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ER Season 11 Episode 22

The Show Must Go On

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Episode Summary

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AIRED: 5/19/05

Season Finale: Carter's last day at County General is marked by a surprise gathering and an 11-year-old patient he delivered as a medical student. Ray is at a party and must takes charge when a balcony collapses. With all of the attendings at Carter's party, the three interns manage the traumas until Luka arrives. Pratt briefly visits his father, without revealing their connection. Upset that Sam won't let him visit Steve, whom he does not know is in jail, Alex steals Sam's credit cards and hitches a ride out of town.moreless

Fan Episode Reviews (21)

JEREMY LELLIOTT WASN'T IN THIS, HIS BROTHER STEPHEN LELLIOTT WAS, GET YOUR CREDITS STRAIGHT! REFERENCE IMDB!

10

By winofino, Mar 05, 2011

unfortunately I have to write 100 words when I was just trying to reach the people who run this site to inform them that they miscredited an actor in this episode. The role of "Z" was played by Stephen Lelliott, not Jeremy Lelliott, who is Stephens brother, and a better known actor. I hope they fix this soon as it makes this site less credable, and misrepresents the two actors. I really don't care this much but I have to write 100 words to post this. 100 words is a lot of words! for crying out loud there should be a better way to contact this site, or post something about this site.moreless
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Au revoir, Carter

9.7

By Parricida, Mar 02, 2008

Oh.. and now this happens - last of the original cast is now gone - 11 years later. Would I believe it? It has really been 11 seasons full of action, tragic stories and emotions. And Carter as been such a great part of it all. I cried - oh, how I cried when those slides were shown and when those voices echoed - Doug, Green, Carol.. oh.. I miss all of those old characters.

But it was not only Carter - it was Ray realizing it can be about him too. The way he took this over and managed the scene - he was really good and Abby, Neela and Ray alone trying to save everyone. They are new team now. And Morris - he will set a tone.

Oh, it was such a beautiful episode.moreless
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It was emotional.

10

By petrelli19, Feb 22, 2008

This was a very emotional series finale. Carter left after so many years and he had a party with friends at the hospital and ha made a short speech but to himself and i think this speech was pretty cool because carter really grew up in that hospital. Also ray proved he can be a good doctor after seeing many people that fell down because of a collapse. Also in this episode Carter met an eleven year old girl and then he found out that he delivered that girl eleven years ago when he was a student in er. So we could see how many years he spent in that hospital. That was really good to see carter's progress among years. With emotional scenes, er made its season finale and carter left the hospital for his love.moreless
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Carter's final day in the ER see's him enjoying a farwell party!

9.1

By xcharmedkx, Apr 28, 2007

So Carter is saying farewell to the ER, a shame to see him leave after 11 years but as he said that's were she is in Africa.He certainly has made an impact on the show past and present and all the people in the ER.A memoir of his time when he treated the 11 year old girl he delivered as a med student, the shock but content at this memory was great to see.I felt for him when he was reciting a speech in the bathroom to discover everyone had left when he returned,the life of an ER doctor as he knows so well.However it was good to see references to past cast members with the slideshow and his sarcastic "you set the tone" to Morris.He really added something to the show and it is a true shame to see him leave.

The balcony collapse made me jump i was like what the heck happened , those were some excellent stunt scenes it was so realistic.Ray handled it so well even in such a cricis with his friends.Him , Abby and Neela really proved their worth by treating them without assistance(all the attendings,residents at Carters party).Abby was evidently shown as the leader performing a procedure way beyond her but pulling it off.That little smile from Luka implying she was ready for residency.The 3 of them did themselves proud.moreless
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I certainly felt it in my heart when John Carter left after 11 years of terrific drama on ER.

9.5

By trupretender, Dec 03, 2006

I guess it wasn't as traumatic as seeing Dr. Mark Greene go. Carter is certainly still alive and doing well on the show even now, snce Noah Wylie had a few good guest appearances last season. Still, it's quite a shame that we have none of the original 6 doctors on the show anymore. It would really be something to see Doug and Carol again...yeah, like that would happen! This episode was pretty touching in it's own right. John Carter walks out of County General, remembering all the people he both knew, and loved, and leaving his memory and his magic touch to the rest of the doctors that still work today....moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Laura Innes	Dr. Kerry Weaver
Linda Cardellini	Nurse Sam Taggart
Mekhi Phifer	Dr. Greg Pratt
Shane West	Dr. Ray Barnett
Goran Visnjic	Dr. Luka Kovac
Maura Tierney	Dr. Abby Lockhart

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Danny Glover	Charlie Pratt	Guest Star
Lisa Dalton	Myrna	Guest Star
David Douglas	Miller	Guest Star
Abraham Benrubi	Jerry	Recurring Role
Brian Lester	Dumar	Recurring Role
Emily Wagner	Pickman	Recurring Role

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (3)
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- Carter: You set the tone, Morris.
  This quote was used twice previously in the series, and has become symbolic of a point at which leadership passes to the Chief Resident. Dr. Morgenstern first said it to Mark in the pilot episode, "24 Hours," following Carol's attempted suicide. Mark then said it to Carter in the Season 8 episode "Orion in the Sky," when Mark leaves the ER for the final time. When the departing Carter says it to a clueless Morris in this episode, it may have been intended more as a joke. Morris is redeemed, though, in the Season 15 episode "The Beginning of the End," when Carter returns to County and says the same words to him again, this time in admiration.
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- In the scene at Ike Ryan's, you can see Greg Pratt eating a mozzarella stick. We find out in the Season 15 premiere, "Life After Death," that these were his favorite.
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- Goof: In the scene where Sam finds Steve's letter for Alex in the mail, Luka's address is clearly visible:
  3577 Leonard Ave #200 Chicago IL 60501
  The 60501 zip code actually belongs to Summit Argo, Illinois, a suburb about 15 miles from Chicago.
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QUOTES (13)
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- (Morris has gone to a party with Ray and is very drunk)
  Morris: Hey, I'm Archie.
  Ray: Yeah, I introduced you two ten minutes ago. Morris stumbles away)
  Jessica: Whoa! Is that guy really your boss?
  Ray: No!
  Jessica: That's what he's been saying.
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- Jessica: You're a doctor?
  Ray: I guess so.
  Jessica: Wow! That's pretty cool.
  Ray: Then yeah, I'm a doctor... It's kind of hot in here. Want to get something to drink?
  Jessica: Sure. I thought you were a musician.
  Ray: Medicine's my way of paying the music bills.
  Jessica: Oh. So, how's the double life treating you?
  Ray: Hmm. Some days better than others.
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- Chuny: County General on two bravo... Ray? You're with rescue 56?
  Jerry: Our Ray?
  Chuny:(nods) No, she's not here. Him either. We got Abby.
  Abby: Thanks!
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- Neela: (Contemplating what to write in a letter to herself) Do you think it's weird if I put Dear Neela?
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- Show owner: My stage manager is filling in. Horrid! If I can get them back in time, I might still have a second act.
  Abby: I doubt these guys are up for it.
  Show owner: Oh, they're professionals. You know, the show must go on.
  Abby: Yeah... why is that exactly? I mean, why can't the show just stop once in a while?
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- Alex: Where's Luka?
  Sam: He's at work.
  Alex: You still fighting?
  Sam: No.
  Alex: We're gonna have to move again, aren't we?
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- Sam: I gotta go, I don't have a baby sitter. I'm sorry I'm gonna miss your party! (kisses him on the cheek) Take care of yourself, Dr. Carter. (she walks away)
  Carter: (to Luka) Party?
  Luka: Shut up, it's a surprise. Can't believe it's your last shift.
  Carter: Last 72 minutes, to be exact. But who's counting.
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- Luka: OK listen up! OK, first of all, you should all eat and drink well, because the party's on Weaver.
  Carter: That is a surprise.
  Luka: You guys who are still on duty, don't let me see a beer in your hand.
  Pratt: 11 years, couldn't we spring for some caviar for the man?
  Luka: Anyway, ah, there's something my father would say when a friend went on a journey. And, he said it to me when I came to the United States first. So I thought of it today when I realized I wouldn't be working with this guy anymore. Not for a long time at least. Ah... my father would clasp the persons hand and say: We only part to meet again.
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- Sam: Africa, huh?
  Carter: That's where she is.
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- Neela: Unless you want a saline shower, I suggest you keep still.
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- Carter: You set the tone, Morris.
  Morris: Huh?
  Carter: Never mind.
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- Carter: (practicing his speech in the bathroom) I want to thank you all, I feel very lucky, that works great...yeah, for Lou Gehrig.
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- (Kovac and Carter walk away from the pool table, where Kovac has just beaten Carter three times)
  Carter: You just missed Kovac running the table on me.
  Dubenko: I've heard Kovac cheats.
  Malik: I didn't know they played pool in Croatia.
  Kovac: Sure, but we just have broom sticks and goat testicles.
  Pratt: Get outta here!
  Kovac: No, it's hard. Those balls don't roll straight.
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NOTES (5)
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- Music: "Freebird," Lynyrd Skynyrd; "Collide," Howie Day; "Into the Fire," Thirteen Senses; "Pain," Jimmy Eat World
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- This episode uses two devices to remind us of the original main cast members of the series: the slide show at Carter's party shows footage of all of them; and archive audio from early episodes is heard as Carter walks the halls of County General one last time: Dr. Greene saying "You set the tone, Carter," from the Season 8 episode "Orion in the Sky"; Dr. Benton assuring Carter "You'll make a good doctor," from the Season 1 finale "Everything Old Is New Again"; and Nurse Carol Hathaway calling out "Gotta get moving Carter, I got a million things to do!", from the early Season 1 episode "Blizzard."
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- This episode received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Stunt Coordination.
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- This episode marks the last appearance of Noah Wyle as a series regular. Wyle was on the show for 11 consecutive seasons, from the pilot in 1994 to this season finale, making him the last original cast member to leave the show. He would later return in a four-episode arc in Season 12 and a five-episode arc in Season 15.
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- Although in the opening credits, Laura Innes does not appear in this episode.
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ALLUSIONS (4)
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- Before getting his last patient of his ER career, Carter says "One more for the road," which was the title of the Season 3 finale.
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- The porch collapse story line was based on a real incident that occurred on June 29, 2003, in the Lincoln Park community area of Chicago, Illinois. As many as one hundred young partygoers were plunged into a basement pit when a third floor porch deck collapsed onto the decks below. Fifty-seven people were injured, and 13 died in the accident, which was ultimately attributed to shoddy construction.
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- At the party at Ike Ryan's, Carter complains that Luka "ran the table three times" while they were playing pool. This is a joking reference to their recent competition on a taping of Ball Breakers, a pocket billiards game show. Goran Visnjic beat Noah Wyle three times, eventually winning $20,000 for charity.
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- Title: "The Show Must Go On"
  The episode title alludes to the old theater maxim, thought to have originated with 19th century circuses, that no matter what happens--Carter departing County General or Noah Wyle departing the series--the show must still be put on for the waiting audience.
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