The Show Must Go On (ER)
 | This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points. (December 2013) |
| "The Show Must Go On" | |
|---|---|
John Wells | |
| Written by | David Zabel |
| Original air date | May 19, 2005 |
"The Show Must Go On" is the 22nd and
Plot synopsis
Dr. John Carter is back in the States to wrap up his affairs. He purchases half a dozen pizzas for the ER staff, as well as some refreshments. He also treats a patient who has injured her wrist.
Ray is dealing with whether he wants to go into his residency as a doctor.
Carter then leaves with Dr. Kovač for his "surprise" farewell party, where most of the attending doctors and his friends are waiting for him. County General then stops accepting trauma patients after further problems with the sewer pipes in the hospital leaves them with only one operating room, coupled with the fact that the majority of the ER staff is at Carter's party.
Six people are killed in the
Unable to reach Dr. Kovač by pager, they send a student over to fetch him. The party immediately evaporates, as everyone runs back to the ER to help the victims of the porch collapse. A surprised Carter returns from the restroom to empty tables. They spend some time watching a slideshow of his time at County. The presentation features past ER doctors, including
brings Carter back to the ER.Carter treats one last patient before leaving County General. He is surprised to learn that he delivered the young girl with the broken wrist 11 years ago in Season 1.
Before he leaves he stops by to see Ray, Neela and Abby and shares the letter he wrote to himself as an intern under Dr. Greene, that had sat in his locker until this point. As Carter is leaving the hospital for the last time, Dr. Greene and Dr. Benton (his primary mentors) and Nurse Carol Hathaway are heard in voice-overs. Outside, he finds a fatigued and partially sober Morris crouching outside. Carter repeats the advice that was given to Dr. Greene by Dr. Morgenstern to the new chief resident: "You set the tone."
Inspirations
The porch collapse featured in this episode is based on the true story of the 2003 Chicago balcony collapse.
Also starring
Staff
- Archie Morris
- Dr. Lucien Dubenko
- Sara Gilbert as Dr. Jane Figler
- Anthony Giangrande as Dr. Jeremy Munson
- Britain Spellings as Dr. Sackowitz
- Michael Spellman as Dr. Jim Babinski
- Nurse Haleh Adams
- Nurse Lily Jarvik
- Nurse Chuny Marquez
- Nurse Malik McGrath
- Kyle Richards as Nurse Dori
- Jerry Markovic
- Monte Russell as Paramedic Dwight Zadro
- Lyn A. Henderson as Paramedic Pamela Olbes
- Emily Wagner as Paramedic Doris Pickman
- Brian Lester as Paramedic Brian Dumar
- Jordan Calloway as Volunteer K.J.
This is the final episode with Noah Wyle (who plays Dr. John Carter) as a regular cast member, although he has several guest appearances in later episodes.
This is
Others
- Danny Glover as Charlie Pratt
- Sam Jones III as Chaz Pratt
External links
- Full Cast & Crew at the Internet Movie Database