Everyone else has already said it all about how perfect it was that it was Benton who got through to Carter, how moving it was that he got on the plane with him, how deserving Noah Wyle is of an Emmy (let's start petitioning the Academy now), so I will just heartily agree.

Something else that was wonderful, though, was the way the staff, and particularly Mark and Kerry who so often are at odds, came together and acted with both compassion and professionalism in dealing with the situation. Having Anspaugh be part of it was icing on the cake.

And in my mind, the Line of the Week just has to be Mark saying to Kerry, "But it's Carter....your mind just doesn't go there."

-- Mary (mslyman@erols.com), May 19, 2000

Answers

I agree w/ everything. And that great line...it was like the hidden theme of the whole second half of the season.

-- Elaine (mrsclooney78@hotmail.com), May 19, 2000.

Mary, that was my line of the week too! And I loved how they handled it. If Carter gets straightened out, there will be no lasting career reprecussions. They didn't take it a committee or try to make it official. (at least I don't think they did) This was a very caring compassionate way to handle the situation and I'm all aglow.

If Noah Wyle doesn't get at least a nomination this year, I'm picketing. Care to join me in California?

-- S. Trelles (trelles@ix.netcom.com), May 19, 2000.

When does the nominations list come out?

-- Aimee (aimee_field@hotmail.com), May 19, 2000.

I'll join you trelles! I will have a lot to say if he's not nominated!

-- Elaine (mrsclooney78@hotmail.com), May 19, 2000.

trellis..i will be right there with you, buddy!!

-- ALexis Springer (lexicat1@webtv.net), May 19, 2000.

I thought the scene between Carter and Benton was great. I was so happy when Benton hugged him and then was on the plane. Terrific ending. My Line of the Week - "ok Carter, if you want to fight that's fine, but you're getting your ass in the damn van"

-- Michelle (michellek@penchart.com), May 19, 2000.

When Benton made that comment about fighting I couldn't help but say, "Benton would kick Carter's ass."

I'm glad he didn't have to.

-- Rusty Priske (rusty.priske@hrdc-drhc.gc.ca), May 19, 2000.

My line of the week was: KERRY: He's lying, Mark. Mark: I know.

-- Stephanie (ERGirl22@aol.com), May 19, 2000.

Aw, Rusty, you know he *has* been working out. :) The thing I don't get is why Benton looks perfectly fine after that. Obviously he hit him hard, it knocked him off the curb and against the van. ????

-- Elaine (mrsclooney78@hotmail.com), May 20, 2000.

I kind of liked Mark's response to the rugby player about how was screaming, "Another guy who didn't want us to cut his shirt off."

-- Felicity (felicity08@juno.com), May 20, 2000.

I liked the small bits of humour in this very heavy episode. PArticularly from Mark; when he and Carter were discussing his getting thrown off the gurney, and then Carter says he'll jump in on that gun shot victim, Mark said something like, Feel free to jump off anytime. Also when he talked to Carter outside, and when Carter asked him is smoking made him a druggy, Mark said Ask to Surgeon General. And Carter's "I'll call you if he needs an oil change" to Malucci. But I guess my line of the week would also be" It's Carter, your mind just doesn't go there."

-- samira (matb_west@chickmail.com), May 20, 2000.

I'd have to say my favorite LOTW was "Look man, if you want to fight, that's cool...but you're getting your ass in the van!" I'd also have to say that "But it's Carter...your mind just doesn't go there" comes in a *very* close second for me!

-- kristal (teetle1@juno.com), May 20, 2000.

Carter to Abby: No, maybe you've been injecting drugs...(or something like that. Classic "user" lingo.

-- mimi (mimi0428@aol.com), May 20, 2000.

Samira, about the funny comments, I loved how the guy screamed and Carter just shoke his head and laughing, said 'Malucchi...'; I love Malucchi and Carter's friendship, it is so cute! Plus that Carter knew Haleh had gossiped to Mark about him falling off the gurney, and his "Yes sir" to Mark's "don't fall off any gurneys"

-- Elaine (mrsclooney78@hotmail.com), May 20, 2000.

Elaine, yes, I love that they developed the Dave/Carter friendship a little in these past few episodes. I hope the friendship would be there in season 7; I see a lot of potential. Carter would probably help Dave become more responsible and grow up, and Dave *is* really congenial and friendly. Oh and I liked Carter's tone when he said "No pain, no gain" to Malluchi when the entered the lounge. And another funny line: when Mallucci asked why Kovich and Benton were sent on the chopper; Carter says "Because they don't throw up in the chopper". Nice bantering between those two.

-- samira (matb_west@chickmail.com), May 20, 2000.

And I love that Mallucchi calls him by weird names, like Hoss (!?!?) and what did Carter call him, after he was finished with his screaming patient? Mallucchi called him "my friend" while they were talking...wonder how he'll react to him next year. Mallucchi seems to kind of admire Carter, the way he follows him around and the way Carter kind of just accepts him for who he is...I hope he makes a point of being a friend to Carter.

-- Elaine (mrsclooney78@hotmail.com), May 20, 2000.

Actually, Samira, Carter said "No BRAIN, no pain." Slight difference in emphasis there! ;-) Besides the lines mentioned above, I also liked Dave saying "I'll have him bite down on a bullet or something" and the little interchange between Yosh and the rugby guy("I'll have to call Central. All we have is smalls; he looks LARGE." "Better make that EXTRA large, mate!")

-- Felicity (felicity08@juno.com), May 21, 2000.

How about the LOOK of the week. Carter right after he's punched Benton, as he realizes that he can't lie anymore.

-- John (lloydsouth@cs.com), May 22, 2000.

Carter called Malucci "Torquemada", the Grand Inquisitor of the Spanish Inquisition and mastermind of many effective torture techniques.

-- Indira (indira54@yahoo.com), May 22, 2000.

I had to laugh when the soccer player kept saying that his shirt was new. Greene: Do you know that you're blue? Player: well the shirt is brand new. and then when Abby started to cut if off and he said again the shirt was new. Then they heard Malucci's patient scream and the player said "whose that" and Mark said "someone who didn't want to have their shirt cut off" or something to that effect. Thought that segment was cute!

-- amanda (amanda.rehm@home.com), May 22, 2000.

Indira...thanks, that's funny, because then Dave says "What?" and Carter just laughs and says "nothing"...Carter is more cultured than Dave!

Along w/ most of Carter's looks, I loved how he walked into the lounge with Malucchi, laughing casually, but stopped short when he saw Abby, Kerry, and Mark...he got this OMG, paranoid look on his face...he had to cover that up fast. I wonder if Malucchi asked him later what it was about. Well...Dave, I have this drug problem, but don't tell anyone okay?

-- Elaine (mrsclooney78@hotmail.com), May 24, 2000.