Ep 4. When the Bough Breaks

In ER Season 4 Episode 4, titled "When the Bough Breaks," the Chicago-based County General Hospital is busier than ever with multiple patients in critical condition. The episode delves into the lives of doctors, nurses, and support staff as they deal with their personal and professional struggles.

The episode opens with Dr. Carter (played by Noah Wyle) arriving to work after barely getting any sleep. He's taking care of an elderly patient who suffered from a stroke, and he's also dealing with a challenging intern, Abby Lockhart (played by Maura Tierney), who struggles with anxiety and insecurity. Meanwhile, Nurse Hathaway (played by Juliana Margulies) is dealing with a difficult childbirth case.

Later in the episode, the ER is hit with a bombshell when a group of pregnant women arrives, all of whom were impregnated by the same man who is HIV-positive. The patients suffer from a range of complications, including preterm labor, and the trauma team must act fast to save both the mothers and the babies. With so many patients in critical condition, the hospital staff are stretched thin and must work together to provide the best care possible.

As the day wears on, it becomes apparent that each staff member has their own challenges and personal struggles to contend with. Dr. Greene (played by Anthony Edwards) is dealing with his aging father's dementia, while Dr. Ross (played by George Clooney) has to confront his feelings for Hathaway. Meanwhile, the intern Lockhart is pulled away from the bombshell case because of her anxiety and her performance is questioned by her superiors.

All the while, the medical team works tirelessly to save their patients, making split-second decisions that could mean the difference between life and death. Even though they are exhausted and overwhelmed, they keep going, driven by their dedication to their patients.

As the episode comes to a close, patients are either discharged or transferred, and the staff can finally take a moment to breathe. Despite the long day and the emotional rollercoaster they've been on, they've done their best, and they know that they will be back to do it all over again tomorrow.

In summary, ER Season 4 Episode 4, "When the Bough Breaks" gives audiences a glimpse into the daily lives of our favorite doctors and nurses as they struggle to balance their professional responsibilities with their personal lives. The episode is full of intensity, emotion, and drama, highlighting the vital role that medical professionals play in our lives.