exploded on the scene. I still recall seeing the pilot episode for the first time. Somehow I knew right away that I was watching television history in the making: this show was going to not only be around for a long time, but I knew it was also going to have a large audience.Those of you, like me, who have grown a bit complacent and tired of ER in recent years may have forgotten the original cast, the stories, and excitement that started it. I had forgotten just how good this show was. I hadn't seen the first season since it aired, with the exception of one episode that I'd taped (Love's Labor Lost).Another medical drama, Chicago Hope, made its debut the same year that ER did. There's a big reason that ER won out. While Chicago Hope had interesting stories, it was still using the old stationary motion from the dramas of yester-year. ER revolutionized dramatic television. In fact, many dramas today credit ER with its almost constant movement. Rather than have its characters standing still, they moved. They walked corridors at the brisk pace that ER doctors might. Cameras whirled around a trauma patient as four or five doctors and nurses worked on the patient. The camera movement alone created excitement and the good kind of tension that made you wonder what kind of emergency would come through those ER doors next. Watch these earlier episodes, and you'll notice quickly that whenever there is a trauma, the music kicks in and cameras speed up their pace and movement. For audiences were grew tired of the dull stationary cameras, this was new, fresh, and a whole lot of fun!ER's original cast simply can't be topped. Many actors and actresses have walked and continue to walk the halls of ER, but there's only one Dr. Mark Greene, played superbly by Anthony Edwards. He plays Greene with a reserve and confidence of someone who makes everything look easy. As the Chief Resident, he runs the ER, and he does it both smoothly and proficiently. He's also a man conflicted between his job which he loves and his family. Season one sees him trying to find a resolution between leaving the job he loves or risk losing his family.Then there's womanizer, Dr. Doug Ross. George Clooney plays Ross with all the charm and boyishness that seems to win women over with a look. He's unable to commit, and he leaves a trail of emotional baggage a mile long. Perhaps his former girlfriend nurse Carol Hathaway describes him best with the line, "Doug is a little boy who wants what he can't have."Sherry Stringfield has wonderful as Dr. Susan Lewis. She's cute and vivacious, and gives these elements to Lewis. Lewis also has a problem standing up for herself. She's generally a pleaser who is afraid of losing the affection and faith of those closest to her. Perhaps her biggest nemesis is her own sister who is all but inept. She and Greene are close friends, and one had to wonder if anything might come of it.Eriq La Salle was a perfect choice to play the arrogant, driven, and extremely talented Dr. Peter Benton who is a second-year surgical resident. Benton is devoted to his job and little else. Someone can lose count of the number of times we hear him yell at the nurses, "Come on, let's move people!" La Salle makes Benton move at light speed. He's always in motion, and even when he's stationary, you can see the energy that La Salle gives to Benton, that standing around is his least favorite thing.Who has forgotten the great charm and clumsy character of the first year for Dr. John Carter played by Noah Wyle? Before he became the proficient doctor we see in later seasons, we forget that Carter was a young medical student trying to survive his first year under Dr. Benton's instruction. Carter was a slightly nerdish, always wearing suspenders and expensive shirts, and yet he's always at the center when a laugh is needed to break the tension. Everything seems to happen to him. He's peed on, vomited on, and another med student hands him the cardio paddles with the wrong end, thus sending three hundred volts of electricity into the unsuspecting Carter and sending him unconscious to the floor.The stories are crisp and strong in this first season. Quite possibly one of the best single episodes of ANY series I've ever watched is here. Love's Labor Lost was an Emmy Award winning episode. It's an incredible episode featuring Dr. Greene attempting to deliver a baby until things go horribly wrong. Anthony Edwards was nothing short of perfect in this episode. Try watching this one without feeling the stress and tension that Greene feels. It's nearly impossible.So, if you're anxious to recapture some fond memories with the original cast of ER and remember why this show started off so well, then you can't go wrong with the first season of ER.

Want to see blood? People with insane medical conditions? Nurses and doctors rushing about in a frenzy trying to help everyone who comes in through the doors? Go to the ER. Oh wait, you can't do that just to observe? Well then watch this show!ER takes place in a busy Chicago hospital, in the Emergency Room of course! Following a particular cast of doctors and nurses, each day brings new types of trauma to the ER. But all these doctors and nurses have complicated personal lives as well and between that and the patients, sometimes the stress can get a little much. But there are always lives to be saved.Characters:Anthony Edwards: Dr. Mark GreeneGeorge Clooney: Dr. Doug RossSherry Stringfield: Dr. Susan LewisNoah Wyle: John CarterJulianna Margulies: Carol HathawayEriq La Salle: Dr. Peter BentonI could try to list all of the cast in this show, but it would take forever. But there are a lot, and they all play varied and important roles. The above named have the most screentime though. Anthony Edwards is one of my favorites. He plays a kindly doctor with an overbearing wife (at least in my opinion) and he's often the voice of reason. Clooney, on the other hand, is the wild child of the ER, frequently playing cowboy and getting himself into intense, but short romantic encounters. Stringfield is Susan Lewis, who is likable but has a bit of a temper even though she is supposed to be sweet. Margulies took some getting used to for me, but eventually I came around and enjoy seeing her on the show. Since she's the Head Nurse she has a pretty important role. And then there's La Salle, who does a great job playing the some-what jerk of a surgical resident.A tv show in a hospital is nothing new. Which it is really why the actors drive this show. Otherwise it would just be procedures, gore, and lots of sick people. But with the cast and their different personalities and different lives, it makes it a little something different. I do find the medical terminology intriguing, although I don't know enough to say whether or not it is accurate. I'm going to assume that it's at least fairly accurate, or there would have been tons of outrage from the medical community when it aired. Regardless, it makes for good viewing, and while not classified as educational, still better than some of the mindless cartoons out there!I do want to warn viewers that there is blood and violence and lots of things that may disturb viewers. It also deals with a lot of different social issues like suicide and abortion. So if you're not prepared to watch things like that, don't watch the show.I really enjoy this show and am looking forward to watching all the seasons I can get my hands on.Review by M. Reynard 2013

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)!

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!

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