E.R. - Series 4 - Complete (Box Set) > Reviews > ER - The Complete Fourth Season

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Good
Characters / Performances	Good
Special Effects	Outstanding
How does it compare to similar films?	Good

Advantages:	Pacy medical drama .  George Clooney .
Disadvantages:	Not as many special features as previous seasons

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Starring Anthony Edwards (of Top Gun fame), George Clooney, Noah Wyle, Julianna Margulies, Eriq La Salle and Alex Kingston.
Producer Michael Crichton.

Certificate 15

Emmy Award-winning

This series sees the arrival of Doctor Elizabeth Corday from England ~ played by Alex Kingston. Boulet's HIV Status becomes known to all, Dr Romano tries to hit on Corday and Carter helps his cousin through drug addiction.

I felt that as the characters were really developing in this series, they were able to tackle grittier storylines. There is slightly less of the high impact medical gore and more of the personal relationships. Dr Ross, played by George Clooney really comes into his own in this series. You see him changing from a slightly arrogant doctor to a real human, caring for his patients.

I am not a big fan of the episodes away from the ER. Personally I love the blood and the pacy medical episodes, however episode 7 was very touching and helped you understand why Ross fails to commit to people.

Episode 1 was a very different ER episode. It was filmed and broadcast live, and you can tell. I wouldn't lilke all of ER to be shot in this way, but it was interesting, and somehow made the characters even more credible.

Dr Elizabeth Corday is typically English, and her arrival in episode 2 makes you squirm at the Americans perception of English doctors. I think she develops as an actress and as the character throughout the series, and is far better at the end of the series when she has lost her Englishness!

For me the best episode is 15 ~ a chemical factory explodes. I love the high drama, and it is more like a feature film than a TV show. This to me is Er, and MIchael Crichton at their best. The acting is uper and the special effects, graphic and horribly believable.

Below follow a brief synopsis. Word of warning ... don't read the synopsis in the booklet that comes with the DVD, it prompts too many memories if you have seen ER before!

DISC 1 Side A
Episode 1: Ambush ~ Documentary team follows the ER staff around. This was performed and broadcast live and at times it shows.

Episode 2: Something New ~ Enter Dr Corday. Carter helps a new student.

Episode 3: Friendly Fire ~ Focuses on the slightly hapless Jerry!

Episode 4: When The Bough Breaks ~ A nasty school bus accident and the start of the Boulet story.

DISC 1 Side B
Episode 5: Good Touch, Bad Touch ~ Benton the working Dad, problems for Greene.

Episode 6: Ground Zero ~ Ross looses someone close to him. Weaver is mean. Not as much medicine in this one.

Episode7: Fathers and Sons ~ Focuses on Doug (Clooney)

Episode 8: Freak Show ~ Hathaways clinic opens with amusing consequences

DISC 2 SIDE A
Episode 9: Obstruction of Justice ~ Boulet storyline develops. Ross and Weaver lock horns

Episode 10: Do You See What I See ~ Christmas Eve. Nice.

Episode 11: Think Warm Thoughts ~ Winter in ER always a special time

Episode 12: Sharp Relief ~ Hathaway and Ross romantice is on the lines. Carter helps his cousin

DISC 2 SIDE B
Episode 13: Carters Choice ~ Synergix! Carter has to deal with a rapist

Episode 14: Family Practice ~ Dr Greene and the slightly unhinged Cynthia

Episode 15: Exodus ~ Chemical factory explosion. Contaminated victims. ER at its best!

Episode 16: My Brothers Keeper ~ Carter and his cousin Chase

DISC 3 SIDE A

Episode 17: A Bloody Mess ~ Anspaugh's son is ill. Romano gets romantic (yuck)

Episode 18: Gut Reaction ~ Lots of Dr Ross and Carter

Episode 19: Shades of Gray ~ Dr Del Amico has a crisis about abortion.

DISC 3 SIDE B

Episode 20: Of Past Regret and Future Fear ~ Roamno being romantic again. Ross deals with a heroin addict.

Episode 21: Suffer The Little Children ~ Ross still dealing with the addict. A funny TV character appears.

Episode 22: A Hole In The Heart ~ Ross is on the way out, or is he? Carter doesn't like Del Amicos boyfriend ~ now why would that be?

If you like medical dramas you will love ER, although it make much more sense when you watch it from Series 1. I own the first three ER box sets, and had pre-ordered series four. These DVDs are a bit like a trip down memory lane for me, I used to watch ER on E4. The medical effects are fabulous, they use a large amount of fake blood, and the camera does not shy away from filming everything. Not for the squeamish!

Current Prices
Amazon Price: £22.97 Free Delivery
WhSmith £44.99 Free Delivery
HMV £22.99 Free Delivery

I got my copy from HMV Online, speedy delivery at no cost. Hooray. (Amazon was more expensive at the time I bought my copy!)