Luka

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Is anyone else squirming as they watch Luka get the cold shoulder while trying to romance Carol? It's almost embarrassing to watch his puppy dog demeanor and her disinterest.

-- Barb (barbelaine@hotmail.com), May 05, 2000

Answers

Barb - I knew it was coming and I was dreading it all night. Poor Luka. I hope better things are on the horizon for him. I did like the fact that he was not chasing Carol around the hospital last night to find out what was wrong with her. Very classy.

-- Lisa (lisayas@yahoo.com), May 05, 2000.

Poor Luka-but who didn't see the set-up? That kiss last week was so Carol could *realize* that Doug is her soul-mate and as friendly and sweet as Luka is to her, he'll never own her heart. I did feel sorry for him, but was so proud of Carol for realizing where Luka wanted to head with her and putting the relationship progression gently to a stop. Animal crackers! So sweet! Carol will be greatly missed!!

-- Bev (bev.burris@eer-h.com), May 05, 2000.

I too, felt almost embaressed when Luka was trying to go after Carol. I felt so bad for him that I acutually muted the scenees so that I wouldn't have to listen to the sad conversation, but I have to agree with the animal crackers, they were so cute!

Amy

-- Amy (areinders@hotmail.com), May 05, 2000.


Come to Atlanta, Luka. We southern girls (ME) will make you feel all better...

-- Linda (l.brown@mindspring.com), May 05, 2000.

May I also suggest NJ. I even work at a hospital and would be happy to give him a tour of the facilities! Realizing fully that this is just a fantasy and not reality! Oh Well...

-- Lisa (lisayas@yahoo.com), May 05, 2000.


I agree, poor Luka. I am sure Carol will explain things to him next week, but tonight she left him absolutely clueless. She kisses him, then totally ignores him. She could explain her confusion about what to do with her life, he'd understand. I said this in another thread, but I think that Luka is very traditional and since they kissed, he is assuming a relationship would be the inevitable next step.

-- Elaine (mrsclooney78@hotmail.com), May 05, 2000.

I wasn't squirming exactly, but I thought Luka should have gotten a clue. Hello? She didn't answer the phone for a "few days"! I'm glad Carol finally bit the bullet and told him a flat no on the birthday dinner. Apparently Luka was more in tune with the girls than their mother! BTW what about the guy with gangrene? Are we supposed to think Luka is a bad doc or racist? Maybe I'm putting too much into that thing with Benton, but I thought Luka didn't come off too good there.

-- Claudia (jl_cl@bellsouth.net), May 05, 2000.

Somebody said this on another message board and I agree: Watching Luka last night was like watching a friend of yours chasing after the object of his/her affection. It's clear to you that they haven't a shot, but they're too blinded to notice themselves.

This is what I saw in the whole thing. Carol is romantically impulsive and in our society, a kiss doesn't mean a whole hell of a lot. To her and a lot of people in this country, kissing somebody doesn't necessarily mean anything else than getting too wrapped up in the moment. For Luka, perhaps in his culture, things are different. A kiss is a lot more meaningful and it is assumed that both parties are interested in a relationship.

Carol was obviously either embarressed or confused by the kiss, or both, if she wasn't answering her phone (though I believe she's been at her mother's). She seemed surprised that Luka gave her birthday flowers, but rather okay with it UNTIL Doug's Animal Crackers came. Naturally, these will have a more profound effect on her due to their sentimental meaning and because of who they're from. After that, Carol became even more distracted and finally broke down into tears (making me cry, too!) It seems to me Carol is more confused than ever, and realizing this and also realizing that she still loves Doug, Carol gently tells Luka she can't get involved in a relationship. From where I was Carol was greatly conflicted, but I'm wondering if Luka still can't see that something very big and profound is happening to her right now?

-- Arianne (CarolRossSusanGreene@yahoo.com), May 05, 2000.


I also felt for Luka last night. I just wish Carol would talk to him and tell him what she is feeling instead of this "no, its me". Luka has no idea about her relationship with Doug and so he is clueless as to their chemistry and what they have been through. If she would just explain herself a little bit! I just hope next week it won't be so painful to watch Luka!! BTW, Arianne, I was glad to hear what the significance of the animal crackers was! =)

-- amanda (amanda.rehm@home.com), May 05, 2000.

If we're still wondering about the Star's suicide prediction, I'm now wondering whether Luka could also be a candidate. It looks to me like he's got some serious post-traumatic issues of his own, plus he's incredibly lonely and now he's had his one hope of deepening human contact abruptly shattered.

I'm worryin' about him.

-- Elizabeth (ebs42@yahoo.com), May 05, 2000.



Luka is so sweet. I can't get over how cute and sweet he is and no matter what anyone feels about the fact that Luka is going for Carol, I still feel bad for him. Yeah, maybe we'd rather he be Doug, but he isn't and he deserves someone to love him. I don't know, at this point, I'm worried about them all suicide-wise, namely Carol, Luka, Mark and Carter. They all have reasons to be really depressed and I'm just hoping NO one commits suicide.

-- Joanne (bucklind@hotmail.com), May 05, 2000.

Elizabeth, according to another thread Goran Visnjic (Luka) has a three year contract so I don't think he will be committing suicide. But I had never thought of him before...but I think if he can get through the tragic death of his wife and kids then Carol dumping him would not lead him to kill himself. JMO

-- amanda (amanda.rehm@home.com), May 05, 2000.

I agree, if Luka can survive the death of his wife and children he can get through Carol leaving. Especially since they're not even involved!! The people I'm worried about are Mark, who is losing one of is only confidantes. Also, Carter, because he knows that Carol is always a willing listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, and with her gone he may feel there's nobody to turn to when he's ready. JMHO.

-- Arianne (CarolRossSusanGreene@yahoo.com), May 05, 2000.

Poor Luka, he obviously has no idea what's going on with Carol - maybe she doesn't either and that's why she's not saying anything, but she should at least try to explain what's happening. At the moment he must be incredibly confused - at first he thinks she returns his feelings then he sees her and she thanks him for his flowers, then for the rest of the day she entirely ignores him.

-- Juliet (Vizzn@AOL.com), May 05, 2000.

For the record, I didn't mean he would be so shallow as to become suicidal JUST because of Carol. He's obviously quite a survivor. But people who are suffering in the long-term due to a trauma can have problems crop up even years later. Plenty of veterans have survived wars only to come home and find they can no longer really cope with civilian life.

What I meant was that his long, sad history could leave him sufficiently down not to have the reserves to cope well with the loss of what he believes is his only real friendship/relationship/whatever.

Years ago, a very depressed friend of mine committed suicide. The proximate cause was something that might seem quite trivial to a healthy person. In isolation, it would have been a very small event indeed. But she was very depressed, and under those circumstances, each additional stress was a lot to take.

In any case, I'm glad to hear there's a 3 year contract involved, so this is all most likely moot. I'd rather Luka continues to be a survivor.

-- Elizabeth (ebs42@yahoo.com), May 05, 2000.



The thing about Luka that makes me think he's not likely to be suicidal is the way he treats other people. Remember when Lucy's patient died and she was sitting in the ambulance bay, coatless, oblivious to the freezing cold, and he came and talked to her, and more important, listened to her? Even though he was about to get off and was exhausted, he stayed to help her through it. What I'm saying is, Luka doesn't focus on himself. He thinks of others, and what he can do for them. I think the less you focus on yourself, the less likely you are to be really pulled down by depression.

-- Felicity (felicity08@mail.ecu.edu), May 05, 2000.

Felicity, I agree that that's probably not where this story is going, but please don't think for a minute that suicide doesn't happen to wonderful people who care greatly about others. Suicide seems selfish to the loved ones suicidal people leave behind, but that doesn't mean suicidal people are consumed by narcissism. The friend I lost was a very caring person who could really listen -- to this day, I regret not having known enough about her condition to keep my mouth shut about my own troubles.

-- Elizabeth (ebs42@yahoo.com), May 05, 2000.

Elizabeth is right. While it's doubtful that Luka will commit suicide or attempt to, sometimes the most likely candidates are the ones that bottle it all up inside (remember Carol in Season 1? Or possibly Carter now?). By listening and trying to fix others' problems, they're able to avoid their own, but eventually those hidden troubles are too much to handle and an extreme measure is taken.

I'm not saying Luka will try suicide. I'm just saying that nobody can be ruled out. More often than not, people who seemingly have no problems and are always there for others, are the people who are desperate and despared.

-- Arianne (CarolRossSusanGreene@yahoo.com), May 05, 2000.


Suicide is about stopping the pain. I had to deal with someone at work yesterday who was threatening it, and it was horrible. The only highlight of my entire week was ER being on last night! Anyway, I just don't see Luka going down that path. And besides I think it would be kind of weird, kind of like they had to have a person on the show who tried to commit suicide so since Carol was leaving, what about Luka? How strange would that be?

-- Diana (dilynne@juno.com), May 05, 2000.

I think that the writers knew that many, many women in their audience wanted to see Luka kiss SOMEBODY! There aren't too many candidates for kissing in the ER right now. I didn't like Luka's interest in Carol, although I imagine her little girls were a major attraction to a man who had lost his own children. Now that she's leaving, who's left? Randy? (Yeah, right.) Chen? (possibly.) Abby? (Oh, please no!) Cleo? Hey ... she could use a good kiss! And if the writers are going to take the Benton-Luka conflict any further, here's some fuel for the fire! I think the all-around best candidate for Luka kissing would be Elizabeth, but I like her with Mark and he needs a break from heartache. Maybe Carol's replacement will be just what (I can't believe I'm saying this!) the doctor ordered.

-- Chessie King (chessieking@hotmail.com), May 05, 2000.

Elizabeth, I tried to phrase my response in such a way that it didn't sound like I was implying that only selfish, insensitive people commit suicide. I'm deeply sorry about your friend. And because anything else I might say about that would be a cliche, I'll stop now.

I really hope they don't have a suicide or attempted suicide at the end of the season. Right now, we're still dealing with the attack, Lucy's death, David's death (and Mark having to deal with losing both parents in less than a year). We've also had the serial rapist, the druggie mom, and lots of assorted tragedy, with few bright spots. I'm with those who would like to see a Mark-Elizabeth wedding next season.

-- Felicity (felicity08@juno.com), May 05, 2000.


I, for one, thought that Luka's comment about "looking forward to this coming year" was just a tiny bit presumptuous. I mean, I know they kissed, and have been spending time together, and granted he's fallen hard for her, but he seemed to me, to be acting like one who has had a lot more clues in his favor. Carol's not returning phone calls, not even saying thank you (!) for the flowers, and then escaping to the roof, should have been signals, no? I understand the cultural argument (am not sure I totally believe it), but kind of felt like he was assuming a lot in trying to kiss her in the locker room, and reaching out to touch her on the roof. (As much as I wanted them together!)

-- Julia (jrvellno@yahoo.com), May 09, 2000.

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