ER: Season 11

For those who want a almost perfect review, read the review by author "Amanda". I can not think of much to add after reading what she wrote. For this season you need to read her review. What i will say i while the writing has changed, you have to remember this is its 11th season, and went to its 15th season. So after ten seasons you have to expect changes. As a die hard fan, this season was very hard to watch. I think the writing was good. I was more than happy with the writing. And for the record, i think some of its best seasons came after George Clooney left. Although i will give him the credit he is due with the episode where he saves a young boy from drowning. It was not long after that he left the show. People thought the show would tank. It got better. Season 8 is a standout for me, with Dr. Green leaving County General, and the show. The idea of ending a character through death really bothers me. But in this case, although it was brutal, season 8 is one of its best. The major theme was Dr. Green and his brain tumor. Along with some side line themes.Season 11 for me was good, but very depressing. It was the end of what i think is the single most loved and best character of the show. Dr. Carter. Noah Wyle leaves the show for good with some guest appearances. Nobody would have guest that he would become one of the most loved characters of the show and for me, the most loved. His relationship with Dr. Benton over the early years, as mentor and student, really gave you a closeness to these characters. So in this season 11, to watch him go was very hard. Almost in a way where ER for me was never the same. Still a great show, the numbers did great, new fans had new characters to watch and grow up with. But for day one fans, a very hard season to watch. I also do not like the send off they gave the character DR. Carter. His send off party filled with nobody we knew, including a janitor. Why would he be there. Even Carter asked who he was? Dr. Kovac was there to give the toast, but in ER fashion a massive tragedy hits and they all leave to go back to the ER except Carter where he watches old clips on a projecter with the guy he did not know. And in the end, he says good bye to three people. Neela, Abby, and the New Dr. who's name is escaping me. Sorry? It was a tear jerker as he reads a letter he had written to himself when he first started. Another tribute to Dr. Greene as it was Greene who was Carter's mentor after leaving surgery. The letter was sad, he gives it to abby, and in a way he is saying goodbye to her. I thought his character deserved a much better send off. Dr. Greene had a whole season for his send off. To this day nobody can watch that and not cry. Carter deserved much better.Then the season i think where the writing was really bad, was season 12? Carter falls in love in Africa, and him and his wife end up splitting. I wont go into why. I feel they took Carter and just made his whole life a mess. All the way up until the end, there was nothing good for Carter except his foundation for the poor. Which was great. But Carter was not happy with his life. The writers gave him nothing. A show about compassion,life, and love, and Carter had little of any of it. He ended up where he started in the 15th season in the last episode. At county general ER. Season 11 also has Ray Liotta in an episode "Time of Death". If you watch nothing else? You must watch this episode in season 11. Ray won an emmy for this character. He plays a alcoholic, dying, and it's done in real time, and before he dies he tries reaching out to his son. Not a soul who watched this was left with a dry face void of tears. Overall, Carter leaves, you have a great cast, but still you miss the old cast. you cant help it after eleven years. So i think the great new cast and the writing gets lost because you miss the originals so much. Season 12 I don't watch. They destroy Carter's life. So there was no joy in that for me. If your a ER fan, Or new to the show, I say you start with season 1 and go forward.You cant go wrong with one of the best drama's of all time. 15 years on the air? and in the end still wanting more? I think that speaks volumes. So season 11 is like most seasons. Worth watching, and new things to love about the show. Like i said in the beggining, if you want a perfect review, read "Amanda" review. I only disagree with her about the writing not being all that great. I think we just missed the old cast, and Carter leaving, it was just a bit hard for die hard fans. But her review was just about perfect and spot on. My review is nowhere as good as i don't think anyones is as good as hers. Rent it, buy it, i own ever season on dvd. And i still watch them to this day. I wish it was still on. enjoy....

Great series for a great price.

Excellent

I now have the advantage of reviewing ER seasons after having watched all 15.and I'm happy to say that this episode sets the stage for what is good about the final third of the show. The best addition to the cast, although not as a regular, is Leland Orser, as Dr. Lucian Dubenko. He is similar in character to Wm. H. Macy's character in the first five episodes, but with greater day to day involvement. The difference between an average and an outstanding season can often rest with the major guest stars. This season has Red Buttons in two episodes, and I have never seen him better. Cynthia Nixon is in a one episode appearance. Like her guest appearance on Law and Order, SVU, it is stunning. The episode starring Ray Liotta is similar to a previous year's episode starring James Woods. But not quite as good as the Woods episode.Some of the regular cast members' story arches are a bit weak, such as when Dr. Archie Morris is selected as chief resident, simply because no one else wanted the job. It's odd that Scott Grimes, who plays Archie, is not listed as a lead actor yet. The best new face is Shane West. The addition of Sharif Atkins and the story ark with his character and Neela is engaging, but not as good as others.It seems as if Maura Tierney and Goran Visnjic are settling in to be the focus of the last third of ER

ER was an amazing series and as with all series to have one end is sad..This season was excellent, but i did not like the switching to Iraq episodes, as i do not like the Africa episodes. Seems like the regulars in the show get fewer and fewer, as the show progresses to the end which is sad. I really think ER was at its best when Doug..Mark..Benton..Carol..etc were there. I do not care much for the character Sam and seems like Kovak can never decide which woman he wants. It is disappointing to see Carter leave to go back to Africa and seems like Kem does not really care for him or love him, or she would have stayed with him. The baby dies, so she takes off not caring one bit about him. I have never seen ER all the way through, so am anxious to buy the last 4 seasons...Overall..The medical procedures are realistic, as well as showing the private struggles of the Doctors and Nurses..always suspenful..sometimes sad...One of the best TV series, I think that was ever shown.

Finally, Warner Bros. seems to have sped up their release of ER seasons on DVD!Season 11 includes Ray Liotta's emmy winning tour de force in "Time of Death", a real time episode following the final 43 minutes of his character's life. Alex Kingston, Ming Na and Noah Wyle exit County General. Other guest stars include Red Buttons, Danny Glover, Cynthia Nixon, Francis Fisher and Sharif Atkins.Season 11 of ER includes some of the series' most memorable patient storylines. New doc Ray Barnett (Shane West) juggles medicine and music,Sam and Luka continue their turbulent relationship, and Corday is punished for performing an illegal operation. There is much to like about season 11, so why only four stars?While season 11 is very good, certain episodes leave something to be desired. Having Sharif Atkins return as Dr. Gallant was a good idea, butactually having an episode take place in Iraq made the show wander too far from County General. I liked the Gallant-Neela-Iraq storyline, butif I wanted to watched Baghdad ER, I would. Also, Carter unfortunately ends up with Kem. Some people like her, others don't. I think she's O.K., but nothing more. And the so-called cliffhanger with Sam's son at the end of the season didn't have me on the edge of my seat, and only led to a dull season 12 premiere.Now that I got all that outta the way, I can say that the rest of the stories, performances and medical cases are top notch ER. I'm looking forward to July 14th!