Ep 9. Obstruction of Justice

As the ninth episode of the fourth season of 'ER,' titled 'Obstruction of Justice,' unfolds, tensions run high at County General Hospital. The episode opens with Dr. Sydney Walden, who is called in to treat a patient named Mr. Bosch, who has been mistakenly prescribed with the wrong medication. During the course of the treatment, Dr. Walden discovers that Mr. Bosch's discharge has been delayed by Dr. Morgenstern, the head of the ER, who is under pressure from the hospital administration to clear the ER and free up beds for new patients.

Meanwhile, Dr. Benton is contemplating his relationship with his son Jesse's mother, Carla. He receives a surprise visit from Roger, who is threatening to take Jesse away from Carla. Dr. Benton confronts Carla about Roger's visit, but she brushes it off and insists she can handle it. As he leaves, Dr. Benton is intercepted by Roger, who spits on him and threatens him.

Elsewhere, Dr. Ross treats a young girl who has been sexually assaulted and needs a rape kit. However, the evidence must be collected within four hours to have any chance of being useful in court. Dr. Greene tries to speed up the process by requesting the services of Nurse Hathaway, who has experience in rape cases. However, Nurse Hathaway is dealing with her own personal trauma, having recently lost her father to cancer.

As the day wears on, tensions continue to rise. Dr. Morgenstern is under fire from the hospital administration, who are pressuring him to discharge patients ASAP to free up space. Dr. Walden is coming under increasing pressure from the patient's family to release him, even though she has concerns about his condition. Dr. Benton's problems with Carla and Roger escalate when Carla calls him to say Jesse has been taken. Finally, the team must prepare to collect the rape kit before the crucial four-hour window closes.

Overall, the episode is intense and emotional, tackling issues of medical ethics, domestic violence, and sexual assault. It touches on themes that are still relevant today, making it a timeless classic of the medical drama genre.