Writer:	David Zabel
Director:	Nelson McCormick
Star:	Goran Visnjic (Dr. Luka Kovac),  Maura Tierney (Dr. Abby Lockhart),  Parminder Nagra (Dr. Neela Rasgotra),  Laura Innes (Dr. Kerry Weaver),  Linda Cardellini (Nurse Sam Taggart),  Mekhi Phifer (Dr. Greg Pratt),  Scott Grimes (Dr. Archie Morris),  Shane West (Dr. Ray Barnett)
Recurring Role:	Abraham Benrubi (Jerry),  Brian Lester (Dumar),  Garret Dillahunt (Steve Curtis),  Yvette Freeman (Haleh),  John Aylward (Dr. Donald Anspaugh),  Lynn A. Henderson (Olbes),  Montae Russell (Zadro),  Dominic Janes (Alex Taggart),  Laura Cerón (Chuny)
Guest Star:	Philip Newby (Mike),  Fred Saldone (Stetson),  Christian Svensson (Sheriff Pohler),  Paul Webster (Sheriff Radford),  Tim Griffin (Capt. John Evans),  Michael Weston (Rafe Hendricks),  Dane Farwell (Hospital Police Officer),  Royce Herron (Sveta),  Louis Iacoviello (Rovner),  Ernie Hudson (James Gallant),  Sheryl Lee Ralph (Gloria Gallant),  Natasha Gregson Wagner (Mary Warner),  Skyler Gisondo (Timmy Jankowski),  Keith L. Lewis (Bystander),  Phyllis Applegate (Older Woman #1),  Connie Sawyer (Older Woman #2)

(Sam struggles to intubate a paralyzed, but not sedated, Luka)
Sam: Luka, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry...
Steve: He can hear you?
Sam: He's paralyzed, but he can hear and feel everything.

The drug Luka was given, which Sam called "Veck" is vecuronium, one of a number of fast-acting paralytics used for rapid sequence intubations, such as are done in the ER. The procedure for these is to administer a sedative, such as etomidate, followed by a paralytic such as vecuronium. The sedative puts the patient in a brief coma state, while the paralytic prevents reflex muscles from fighting the intubation. Both medications are given via IV and dosage is based on a height/weight ratio.

In this scene, Luka was given the shot of Veck intended for the much smaller Rafe, a dosage that would most likely have been too small to paralyze him for long. It was also injected in to a large muscle in his shoulder, further limiting the effect of the drug. Thoughout the Sam's painful struggle to intubate him, Luka would have been conscious, and thus able to hear and feel everything, but unable to control any muscles, including those in his eyes. (edit) Ratings data: This episode had 16.73 million viewers, the largest number of the season. It retained 92.5 of its lead-in audience (versus 77% for its competition) and won the key 18-49 demographic by a large margin. (edit) Music: "Open Your Eyes," Snow Patrol (edit)

Kerry: You know, I'm not down there, Donald. I don't run the ER anymore.
Anspaugh: Which leads me to a second issue. The board has concerns about Dr.Kovac's ability to manage the department.
Kerry: You're not serious.
Anspaugh: Are you satisfied with the job he's doing?
Kerry: He's doing the best he can with what he has. (edit) Rafe: I'll send you all to hell!
Morris: You kiss your cell-mate with that mouth? (edit) (Morris is making a memory tape.)
Abby: Smart, uh, efficient, uhm, loyal friend...
Morris: Sexier.
Abby: Sexier?
Morris: Something, something about my charm. Like: A man whose charm with women is matched only by his sensitivity with patients. Yes! Action.
Abby: This is stupid. Forget it.
Morris: What? Abs! This is it!
Abby: Abs?! Don't call me Abs!
Morris: I am out of here today, you're not gonna have Archie Morris to kick around anymore.
Abby: Abs?!
Morris: Can't blame a guy for wanting to carry around some fond memories.
Abby: You're not going to Kilimanjaro, Morris. (edit) Abby: I just... let me get through one humongous life change at a time, o.k?
Kerry: Luka? Got a minute?
Luka: Yeah. (to Abby) Sometimes it's easier if we lump them all together. (edit) Abby: (Before she leaves Timmy with Morris and Jerry) Take it easy, Timmy.
Timmy: Easy? I'm a freaking strawberry! (edit)

This episode does not have any trivia. Add some now!

Abby: Fassbinder!

Abby yells this to Morris after he literally told her what to say for his video. It is not a Croatian word like Morris thought, but Fassbinder is a movie director, with a very disciplinary work method. (edit) (About Luka trying to build a crib for the baby)
Abby: Bob Vila, look out.

Bob Vila is a television show host and commercial pitchman (Sears), best known as the original host of the PBS home improvement series "This Old House." (edit)