Ep 21. Make a Wish

The episode "Make a Wish" from ER's third season takes place on a day when the hospital is understaffed due to a mass exodus of nurses to a protest march. The remaining staff is stretched thin, as they scramble to fill in the gaps left by their absent colleagues. Against this backdrop, several storylines unfold.

Central to the episode is a young boy named Ricky, who is a frequent visitor to the hospital due to a variety of chronic illnesses. When Ricky expresses his desire to meet his idol, Michael Jordan, his doctor, Doug Ross, takes it upon himself to see that the boy's wish is granted. Despite his own busy schedule, Doug goes above and beyond to make Ricky's dream come true.

Meanwhile, an elderly couple comes into the hospital suffering from gunshot wounds. It quickly becomes apparent that the man shot his wife before turning the gun on himself. As the doctors tend to the couple's wounds, they also uncover the dark secrets of their troubled marriage.

Elsewhere in the hospital, a young woman who has suffered a miscarriage arrives in the ER. Distraught and alone, she receives comfort from new nurse manager Carol Hathaway, who shows her compassion and understanding during this difficult time.

As the episode progresses, tensions rise as the staff struggles to keep up with the influx of patients. Nurses who crossed the picket line to attend the march return to work and are met with hostility from their peers. Doctors and nurses alike are pushed to their limits, and mistakes are made due to the chaotic environment.

Despite these challenges, the episode ends on a hopeful note. Ricky gets to meet Michael Jordan and has what is sure to be a cherished memory for the rest of his life. The elderly couple reconcile in their hospital room, with support from the staff. And the young woman who suffered a miscarriage confides in Carol about her hopes for the future.

"Make a Wish" is a powerful episode that explores the complexities of life and death in a hospital setting. It shows how healthcare professionals balance their own personal struggles with the demands of their job, all while providing compassionate care to their patients. The episode is a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of tragedy and adversity.