No offence to ER fans, in fact maybe some of you could explain to me what I'm missing, because ER does seem to have quite a following ... ?
I never watched it until I met my partner three years ago and he was a big fan, so I tried to get into it, but unlike other shows to which he's "converted" me, ER stands alone:-
I don't like, or care about, any of the characters, after three years of watching I still don't know their names, I have found maybe three storylines in as many years that have been gripping enough to prevent sleep, the characters speak too quickly, there is too much noise, there are too many long single camera shots, moving sideways, backwards, spinning around, it makes me feel proper queasy.
The only character I've ever really liked is Weaver (one of two whose names I do know) and now she seems to have gone, and the only real sense of pleasure I have got from watching ER is witnessing Romano's highly unlikely helicopter misfortunes (you would think that if a helicopter blade took your arm off, it would be safe to assume you would never become the victim of a second helicopter-related incident). Mind you, I can't think of anyone I'd rather have seen crushed to death under several tons of aircraft wreckage.
I think if you had watched it right from the start, with the (in my eyes) "proper" characters (Carter, Dr Green, the black guy with the deaf kid, George Clooney's character.. I admit, it's been a while and I've forgotten both their names) then you'd have found it a lot easier to get into.
There seems to have been a huge turnover recently, the only "old" characters really being Luka & Abbey. I find it less easy to care for the new ones, but I'm confident that will come in time.
I suppose if you don't like the premise of a drama set in a hospital there's not much you can do. I personally like the "real" aspect (however real it may or may not actually be.) And the medical aspect very interesting. I also like that it does not (or, at least until the most recent series) follow how the patients got their injuries, or even follow the patients themselves for more than one episode.
I never watched it until I met my partner three years ago
Sounds like you started watching when it started going bad! Not your fault, but the last three series, in comparison with its hay-day, have been poor.
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I don't like, or care about, any of the characters
In the main part, same here. Like I say, the characters in the first 6 series were, mainly, engaging enough. Neela is the only one who fits this, for me.
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The only character I've ever really liked is Weaver
Case point. She's been there since series 2 and has had a journey. She's a bitch. She's caring. She's not one dimensional like all the newbies. We know what she's like, and the fact that you like her after starting watching in series 8/9 means that you can tell she's walked a path.
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Mind you, I can't think of anyone I'd rather have seen crushed to death under several tons of aircraft wreckage.
At the time, very true. But I'd love to have Rocket back now. I miss him and all that goes with him.
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What's the appeal, folks? Where am I going wrong?
If you want the full ER journey, buy series 1-5 on DVD (6 is available on video too) and see what you are missing - which is a lot! The appeal in in there. As a fan of those series, I'm just watching now because of habit and in the possibility that I might see a good episode.
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I think if you had watched it right from the start, with the (in my eyes) "proper" characters (Carter, Dr Green, the black guy with the deaf kid, George Clooney's character.. I admit, it's been a while and I've forgotten both their names) then you'd have found it a lot easier to get into.
That 'black guy with the deaf kid' is Peter Benton and George Clooney played Doug Ross. If you were any kind of ER fan, you'd know their names!
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See I missed the early seasons and only began watching on and off in Season Seven when, many a year ago, C4 repeated them during the summer holidays.
My brother used to watch it (doesn't anymore) and I slowly got over my squeamishness enough to eat lunch in front of ER most lunchtimes in summer. I guess I just got sucked in; I suppose you might find it hard to love it unless you love these kinds of things already.
I find the fast-paced action part of it's main selling point to me - it's gritty, dramatic, technical and bold - I like their use of terminology and their episodes which are always a varying mix of humour, drama and angst. When held up against other medical dramas on television now, things such as Casualty, in my opinion, pale in comparison. Although, to each their own, right? My friend loves Casualty and has never really bothered with ER.
And now I've seen some early episodes - they are better, but I still love it now.
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I think if you had watched it right from the start, with the (in my eyes) "proper" characters (Carter, Dr Green, the black guy with the deaf kid, George Clooney's character.. I admit, it's been a while and I've forgotten both their names)...
That 'black guy with the deaf kid' is Peter Benton and George Clooney played Doug Ross. If you were any kind of ER fan, you'd know their names!
was gonna say... to not even recall two of the major cast members...
if you want a succinct summary of how the show has gone since the first season, theres a good bunch of opinions on the review topic for the current seasons opener (12.01 canon city)last week, including comparisons with previous seasons. check that topic out and youll see that youve been unlucky. the show sucks now (for those of us that have followed the show from the start), but we will all still be watching.
it came to brum, jan 3rd... its coming back to london, summer 06!
Thanks for your responses guys ... Sarah I think you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned Weaver not being a one-dimensional character. I'm sure everyone's right to say that if I'd watched it from series one I would appreciate it more now. Do you think it's fair to say that it's become lazy and complacent, that there are still plenty of fans from the early days who became hooked when the storylines were exciting? I hope not - it would be better to keep trying to draw people in.
I've always liked the fact that ER treats the viewer as intelligent - anyone who has watched the show for years understands the basic medical terminology and 'pecking order' of interns / residents / attendings, so the writers don't need to spell it out for you. I cringe when I (occasionally!) watch Holby City and Casualty because they treat the viewer as a complete idiot!
IMO, the series went downhill after season 6 - I'd recommend to anyone to watch Be Still My Heart and All In The Family. They're the best two hours of TV to come out of America!
I also love the little touches incorporated into certain key episodes to 'thank' the long-term viewer. For example, in Noah's last episode last year, as he walked through the corridors of the ER, we heard voices of (if I remember!) Carol, Peter and Mark. Only viewers who have watched from the beginning of the show will fully appreciate the significance of this.
I tend not to read spoilers, so I love it when you get a complete surprise (e.g. the guest appearance of George Clooney at the end of Julianna Margulies' last episode in Such Sweet Sorrow).
I can't wait till the season 6 DVD comes out - I hope it has lots of extras!
So, to summarise (this feels like an essay!), if you're new to ER, stick with it - bearing in mind that ER is not as good as it used to be in the mid-late 1990's. Buy the DVD's to see what you're missing!
'Science explains everything - except luck ... and love'
Do you think it's fair to say that it's become lazy and complacent, that there are still plenty of fans from the early days who became hooked when the storylines were exciting?
I know that I've watched the show from the beginning, and I've vowed to watch every last episode they decide to make.
Credit where credit's due: It must be difficult to make a series new and fresh after 12 years (with 22 hours of drama per year). I think most stories under the sun have been attempted for most of the characters!! What I will say, is that over recent years TPTB have definitely favoured the younger actors over established characters like Lizzie Corday, Kerry Weaver and Susan Lewis. This was a huge mistake in my opinion. Have you ever walked into an A&E where 90% of the staff are under the age of 35?? The show used to pride itself on being realistic - where has that gone to now? (OK rant over!!!)
IMO, the series went downhill after season 6 - I'd recommend to anyone to watch Be Still My Heart and All In The Family. They're the best two hours of TV to come out of America!
Gushing praise - but those 2 episodes were an absolute high point. Truly draw dropping drama at end of Be Still...., One of those tv drama moments that you'll never forget.
Sadly it was only 4 seasons later in Season 10, when ER gave us one of the absolute worst moments in american drama history with Romano's "exit".
I also love the little touches incorporated into certain key episodes to 'thank' the long-term viewer. For example, in Noah's last episode last year, as he walked through the corridors of the ER, we heard voices of (if I remember!) Carol, Peter and Mark. Only viewers who have watched from the beginning of the show will fully appreciate the significance of this.
Its all about the little touches - with you on that one!!!
I think it's safe to say that the current seasons of ER aren't quite as good as the original seasons, but even now I wouldn't say it was bad. It was just so good in the beginning - it's got a lot to live up to and although the latest few seasons haven't quite reached the same standard they're still a damn sight better than other medical shows that aren't (in my opinion) even in the same league as ER. It's definately worth watching from the beginning, it definately sucks you in and hey you never know it might get you hooked on the current season as well.
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And now, as the playful puppy of time bounds after the toilet paper of destiny, I must leave you...heading towards the U-bend of fate.
.................................................................................... Carter: did the gang go out again last night? Abby: its not a gang it’s a club Carter: not another stage diving incident I hope Abby: first rule of girls club is you don’t talk about girls club Carter: you’re not going to tell me what you did? Abby: The usual, prank calls, pillow fights, lesbian experimentation
I also love the little touches incorporated into certain key episodes to 'thank' the long-term viewer. For example, in Noah's last episode last year, as he walked through the corridors of the ER, we heard voices of (if I remember!) Carol, Peter and Mark. Only viewers who have watched from the beginning of the show will fully appreciate the significance of this.
Its all about the little touches - with you on that one!!!
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I think in the begining, it was all fresh and new and realistic (to an extent). I got into it at about episode 4 of series 8 and was weeping bucket loads when Doc Greene died at end of the series. I think it has it's highs and lows, chatacters move on.
"Never let your work become your life, Kerry. Live a little."
I think if you had watched it right from the start, with the (in my eyes) "proper" characters (Carter, Dr Green, the black guy with the deaf kid, George Clooney's character.. I admit, it's been a while and I've forgotten both their names)...
That 'black guy with the deaf kid' is Peter Benton and George Clooney played Doug Ross. If you were any kind of ER fan, you'd know their names!
was gonna say... to not even recall two of the major cast members...
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Guys, not everyone is quite as obsessed as you are Don't you think the fact that you remember their names is expected as you frequent an ER forum?
