Ep 15. Darfur

In ER season 12 episode 15 "Darfur," the hospital staff faces the reality of the ongoing conflict and genocide in Darfur, Sudan. As the episode opens, Dr. Luka Kovac (Goran Visnjic) is struggling with a patient who needs surgery, but the operating room is already full. When an ambulance arrives with a woman from Sudan who has been raped and beaten, Luka prioritizes her care and sends the other patient to another hospital.

Meanwhile, Dr. Abby Lockhart (Maura Tierney) and Dr. Gregory Pratt (Mekhi Phifer) are trying to stabilize a pregnant woman who has been shot in the abdomen. As they work, the woman's husband tells them that they are from Darfur and are seeking asylum in the United States. Abby realizes that despite her medical training, she knows very little about the crisis in Darfur and begins to research it.

As the episode progresses, we see multiple patients from Sudan, each with different injuries and traumas. Dr. Morris (Scott Grimes) tries to convince Dr. Gates (John Stamos) to take more interest in the crisis, but Gates is skeptical of the media coverage and seems reluctant to get involved. However, when a young boy from Sudan arrives with gunshot wounds, Gates is forced to confront the reality of the situation.

Throughout the episode, we also see flashbacks to Luka's time working as a doctor in Darfur. We see him treating patients in makeshift clinics, and we witness the violence and chaos that surrounds him. These flashbacks provide important context for the current situation, and help us understand why Luka is so committed to helping the new arrivals from Sudan.

As the episode draws to a close, we see the hospital staff band together to help the Sudanese patients as much as possible. Dr. Morris creates a makeshift flag for the trauma room that says "Darfur" and everyone wears stickers to show their support. Dr. Moretti (Stanley Tucci) even offers to use his connections to try and help the patients get asylum.

Overall, ER season 12 episode 15 "Darfur" is a heart-wrenching look at the ongoing crisis in Sudan and the impact it has on individual lives. The episode is well-acted and thoughtfully written, and it shines a light on an issue that was not getting enough attention at the time. Although the subject matter is heavy, the episode does end on a note of hope, as we see the hospital staff coming together to provide support and assistance to those who need it most.