Well, PopWatchers, I gotta say I didn’t see this one coming: Despite my hopes that the upcoming final season of ER would bring a slew of guest appearances from some of the approximately 2,560 actors that have graced the halls of County General over the past 14 years, Anthony Edwards’ Dr. Mark Greene never quite entered my consciousness. Not that I didn’t love the guy — his bespectacled bald head and befuddled inability to get it together with Sherry Stringfield’s character were my favorite non-Clooney-oriented parts of the show’s early years. But, um, HE’S DEAD. (You remember: Brain tumor. Hawaii. Profanity on prime-time TV. Etc.) (What I didn’t remember: How ahead of the curve they were on that Israel Kamakawiwo’ole ukulele version of "Over the Rainbow." Nice.)
And yet, there it was, in our inboxes this afternoon: NBC ANNOUNCES GOLDEN GLOBE WINNER AND EMMY NOMINEE ANTHONY EDWARDS TO REPRISE HIS ROLE AS DR. MARK GREENE FOR ONE EPISODE OF ‘ER’ FOR ITS 15TH AND FINAL SEASON. (Caps NBC’s, not mine.)
Wow! Bombshell! And one that, I figured, would take some doing to work. But it turns out it’s happening the only way it possibly could — on November 13th, in an episode called "Heal Thyself," we’ll get a new flashback courtesy of the other big returning character, Mr. Noah "Dr. Carter" Wyle, whose story line, it turns out, will constitute the bookends of this show’s epic run. A call over to the network confirms that the flashback will take place in a time right before Mark’s second bout with the brain tumor, and give some insight into the past of Dr. Cate Banfield, a.k.a. "that lady Angela Bassett’s playing."
What do we think, ER fans? Yea or nay on the bringing people back from the dead here? Does this mean we can expect a Dr. Romano return, as well? Who else are you hoping to see back in ER’s halls one final time? And honestly, if Clooney doesn’t show, how bummed will you be?
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Well, having not watched ER for years, it doesn’t really matter to me if Clooney is there or not (but I would probably watch the episode he’s in, were he to return.) I’ll most likely try to catch this episode, since I miss “old-school” ER. As for Iz’s “Over the Rainbow,” I think of that episode of ER every time I hear it.
I think of it too everytime I hear that song! I balled my eyes out when I saw that episode! I’m gonna love seeing Noah Wyle more that I would if I saw Clooney.
Hell, yeah, bring back Rocket Romano! He was one of the best things on ER, back when it was a show worth watching.
All I can say is it better not be any St. Elsewhere crap. Or any made up flashback. Goose is dead! Greene is dead! Don’t drag us back to score good ratings at the end.
Geez, how about a spoiler alert for those who don’t know the character died?
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*snerk* I couldn’t really keep a straight face on that one. I kid!
I will defintely be there glued to my tv. His final episode where he died was only a couple of months after my father died of the same thing.
How many people still watch this show?
Is this still on? (Sorry couldn’t help myself)
I still watch this show! Clooney showed up for Margulies’ exit, I bet he makes a cameo – he’s that kind of guy!
If Clooney doesn’t show, I will be way, way bummed. But I mostly like Mark, so I’ll tune in to watch him.
I’d honestly be more excited to see A.E. return from the dead in “Top Gun 2: Grumpy Old Airmen.” Hey, kids, Goose didn’t *really* die in that accident, it was all a dream! Then he and Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer can all be retired Navy pilots hanging around Lauderdale or Virginia Beach and pinching waitress’ butts or something. Who’s with me? C’mon, it’ll be *awesome*.
Since Clooney didn’t return for Mark’s (best friend, remember?) funeral/memorial, I highly doubt he will be here now.
But I say any and every oldtimer should return. I still love this show!
I just rewatched the clip (so sad!) and I couldn’t remember or hear any swearing. Can anyone help me out?
I’ve never seen a full episode of ER, but I would tune in just to see Clooney!
I love ER!!! I will love to see that one… I’m a fan so, if Dr. Green comes back,Carter, & everybody they want to bring back…. I will love to see the story.
I distinctly remember seeing this when it aired because it surprised me so – he had fallen onto the floor and was having trouble getting up, he banged the floor hard and dropped the “s” bomb.
Dr. Greene was one of my favorite characters, but damn I’m tired of Anthony Edwards making me cry every time he dies!
Ugh Julianna must come back! She’s the only regular who ever won an emmy for acting.
Bring her and Clooney back in some non-soap opera “OUR DAUGHTER IS DYING WE NEED YOUR HELP” way and that will make my year.
I absolutely sobbed when Dr. Green died. It would be nice to see him again.
I would love to see Dr. Greene again. As for other characters returning, how about…
Dr. Peter Benton-Eriq La Salle
Dr. Elizabeth Corday-Alex Kingston
Dr. Jeanie Boulet-Gloria Reuben
Dr. Susan Lewis-Sherry Stringfield.
I had a brain tumor in real life the same time that Dr. Mark Greene died from his. I survived – but his character holds a special place in my heart. My husband and I watched his show from Day 1, and to go through the same thing as this beloved character was hard. I’m excited that they can include him in the final season – even if only as a flashback.
Mags
everydayplaces.blogspot.com
I think it would be pretty cool to see Carter & Green, again. I would very much love to see Clooney & Julianna again. That would be fantastic.
on the final episode of Carol’s character when she goes to meet Doug (Clooney), he had previously said he hadn’t been invited to participate. He’s saying that again so who knows. I haven’t watched much since Noah Wyle left but I’ll watch the last season for sure.
I can’t even listen to that version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. It reminds me of Dr. Greene dying and I get upset all over again. I gave up the season after Noah left, and haven’t watched since. I’ll give it another shot this year, I guess.
Zombie Doctor or maybe a flashback.
Jeanie Boulet already came back in a great episode last season. I’d love to see all the regulars return, and I think a Mark Green flashback makes a lot of sense, so yay on Anthony Edwards. It became pretty clear after his death that the show was really about Carter’s arc, so I’m pleased they are keeping their promise to bring Noah Wyle back. I’ll never forget the episode when he took Green’s stethescope from his lcoker and passed Green’s advice onto Gallant (who should also come back–I smell a dream sequence!) Ming Na, Kirsten Dunst as Charlie (all grown up now!), loved when Red Buttons came back and Carter confessed. Definitely Benton, Ross, Hathaway, more Anspaugh, Weaver (maybe visiting Alan Alda’s character), Bill Macy as Morgenstern for SURE, Maria Bello as well (Cooler reunion alert!) can we get Sally Field back from CBS?, if we’re bringing back Edwards, Kellie Martin,too, and PLEASE, now that NBC and Bravo are one umbrella, a finale postshow roundup with James Lipton!
Jorja Fox would be a nice return. Also a moment with Glenn Headley and Noah Wylie would be a nice surprise. Plus, I think William H. Macy’s character made it out of the series alive. But it Carol and Doug we all want to see. I was disappointed they didn’t appear for one shot at Mark’s funeral… although the episode was still fine without them.
This is really nice to hear. So fitting and cool that we’ll see the ER from 6 or 7 years ago.
I am sooo excited!!! I love this show and never stopped watching it. I would love to see Clooney and Hathaway again, and what about the nurses and EMT crew???
ClaireNYC – YES. James Lipton and the whole cast. That would be amazing.
Mushy alert – My mom passed away ten years ago, and one of our “things” was to watch ER every night. So I have a feeling I am going to be a weepy mess every Thursday at 10 for the next few months, but it still makes me all warm and fuzzy, especially knowing that some old characters are coming back. And Clooney better show!!
Let’s not forget people..Doug was not there when Carol gave birth to the twins. I know they probably couldn’t get Clooney to do it but I thought it was so out of character that he wasn’t there. But the Ross/Hathaway twins birth did introduce us Abby Lockhart who was a nurse in maternity ward then.