Ep 22. A Hole in the Heart

In ER season 4 episode 22, titled "A Hole in the Heart," the doctors at County General Hospital are faced with various challenges both inside and outside the hospital. The episode primarily focuses on Dr. John Carter, who is struggling to come to terms with his recent breakup with his girlfriend, medical student Harper Tracy.

The episode begins with half of the ER staff attending a fundraiser for Dr. Benton's son Reese, who needs a cochlear implant. However, the event quickly takes a turn when a patient attending the fundraiser begins to show symptoms of anthrax exposure. The staff quickly jumps into action to contain the situation and treat the affected patient.

Meanwhile, Dr. Carter is struggling to keep his focus at work while also dealing with his emotional turmoil. He is paired with new medical student Lucy Knight, who is eager to learn from him. However, Carter's unresolved issues cause him to be dismissive of her and he even becomes uncharacteristically short with a young patient.

Throughout the episode, various patients are brought into the ER with serious conditions. One patient is a middle-aged woman who is experiencing severe cardiac issues and requires surgery. Another patient is a young boy who is brought in with a hole in his heart. The boy's family is unable to afford the cost of the surgery that he needs, leaving the team of doctors in a difficult position.

The episode also touches on some political issues outside of the hospital. Dr. Weaver is attending a hearing regarding the hospital budget, where she is advocating for more funding for the ER. Meanwhile, Dr. Romano is dealing with the fallout from a sexual harassment suit brought against him by a female medical student.

As the episode progresses, the various plotlines begin to intersect. Dr. Carter becomes emotionally invested in the young boy with the hole in his heart and is determined to find a way to get him the surgery he needs. The anthrax scare ends up being linked to one of the patients brought in earlier in the episode. And Dr. Romano's legal issues come to a head when he is confronted by the student who filed the harassment suit.

Throughout it all, the doctors work tirelessly to save the lives of their patients. Dr. Carter eventually reaches a turning point and is able to overcome his emotional struggles enough to be there for Lucy and the young boy. And as the episode comes to a close, the doctors are able to save the lives of all their patients, leaving them exhausted but fulfilled.

Overall, ER season 4 episode 22 is a gripping and emotionally charged installment of the series that showcases the complexities of working in a high-stress, fast-paced environment like an emergency room. The episode is filled with touching moments, tense medical procedures, and intriguing subplots that keep the viewers engaged from beginning to end.