When the Bough Breaks

Season 4, Episode 4, Aired
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Episode Summary

The ER is flooded with injured children following a school bus accident. Mark turns surly when Jenn refuses to let Rachel visit until he cleans up his act. Jeanie faces a crisis when she's forced to use her hand to stop a patient from bleeding. Carter demands that Benton stop treating him like a student, and start treating him as an equal. Carter and Anna get new students, with Carter getting the short shrift once again. A junkie mother claims that Carol dropped her newborn child. Al Boulet loses his job. Reese is discharged from the hospital.moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (2)

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  • A episode that really stand out

    9.2
    "Superb"
    By Parricida, Sep 21, 2007 Report Abuse
    oh, it was so refreshing to see something different for a while. It had got so calm and little boring lately (never thought I am going to say that about ER), nut this episode - it brought back the old good action, intriguing cases and that kind of character development and conflicts that I enjoy.

    The school bus accident made this episode special. They were flooded with so many patience and the way they handled it, the way it was written, good camera work - I just enjoyed every second, cannot got my eyes of the screen. I have missed that feeling so long.

    But the case was not the only thing - we had also many fantastic character moments. Carter - he is just always such an amazing, Bello - I really start to like that char, and not mentioning Cordey - she starts to fit in and for me it is the place where she belongs.

    The only negative thing - I am tired of Greene's endless bad mood and the way he treats others (Carol and Carter) and somehow Benton's storyline - it has been squeezed everything out already.moreless

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  • Enjoyable

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By Shana868, Jul 05, 2006 Report Abuse
    This was one of the better-than-average ER episodes, one I would consider to be good in terms of writing and characters. I particularly liked the episode for its various charactrer interactions, and the school bus crash provides a nice episode contrast, between the calmness of triage and the manic trauma rush later on.

    Firstly, I'm already liking the new surgeon, Elizabeth. Her personality is such that she can immediately fit straight into the OR team and communicate with Benton in a fresh way (normally we only see him in a dominating/submissive relationship with Carter, or arguing with the ex).

    I'm also enjoying the conflict between Anna and Doug. ER have written this well, with two strong personalities competing understandably. Plus, it hasn't yet become boring, which is good.

    The confrontation between Benton and Carter was also done really well, with some real philosophy thrown-in for measure. I'm finding Carter bearable so far this season, which is always a good sign.

    The Jeannie and Kerry bit could have been better, I think, but Jeannie's medical decision was done well, and this clearly poses questions for future episodes.

    The Carol plot wasn't that great this episode, but it was ok as a minor story-line away from the trauma.

    I'm beginning to tire of Mark, so it does seem promising that he may be forced to change at some point soon. Although, classic ER foreshadowing in the form of a psychic mad person does suggest a new relationship (and the ending, of course)...
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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  • Notes

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    • Though spelled correctly when he is listed as the series creator in the opening credits, Michael Crichton's last name is incorrectly spelled "Chrichton" when he is listed with the other executive producers in the end credits of this episode. This mistake was repeated in most of the Season 4 episodes and in all of the Season 6 episodes. Edit

  • Quotes

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    • Benton: What happened? Doris: That b*tch dropped my baby! Edit
    • Benton: You know what, Carter? You don't want to be treated like my student? Stop seeking my approval. Edit
    • Corday: You have another surgery? Benton: Yeah. An emergency spleenectomy just came in. Corday: I thought you'd left. Benton: I did. Corday: Here, I'll do it. You should go. Benton: No, no, no, no. I got it. Corday: Don't be so stubborn. It's your baby's first day home. I, on the other hand, have no life. Benton: Look, I appreciate it, but it's okay. Corday: You should take advantage of my generosity when it comes around. Trust me. You'll see it rarely. Edit

  • Allusions

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    • Doug: (to Carol, when they are just about to go roller blading) Just skate, Tonya. Tonya Harding iis an American figure skating champion who became quite notorious when she allegedly conspired with her ex-husband and her bodyguard to have competitor Nancy Kerrigan harmed in an attack that took place at a practice session during the 1994 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Kerrigan was hit on the knee with a metal pipe. The injury forced her to withdraw from the competition, which Harding then won. Edit

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