My husband and I were discussing the show last night (stabbing episode), and I wondered if anyone else had an opinion on the subject. I personally would rather see a character (most likely Lucy from what I have read) be saved heroically and then leave the ER for another reason (say, emotional trauma) than to die in a tragic way. It would leave open the possibility for the character to come back to the show, and don't we see enough people die on ER without the main characters dying??? My husband disagrees. He thinks that it will be so much more dramatic for Lucy or Carter to die. Also, he added that the character would be more likely to be remembered and that the tragedy would raise viewers' awareness of mental illness, which is what the stabber seems to be suffering from. Sorry this is so long- which would you rather see happen? sarah

-- sarah leary (sarahleary@cfl.rr.com), February 11, 2000

Answers

Personally I thought the scene was right from a Jason thriller. If I want to be shocked and scared like that I'll rent a horror flick. It has obviously been the discussion of the day at the office (great for NBC) however, most people I've reviewed it with were disturbed by it and felt network TV should be more responsible about what they put on prime time TV. No wonder kids shoot each other at school. All in all I don't think it matters wether they live or die, the shock is done and over, and this point the show is losing its class and inegrity for quality TV

-- Tracy Hooks (communig@aol.com), February 11, 2000.

I'd have to agree with your husband on this one. Although I like Lucy a lot, her character on the show isn't really doing anything all that interesting. As for it being too graphic for prime time television...I know that I don't let my child stay up till 10pm on school nights.( no offense :) I also think that it was one of the best ER episodes I have seen in a while, very emotionally driven.

-- Joy Norrie (joijoy@webtv.net), February 12, 2000.

I just finished watching the above mentioned episode. I read that Lucy will die, but Carter will survive. Personally, it was a very disturbing, draining scene to watch. The way Carter found Lucy. . .I'm just numb. I personally hope Lucy will make it, but I've heard too many times the character is suppossed to die. Also, I didn't think it was any more graphic than what is often depicted on the show. The hard part for me was wondering how long Lucy had been lying there while everyone was having their party; and then the way the shot was set up, seeing her on the other side of the bed like that. Sorry for rambling -- it just really hit me hard.

-- Michelle Woodman (michw_316@yahoo.com), February 12, 2000.

I have to agree with Sarah. Do you remember the med students name who was friends with Carter & Dr. Benton was his mentor? He committed suicide by jumping in front of a train? Well I don't & no one in the er seem to remember either they never talk about him let alone ever mention his name. I think last night's episode was a little much it left me feeling like I had just watched a horror movie.

-- anniearmijo (lilannie@uswest.net), February 12, 2000.

I think that the "drama" of an episode comes not from whether a character lives or dies, but the quality of the script, directing, and acting. If you remember, Carol Hathaway was heroically saved on the first episode when she attempted suicide. On the other hand, who can forget the tragic couple on "Love's Labor Lost"? Whether or not Lucy and/or Carter die, this episode will be remembered always as stirring something in all of us. Also, I'd like to comment that the vast majority of patients with mental illnes, even paranoid schizophrenia, are NOT dangerous to others. That is a myth that is unfortunately perpetuated by characterizations like this. I hope that some time is given to exploring this patient's illness and motives.

-- Linda (lindamoffatt@hotmail.com), February 12, 2000.

I have to agree with you because I feel Carter will have a lot of guilt. I had heard that Kellie Martin will be killed off so all during the episode I kept saying this is it. She's going to be dead in this scene, however, I was totally shocked that Carter was stabbed. It was rather disturbing!

-- mitzie wheeler (mitzie@goldenrulebooks.com), February 12, 2000.

I don't think Lucy is going to die even though I've heard that she will. The trailer for next week showed her alert & awake on a gurney, so maybe she will just freak out and leave medicine. If her throat was cut maybe she will lose the ability to speak, which would make practicing medicine a bit hard.

-- Allison (aedaria@angelfire.com), February 12, 2000.

I don't want Lucy to die either. She was a slow character to begin with, but now she is more interesting than some of the others on the show, namely the tired, over-done caricature of skirt-chasing Dr Dave Malucci, or even the new pediatric doctor (I can't even remember her name). I myself was stunned by the ending. I didn't get a chance to watch it on Thursday night, and some co-workers were discussing it next to me, but I told them to talk quietly so I couldn't hear. They had told me it was going to be gut-wrenching, but by the time the end of the episode came, I was like "Big deal, same old heart-breaking stuff as every other week" but then the end came, and I was just stunned. It took a couple of minutes for it to sink in that Lucy was bloody on the floor across the bed from Carter. Tragic.

-- Misty A. (qmda76@grapevine.net), February 12, 2000.

I don't think that Lucy is going to die either! I agree that she will probably leave for some reason that is tied to this episode though. I think Lucy is one of the best actresses on this show, and will hate to see her go. What ever happened to the little romance between Lucy and Carter, I just started watching again, and I missed that!!!! I thought they would make a great couple!!!

-- Nikki (Lepordbaby@aol.com), February 12, 2000.

I have to agree with you and not your husband. I don't want to see Lucy die because I really like her character, and I have taken a lot of flack for that. I knew something bad was going to happen, but to see Carter get stabbed too was a little hard to see. He is the one person I have truly enjoyed watching. I just think it might be interesting if they can't save one of their own what will that do to moral in the ER.

-- stacey g. (staceygroeschel@yahoo.com), February 12, 2000.

this sounds like Lucy Lovers anonymous--why does everyone else think she's annoying? she especially holds interest for younger viewers, since she isn't grappling with as adult problems as some of the other characters--like divorce, taking care of kids, etc. I hadn't heard that she was planning to leave the show, and it won't be the same without her. (lucy was the character that got me hooked on ER to begin with) and I certainly hope the character doesn't die, it will be easier if she just leaves, but is still in existence somewhere. if she dies, I'll feel like I'm losing a friend. or a part of myself, almost, since the reason we all watch TV is because we can identify with the characters, isn't it?

-- katherine kent (freckeled@aol.com), February 13, 2000.

I agree with alot of you. But I must sort some things out. Lucy (Kelli Martin) wanted to leave the show and the producers have no choice on the matter so it's not like they are kicking her off the show she is leaving. I personally love both the charators Lucy and Carter, they are the reason I started watching er. I pretty sure that they will remember Lucy mor that that intern because he wasn't as big of a charator. Please I heard one of you say Noah Wyle is leaving the show please tell me where you heard it because I really would hate that!!!!!!

-- Courtney (court_67@hotmail.com), February 13, 2000.

Yep, it seems like all the people who claimed that Lucy was just plain annoying are sitting in their corners hideing their faces. I watched a younger Kellie Martin on her show "Christy" a while back so I was happy when she showed up on ER. Lucy was always a favorite of mine and does appeal to my younger generation. It'll be sad to see her go.

-- Cai (mohawk@xmission.com), February 13, 2000.

I've watched ER ever since the pilot originally aired and have rarely missed an episode. I've seen characters, minor and major, come and go. I was sad when the first doctor left (it's been so long I can't even remember her name!), when Carter's friend committed suicide, when George left the show...it goes on and on.

Thursday's episode scared the bejeezus out of me...it was such a haunting picture, I had a hard time sleeping. Kellie Martin IS leaving the show and SHE chose the way she was leaving so that she could not be asked back.

I pray that Carter recovers because he is the backbone of the ER. He is Michael Crichton (so sayeth the man himself).

-- Tess Nieto (htault@yahoo.com), February 14, 2000.