I think we should all keep in mind that, hypothetically, if George Clooeny didn't come back to the show doesn't mean that there DOESN'T have to be a happy ending between Doug and Carol. They [the writers] could easily orchestrate it in his absence, although I would much rather actually SEE a cameo by George Clooney. OH! A question! Did Carol eever actually TELL Doug about the twins? I know its probably a stupid question but I think I'm out of the loop here.

-- (lilsbgem01@aol.com), March 12, 2000

Answers

After the twins were born she asked Abby for a phone and inquired about long distance, so I'm presuming she did call Doug. For all we know, she could have been talking with him regularly to him ever since, since we've seen practically nothing of her life outside the ER.

-- Mary (mslyman@erols.com), March 12, 2000.

I think we're to assume Doug does know. I just heard another *SPOILER* (this is a warning!!)

...that Carol has hired a nanny for her children, which doesn't seem at all plausible since she has next to no money. So I suppose if Ma Hathaway isn't watching them and they're not in daycare, the only possible way she could afford a nanny is if Doug is paying for it.

Anyhow, back to the topic, Carol & Doug can live "happily ever after" without TPTB bringing George Clooney back, however I would feel very robbed and angry if we don't get to see him reappear on the show one last time, to "claim" his family. Watching the older episodes with little Susie makes me REALLY desparate to see Doug hold his two sweet babies!!

-- Leigh (WillnGraceNYC@yahoo.com), March 14, 2000.

leigh, do you have any idea how much money carol probably makes? im sure she can afford a nanny!

-- Alexis (lexicat1@webtv.net), March 16, 2000.

leigh, do you have any idea how much money carol probably makes? im sure she can afford a nanny! and i think after she gave birth, when she tried calling doug, there was no answer , or it was busy, and she never got up the nerve to call him back, or she changed her mind. because IMHO, if doug found out about those babies, he would have came back right away to see them! he may be an ex-womanizer etc, etc, but if he knew he had babies, i dont think he could stay away. my guess is that he doesnt know yet.

-- Alexis (lexicat1@webtv.net), March 16, 2000.

Doug's not stupid. He can count the months. OBVIOUSLY he can figure out that Carol has given birth by now, even if she didn't call him to tell him (though I'm sure she did). And before those of you who paid no attention to the beginning and the end of the episode "Responsible Parties" start saying that Doug doesn't even know Carol was pregnant....he knows. You might want to catch "Responsible Parties" on TNT reruns if you still think he was never told.

-- random person (ewwhatevr@aol.com), March 16, 2000.

sorry randsom, i mustve missed that part! i guess im not the only one who thought doug wasn't told. did someone come right out and tell him, or was it hinted at.?

-- Alexis (lexicat1@webtv.net), March 18, 2000.

Carol told him. Well, she faxed him. She follows the fax with a phonecall, leaves a message on his machine saying that she has faxed him something that she wants him to read and to "sit with it". He gets fax. He calls her. They talk. We do not see the conversation. But we see when the call comes in. Randi picks it up and tells Carol that Doug is on the phone. Later, Mark finds Carol crying in the lounge. Asks if she told him. She responds that he's not coming back. Mark asks if she told him not to. She did. She doesn't want him coming back just for the baby.

-- random person (ewwhatevr@aol.com), March 18, 2000.

Doug does know about them. In a later episode (Iforget the name) Carol makes the comment: "They deserve a father, Mark." To which Mark replies: "Doug's been seeing them."

-- Teddy (richarr@earthlink.net), June 18, 2001.