ER is a medical drama, set in the Emergency Room of Chicago County General Hospital. It was created by Michael Crichton, known better as the author of Jurassic Park and many other bestselling books. Michael Crichton has a medical background as a Harvard Medical School graduate and his knowledge shows through in the program.
ER is one of America's highest rated television dramas, and is an Emmy Award Winner. It is also my favourite program.
+ The DVD +
ER season 3 comes in a box with the complete third season on 4 double sided discs.
There are 22 episodes, each running for approximately 45 minutes.
The discs themselves have no pictures, and only very small labels stating the disc number and side A or B. This is a nuisance for anyone who, like me, enjoys watching TV with dimmed lights, as you wouldn't have a hope of reading the disc labels without lights on.
The DVD has a 12 age warning and warns of moderate language, sex references and medical horror. I can imagine that ER would be traumatic for younger children as it is very realistic and graphic. It would also not be suitable for anyone who is in any way blood phobic, as they get through gallons in the average episode.
+ The Cast +
Dr Doug Ross : George Clooney. Dr Ross is a paediatrician and a maverick, risk taking doctor
Dr Mark Greene : Anthony Edwards. Dr Greene is hard working and sticks to the medical guidelines
Dr Susan Lewis : Sherry Stringfield. Dr Greene's love interest
Dr John Carter : Noah Wyle. New to the medical profession, Carter is hapless, but his skills really develop during this series
Dr Kerry Weaver : Laura Innes. She is hard nosed and yet, in this series shows a very compassionate side to her nature
Dr Peter Benton : Eriq La Salle. A cocky, arrogant surgeon. Another character who shows a different side to his nature as this series heralds the arrival of his baby son
Physician Assistant Jeanie Boulet : Gloria Reuben. A quiet character, who is HIV positive
Nurse Hathaway : Julianna Margulies. The on- off love interest of Dr Ross
+ The Storylines +
Each episode can be watched and enjoyed in isolation; indeed I started watching ER on TV during Series 5. However there are storylines that build up between Doctors, Nurses and even patients, and these are best understood when watched in order.
Series 3 opens with Doctor Carter starting his first day as an ER doctor. In the first episode the time of day is shown, in an attempt to get the viewer to understand the demands of a busy ER doctor. This series also follows the story of Jeanie Boulet attempting to hide her HIV status from colleagues. This storyline is well developed throughout the series.
There are some ongoing relationships between staff including the power struggle between Carter and Benton, Dr Benton's relationship with his girlfriend, which culminates in the birth of his son. There is also a will they, won't they? relationship between Drs Lewis and Greene.
This series of ER tackles some moving and touching themes including domestic violence, organ donation, and DNR requests.
Episode 15 is my particular favourite. It guest stars Ewan McGregor and involves a hostage taking event in a local store. It is a fast moving episode and has the typical amount of ER blood, guts and gore.
Occasionally there are some very bizarre occurrences in what is otherwise a gritty medical drama. In episode 2 the nurses through an impromptu celebration, and begin dancing around their workstation. Not something I have ever seen in British ER's.
+ DVD Extras +
The Extras are not shown in the accompanying booklet, so I have listed where to find them below.
Disc 1, Side B Union Station : Commentary on this episode by the director and editor. They explain how the filming was done, where actors were positioned and why this was a memorable episode for them.
Disc 2, Side B Whose Appy Now : Commentary on this episode by the director, write, editor and 2 cast members. In this we also learn how they cover up George Clooney's accident.
Disc 4 ER : Specialists fear of flying : Directors commentary on this episode. The director also explains how the actors are trained to act more like doctors.
The Nurses Station : A series of interviews with the nurses
Cutups : The series bloopers. Some of them are funny, but mostly they involve actors struggling with long and tricky medical words.
Outpatients Outakes : This shows a series of parts cut from different episodes. There is no explanation about why these parts have been taken out.
+ My Opinion +
I think that ER is the best TV medical drama. It is gritty, realistic, sensitive and there is just enough character development. Many other medical dramas try to introduce characters before they have their accidents, so that the viewers have some empathy for them. ER is different. I like the fact that some of the accidents are rushed in with no previous background. The empathy develops as you get to see the characters go through their time in the ER. This is not a drama for the faint hearted. There is a lot of blood, and some of the scenes are graphic.
+ Price + The price of this DVD varies, but I have found it in Amazon for £24.97, and on HMV for £26.99. Bargain!
More details
Soundtrack
Unmemorable
How does it compare to others by the same director?
Good
Value for Money
Excellent
What format are you reviewing?
DVD
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Drama - Director: Christopher Menaul, John Strickland, David Drury, John Madden, Sarah Pia Anderson, Paul Marcus, Philip Davis, Tom Hooper, Peter Berry, Philip Martin - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over
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