What do you all think of Season 13?
Was Season 13 better than season 12? Yes. Very much so.
I enjoyed this season, and I’m sure most ER fans will agree. For me, the development of Morris and Sam has been key to its success this season.
Do you remember when Carter left and he spoke that legendary line to Morris : “You set the tone”.
Well Morris is finally fulfilling his potential. He’s not the finished article yet, but boy has his character grown this season. (Top Kudos to the writers).

Sam has been the revelation of the season. Since becoming the killer of her husband and Alex’s father she seems a better person. (tragic and ironic). She’s developed stronger working relationships and is slowly discovering how to be a better mother to her son.

On the downside Neela, and new to this season, Dr Gates have been disappointing. This has been Neela’s worst season. Her presence and development as a surgical resident has been negligible. Its all been about the Gates/Ray love triangle. And wouldn’t you know it she chose the wrong bloke, until she finally came to her senses. A shame for Ray it was a bit too late.

Gates has been a major character this season. The writers have certainly given him enough screen time; he’s a main cast member now. His personality and storylines have done him no favours, elevating him to “bete noire” status.
I have no problems liking and empathising for a “bad” guy, my beef is with the actor John Stamos, not the character Gates. Stamos is just plain unlikeable and seems to be devoid of charisma. How many scenes has he done with Sarah where were supposed to believe he’s kind and caring? None of them have been convincing. I’ve watched a whole season of John Stamos waiting for just one spark of charisma, a twinkle in the eye, a killer smile, but sadly nothing came. His acting style is one-dimensional and that really worries me. We’re going to see more of Gates next season and Stamos’ acting is holding back a potentially great character.

Thirteen favourite moments of the Season (in no particular order)

• Ray catches Gates and Neela kissing in the hospital. The look on Ray’s face; priceless. [Jigsaw]
• Morris steps upto the plate with a difficult diagnosis. The D.I.D. patient. [Jigsaw]
• Abby listens in on the nannies talking in the park. [Parenthood]
• The Police investigate Pratt for suspicion of running an illegal clinic. Pratt replies “Isn’t one of you supposed to be the good cop?”
• Morris and Hope sing their socks off and give a rousing version of “Don’t go breaking my Heart” [I don’t]
• Abby returns home to find a stranger (Ames) sitting in her front room. Truly chilling.
• Its Christmas time. Hope asks Morris out, but he gallantly turns her down to remain friends for the time being. Playing the Long Game can work sometimes. Nice one Archie. [City of Mercy]
• Ray vs 18 Wheeler. Possibly the most important moment of the season. Shocking to the core. And in the context of the most upbeat episodes for years , true genius on the writers behalf. [I don’t]
• Morris vs Crenshaw. Archie squares upto the bullying egotist and shoots him down with a stinging verbal assault. Crenshaw was never the same again.
• The mysterious drinker in Ikes turns out to be Abby’s father. The writers were clearly foreshadowing this character for next season.
• Sam takes care of a patient. Diana, the photographer, reveals “I don’t have any friends”. A heartfelt moment. Magic. Annabella Sciorra, the actress who played Diana was just great. Best cameo of the season by a long way. [Lights out]
• Dr Morretti is in the I.C.U. surveying his domain. As the viewer, I’ve got Ray on my mind….could he be mashed to a pulp fighting for his life in the very same ICU? The tension in those ICU scenes was immense. Clever, clever writing. [Sea Change]
• Its Sam’s birthday. Alex is many miles away getting help at a special school. She’s having a great time in the bar with her friends from work. Its almost the perfect birthday. Then she gets a phone call from Alex. A very subtle moment, but so powerful. Heart warming.

I’m hopeful Season 14 will better again. Well done everyone at ER.

quote:

I have no problems liking and empathising for a “bad” guy, my beef is with the actor John Stamos, not the character Gates. Stamos is just plain unlikeable and seems to be devoid of charisma. How many scenes has he done with Sarah where were supposed to believe he’s kind and caring? None of them have been convincing. I’ve watched a whole season of John Stamos waiting for just one spark of charisma, a twinkle in the eye, a killer smile, but sadly nothing came. His acting style is one-dimensional and that really worries me. We’re going to see more of Gates next season and Stamos’ acting is holding back a potentially great character.

Couldn't agree more with this paragraph! My thoughts exactly...I am worried for what this implies for season 14.

I won't list 13 favourite moments though I agree with most of yours, esp. the Sam/Diana storyline, DID patient and Morris/Hope stuff. My other favourites include Maggie's return in 'Graduation', Luby hugs after the whole Ames thing, Luby getting engaged, Weaver's departure...I could go on!

I enjoyed the season but nowhere near as much as 12. I hope the writers get back on form for 14.

Have to say I also disagree about this season being better than season 12.
Agree about Morris and Sam. Sam definietely wears murder well! She's been so much better in the second half of this season than she ever was before, so glad Alex left I liked Morris in season 12 and he just keeps getting better.
Hope is a great addition to the show I think she's hilarious and her and Morris rock! Crenshaw is also a decent addition and I'm excited about Morretti.
Love the lubyness (obviously), amazing acting in the first two epi's of the season especially, and I love how they slipped into becoming a family, began to happen at the end of S12 and has been really sweet this season Interesting point about Stamos, I'd never really considered this. I dunno if I'd like Gates if the actor was different, I think he just has too many flaws and I don't usually warm to the arrogant type. But I think Stamos is definitely part of it, Gates's relationship with Sarah is suppose to be his redeeming factor and you can see in the moments which are really suppose to be touching he just isn't up to it. Definitely negative from the season
On the subject of Gates the actress playing Sarah is awsome and the one thing that keeps me the remotely in Gates.
Agree with you completely about Neela.
Best guest stars were Forest Whitaker, Annabella Sciorra and Sally Field. The whole of the Ames storyline was great. The ovarian patient was key to Sam's development. Sally Field's added humour to an intense situation and it was a nice development of Abby and Maggie's relationship.
One thing that's annoyed me is how somethings and some episodes seem to have been for immediate affect and then dropped. Much as I've enjoyed Sam she hardly seemed like someone who shoot the father of her child and Alex took a while to show signs of a trumatised kid, Ames plot was really well developed but I think the aftermath was neglected a bit. Abby's dad turning up half way through and then disappearing seemed kind of pointless though assuming the storyline will return next season I think it'll be a really good contrast with Luka and his dad and I have no idea where they're going with Neela being trampled!
Weaver's gone, Ray's legs, Goran leaving (even though he's gonna be back for a few epis)
Good season with some great epis (Bloodline & graduation day, Murmurs of the heart and I don't especially) but also a lot of average ones.

I agree with most of the above. Series 13 wasn't unlucky for ER in my opinion. It may, however, have been unlucky for Neela.

I loved her character soooo much in previous series, but I struggle to see a way back for her. Heres why:-

i.) She's in surgery. She's always going to be seen as 'outside the gang' from now on. Her interactions are not the same as say Benton/Corday/Romano because they played a much bigger role in ER life. TPTB seem determined to push surgery to the margins, meaning we see little Neela development.

ii.) Now Ray has gone home it seeems obvious that Neela will reignite her 'thing' with Gates. TPTB have written her as a confused, but needy woman and will go down that route of pairing her off with someone. The Neela 'pre-Gates' was a witty, strong person. He has gotten into her head and I'll be so surprised if it's the end of them. She needs someone and he's there; like it or not.

iii.) The Neela and Abby relationship was given time once through series 13: At Abby's wedding. That relationship was one of the things that made me really like Neela. The way they bounced off one another. It's gone now.

Only three things, I know. But important things I believe. PN is a fantastic actress but she's been given no-where to go. Neela's in flux. She better come outta it quick else she's going to become more annoying.