A bit of an unfounded speculation, but one which may hold water: it seems to me from some of the spoiler-rumors we've heard that TPTB may be splitting up Benton and Cleo. There's been some hinting that Benton has a fight with Cleo's family in the next episode (the Star said this); Jackie, Benton's sister, said that Cleo is not serious about him; and the episode description for the season finale says that Benton and Corday "share a triumph" over a patient and to me, that hints that there might be some kind of love triangle thing with her, Benton and Mark (note how Corday gave back the pearls). If that adds up... what reason will Cleo have to exist if she's not Benton's squeeze? Anyhow this is all speculation but I would not be surprised to hear that Cleo is going to be written out, or will become only a recurring character and will no longer be a regular. certainly, she's been the most unpopular new character ER has had since Lucy.

-- debbie (riccardoiii@aol.com), May 17, 2000

Answers

I wouldn't miss Cleo a bit, but I sure hope they don't break up Mark and Elizabeth, the only stable couple the show now has.

-- Felicity (felicity08@juno.com), May 17, 2000.

debbie, about elizabeth giving the pearls back to mark, just like she said, you shouldn't read too much into it. she didn't mean anything by it other than that rachel should have them. it did not mean that she wants to break up with mark.

-- Marcia (mlg244@is9.nyu.edu), May 17, 2000.

I wouldn't miss Cleo either, just as I don't miss Lucy, but I'm not getting my hopes up. I can see people complaining that there are not enough strong black female characters on TV and she should stay. In any case, I will sever some heads if they put Elizabeth back in bed with Peter--I can't stand him either. I wouldn't want him leaving the show, though--just leave Elizabeth alone! She and Mark are happy, so it seems.

-- Cecelia (evilstoat@hotmail.com), May 17, 2000.

I personally hate the whole Mark/Elizabeth thing. It's dull BUT stable. Those two have no chemistry BUT the writers have got themselves into a nice little situation. Breaking up Mark and Elizabeth would be out of character and be a tremendous overhaul on a show that needs stability. So my guess is the writers are loving this situation and will continue to spurn Mark/elizabeth drabble.

-- cat (kitcat_1013@yahoo.co.uk), May 17, 2000.

I would love it if Cleo left the show. She does not add anything to the show. It would not bother me one bit if Corday/Greene broke up. I think ER really has struck out with their two romances this season.

-- Brenda (jckwfan@aol.com), May 17, 2000.

I could care less if Cleo left or stayed. She is by far the dullest character on the show and I find myself cringing during her badly acted scenes.

As for the Corday/Greene romance, enough is enough already. There is no real chemistry between them and there never will be. Personally, I feel that Corday/Benton made the better couple. Anyone agree?

-- Mandii Faris (contradiction@uswest.net), May 17, 2000.

Corday/Benton? Unn-uh, no way. I hated them together. Talk about no chemistry, they were never on the same page. What's wrong with Corday/Greene? They're happy, they're stable, she's the first woman he's actually dated since his divorce that's not a nutcase. (He didn't actually date Susan, so don't flame me). If you look at happily married real-life couples, do they look exciting? I don't think fireworks are necessarily the best measurement of a couple's compatability.

-- Felicity (felicity08@juno.com), May 17, 2000.

I thought Elizabeth was GREAT for Benton. It brought him so much out of his "prim and proper" character......I mean, who else could have gotten him drunk(on a bet playing darts) or to dress up as Shaft (for Halloween). Don't get me wrong, if they do one more terrible thing to Mark, like breaking him up with Liz, I don't think I could take it!

-- Deb (KHege@AOL.com), May 18, 2000.

Benton are Corday were SO much better together than M/E. Sure "happily married" couples aren't all that exciting. . . but if they're this boring NOW, just IMAGINE them in 10 years!! (Personally I'd like to see a big Mark-Lizzie-Romano-Benton-Cleo blowout but I have a feeling that might be a little much for everyone else:).)

-- joy (joygirl01@yahoo.com), May 18, 2000.

Right on Felicity!!! Totally agree with you on that one. Mark and Lizzy are so made for eachother. I think it would be a bad idea to split them up. Not every marriage needs fireworks to be exciting. I think they're doing a great job making their relationship look real. I think Benton deserves Cleo. They're a perfect match...

-- Ina (ifelsch@mail.com), May 18, 2000.

From reading the replies, I think the point I made about Mark + Elizabeth being dull BUT stable is accurate. I would love if Mark and Elizabeth broke up BUT I'm not sure if I could take another overhaul. We'd have to deal with their hurt feelings, tears etc. Don't get me wrong, I'm the first person to enjoy action, but the thought of going through Mark and Elizabeth's breakup is horrifying. It would be sooo whiny and bad. As much as it pains me, keep them together. At least until the writers get themselves back on track. And I agree - Benton and Elizabeth had wayyyyy more chemistry.

-- cat# (kitcat_1013@yahoo.co.uk), May 18, 2000.

I know Elizabeth said not to read too much into her giving back the pearls, buttt It just gave me a sick feeling like she is going to hurt poor Mark. I think it is nice for Rachel to have the pearls, but David wanted her to have them. So I guess I do read something into her giving them back. Anyone elese??

-- Cara Noblitt (cnoblitt@usa.net), May 18, 2000.