The widely-rumored surprise return of George Clooney to ER last night had a number of very nice moments, with Clooney’s Dr. Doug Ross seen practicing in a hospital in Seattle. I’m only half-joking when I say that his performance probably did a lot to increase organ donations around the country: When Doug Ross, in that superlatively reassuring murmur of his, tells you that "You can change lives for the better," as he did with guest star Susan Sarandon as the grandmother of a dying boy, you want to fork over your retinas.
Sure, it was a little corny that Sarandon’s grandson should provide the heart for a dying mom at County General and a kidney for Noah Wyle’s Carter (in a different hospital in Chicago), but who cares? The emotions rang true in every scene. Julianna Margulies also returned as Carol Hathaway, now a hospital administrator; Carol and Doug are still cozy-tight, with twin daughters waiting for them at home.
Noah Wyle and Eriq La Salle also shared a few charming, chummy scenes in this episode entitled "Old Times," and their subplot also featured a fine turn by Christian Clemenson — Jerry from Boston Legal! — as a cranky surgeon.
But the focus of our attention remained, inevitably, on Clooney. He didn’t leave County General and become a movie star for nothin’.
Did you watch? Were you glad to see Doug Ross, Carol Hathaway, and so many of the old ER faces back again?
Comments (1-30) of 162 Add your comment
Great episode it was the first one i watched since greys anatomy premiered.
I had no idea how much I missed that mumble! I thought the way they worked everyone into the story was perfect. The actual scenes at County were almost unimportant tonight. Yay for some of the best use of guest stars ever.
LOVED IT!
was great to see Benton back (always one of the more interesting characters and Doug Ross/George Clooney slipped back seamlessly into the role and showed in one episode what the show has lacked for several years.
It was so good! It made me realize how good that show was when they were all on there. Awesome.
i loved seeing all the old characters again! it was interesting to note that neela and sam didn’t have any overlap w/any of the doctors that doug ross knew (except carter).
what a great way to send the show out!!
I loved it, just made me wish it wasnt ending….I almost cried.
LOVED IT! this is the first episode i’ve watched since dr. greene died. Ross & Carol were always my favorite couple and it was so nice to see he has a wedding band on and then last scene with them in the bed showed how much in love they still are with eachother after all these years. Also great to see Benton is still with Cleo!
clooney rocks
I loved it! So good- it makes me sad that the show is coming to a close. It was such a welcoming feeling to see Clooney back in scrubs. I liked how the episode wasn’t over-the-top, either. The stories were linked, but it wasn’t a big showy affair- loved it!
Man is Sarandon the goods or what. Anyone who can steal focus from Clooney and Margulies, on that show, is a pro.
I’ve watched ER from the very beginning… and tonight’s episode was by far one of the best I’ve ever seen.
It was classy the way they incorporated the lives of the original cast into the story. Too many times shows try to have “reunions” and us viewers are bored with half-hearted dialogue and corny dramatic pauses. Kudos to the ER writers for not letting us down! (And double-kudos for not having Cloony only appear in a cameo or in the last 10 minutes of the episode! That would have really sucked!)
The scene with Dr Ross asking Neela and Sam about who’s at County and who’s gone – was so true to life. How often do we leave jobs and not know what happens to the people who we spent so much time with? ER has always been one of the best shows on the air, and tonight it proved that it is a show that respects its audience and believed that we deserved something special to say goodbye.
Cheers to John Williams and who ever else is responsible for writing tonight’s show. It was great. I have missed Dr.Carter and George Clooney just has so much class to never forget where he came from. I will miss ER.
Hot damn, my TV screen was practically sizzling with Clooney on the screen. That man looks perty in scrubs. And how cute was it seeing Benton and Carter together again?? I loved this episode! And Carter better have a happy ending!
It was FABULOUS watching Doug and Carol again. Oh, how I’ve missed them.
THANK YOU, George and Julianna! LOVE you guys!!
It was FABULOUS watching Doug and Carol again. Oh, how I’ve missed them.
THANK YOU, George and Julianna! LOVE you guys!!
clooney is such a huge movie star now…how much cooler is he coming back to the show that launched his career…seeing hathtaway…carter and benton only made it better!!…
I am sooooooooooooooooooooooo loving this episode!!!! Seeing Benton and Carter together – speechless. Dr. Ross, right from the beginning it feels like he’s never left. I LOVE THIS EPISODE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As an ER fan from the very beginning, I loved the way they incorporated the old characters into the new storylines. The writers for this show nailed it; not wasting the opportunity to profile the former actors and characters that made this show the groundbreaking medical drama it remains while not alienating the newer characters. Just seeing the familiar names on the opening credits from “Clooney” to “Freeman” was an absolute delite for me. I could not be more pleased and the acting was totally on point. So nice to see veteran actors(regardless to what they were compensated with to return) come back to the show that made them stars. ER’s actors were and always will be class acts. Pay attention “Grey’s” actors. This is how real stars conduct themselves.
Noah Wyle was a huge part of ER for most of its run, not to mention my favorite. The least Tucker could do is spell his name correctly.
I can only add to outpouring of love and admiration for this incredible episode of ER. Not only was it great that they didn’t drag everyone back to County General to make it feel as though nothings changed but they also kept the scenes between Carter and Benton real and believable, not corny or unwatchable. Thank you so much. I’m only sad that Greene’s return wasn’t as classy. Also love the last tidbit: “It went to some doctor…” hahaha. If only you knew.
Just like the show of old that I loved and religiously watched. I am happy that it seemed to end well for Carter, and that Benton showed up. But I am dissappointed that Carol and Doug didn’t learn, somehow, that it was Carter receiving the kidney. I feel it would have made it come around full circle. Bummed about that. Anyway, two thumbs up.
Omg! thank you holly. Yeah, what the hell? Come on, Noah Wyle is hardly obscure.
Agree with Emma on Carter and Benton…they definitely stayed true to the dynamic of those characters. If Noah Wyle does not at least receive an Emmy nomination for his story arc, I’ll totally believe that there is a conspiracy regarding the Emmys and ER acting awards. He was so believable, I forgot he wasn’t actually sick. Awesome performances all around, but he stood out amongst the best. Loved the scene of Benton bursting through the OR doors when Carter was being wheeled in for his transplant. Reminded me of the old days.
It was awesome. I’ve watched from the beginning and I’ll watch to the end. Loved the Carter/Benton scenes and the Banfield baby scenes too. So good it makes me even sadder the show is ending.
Yaaaay to the ER originals (including Mr. Movie Star) who remember where they started. Kudos to all – actors, writers, etc. for a memorable, fantastic episode. Yaaay to Susan Sarandon, too — I see an Emmy in your future. And yaaay me for DVR-ing the show so I can watch it again. Esp the Doug and Carol scenes! What a fantastic gift to us longtime ER watchers. Talk about fantastic closure.
I was happy for a mini-reunion! But I wish NBC actually promoted this episode with Clooney’s name to boost viewership since I thought the show was saving him for later.
The only question now is what the show is going to do for the finale…
And holy crap, is Neela like really going away even though there would be 2 episodes left after her departure??? She’s not that pregnant!
What a satisfying last season they are giving us. Thank you for so many years of wonderful storytelling.
Excellent show with wonderful acting. ER is so superior to all the “new” shows like Gray’s Anatomy. Tonight’s episodes was perfection.
This was a fantastic episode! I have watched ER from the beginning & I am so happy all the original cast are making guest appearences. Bravo, on the opening credits; it took me right back to the start of the series. I have been looking forward to seeing Doug & Carol onscreen again. Next to Ross & Rachel (Friends) they are the best couple on TV. They still have that amazing onscreen chemistry. Wonderfully Done! Thank you George & Julianna for coming home 1 last time for your fans.