# ER: The Final Season 9/26 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 26, 2008, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-the-final-season-9-26/465276 "2008-09-26T02:43:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![myskepticsight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@myskepticsight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/myskepticsight)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2008, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-the-final-season-9-26/465276/21 "2008-09-26T17:19:33Z")
Can anyone tell me how Pratt died? I don’t watch ER but I left the TV on after The Office and looked up from doing something else to see Mekhi Pfiffer bleeding from his mouth or something, and now I am curious. I was on the phone and looked up at a particularly gruesome moment and kinda wanna know what happened to him to make him bleed so much. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2008, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-the-final-season-9-26/465276/22 "2008-09-26T17:19:40Z")
> [@DoctorJ](#): > > Who the hell would still go to work in this ER? > > “The benefits are good–three weeks paid, good health plan, we match 4% of your salary in your 401(k) after the first year. Our lawyers have asked us to tell you, though, that your odds of being brutally killed or tragically disfigured are, um, somewhat higher than average.” > > I really thought last season was it. For some time now I have believed that ER is set in the Marvel Universe, or rather a version of it in which Thor never left Chicago. The root cause of most of the mishaps the hospital staff endures is the Thunder God’s recurrent battles with his stepbrother Loki or other Asgardian nemeses. It’s just that the camera always cuts away just before any of them appear on screen, or before anyone comments on the battles elsewhere in the city. As for why people still work at County–well, let’s just say that things are EVEN WORSE elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2008, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-the-final-season-9-26/465276/23 "2008-09-26T17:40:16Z")
It jumped the shark for me quite a few years ago. Don’t recognize any of these character names. It was #1 on my Must Be In House To Watch list for a long time, starting with the pilot. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2008, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-the-final-season-9-26/465276/24 "2008-09-26T19:36:28Z")
> [@myskepticsight](#): > > Can anyone tell me how Pratt died? I don’t watch ER but I left the TV on after The Office and looked up from doing something else to see Mekhi Pfiffer bleeding from his mouth or something, and now I am curious. I was on the phone and looked up at a particularly gruesome moment and kinda wanna know what happened to him to make him bleed so much. There was a ambulance crash and explosion in the parking lot/ambulance bay area. If you already knew that part, sorry I can’t add the specifics of his injuries since I was flipping back and forth from Grey’s Anatomy. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2008, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-the-final-season-9-26/465276/25 "2008-09-26T20:14:36Z")
You know, if I worked at County, I would categorically and absolutely refuse to enter or leave the building from the ambulance bay/ER doors. Never happen. That stretch of asphalt is an insurance adjuster’s nightmare. “How’d he die?” “A helicopter fell off the roof and landed on him in the ambulance bay. We think it was coming back to finish the job.” “How’d he die?” There was a giant ambulance EXPLOSION in the ambulance bay." ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2008, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-the-final-season-9-26/465276/26 "2008-09-26T20:39:37Z")
Actually, I think the ambulance exploded a few blocks away, which is why Gates rode in the other ambulance to the scene, although I’m vague on why the ambulance exploded. Wasn’t there someone in the Witness Protection Program in it? ---
**Author:** ![vertizontal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ad7895/32.png) [@vertizontal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vertizontal)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2008, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-the-final-season-9-26/465276/27 "2008-09-26T20:50:25Z")
> [@myskepticsight](#): > > Can anyone tell me how Pratt died? IIRC…He was sitting in the front, and the explosion occurred in the back. He got all banged up, and even had a piece of someone elses leg bone stabbed into his leg. He appeared to have a bunch of internal bleeding, and hurt his jaw. They took him to the ER and worked on him, when they saw that the side of his neck was swelling, and they concluded that a piece of his mandible broke off, drifted around, and pierced his aorta, causing him to bleed out. I think there also was some sort of blood clot, causing brain death. \*\*Dewey Finn \*\*is correct, the ambulance exploded a few blocks away, on Michigan Avenue. Someone planted the bomb to kill the guy in the witness protection program. I think Abby just coincidentally happened to be walking by the ambulance at the time. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2008, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-the-final-season-9-26/465276/28 "2008-09-26T22:07:10Z")
It was very sad and nicely done–good touch having Frank touch Greg’s gurney as it was taken into the elevator. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Onimous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@Ann\_Onimous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Onimous)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2008, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-the-final-season-9-26/465276/29 "2008-09-26T23:02:07Z")
I was SOBBING. It was sad. What a great character. However, I just have to say… > [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Hmm… Prattfall. SCORE! This was beautiful! ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2008, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-the-final-season-9-26/465276/30 "2008-09-27T00:40:16Z")
I cried too. It wasn’t sappy, they didn’t milk it. Mekhi did a great restrained job showing fear. He was afraid. Charlotte Rae was in the credits. Was she the elderly lady who needed a prescription or the elderly lady rescued by that guy who broke his leg? ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Onimous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@Ann\_Onimous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Onimous)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2008, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-the-final-season-9-26/465276/31 "2008-09-27T01:07:41Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > Charlotte Rae was in the credits. Was she the elderly lady who needed a prescription or the elderly lady rescued by that guy who broke his leg? She was the elderly lady that needed the prescription. ---
**Author:** ![Gorgon\_Heap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f475e1/32.png) [@Gorgon\_Heap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorgon_Heap)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2008, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-the-final-season-9-26/465276/32 "2008-09-27T04:45:20Z")
Awwwwlight. I admit for a number of years I was too busy to pay much attention, but I got back into the show last season. Sad as it was watching Pratt die (he was a great character that brought a different flavor and yet strength to the ER) and I was a little emotional, what got it for me was the incidental show-related facts. Abby is leaving and this is the _last season_ of the show. For so many years it’s been there as a great release and a bonus of television drama … one might take it for granted. Yes, an unlikely number of characters die or move on, but hell, the characters are still well rounded and engaging. After so many years, there are no other shows (IMHO) that can say the same, especially when contained within a well known - even comfortable - environment. Not everyone has been around or old enough to watch the show thoughout. It’s got to grow and move on as well at an accelerated level due to the nature of television, buy hey; Oh well. I’m really just melencholly to see the series finally come to a conclusion. ---
**Author:** ![Gorgon\_Heap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f475e1/32.png) [@Gorgon\_Heap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorgon_Heap)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2008, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-the-final-season-9-26/465276/33 "2008-09-27T04:52:29Z")
Hm. Interesting I can’t change my poor spelling of “melancholy” after five minutes. Ok, then. > [@Gorgon\_Heap](#): > > Awwwwlight. I admit for a number of years I was too busy to pay much attention, but I got back into the show last season. > > Sad as it was watching Pratt die (he was a great character that brought a different flavor and yet strength to the ER) and I was a little emotional, what got it for me was the incidental show-related facts. > > Abby is leaving and this is the _last season_ of the show. > > For so many years it’s been there as a great release and a bonus of television drama … one might take it for granted. Yes, an unlikely number of characters die or move on, but hell, the characters are still well rounded and engaging. After so many years, there are no other shows (IMHO) that can say the same, especially when contained within a well known - even comfortable - environment. > > Not everyone has been around or old enough to watch the show thoughout. It’s got to grow and move on as well at an accelerated level due to the nature of television, buy hey; Oh well. > > I’m really just melencholly to see the series finally come to a conclusion. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2008, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-the-final-season-9-26/465276/34 "2008-09-27T08:11:04Z")
> [@DoctorJ](#): > > Who the hell would still go to work in this ER? > > “The benefits are good–three weeks paid, good health plan, we match 4% of your salary in your 401(k) after the first year. Our lawyers have asked us to tell you, though, that your odds of being brutally killed or tragically disfigured are, um, somewhat higher than average.” > > I really thought last season was it. because you’re chances of getting laid are equally above average. ETA: ER is a guilty pleasure, but I don’t do TV, so I’m only up to whatever the netflix availability is, but from a ER nurses perspective Pratt is an asshole. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-the-final-season-9-26/465276/35 "2008-09-29T14:23:30Z")
> [@Gorgon\_Heap](#): > > For so many years it’s been there as a great release and a bonus of television drama … one might take it for granted. Yes, an unlikely number of characters die or move on, but hell, the characters are still well rounded and engaging. After so many years, there are no other shows (IMHO) that can say the same, especially when contained within a well known - even comfortable - environment. > > Not everyone has been around or old enough to watch the show thoughout. It’s got to grow and move on as well at an accelerated level due to the nature of television I guess so, but when I catch old episodes on Primetime in the Daytime, the old ones are so much better. Of course that could just be the nostalgia factor. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-the-final-season-9-26/465276/36 "2008-09-29T15:04:54Z")
I haven’t made a point to start watching it this season. I saw someone was supposed to die but I couldn’t work up enough interest to check it out. I did hear that Anthony Edwards was supposed to come back for a visit with a character who was in a coma or dying/dead, which I thought sounded kind of dumb unless the character was someone who knew him. But I love Anthony Edwards/Mark Green so I’d tune in just to watch him again. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-the-final-season-9-26/465276/37 "2008-09-29T15:32:58Z")
I don’t actually watch it anymore, but I watched at least 3 seasons on the TV at the bar I frequented at the time, with closed captioning. I enjoyed it to the point that when I couldn’t get to the bar on a Thursday night, I felt like I was missing one of “my” shows (I wasn’t the controller of the TV at home). This was basically from the time that Carter returned from rehab to around the time that Romano had his final encounter with the psycho chopper. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-the-final-season-9-26/465276/38 "2008-09-29T15:40:13Z")
[QUOTE=Wile E] I did hear that Anthony Edwards was supposed to come back for a visit with a character who was in a coma or dying/dead, which I thought sounded kind of dumb unless the character was someone who knew him. But I love Anthony Edwards/Mark Green so I’d tune in just to watch him again. [/QUOTE] I was wondering why they showed a quick glimpse of Dr. Greene in the montage of what’s coming later this season. ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2008, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-the-final-season-9-26/465276/39 "2008-09-30T03:07:46Z")
> [@gotpasswords](#): > > I was wondering why they showed a quick glimpse of Dr. Greene in the montage of what’s coming later this season. I thought he was coming back in some flashback scenes. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2008, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-the-final-season-9-26/465276/40 "2008-09-30T21:18:53Z")
You mean Dr. Green, the murderer? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-the-final-season-9-26/465276.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-the-final-season-9-26/465276.md?page=3)