Ep 1. The War Comes Home

The War Comes Home is the first episode of the fourteenth season of the popular medical drama ER. The show takes place in a fictionalized version of County General Hospital, a Level 1 Trauma Center in Chicago, Illinois. This season focuses on the staff's reactions to the war in Iraq, as well as the typical medical dramas that unfold in the ER.

In this episode, the ER is inundated with patients as a result of a bomb explosion at a local mall. Doctors and nurses rush around in a frenzy, trying to save as many lives as possible. Meanwhile, an Army medic who served in Iraq is brought in as a patient after being injured in a car crash. His injuries are serious, but the real problem is his PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). His emotional struggles are apparent, and cause tension among the hospital staff.

Dr. Archie Morris, the hospital's chief resident, is trying to keep the ER running smoothly despite the chaos. However, he is having a tough time dealing with the influx of patients and the heightened emotions around the war. Morris is forced to make some tough decisions, such as whether or not to prioritize patients based on their likelihood of survival. He also tries to persuade Army medic, Simon Brenner, to seek help for his PTSD, but Brenner is reluctant.

Elsewhere in the hospital, Dr. Neela Rasgotra is trying to balance her work as a surgical intern with her personal life. Her boyfriend, Michael, wants her to move in with him, but Neela is hesitant. She is worried that her commitment to her work will cause problems in their relationship. However, Michael is persistent, and their interactions throughout the episode hint at the possibility that their relationship might not survive.

The episode also features the return of Dr. Ray Barnett, a former surgical resident who left the hospital after becoming addicted to painkillers. Barnett is now clean and sober, but is struggling to find his place in the world. He is hoping to get his medical license reinstated and rejoin the staff at County General, but faces opposition from some of the other doctors. Barnett's storyline is an emotional one, and provides a stark contrast to the chaos in the ER.

Overall, The War Comes Home is a powerful start to the fourteenth season of ER. The show tackles some tough issues, such as PTSD and addiction, while also showing the realities of working in a busy hospital. The episode is fast-paced and emotionally charged, and sets the stage for what promises to be an intense and memorable season.