Ep 16. Under Control

During the course of the show's 6 seasons, ER has won accolades for its ability to bring the excruciatingly difficult world of medicine to life. One episode that shines as an example of the show's brilliance is the season 6 episode 16. Titled Under Control, this episode takes the audience deep into the lives of the medical staff working in the ER.

The episode follows a day in the life of various staff members at County General Hospital. The episode is filled with an array of medical emergencies including a child with a severe allergic reaction, a man whose life is hanging by a thread because of his alcohol addiction, and a woman who suffers from a heart condition. All these cases test the limits of the medical staff and the resources available in an overcrowded emergency room.

The episode begins highlighting just how busy the ER can be. Patients are flooding in, and the medical staff, despite being tired from the long hours, must remain calm and composed to prevent chaos from erupting. In the midst of all this chaos, we see Dr. Cleo Finch (Michael Michele) taking a moment to breathe and prepare herself for the next case. She encounters Dr. Luka Kovac (Goran Visnjic), who tells her that he doesn't think Dr. John Carter is coping well with his new role as Chief Resident. As they continue their conversation, a woman comes in suffering from a heart condition. Dr. Finch and Dr. Kovac try their best to stabilize her condition, but there's only so much they can do.

The next case involves a young boy who is brought in by his frantic father. The child is suffering from a severe allergic reaction, and his father is beside himself with worry. As the medical staff tries to figure out how to treat the boy, the father's panic rises, and he becomes aggressive. Dr. Finch works to calm him down, and they are eventually able to save the child.

Another emergency case in the episode involves a man who is struggling with alcohol addiction. His case had been neglected by the medical staff in the past, and he now faces liver failure. The man's daughter demands that they do everything possible to save her father's life, but Dr. Weaver (Laura Innes) has to explain to her that there's not much she can do now that his condition has deteriorated.

The rest of the episode takes us through a series of more medical emergencies, each one more challenging than the last. The stress levels among the staff are palpable as they race against the clock to save lives.

The episode ends with Dr. Finch and Dr. Kovac examining their performance for the day. They both feel as though they could have done better but acknowledge that they had done everything they could. They unite at the end to combat the challenges of the ER by talking through their day and preparing for the next day.

Overall, Under Control is an excellent example of the kind of intense, high-stakes drama that ER is known for. The episode is beautifully crafted, and each of the characters has a chance to shine as they work to save lives and make difficult decisions. This is an episode that will keep you on the edge of your seat, and the performances will make you appreciate the brilliant medical professionals who help us when we need them most.