OK here is my two cents worth. I do not think Abby is going to replace Carol as Head nurse, nor do I think that her role is going to be a nurse in the E.R. First I think that TPTB will completely ignore the head nurse position. I dont think they will even address it. Has anyone ever met Linda the person who succeeded Kerry as Chief resident? In fact after Kerry, we have never even seen a chief resident anywhere. I think theyll do the same with the head nurse job in the ER. It will be off-camera. Secondly, TPTB wanted Maura Tierney, the actress, on the show before they created any role. In Entertainment Weekly (I forgot which issue) Maura said when her agent called saying ER was interested and she accepted in 30 seconds  without reading a script or even knowing what the character was about. In September on the ER website, Mauras name was listed in the cast credits, but here role was listed as TBD. With the looming departure of Julianna Margulies, the producers needed somebody who could project compassion like Julianna. They needed to transition that role from Julianna to Maura slowly. So viewers would feel comfortable. It would be too obvious and awkward to introduce Maura in the show as the new head nurse, while Julianna Margulies was still on the show. Remember in the Storm Part 2, Carol was stripped of her head nurse position by Anspaugh, but in season six she was still referred to as Head Nurse. So they just made Abby a med student. Thirdly in Abby Road, Abby explained to Carol she does some freelancing as a nurse in OB to pay the bills while she is in med school. And after 3 years in med school (1 of which was interning in the ER) why would she drop out of med school with only 1 year to go and switch back to nursing again. Abby is so close to becoming an MD, its just another year. So the speculation that Abby is the new head nurse is unfounded. The pink/purple uniform she was wearing means she was just freelancing in OB as a nurse.

-- T Lem (t_lem@yahoo.com), August 23, 2000

Answers

It's just that we were joking around a few months ago about Abby taking the head nurses position. A lot of people (including our fearless reviewer) liked Abby as a nurse better than as a med student, I guess because she seemed more in control. (The hangdog "Lucy Look?" didn't help either.)

I never believed she would take over as head nurse in the ER. That would be ludicrous.

-- S. Trelles (trelles@ix.netcom.com), August 23, 2000.

I also think Abby would be better as a nurse. As a med student she always acted like Lucy which made me mad because I felt like they were trying to replace Lucy and noone can ever replace Lucy IMO. And I'm not just saying that because Lucy was one of my favorite characters.

-- Cammie (rmaelhorn@home.com), August 23, 2000.

Abby was so in control of the situation in Great Expectations. She was COMPETENT. I could like that character very much but the one who is constantly apologizing, messing things up, etc. is IRRITATING! Isn't that what Dave is there for? Speaking of Dave, it is hard to imagine him having much of a future there. They've already established him as a screw-up. I find it difficult to ever expect much from either Abby or Dave. That's just my opinion-as always, we welcome yours...

-- Linda (l.brown@mindspring.com), August 23, 2000.

She wasn't just "freelancing".

-- JLS (ewwhatevr@aol.com), August 23, 2000.

Personally, I think we should cut her some slack. It seems to me that somewhere between Great Expectations and when she showed up in the ER as a med student something in her life hit the proverbial fan. We know nothing of what went on with her, except that her husband needed to be reminded that he was married and she doesn't have a lot of money in the bank. She would have had to borrow a lot of money to go to med school, I can't see that as a decision that she made lightly. Why would she chuck it all to go back to being a nurse. Give her a chance. I thought I was going to like Lucy when she started, but the more I saw her character I thought she was annoying. (Don't go off about Lucy, now I think they just weren't writing her character well.)I don't understand the hurry to replace old characters with carbon copies, they need to develop their own personalities and maybe after we understand them better we will like them as much as the old characters.

-- Casey (steinbec00@netscape.net), August 23, 2000.

I think that it would be very unrealistic of Abby to have been and competent med student right away. I would have rather have seen her struggle with the change from nurse to med student, as in Abby Road when she started cleaning up and Carol told her not to bother. I do agree that her facial expressions and her meddling were very annoying, and the way she kept breaking the rules made me want to scream. She was SO different in Great Expectations, so confident. As a fellow woman, I want to see her succeed in any goal she reaches for.

Her new hair cut is TOO cute. Much better than the stringy look. But who am I kidding? It's raining AGAIN in the northeast and I am having a horrible hair day.

Counting down the days until October 12....

-- (lisayas@yahoo.com), August 23, 2000.

I will personally be saddened if Abby goes back to nursing and gives up on being a doctor. I think she was a great nurse in Great Expectations, but I think she could be a great doctor too. Sure, she was annoying sometimes and screwed up, but she was a student who seemed not to have much supervision at times. I think if they send her back to nursing TPTB will be sending a bad message to alot of people out there. Unless they write it so that we see she went back to nursing because she really LOVES it (sort of the way Carol decided not to go to med school) and not because she couldn't handle being a doctor!

-- amanda (amanda.rehm@home.com), August 23, 2000.

Well, what if she went back to nursing because she could no longer afford med school (that wouldn't be suggesting she couldn't "handle" it), or because she and Luka got something going in the meantime (while she was moonlighting for extra cash), and she decided that their relationship was more important to her?

-- Jaime (jaimej78@hotmail.com), August 23, 2000.

While I wouldn't necessarily *mind* a Luka/Abby match (would *really* prefer Luka/Kerry), I just think that TPTB have already gone the doctor/nurse romance route with Doug and Carol and Luka/Abby just seems a bit cliched (unless TPTB have something *really* major up their sleeves). JMO. True, they're different characters & all, but I'm gonna try to stick to more "official" news from the studios. I guess this is why fanfiction exists. We can do what we want with characters when we believe TPTB have screwed everything up royally! LOL!

I would much rather see Abby finish med school, since she's already invested three years into it and has the makings of a good doctor. Besides that, there's something kind of "Deliverance"ish about Luka/Abby. They don't 'look' right, somehow. And Luka/Abby, at this point, hardly seems like a 'major' romance. JMVHO. Could be, I suppose, but...eh...

Gotta remember-the producers have story *ideas* in mind right now, but scenes that were shot may be left on the cutting room floor. Scripts that have been seen may have been changed entirely. So until I get 'official' news from an official source, I'll try not to get too excited about spoilers that may or may not be true. That is, I'll *try*. Succeeding may be a different story all together!

-- Miesque (miesque@looksmart.com), August 24, 2000.

I heard Maura Tierney was brought on as Julianna replacement - they knew Julianna would be leaving despite their last ditch effort to keep her - my question though is - Isn't Abby an OB nurse? How can an OB nurse work in a trauma situation in the ER? I guess TPTB will find a way somehow to make it work.

-- Kathy (kaf@gis.net), August 24, 2000.

Well, I read today that there's apparently a scene in a future episode where Luka and Abby get mugged on the lakefront. (or if they don't get mugged, they intervene to help a victim) They were filming it in Chicago. So what are Luka and Abby doing out together at night outside the hospital if they're not going to get involved in some way (friends or otherwise)...?

-- Ellen (eedgert1@twcny.rr.com), August 26, 2000.

They were on a date *I think*. They do get mugged. Luka nearly kills the guy (or maybe he does, I don't know). Episode 4 - "Benton Backwards".

-- JLS (ewwhatevr@aol.com), August 26, 2000.

Ooh! Peter finally gets his own title!

-- Ellen (eedgert1@twcny.rr.com), August 26, 2000.

The real problem with Luka/Abby is that it's so expected, so pat...so lazy and predictable (maybe something like shaking a rattle in front of a baby: a means of distracting us from the real plotline they have in mind?). Hunky Doctor/Troubled Nurse: been there, done that. I thought TPTB wanted to take the show in a different direction, with entirely new storylines & plots. Haven't they already *done* the doctor/nurse romance storyline? Besides that, where's the tension between them? Have they *ever* had any kind chemistry to foreshadow anything? You'd kind of expect that, wouldn't you? "ER" is big on plot anvils, aren't they? Abby has had tension with one person: Carter. What would be exciting about Luka & Abby? And wouldn't some people be calling it Doug & Carol Revisited? I'm sure TPTB want that! Talk about revitalizing "ER"! Just warm over old stories, live in the past, do the same things over & over again. Yeah... thrilling. Not. :)

Basically, I think Abby will be pursuing Luka, but he'll just go along with the idea until she realizes he's not interested. He could also be being his usual 'galant' self by walking her home after work. And if she's still in med school somehow, that's A Big No-No for Luka, isn't it? And if she's a nurse again...how predictable can you get?! I can see a warm friendship between them, but a romance? Nah...way too obvious. I used to think Chen was brought back for Carter, but now I think Abby is being aimed in Carter's direction somehow. We'll see.

I'll give the writers a little more credit for now-they can't be so lazy as to go for the predictable (yawn) doctor/nurse thing. These are serious, Emmy-winning writers, not a bunch of talentless hacks. I'll give them credit until *they* disappoint me.

-- Miesque (miesque@looksmart.com), August 26, 2000.

Oh, you're just mad because Luka doesn't get Kerry. :-)

-- Ellen (eedgert1@twcny.rr.com), August 26, 2000.

Why is it that every time someone from the ER is going out with someone else from the ER automatically it's assumed that they're dating. Did it ever occur to anyone that maybe they are going out as friends? If it's true than he sure got over Carol fast didn't he?

-- Cammie (rmaelhorn@home.com), August 26, 2000.

How do we know he won't? :)

This is info about four eppies. That's, what, eighteen to go yet? Rumors, rumors, rumors. Until I see each episode with my own eyes, I believe one source: TPTB. And so far, *they* ain't talkin'!

So long as they keep Kerry away from Carter, and Luka is happy some day, I probably won't be too mad either way. But yeah, my preference is Luka/Kerry. And it could happen. We don't know yet that Abby/Luka would even work out (and I for one can't see it working- wouldn't he just be a rebound for her after her divorce?).

-- Miesque (miesque@looksmart.com), August 26, 2000.

Maybe Kerry gets the (female) psychiatrist.

-- Ellen (eedgert1@twcny.rr.com), August 26, 2000.

Well the interesting thing is the apparent emphasis on Abby. Abby gets the big storyline with the big fall guest star (Sally Field, playing her mom); Abby gets the hunky designated sex-symbol doctor (Luka); we find out Abby needs to go to AA for some reason, etc. I like Maura Tierney and like she's getting a bigger storyline, but I hope TPTB don't shove her down our throats the way they did with Lucy.

-- Tracy (bankybooda@aol.com), August 26, 2000.

I'll like Abby as long as she doesn't act like Lucy anymore. Lucy was one of my favorite characters and IMO can never be replaced.

-- Cammie (rmaelhorn@home.com), August 26, 2000.

About the Dr./Nurse thing that is being complained about in reagard to Luka/Abby. Well, why complain about it on them and want a carter/Abby pairing instead. Carter is a Dr. too. I'm glad they are pairing up Luka with Abby. Carter already had one Abby in his past. I doubt they wouls pair Carter up with another Abby. I would love to see them eventually pair Carter/Kerry together. At least make them very good friends. If they don't eventually pair them up, I would like to see them both find happiness with someone outside the hospital. As for Luka being rebound material for Abby, I think the opposite Abby being rebound material for Luka is just as likly.

-- Carol (erandjcfan@aol.com), August 27, 2000.

There's some potential spoilers on deja that actually project to the end of the season. Hint: Luka isn't the only "hunk" in the ER that Abby has her eye on. Go to deja and prepare to drop your jaw.

-- S. Trelles (trelles@ix.netcom.com), August 28, 2000.

S. Trelles- Is that under alt.tv.er or alt.tv.er creative?

-- Cammie (rmaelhorn@home.com), August 28, 2000.

I pushed the submit button to soon. I was soing to say that I can't find it. What title is it under as well.

-- Cammie (rmaelhorn@home.com), August 28, 2000.

Cammie, it was alt.tv.er (not creative). And I don't remember the title off the top of my head. It was marked as a spoiler if that's any help.

I must say I was a *little* unhappy about the speculated turn of events in this (deja) spoiler.

-- S. Trelles (trelles@ix.netcom.com), August 28, 2000.

I agree with Miesque 100%. I too get the impression that they are slowly pairing Carter with Abby. They have had quite a few great scenes together. One of the ones I remember most is when she is doing a procedure on a patient and has a camera on. Poor Malucchi tries to take all the credit but as you can seen in the camera, it's Carter who Abby is looking at and giving all the credit too. Then she is the one who catches him injecting. I still wonder of all the people, why they had her be the one to catch him and eventually tell on him. Someone he dosen't know that well yet.??? Can't wait to see how they both will react to each other when he comes back.

-- Renee (slinne32@aol.com), August 28, 2000.

Cammie, sorry! It was at Mighty Big Tv that I found the season 7 speculation. It is just speculation, so it may not happen. Still it did make me fall out my chair, cuz it kinda made sense. Heres the URL The thread is called predictions for Season 7. Have fun.

http://www.mightybigtv.com/index.html?/home.asp&0

-- S. Trelles (trelles@ix.netcom.com), August 28, 2000.

I read it. Whoa! I'm not suprised really. Something just told me that this may happen.

-- Cammie (rmaelhorn@home.com), August 29, 2000.

Response to Abby is not the new head nurse! (Contains info from Season 7 spoiler)

What potential spoilers? All I see in that thread on mightybigtv.com, is someone's lengthy speculation about what might happen. That's speculation, not a spoiler! A spoiler is something that is actually in a script!

-- Tracy (bankybooda@aol.com), August 29, 2000.

Exactly.There is a big difference between speculation by fans of a show and spoilers about a show. We can all go to any board, newgroup etc and give lengthy speculation on what we think or want to happen. I think many of us could make our speculations sound somewhat believable by how we word it no matter how plausible it may or may not be on the actual show. I have even seen people make very wild speculations about upcoming storylines where some people believed it. Some people need to learn the difference between a Tv fans speculation and wishful thinking and a spoiler from a real source such as an interview with a show producer or star where they give info on an upcoming season. Repuatablr sources that have access to bits and pieces to acrual scripts are spoilers. A person projecting on what they think oe want to happen a few months down the road based on a few spoilers is just pure speculation. Specualtion is very open to debate. I will most likly think or want something else to happen. My specualtion would not be any more or less valid than the next person. It would just be my opinions versus someone else opinions. It woould not be a spoiler.

-- brenda (jckwfan@aol.com), August 29, 2000.

I *said* it was speculation! No one really knows what's going to happen that far ahead. Except maybe TPTB. (I hope they do anyway. Lately it seems that there's no direction for some of the characters.) The speculation has some sense to it. But that doesn't mean it'll actually happen. Even so-called spoilers turn out to be wrong sometimes.

-- S. Trelles (trelles@ix.netcom.com), August 29, 2000.

I think everyone on e.r is great. But I also think abby should just keep on doing the job she is doing now and shouldn't change a thing. I also think she will never be the head nurse. I think someday carol will come back and resume her job position. Thats all I have to say for now.

-- ariana brown (ariana_brown@hotmail.com), July 05, 2001.

RE: Ellen's August 26, 2000 posting, "Maybe Kerry gets the (female) psychiatrist".... How very perceptive of you. Given this season's storyline, you were right on target. I always felt that the character of Kerry would eventually be written as gay. Frankly, I think she's one of the most intriguing of all the characters...we know so very little about her. While a Luka/Kerry pairing would be interesting, I'm pleased with the evolution of Kerry and Kim's relationship and of Kerry's character.

-- Malik Fornay (Texdina@aol.com), August 06, 2001.