ER–-Yes, I know we’re talking about 2008 and not 1998. And I am also aware that most of ER’s once gigantic audience abandoned ship years ago. But I am here to tell you that this once great hospital drama has again become eminently watchable, using the freedom of being in its final season to tug at hear strings as well as it ever did, and featuring a cast that shines. Beloved characters have moved on (Drs. Kovac and Lockhart) and have been killed off (Dr. Pratt), while others have returned for brief visits. The most well-done encore so far was that of Dr. Mark Greene, who died years ago of cancer. His return was done as part of a traumatic series of flashbacks for Angela Bassett’s character, wherein we saw her lose her only child in County’s ER, a trauma center she now runs. If nothing else, the show’s editors should win an Emmy for this episode. I’m looking forward to watching each episode through the March finale, during which I’m sure I’ll go through an entire box of tissues.
