Work is being particularly grueling this week, but in the morning I still give myself time to watch ER reruns on TNT. We're in the third season now, and Doctors Corday and Romano have just reared their heads.There's something very fascinating about watching a show like this 2 hours at a time, 5 days a week. It brings the character arcs and storytelling to the forefront, very much for the benefit of the repeat viewer (see: Buffy season 6, which really only works on DVD as a major-miniseries). I'm partially watching it out of nostalgia, and also waiting to see where exactly it went off the rails, but so far its still going strong (if memory serves it starts sinking when Maura Tierny arrives).
In fact, until recently I would've debated if ER ever had any true longstanding character arcs aside from romances and offspring. But its true! It's a complex well thought out machine that was hindered by primetime network viewing.
The biggest surprise for me has been watching Laura Innes as Kerry Weaver and Gloria Rueben as Jeanie Boulet. I'd always loved Jeanie, but Innes is really delivering a crazy, layered, mesmerizing performance as Weaver, who keeps growing leaps and bounds in complexity. It really is impressive.
Another plus is watching the revolving door of the guest cast, which is jam-packed with amazing people. Mariska Hargitay just become the over-eager receptionist. The hair does not suit her.
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8 comments:
I'm pretending you're also rewatching it so that you can compile a list of filming locations to visit in Chicago!
I always blamed Luka for the derailment... he NEVER had a storyline worth considering. It was shortly after he joined the cast that the show became less about subtle character interaction more about new and terrible ways to blow up the ER (a station wagon full of guns! a tank! a helicopter!)
doctor romano is EVIL!
DESPISE luka. I think he and his forced romance with maura -- who was only compelling with the addition sally field -- just really did it in for me. Bleak/boring.
The first ER demolition was this week -- when Jerry accidentally fires the bazooka into the bronco full of ammo. Maybe we're in season 4 now? Actually. I think we are. We just had the live episode. (Fail)
Nice. I only saw three episodes of this show. One of them was theo ne where the helicopter kills the guy with one hand. Amazing.
Mariska's first ep is one of my favorites. It makes job interviews so much easier knowing that at least I won't go THAT off the rails. Weaver was always compelling and had a much easier and more convincing sexual 180 than Willow IMHO. Is Maria Bello on right now? LOVED her. Kinda stopped watching consistently after she left..and she only had one season I think.
yes! maria bello AND jorja fox right now! plus frances stearnhagen was just on as Grandma Carter!
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