In the pilot episode of 'ER' overworked residents are the heroes of County General Hospital as they make life-and-death decisions on a daily basis. They include Dr. Mark Greene, a married chief resident who's being wooed by a lucrative practice; Dr. Douglas Ross, a charming, womanizing pediatrician who suspects a mother of abusing her young son; the down-to-earth Dr. Susan Lewis who must console a fragile cancer patient; Dr. Peter Benton, an intense surgeon who is forced into performing a delicate surgery he's not prepared for; and John Carter, an inexperienced medical student who bumbles his way through the cauldron of the emergency room. Julianna Margulies stars as Nurse Carol Hathaway, whose personal crisis takes the ER staff by surprise.

Carter's first full day finds him saving a patient from cardiac arrest. Later, he treats a co-worker's rash and winds up going home with her. Meanwhile, the ER is inundated with both a tour group and a wedding party suffering from food poisoning from the same German restaurant. When Dr. Greene helps his wife, Jenn, celebrate passing the bar, they get caught having sex in the ER bathroom. Dr. Ross visits a recovering Carol.

Hathaway returns to work and the staff greets her with a surprise welcome back party. Greene treats a domestic violence victim, while Lewis goes on the defensive after a cardiac case goes awry. Benton is shadowed by a patient singing show tunes.

Benton disappoints his brother-in-law Walt when he is "too busy" to visit their mother. Doug attempts to reconcile with Carol, and also protects a pregnant teen's confidentiality. An older man complaining of chest pains arrives, while another patient's cell phone trips her defibrillator.

A business contractor with a bad heart gathers his family around him in the ER as he prepares for the end. Dr. Ross helps an asthmatic teenage girl when her mother doesn't have the funds. Carter worries that he may have contracted an STD from Liz. Dr. Lewis treats a teenager with alcohol poisoning. Jenn Greene prepares to move to Milwaukee.

The air conditioning quits on the hottest day in October which, coupled with closed ERs in Chicago's other two hospitals, leads to an extremely hectic day. Dr. Ross treats a six-year-old suffering from a cocaine overdose. Ivan Gregor, a liquor store owner, shoots and seriously wounds a young teenager. Susan's immature sister Chloe drops by, wreaking havoc in Susan's life. Doug picks up a pharmaceutical saleswoman, much to Carol's displeasure.

Cater treats a wounded gang member, and later completes his first spinal tap. Ross and Hathaway share a kiss, but Hathaway tells him she's moving in with Oligario. Greene's wife visits, but is soon called back to Milwaukee. The staff throws a surprise birthday party for Lewis, but her drunk sister spoils the festivities.

When Dr. Greene calls in sick to spend the day with his wife, Jennifer, Ross is left in charge for the ER. Dr. Benton learns that he's lost the Starze Fellowship to Dr. Langworthy and Dr. Cvetic exhibits unreasonable behavior. Dr. Carter develops a crush on Dr. Lewis.

Thanksgiving brings unusual patients and family patience. After Carter treats a depressed transvestite for lacerations, the man commits suicide by jumping off the roof of the hospital. In frustration, Carter explodes at Dr. Benton, but later spends Thanksgiving with him. Ross treats a man who was pecked by a turkey, then leaves for a Jamaican vacation. Lewis's alcoholic sister complicates the holiday celebration by announcing that she's pregnant.

When a blizzard brings Chicago to a stand still, the ER staff finds creative ways to pass the time. Just when they are reaching new levels of boredom, a fifteen-car pileup on the expressway wreaks havoc in the ER. With mass casualties, the Chicago Sheriff's department must escort in additional doctors to assist.

First a 6-year-old is revived after almost drowning while ice fishing, then a busload of choir kids seek treatment after a minor bus accident. Meanwhile, Carter treats Santa and assists with a man electrocuted by his Christmas lights. Plus, a boy swallows a Poinsettia leaf and an elderly man is stabbed by people he thought were carolers. Elsewhere, Ross crashes Hathaway's engagement party to tell her he loves her -- and winds up fighting with Taglieri.

After seemingly endless requests, Dr. Benton finally allows Dr. Carter to observe in the O.R. After Dr. Lewis disagrees with Dr. Kayson over the care of a patient, the patient's family sues for malpractice. Meanwhile, Lewis's sister decides to move to Texas with her flaky boyfriend. Dr. Benton and his sister discuss new arrangements for the care of his ailing mother.

Nurse Hathaway is surprised by an injured student's rude behavior, until she learns the student is doing a study on violence in society. Dr. Lewis receives unsolicited advice from doctors Greene and Morgenstern. Dr. Benton is forced to leave an important surgery when his mother wanders off. Carter tries to impress a new, female med student.

Puzzled by a female patient's potentially fatal injuries, Greene discovers that the woman is being abused by her teenage daughter. Lewis and Kayson are brought before the review board regarding the malpractice suit. Later, when Kayson suffers a heart attack, Lewis must treat him. Desperate to avoid putting his mother in a nursing home, Dr. Benton hires physical therapist Jeanie Boulet to care for his mom -- without consulting his sister. Dr. Ross detects cancer in a young boy who arrived with a wrestling injury, and also treats a homeless teen with AIDS.

Dr. Benton is chastised by Nurse Haleh, Nurse Hathaway and his mother's new physical therapist for his condescending attitude. Dr. Morgenstern, impressed by Dr. Greene's performance, offers him an attending position upon completion of his residency -- which doesn't sit well with Greene's out-of-state wife, Jennifer. Meanwhile, a terminal patient asks for Greene's help in ending her life and a poisonous pet snake gets loose in the ER.

On Valentine's Day, a mother leaves her AIDS-stricken adopted, Russian daughter in the ER. After hitting a dog, Officer Grabarsky brings the injured animal in and pleads with the ER docs to save it. Dr. Kayson, a married man, comes on to Lewis. Carter and Chen treat three cheerleaders after eating LSD-laced Valentine's candy. Chen unknowingly eats a piece of the candy, which affects her ability to treat patients.

Both Benton and Greene miss important birthday engagements. Benton, his mother's birthday and Greene, his daughter's. Carter, thinking it's Benton's birthday, organizes a surprise party, but the surprise is his when he discovers the truth. Dr. Ross risks his career when he yells at an abusive parent of a baby girl. Hathaway tries to adopt the Russian girl left in the ER, but Taglieri is against it.

In order to make up for time he took off to care for his mother, Benton works 48 hours straight, which worries Dr. Hicks and has serious repercussions for Benton's mom. It also affects Carter, when Benton becomes even more demanding than normal. Dr. Greene's personal problems go from bad to worse when his wife tells him she may be falling out of love with him. The AIDS hospice turns down Hathaway's request to adopt a Russian teen due to Hathaway's suicide attempt.

Dr. Greene goes all day in solving his patients' problems, until he encounters the case of a pregnant woman suffering from complications that threaten both her life and her unborn baby's. Elsewhere, a teenager is accidentally poisoned by insecticides.

Carter and Chen extend their shifts to experience the ER during a full moon, and they are not disappointed. Greene is so despondent over the breakup of his marriage that Lewis is left to run the ER. Lewis's skills impresses the new ER Chief, Dr. Swift. Patients include nine naked fraternity pledges are brought in with frostbite after a hazing stunt, a drunk man hit by a car, a hiccuping guy who "comes out" to his fiancee after being diagnosed with HIV.

On Taglieri's recommendation, Benton's mother is released from the ER into a nursing home. After a near-fatal error, Chen contemplates giving up medicine. Diane and Ross continue their relationship. Lewis's sister returns, eight months pregnant and homeless.

Already on bad terms with the new chief, Dr. Swift, Greene refuses to work late and travels to Milwaukee instead. Ross, as a consequence of hitting an abusive parent, is forced to see a psychiatrist. Unable to help his ailing mother, Benton goes above and beyond the call of duty to help save every patient he sees.

As their wedding day rapidly approaches, Hathaway and Taglieri argue over the details and Carol puts off writing her vows. Greene moves to Milwaukee in an attempt to save his marriage, and his deteriorating performance in the ER ires Dr. Swift. Benton agrees to recommend Carter for a surgical sub-internship, although he and other ER coworkers are surprised to learn of Carter's wealthy background. Benton is also surprised by his growing attraction to Jeanie Boulet.

Despite having kicked out her pregnant sister, Lewis winds up delivering Chloe's baby girl in the ER. However, plans for Chloe and the baby to live with Lewis's mother, Cookie, are thwarted when Cookie refuses. Meanwhile, Carter is rejected for the surgical internship after rejecting an ER internship with Greene. Diane asks Ross to move in with her -- which sends a scared Ross into the arms of his former lover, Linda. At the end of a harrowing day, Benton learns that his mother has died, and finds comfort with Jeanie Boulet.

Greene is slapped with a malpractice suit regarding the pregnant woman who die while in labor. Later, Swift offers Greene the attending position. Carter, convinced this is his last day in the ER, slanders Dr. Benton in final evaluations. However, Carter later gets the surgical internship when the first candidate turns it down -- and he also learns that Benton gave him high marks. As the ER crew gathers at the church for Carol Hathaway's wedding, Carol and Tag both realize that he loves her more than she loves him. The wedding is called off, but the reception goes on anyway.

Carter arrives two-hours late to his new surgerical sub-internship with Benton. Later, he is introduced to an attractive new med student, Harper Tracy. Jeanie and Benton become intimately involved. One of Greene's first, and most unpopular decisions, as attending physician is naming Dr. Kerry Weaver as Chief Resident. Hathaway starts a paramedic rotation and is partnered wtih Shep.

Ross treats a young pyromanic for burns then leaves him to await a psych consult; however, once alone, the boy promptly starts a fire in the ER. Lewis contends with her live-in sister, who quit computer school. Carter and Harper grow closer, while Benton asks Jeanie to leave her estranged husband.

Benton allows Carter to do his first unsupervised surgery, and Carter accidentally perforates the patient's liver. Tension between Weaver and Lewis escalates, while Ross saves an AIDS baby who was given the wrong medication by a clinic resident. Shepard and Hathaway grow closer after losing a victim. Chloe abandons baby Susie with Dr. Lewis.

After Benton punches an obnoxious salesman, Hicks chooses Carter to replace him in surgery -- and asks that Benton consult with Jeanie Boulet. Greene witnesses Ross's complicated personal life first-hand while bunking with the doctor. Lewis considers putting baby Susie up for adoption. Harper and Carter share a kiss.

Weaver's day off provides welcome relief to the ER staff. With Benton's finger still healing, Carter continues to impress his superiors in the O.R. Benton and Hathaway treat a motorcycle accident victim with a severed arm, but later discover he and his wife intentionally chopped the arm in an effort to scam the insurance company. Lewis decides to adopt baby Susie.

A gang shooting leads multiple victims to the ER. Jeanie and Benton are forced to work together when she returns to the ER as a physician's assistant. Greene catches Harper and Ross together, and Harper later confesses to Carter that she slept with Ross. The ER welcomes a new admissions clerk, Randi. Ross's fellowship is terminated after he breaks the rules...again.

Before blowing out of County General Memorial Hospital, a dissatisfied Dr. Ross accepts a lucrative position in private pediatric practice, and is on his way to celebrate when he discovers an injured boy trapped in a rural storm drain during a cloudburst. Stranded far from help and with the water rising, Ross soothes the frightened child as he struggles to free him. But even if Ross pulls the victim out in time, he knows he must further improvise to get him to the emergency room and keep him alive. Elsewhere, Dr. Benton, Carter and student Harper Tracy work hard to help a young girl who is a hit-and-run victim with multiple fractures and internal bleeding.

Now that Dr. Ross is considered a hero by all of Chicago -- after saving a boy from a flooded storm drain -- Bernstein reinstates his fellowship. Feeling guilty from a misdiagnosis, Carter orders a million tests on his newest patient -- with surprising results. Benton learns that Jeanie has filed for divorce. Harper and Carter reconnect.

Just after treating a hit-and-run victim, Greene learns that his wife and daughter were involved in serious car accident back in Milwaukee. Lewis is asked to speak at a prestigious medical conference, but opts to stay with baby Susie instead. In an effort to get a break from Benton's demanding schedule, Carter encourages him to interview for Vucelich's research project.

While his estranged wife asks to keep their daughter over the holidays, Greene deals with hospital attorneys. They're anxious to settle the malpractice suit with the husband whose wife died in labor last year. A drunk zamboni driver levels a group of ice skaters -- and lands them all in the ER. Lewis treats a priest, while Hathaway treats a Kris Kringle look-a-like. Later, at a last minute caroling party at Hathaway's house, Shep proposes.

When paramedic Shepherd makes an off-color remark about a large group of neglected children, he raises the ire of Dr. Benton. Meanwhile, Greene is served divorce papers and Carter tries to impress Vucelich by taking on a terminal patient's care. Elsewhere, Jeanie feels slighted after discovering that Hathaway has given her a poor evaluation.

Unable to save an elderly cardiac patient, Carter receives the blame from the patient's grief-stricken husband. Meanwhile, Benton is humiliated when Vucelich must bail him out of a complicated surgery. Elsewhere, Ross gets into a physical altercation with a neglectful father and Greene deals with his daughter -- who is acting out in response to the divorce.

Greene finally settles the wrongful death suit, only to have his ex-wife sue for custody of their daughter, Rachel. Carter takes credit for Harper's diagnosis, which leads to an argument. Benton grows increasingly suspicious of Dr. Vucelich's research study. Weaver pressures Lewis about the Chief Resident position; Hathaway becomes a part-time worm farmer to raise extra cash.

After confronting Vucelich about the research data, Benton is forced out of the study. Benton threatens to go to the ethics board and Vucelich removes him from the surgical team all together. Greene and Lewis are spotted riding the El together and the ER is buzzing with gossip about their relationship. Ross's birthday is spoiled when his father arrives.

When a water main breaks in the maternity ward, the ER is flooded with babies and expectant mothers. During the numerous deliveries that follow, Greene is shadowed by Hicks and Boulet deals with a former crack addict who is now giving birth. Meanwhile, Lewis finalizes adopting Susie and Harper fears she may be pregnant.

When a mother of four sets her apartment building ablaze by illegally preparing methamphetamines, Shep and Raul rush in unprotected to save the children. While Hathaway is relieved when Shep shows up at the ER unharmed, they are both devastated when Raul comes in with burns over 90 percent of his body. Ross reaches out to his father, only to be disappointed yet again.

Dr. Lewis's erratic sister Chloe returns, claiming five months of sobriety. Lewis, however, refuses to trust her and refuses to turn over baby Susie. Benton ignores hospital policy and betrays Dr. Ross in the process. Carter lets his personal life interfere with proper patient care.

An especially busy night goes from bad to worse when Weaver, Lewis and Ross are all unavailable. Greene, who has been working overtime for four days in a row, works on pure adrenaline to keep up and Morgenstern refuses to cut him any slack.

Weaver allows a videographer, Iris, to document ER procedures as a study guide. Greene is initially resistant, since Iris is a former patient. Ultimately, Greene and Iris share a romantic evening together. Benton's misdiagnosis of a cancer patient lands him in hot water with his colleagues and Hicks. Carter competes with a new surgical intern, Dale Edson. Carter's childish behavior leads to Harper breaking up with him. Chloe gains visitation rights with baby Susie.

Ross and Benton put aside their differences when they work to save a little girl hurt in a water heater explosion. Lewis deals with losing custody of Susie by throwing herself into work -- and saving a few lives in the process. Greene continues to finalize his divorce, but has sex with his estranged wife in the meantime. Carter thinks working with Ross will be easy...Ross starts dating his father's boss.

Ross turns to his mother for help when his father skips town with Karen's money. Meanwhile, Weaver tells Greene she'll support Lewis as chief resident if Greene will help Weaver become an ER attending physician. Hathaway covers for Shep, who is increasingly more unstable since Raul's death. Officer Grabarsky and Nurse Wright get engaged.

Greene announces that Lewis has been selected as chief resident for next year and Weaver as the ER attending physician -- with less-than-happy reactions. Lewis ultimately refuses the offer. Jeanie and Benton are tested for the AIDS virus after Jeanie learns that her estranged husband, Al is HIV positive. Carter misses his degree ceremony while caring for a critically ill young girl. Frustrated by medical insurance red tape infringing upon patient care, Nurse Hathaway quits.

Dr. Carter begins his surgical internship, but his first shift as a doctor is not what he expected. When 4th of July casualties inundate the ER, Carter is reassigned back downstairs -- and forced to make life or death decisions on his own. Jeanie and Benton receive the results of their HIV tests. Ross fails to convince Dr. Greene of the joys of being single. Hathaway's financial situation forces her to return to work.

Jeanie struggles with her decision to keep her HIV-positive status a secret and also starts receiving Al's medical bills. Lewis and Greene bond over their pathetic social lives and recent dating disasters. Hathaway considers selling her money pit of a house, until her mother intervenes. Carter treats his elderly neighbor. When a nearby hospital is shutdown, its staff is merged with County General's; Dr. Donald Anspaugh is brought in as the new Chief of Staff.

With the merging of now-defunct Southside and County General, the ER gains a new intern, Maggie Doyle and must contend with their new Chief of Staff, Anspaugh. The patient load also increases. Weaver learns about Jeanie's HIV status; Benton transfers out of Anspaugh's cardiothoracic elective to work with a pediatric surgeon, Dr. Abby Keaton. Carter's neighbor, ignores Carter's advice and smokes while using her oxygen tank -- consequently blowing up their apartment building.

Benton is busted by Dr. Keaton for his lack of compassion for the pediatric patients and families. Carter, on the other hand, is praised for understanding the emotional side of medicine. Carter also moves in with Gant since he is temporarily homeless after an apartment fire destroyed his place. When a seizing woman is brought into the ER, Ross recognizes her as his one-night-stand from the night before. However, he can't even remember her name. Greene turns down Lewis's offer to vacation in Hawaii, but agrees to apartment-sit for her while she's away.

The Halloween shift starts off with a bang when an injured Frankenstein arrives with a gunshot wound to the chest. Gant and Carter compare evaluations and Gant discovers that Benton is being tougher on him so that no one thinks his race gains him preferential treatment. Jeanie clashes with the new intern, Doyle over a DNR patient. Hathaway and Ross take the maiden shift in Anspaugh's "baby" - the mobile health van. Lewis returns from vacation -- but doesn't admit to Greene that she didn't go to Hawaii due to her fear of flying.

In response to a remote, near-fatal car accident, doctors Greene and Lewis ride in a rescue helicopter to help the victims. Lewis momentarily gets over her fear of flying and arrives on scene to help a family of four involved in the crash. When the parents, their seven-year-old son and infant daughter are airlifted back to the ER, it's up to Benton and the others to save them.

While obsessing over a critically ill baby in his care, Dr. Benton uses heroic measures to sustain the life of a gang banger already declared brain dead by Dr. Ross. Ross is again second-guessed when Dr. Greene steps in to diffuse Ross's argument with the father of a 6-year-old boy with an infected wound. Dr. Carter's suspicion that a surgical patient has psychological problems leads to a confrontation with Dr. Dale Edson. Nurse Hathaway continues to clash with an inexperienced nurse, who makes another serious mistake. Dr. Greene treats a slightly injured social anthropologist who gives him new insight into human courtship behavior.

Dr. Lewis and Dr. Greene are faced with a personal decision that will affect both their futures. Dr. Keaton tries to teach Dr. Benton a new approach to surgery. Nurse Hathaway fights with the nursing administrator over her staff being pulled out to float in other departments. Jeanie is surprised at Al's sudden maturity. When a drunk woman comes into the ER in labor, Dr. Doyle reports her to the police. On Healthmobile duty, Dr. Ross bends the rules to help a teenage girl, Charlie, who brings in a friend's baby for vaccinations. Nurse Wright and Officer Grabarsky's wedding plans take an unexpected turn.

With the ER understaffed since Lewis's departure, Greene steps up to take a more active and strict interest in running things. After treating Al Boulet, Greene becomes suspicious of Jeanie and investigates her health status. Carter and Keaton continue their intimate relationship. Hathaway continues her pre-med studies but oversteps her boundaries with Weaver.

While Dr. Greene and Dr. Weaver work out their differences regarding a policy for HIV-positive workers, Jeanie decides to put a stop to the rumors that a staff member has AIDS. Dr. Carter asks Dr. Gant to spend the holidays with his family, then backs out to accept an invitation from Dr. Keaton. Charlie, brings a seriously ill baby in to see Dr. Ross. Dr. Doyle treats a battered woman and helps her escape from an abusive husband. A severely burned homeless man makes Greene promise to look after his dog, Nick. Dr. Benton has a disappointing conversation with Keaton. Ross drops in on Nurse Hathaway's traditional Ukrainian Christmas to ask a favor.

Dr. Weaver talks Jeanie into assisting in a study on the effect of exercise on night-shift workers. Dr. Greene, battling with the hospital attorney who refuses to let him treat an incoherent patient, finds an unexpected friend in Nurse Marquez. Nurse Hathaway's solution to the hospital's budget crises upsets the nursing staff. When Charlie, reappears and asks Dr. Ross for another favor, his refusal to help unwittingly puts her in a dangerous situation. Dr. Carter avoids listening to Dr. Gant's personal problems, and sneaks off to a rendezvous with Dr. Keaton. Frustrated in his attempt to secure another pediatric surgery rotation, Dr. Benton takes out his anger on Dr. Gant in front of the hospital staff. Later, Benton, Carter and Doyle frantically work to save a man who threw himself in front of the train -- and soon realize it's Dr. Gant.

Guilty over Gant's death, Carter blames himself for not being a better friend. Benton remains unwilling to talk about the matter, further irritating Carter.Charlie asks Ross to be her guardian -- but Ross refuses. Meanwhile, the nurses stage a sick out to protest cuts in overtime pay, leaving Hathaway to pick up the slack. The result is the death of a homeless man that Hathaway administered the wrong blood to.

Carter confronts Benton about his inability to deal with Gant's death. Benton must also deal with the fact that his former girlfriend, Carla, is pregnant as a result of their recent night together. Greene and Marquez break off their romance; Greene is encouraged by Anspaugh to pursue a teaching position. Labor relations uses Hathaway's screw up to thwart negotiations with the other nurses, until Hathaway takes total responsibility for the incident and gets suspended. Ross treats a boy who is convinced he is Superman.

Newly single Dr. Greene cancels a date so he can instead juggle two other women on the same night. However, all three discover the truth and one, Dr. Pomerantz is particularly peeved. Doyle and Carter learn to cooperate when Doyle takes Carter to a rifle range and teaches him to shoot. Carter performs an appendectomy on Benton and Nurse Haleh Adams takes over for suspended Hathaway.

Nurse Hathaway is among those shopping at a family-owned convenience store when a robbery attempt goes awry. The store owner injures one of the robbers, James, and is badly wounded himself when the second robber, Duncan, panics and takes everyone hostage. While police cars gather outside the store, Hathaway must use her medical skills and the crude implements available in the store to keep the wounded alive and to maintain calm among the hostages and the gunmen. She finds unlikely support from her 10-year-old neighbor, Robert. Meanwhile, Dr. Ross and the hospital staff anxiously await word as the crisis unfolds.

Dr. Benton's attempt to placate Carla is met with contempt, and he returns to the hospital for the first time since his appendectomy. Dr. Carter is working extra-long hours to cover shifts left vacant by Dr. Gant's death, but he manages to catch another doctor's critical error. When Dr. Greene learns that a 37-year-old Down's Syndrome patient with an enlarged heart has been denied a heart transplant, he takes the matter up with Dr. Pomerantz. Complying with the demands of an 18-year-old cystic fibrosis patient, Dr. Ross must remove the respirator which keeps the boy alive. Following her suspension, Nurse Hathaway is reinstated at the hospital and decides to take the medical admissions test. Jeanie and Dr. Fischer continue their tentative relationship with a second date.

When two teenagers -- one white and one black -- are brought in with gunshot wounds, Dr. Greene must deal with his own racial attitudes, angry family members and a retaliation shooting. Dr. Carter struggles to diagnose a patient previously written off as a crack addict. Nurse Hathaway treats a young victim of date rape. Dr. Benton is forced to get involved when Carla comes into the ER with minor injuries from a car accident, and Jeanie discovers other complications. Dr. Weaver tries to convince an injured paraplegic man to enter a detox program. Dr. Hicks makes an unexpected offer to Benton.

Greene struggles to juggle the demands of the ER and his increasingly problematic daughter, Rachel. Nonetheless, he agrees to write an article for a medical journal in order to better his chances for a teaching position at the hospital. When Anspaugh refuses to perform a complicated surgery on a "lost cause," Carter goes behind his back and gets Hicks to do it. While the patient survives, Carter is placed on probation. Benton tells Carla he wants to accept financial responsibility for her and his baby. Hathaway awaits the results of the MCAT.

Hathaway passes her MCAT with flying colors and Weaver begins treating her like a med student. However, Hathaway decides that she loves nursing too much for a career change. Benton discovers that Carla has diabetes, which gives him concern for his unborn child. Carter fails to report Edson's misdiagnosis, fearing that Anspaugh wouldn't believe him anyway. A genetically engineered mouse escapes the lab and runs loose through the ER.

Benton acts as Carla's birthing coach, but she wants someone less critical and more reliable. Jeanie tries to get her HIV-positive, ex-husband into her current boyfriend's AIDS study. Greene is threatened by the brother of a gunshot victim who was caught in the crossfire of a drug dispute. The victim, a black man, died while the white drug dealer survived. Later, in the hospital bathroom, Dr. Greene is viciously attacked by an unknown assailant.

Carla goes into labor eight weeks early, causing a frantic Benton to overstep his bounds. Benton and Carla grow further apart as their baby's life hangs in the balance. Carter contemplates whether or not he's cut out to be a surgeon, while Jeanie rekindles her relationship with Al. Ross helps the nurses surprise Carol with a birthday party. Greene, battered physically and psychologically, returns to work amid heightened security.

Carter decides he wants to give up his surgical residency to pursue emergency medicine, even if it means working for free. Surgery is performed on Benton's premature baby, but he fears permanent brain damage. Greene destroys the doctors' lounge prompting Ross and others to confront him about his tenous mental state. Charlie, the 14-year-old that Ross met through the Healthmobile, arrives in the ER after a drug overdose. Later, Ross and Hathaway share a kiss.

When a documentary video crew invades the ER to follow Dr. Greene and his co-workers through a typical day, everyone is self-conscious at first, but gradually becomes accustomed to being taped. While the cameras watch, Greene treats a musician with esophageal cancer. Dr. Carter is embarrassed when the cameras catch his undignified encounter with a patient. Newly arrived from England, surgical resident Dr. Elizabeth Corday confuses everyone with her unfamiliar medical terms. Dr. Ross and Nurse Hathaway treat a toddler who appears to have been bitten by the family dog. Greene and Dr. Del Amico treat a man who received a severe injury while trying to save a teenage boy from a vicious gang beating. When Dr. Morgenstern becomes suddenly ill while cameras are in the room, Dr. Weaver is concerned about his privacy.

Dr. Carter tries to overcome his frustration at being once again considered a first-year intern and having to run his cases by Dr. Doyle, while his new medical student keeps disappearing to work on research. Dr. Elizabeth Corday begins working with Dr. Benton on trauma cases. With one hurdle cleared for Benton's baby, he and Carla finally give their son a name. Dr. Ross and Nurse Hathaway continue their renewed romance. After interviewing several candidates for the new desk clerk position, Dr. Greene impulsively hires a young woman. While Dr. Morgenstern awaits angioplasty, Dr. Weaver becomes Acting Chief of Emergency Services and wastes no time making administrative changes.

After insisting that she and Dr. Ross keep their relationship a secret, Nurse Hathaway must deal with trusting Ross when Dr. Corday flirts with him. Dr. Greene and Dr. Carter are surprised by developments in the case of a young stroke victim. To the displeasure of everyone but Dr. Anspaugh, Dr. Weaver begins instituting cost-cutting measures and asks to review Ross's research proposal. Dr. Benton and Carla disagree about whether their baby needs a voluntary procedure. Cynthia begins work as a new desk clerk. A surprising incident occurs when Jerry examines sample merchandise brought in by a gun dealer.

Dr. Ross and Dr. Del Amico's disagreement over a pediatric asthma patient is overshadowed by a school bus accident which floods the ER with severely injured children. Dr. Greene's mental state begins to affect his relationship with his daughter, and he receives some unwelcome spiritual advice from a 19-year-old patient. A crack addict accuses Nurse Hathaway of injuring her newborn. Still on a cost-cutting rampage, Dr. Weaver tells Ross to find a research grant or look into private practice, then questions Jeanie's actions to save a patient. While Dr. Benton and Carla adjust to their new baby, the strained relationship between Benton and Dr. Carter erupts into an ugly confrontation.

Dr. Benton's new role as a parent begins to affect his work life. Dr. Carter struggles with his medical student Ivan and with his own career decisions. Dr. Ross offers to help when Dr. Del Amico's examination of a young athlete causes an embarrassing reaction. Nurse Hathaway's idea to open a free clinic for women and children leads her on a search for funding. Dr. Greene's deposition erupts into angry accusations against a deceased patient's family. Al Boulet's rage at his and Jeanie's situation leads to a violent incident.

Dr. Greene's attitude worsens as he faces eccentric patients and continuing legal problems. Dr. Benton clashes with Dr. Corday over who gets to perform the most interesting surgeries. Dr. Weaver's struggle with budget problems leads to a difficult decision. Al Boulet tries to convince Jeanie to make a fresh start with him. Nurse Hathaway and Dr. Del Amico are shocked by a meeting with Dr. Carter's grandmother. When Dr. Ross receives disturbing personal news, Greene offers his help.

After learning of the untimely death of his father, Dr. Ross sets off by car for California with Dr. Greene along for moral support. Ross discovers surprising facts about his father's life while wrestling with demons from his troubled childhood and comes to a decision about his future. A side trip to visit Greene's mother and father in San Diego leads to a disturbing confrontation between Ross and Greene.

Nurse Hathaway is overwhelmed by the number of women and children who show up for her new clinic. A letter that Dr. Ross wrote to Nurse Hathaway is misplaced, leading to romantic complications for Dr. Greene. The tension between Dr. Carter and Dr. Del Amico is overshadowed when Carter's med student, Henry, faces a life-threatening emergency. Jeanie confronts Dr. Weaver over the issue of budget cuts. Dr. Benton and Dr. Corday operate on a boy with an extremely rare anatomical abnormality.

Dr. Greene has a tough day balancing work, an unusual visit from his lawyer and a growing relationship with a co-worker. Jeanie goes to the wall with Dr. Weaver over her right to a job, then faces complicated issues with Al. When Dr. Carter protects a patient's civil rights and has a run-in with a police officer, Dr. Del Amico comes to his rescue. Mother and daughter accident victims lead to tough decisions for Dr. Benton and Dr. Corday. Dr. Ross comes to the aid of a sickle cell patient whose medication has been stolen.

On a snowy Christmas Eve, Dr. Benton develops an unusual following after he and Dr. Del Amico treat a blind patient who has been hit by a car. After treating an elderly rape victim, Dr. Greene learns disturbing information about Cynthia, then makes an effort to find closure regarding his legal and emotional problems. Nurse Hathaway gives Dr. Carter's grandmother a tour of the free clinic, with dramatic results. Dr. Corday cancels her holiday plans to stay with a coma patient who regains consciousness. Dr. Weaver agrees to attend a conference on ER management with the hospital's new efficiency expert, Dr. Ellis West. At the hospital Christmas party,surprise announcements make the season bright.

A freezing January day floods the ER with patients and homeless people seeking warmth, including Carlene who challenges Dr. Del Amico's authority, and John Burak who has an embarrassing run-in with a vending machine. Dr. Weaver lobbies the other doctors to agree to allow the Synergix Corporation to take over management of the ER. Dr. Greene is surprised to see that a former co-worker, Dr. Swift, is already on board as the attending physician for Synergix. Dr. Corday provokes an angry outburst from Dr. Romano when she goes over his head and convinces another surgeon, Dr. Kotlowitz, to perform an unusual vocal cord surgery. Drs. Benton and Carter give presentations on their respective specialties to second-year med students and are both impressed with an especially bright student, Laura Brown.

While Dr. Ross makes plans for the future, Nurse Hathaway goes on a routine ambulance ride-along with paramedic Dean Power and discovers another elderly rape victim. Dr. Anspaugh asks Jeanie to help care for his teenage son, Scott, who is battling cancer. Dr. Weaver begins to question Dr. Ellis' budget cuts. Drs. Carter and Del Amico work together, first to treat a news cameraman with an unusual abscess, then to help Carter's cousin Chase through a difficult time. Dr. Corday lends her support to a patient undergoing a delicate vocal cord surgery, while Dr. Benton has an unsettling conversation with Dr. Romano.

The ER is faced with a blood shortage during a fierce blizzard, leaving Dr. Carter to make a tough decision when an injured criminal is brought in for emergency treatment. Dr. Greene, Dr. Del Amico and Carter work to save a security guard who was shot when he interrupted the rape of an elderly woman. Dr. Corday offers advice when Dr. Benton is upset over Carla's plans to put baby Reese in daycare. Dr. Ross lends a sympathetic ear to Cynthia when she complains about her relationship with Greene, then is surprised when Nurse Hathaway confronts him about the flaws in their own relationship. Dr. Weaver is impressed when Dr. Ellis makes a dramatic gesture to gain her trust. Jerry appeals to Weaver to let him return to the day shift.

When his mother is hospitalized with a broken knee, Dr. Greene, accompanied by Cynthia, returns home to San Diego to help his father cope. Greene soon realizes that his mother's medical problems are more serious than he suspected, and his search for a diagnosis leads to confrontation with his father.

When injured workers are brought into the ER after an explosion and chemical spill at a warehouse, the effects of the toxic material spread, forcing Dr. Carter to take control of the situation by setting up temporary medical quarters in the hospital cafeteria. Despite quick emergency measures, several staff members, including Dr. Weaver, suffer the effects of the fumes. Meanwhile, Dr. Corday helps treat the disaster victims, after risking her own life to save a man trapped in the collapsed warehouse. During the confusion, Dr. Ross takes a dangerous chance as he and Nurse Hathaway work to save a critically ill girl.

Dr. Carter faces another crisis involving his cousin, Chase, and turns to his grandfather and grandmother for help. Dr. Ross encounters problems with Dr. Weaver over his research grant and discovers disturbing complications in the case of a young poisoning victim. Dr. Corday receives a performance review from Dr. Romano, then shares an awkward moment with Dr. Benton and his sister Jackie. Dr. Del Amico fights to protect a patient who has suffered an aneurysm. Jeanie Boulet continues her friendship with Scott Anspaugh.

Nurse Hathaway makes a surprising discovery when animal activists are brought into the ER after a car accident. Dr. Corday looks for candidates to help with her study on artificial blood and then deals with unexpected complications in her relationship with Dr. Benton. Jeanie and Scott Anspaugh hear bad news regarding his illness. Dr. Greene learns that Dr. Ross has come to a decision regarding his future at the hospital. Dr. Morgenstern returns to the ER for the first time since his heart attack, causing mixed emotions in Dr. Weaver. Dr. Del Amico contends with a distraught husband while trying to help his wife avoid a miscarriage. Dr. Carter continues to watch over his cousin, Chase.

Dr. Morgenstern and Dr. Benton clash after a complicated surgery goes awry. Facing a new round of chemotherapy, Scott Anspaugh again turns to Jeanie for help. Dr. Ross takes unusual measures to protect the life of an ill toddler. When Dr. Del Amico learns she is a match for a bone marrow donation, she turns to Dr. Carter for advice. Later, Carter faces an unexpected challenge when he tries to encourage his grandmother to continue funding Nurse Hathaway's clinic. The annual ER banquet is a success, despite the problems Dr. Greene encounters while organizing the event.

While treating expectant mothers injured in the bombing of a women's clinic, Dr. Del Amico is surprised by her reaction to a particularly difficult case. Dr. Ross counsels a distraught family on the best treatment for their injured daughter. Dr. Carter searches for a solution to his new financial problems while trying to help a victim of elder abuse. Dr. Benton takes the heat for a botched surgery, then goes to heroic lengths to save a critically injured man. Dr. Corday is surprised to see that her former patient, Alison Beaumont, is back in the ER with new injuries. Jeanie and Dr. Anspaugh support each other through a difficult day. Dr. Morgenstern makes an unexpected decision.

When a patient with an unusual chemical burn is brought into the ER with only hours to live, Nurse Hathaway tries to help him make peace with the estranged family he will leave behind. After attending his son's baptism, Dr. Benton operates on a child injured in a car accident. Dr. Corday has an unsettling encounter with Dr. Romano, which will affect her relationship with Benton. Dr. Carter comes to an understanding with his grandmother over his future and the future of his cousin Chase. Dr. Ross treats a drug-addicted infant. Jeanie is angered by a young man who was injured in a dangerous game with his friends.

The arrival of Dr. Max Rosher to do a feasibility study on a pediatric unit in the ER has a direct effect on Dr. Carter and Dr. Del Amico. Dr. Ross' unorthodox treatment of a drug-addicted infant causes a rift with Dr. Greene. Dr. Benton's efforts to defend Dr. Corday only complicate her professional relationship with Dr. Romano. Del Amico is troubled when a famous televangelist uses her illness for gain. Overwhelmed by personal problems, Jeanie turns to Dr. Weaver for support.

Repercussions from Dr. Ross' treatment of a drug-addicted baby complicate his personal and professional relationships. Nurse Hathaway's instincts regarding a patient who attempted suicide turn out to be tragically correct. Dr. Greene treats two Elvis impersonators injured in a parachuting accident. Dr. Weaver is angered when hospital politics stand in the way of patient care and her own ambitions. While Dr. Corday is concerned with the future of her fellowship, Dr. Benton is faced with a new worry regarding his son. After helping the wife of a coma patient with a difficult decision, Dr. Carter confronts Dr. Del Amico with his suspicions regarding Dr. Rosher.

It's a difficult first day at County General for Lucy Knight, a by-the-book, third-year medical student whose stellar technical knowledge of medicine only serves to distance her from the human realities of her chosen field. Even before Knight shows up for her first day, she is confronted by a roadside injury that leaves her frozen with doubt, while her first assignment with Dr. Carter creates an immediate tension between the two. During her first tour of duty, she encounters a hula group whose lead dancer got a little too close to the flame and a fireman whose tragic accident threatens to take him away from his loving family. Her only respite comes from Nurse Hathaway, who takes Knight under her protective wing. Meanwhile, Dr. Greene and Dr. Weaver try to provide on-the-run guidance for Knight while Dr. Benton and Dr. Corday unwittingly shock the young student. Dr. Ross discovers that Knight has a knack for diagnosing his pediatric patients and invites her to observe several cases.

Lucy continues on her path of self-doubt and first-job jitters as two patients with separate peculiar fetishes test the young medical student's patience. Also, Carol covers for Lucy with a watchful eye when Lucy panics. Dr. Corday receives a significant visit from her father, Dr. Charles Corday, forcing her to make a meaningful professional decision. When Dr. Greene learns that a young patient suffered a fatal kick from his karate teacher, he makes a decision regarding his volunteer job offer from the local fire department. Gang members admitted to County General after a turf war heat up the emergency room with their macho banter, but the real fight begins when their feisty girlfriends show up. Elsewhere, Dr. Ross still contends with Dr. Weaver's judgmental distrust and Jerry tries to keep his cool when the hospital's air conditioning unit breaks down.

Dr. Weaver is a candidate for the chief of the ER and Dr. Greene is on the selection committee. Much to Weaver's objections, Dr. Ross gets the job as the new pediatric ER attending physician. Although she is book-smart, Lucy continues to hide her incompetence with basic procedures, such as putting an IV into a patient, from Dr. Carter. Having discovered that his son, Reese, is deaf, Dr. Benton continues to keep it a secret. But when Corday suspects that Benton is rekindling his relationship with Carla, he tells her the truth about his son. Greene and Hathaway risk their lives to treat a man who wired himself as a human bomb.

In her campaign to be chief of ER, Dr. Weaver begins to sweet-talk Dr. Greene. Dr. Ross hinders Dr. Romano's attempt to perform an amputation on a young cancer patient. Hathaway and Evans disagree on whether to sedate a young gangbanger to keep him from pursuing revenge. Meanwhile, Lucy manages to lose a dead body in the hospital while Dr. Carter learns some unsettling information about her abilities with basic procedures. Dr. Corday is assigned as an intern to the obnoxious surgical resident Dale Edson.

It's Halloween night, and with the pediatric ER filled to capacity, Dr. Ross struggles to juggle administrative duties with his desire to personally treat each child. Meanwhile, Dr. Carter leaves Lucy in charge of a Halloween party at the dorm that gets out of hand, and the new ER Chief is Dan Litvak, an arrogant doctor from the East Coast who has already managed to offend some staffers. Dr. Greene and Hathaway learn the dreadful truth when they treat a schizophrenic woman who claims to be pregnant. What began as a surgical procedure to remove tumors from a young girl turns into a shocking discovery for Dr. Benton and Dr. Corday. Various costumed ER staffers get into the spirit of the holiday.

It's blood pressure screening day in the ER and an elderly patient, Stan Levy, comes for his appointment but is hesitant to leave the ER and the nursing care of Hathaway. Dr. Weaver rents a room to Dr. Carter after he is evicted from the dorm as a result of a Halloween party fiasco. While on a paramedic ride- along, Dr. Greene violates protocol and enters a dangerous crime scene to treat a teenage male prostitute. Lucy helps Carter out of a sticky situation when the ER team works to separate two brothers who are glued together after a carpet cement spill. Dr. Benton meets with a deaf doctor, Dr. Parks, who tries to convince Benton to accept his son's deafness as part of his identity.

With Dr. Weaver no longer a candidate for chief of ER, Dr. Anspaugh takes on the role of interim ER chief. Dr. Amanda Lee is a promising candidate for the chief position and meets with the hospital committee. Dr. Corday, suffering from exhaustion and sleep deprivation as she takes on her new role as Dr. Benton's intern, makes a potentially deadly mistake. In his continuing search for a solution to his son's deafness, Benton meets with Dr. Kotlowitz whose approach is aggressive in the use of cochlear implants. Dr. Greene's resistance when the paramedics attempt an initiation prank creates an awkward tension between them.

When a young girl, Corinna, and her father, Nelson, are seriously injured in a car accident, Drs. Greene, Benton and Ross work to save the young patient's life. With a blood transfusion needed and the hospital unable to find a match for her rare blood type, Lucy discovers that Corinna's father is the only person with the same blood type but has unexpectedly left the hospital. In a race against time, Dr. Carter and Lucy follow leads and encounter endless challenges in their desperate search through the city of Chicago for Nelson and the only key to saving Corinna's life.

In recognition of County General's 100th anniversary, the hospital makes plans to honor its oldest living patient, Ruth Johnson, who was born at the hospital 100 years ago. The new ER chief, Dr. Lee, assigns a reluctant Dr. Carter the task of entertaining Ruth and 20 members of her family. Carter soon learns that hosting the guest of honor is more than he bargained for. When Hathaway befriends a young boy whose best friend has been shot and killed, she learns the shocking truth behind the incident. Dr. Ross continues to probe Dr. Greene for details of a possible new romance. Dr. Corday faces the hospital board for the investigation into the accidental overdose she administered to a patient. Dr. Benton observes a cochlear implant operation which causes him to have second thoughts about the same procedure for his son.

On Christmas Eve, Dr. Carter pulls off a miracle when he revives an 18-year-old boy who's been flat-lined for over 30 minutes. However, when it is discovered that the boy is brain dead, his mother refuses to give up hope that her son will be fine. When another teenager with the same rare blood type comes into the ER in need of a liver transplant, Carter attempts to salvage the Christmas miracle. Meanwhile, a cranky old man in an elf suit tests Dr. Greene's patience. Dr. Benton's plans to spend Christmas Eve with his son are hampered by Dr. Romano, who dumps his workload on him so that he can attend a hospital function with Dr. Corday.

Dr. Greene continues to spend personal time with the new ER Chief Dr. Lee, but her suspicious actions cause him to question her past. When his wife suddenly goes into labor, the father-to-be panics and collides with another vehicle forcing Dr. Weaver and Officer Reggie Moore to deal with legal and moral dilemmas. After treating Dr. Parks' granddaughter, Dr. Benton is inspired to communicate with his own son, Reese. Hathaway grows concerned for the health of a woman, Joi, and her tireless care for her A.L.D. stricken son. Dr. Carter fears he may have contracted TB from a patient. Jeanie considers re-entering the dating scene. Dr. Ross questions the validity of job offer.

Dr. Greene reaches a career decision, while Dr. Carter reluctantly releases his mentorship of medical student Lucy, when she is ready to move on to the next level. Meanwhile, Dr. Benton's all-business demeanor is softened by a critically ill patient, Charley, who claims to be a living remnant of the slave era. Also, Dr. Ross again pushes the limit of hospital ethics, when he administers an unapproved pain medication to a young patient. Dr. Corday discovers that Doyle has had her own run-in with Dr. Romano. Elsewhere, a patient in severe pain, Mr. Ackerman, appeals to Hathaway's liberal sympathies when she discovers marijuana in his possession. Carter is fooled by a young drama student who takes on a college assignment that calls for the 'ER' as his stage.

Dr. Ross goes out of his way to help a struggling single mother, Joi, whose child is in the last stages of ALD. Hathaway discovers that the hospital is going to the dogs when a patient who appears to be homeless, Alice Presley, unleashes a little canine baggage upon her visit to the emergency room. Dr. Benton attends a parent-child signing class and learns that he has many new communication challenges in his life. Dr. Greene attends to a young Nigerian hospital janitor, who complains of back pain, but is hiding more horrific emotional and physical scars. Elsewhere, Lucy treats a young breast cancer patient and Dr. Carter teaches a patient-doctor course to enthusiastic young medical students.

The Chicago snow storm raging outside is nothing compared to the chaos of emotions on the inside of County General when Weaver and Anspaugh learn of Ross part in the treatment and death of Joi's son Ricky. Meanwhile, Hathaway stoically faces the possible shut down of her clinic. Lucy's fascination with an injured woman's kickboxing routine ultimately causes heartache for Carter. Dr. Greene finally unleashes his pent-up fury towards Ross, just as Greene rushes out to attend to a school bus of children trapped in an icy accident with a snow plow. Later, an unauthorized Dr. Ross and Jeanie decide to follow Dr. Greene as back-up help, but a slippery turn in the road decides another fate.

Shaken by the turmoil of the school bus accident aftermath and his professional and legal problems stemming from his treatment of a young boy, Ricky, Dr. Ross struggles with a professional and personal crossroads. Meanwhile, Dr. Greene makes it to the icy school bus crash site where he must spring into action amidst the troubling carnage and pain. Mobalage's wife, Kubby, shares a horrifying secret with Hathaway that could put Kubby in harm's way. Later, Ross gets an intense visit from Ricky's grief-stricken father, Richard Abbott.

Dr. Benton accepts a temporary position at a rural medical clinic in La Verne, Mississippi, in order to secure extra funds to pay for his son's special educational needs. Shortly after settling in to the seemingly quiet and humid little town, Benton is faced with life-and-death situations at every turn, making the visiting surgeon a hero in the eyes of the initially suspicious residents and teaching him some valuable lessons about doctoring. Meanwhile, an exhilarated Benton returns to Chicago and reunites with his son, but a visit with the increasingly ailing and frail Jeanie tempers his emotional high.

The late shift provides County General with some bizarre patient cases including a woman dressed and crowing as a 'birdlady' in a cage and a professional wrestler, Mr. Kornberg with a twisted knee who has Jerry absolutely starstruck. Dr. Greene is stunned to learn that Mobalage may not have been responsible for his wife's stabbing. Later, Dr. Carter is mortified to learn that he accidentally injured a man during an emergency ambulance run in which Carter was the driver. Lucy tries to convince a young Mandarin Chinese woman that her elderly grandmother should be informed of her cancer -- information that the Fong family has been withholding from their matriarch. Also, Hathaway struggles with headaches and insomnia.

Kerry Weaver thinks she has finally discovered her natural birth mother-- alone and dying in a boarding home. Dr. Greene aggressively continues to work on Mobalage's behalf with the deportation board, but runs into a wall when he tries to get Mobalage to recall his torture nightmare. Lucy starts her psychiatric ward rotation, but has trouble getting control of her disturbed charges. Dr. Carter is angered when he learns that a poisoned 3-year-old has ingested cocaine that the child found in his father's bedroom, and he also disturbed to discover that an infant he thought was a victim of abuse by his mother, is actually suffering from a deadly bone disease. Meanwhile, as Hathaway struggles with a decision in her personal life, she has to deal with two violent cases at the hospital -- a gay man who is a victim of domestic abuse; and a schizophrenic street woman, Coco, who has recently given birth in the streets.

Spring ushers in new beginnings at County General when Mobalage happily springs some good news on Dr. Greene. Dr. Carter mentors a young high school student, Antoine, whose interest in medicine pleases the initially wary Carter. Lucy confidently plows through her psychiatric rounds which include a young law student who is horrified to learn that he may be losing his mind and a foster kid whose anger runs deep towards his alcoholic father. Jeanie discovers religion after she experiences a miraculous healing while treating a minister. Hathaway helps former patient Coco with her newborn and asks Dr. Greene for a little moral support of her own. Corday discovers a chivalrous escort in Dr. Greene, when she finds herself in a traffic predicament in downtown Chicago.

This episode is about a power outage. In order to prevent any concern that we may be experiencing technical impairment, here is an outline, act by act, of how this effect is accomplished creatively. Teaser: Lights go out briefly in EL train, then return. Act 1: Lights go out briefly in trauma room, then return. Act 2: Toward end of Act 2, power goes out all over the hospital. The lights stay out until the middle of Act 4. Act 3: Lights are out through entire act. Act 4: Lights are out until middle of the act.

Dr. Greene treats a stripper whose body metal may have saved her life from a bullet to the chest, but the mystery lies in two FBI agents who linger suspiciously in the hospital. Seriously injured teens in tuxes and prom dresses are admitted after a life-threatening car crash and Dr. Carter becomes horrified when he later learns that some of their parents were serving alcohol to the kids before they got behind the wheel. An HIV-infected woman comes to the hospital with a fishing pole speared in her stomach, after she crashed a boat on a play day with her young son. Corday's status regarding the cardiothorasic fellowship adds further tension to her relationship with Dr. Benton. Meanwhile, a drunken homeless man wanders the hospital yelling out military phrases.

Dr. Weaver finds a two-year old boy wandering unattended on the streets of Chicago and brings him into the hospital for a check-up, only to find that he may have a serious medical condition. Dr. Benton is troubled to learn that Carla has married her boyfriend Roger and plans on taking Reese to Germany, where Roger has landed a new job. Meanwhile, Hathaway treats a woman, Celinda, who says she's a medical empath who can feel what's going on with people. Dr. Carter is angered by his high school protege Antoine's casual attitude when the youth is admitted after being a victim in a gang attack. Also, Jeanie is flattered by the attentions of police officer Reggie Moore. Dr. Romano causes havoc with his new phone 'coding' system, keeping Jerry busy at the admitting desk with his frustrated colleagues.

An out-of-control truck barely misses a very pregnant Hathaway but cuts a wide swath of heavy casualties who flow into the ER, taxing the collective abilities of everyone on shift. Dr. Carter unexpectedly treats the older and attractive ex-wife of his cousin with unexpected repercussions. Drs. Greene and Weaver plot strategy when they hear rumors that the combative Dr. Romano might be named as the new chief of staff. Dr. Benton must maneuver quickly during a mediation hearing if he is to prevent his ex-girlfriend Carla from leaving the country with his infant son. Elsewhere, Luka Kovac, a doctor from Eastern Europe who moonlights in the ER, and Dr. Cleo Finch, a second-year resident in emergency medicine and pediatrics, both reveal a talent for handling hurting children.

Still reeling from his latest family crisis, Dr. Greene clashes with Dr. Weaver over the continuing treatment of a critically ill teenager who changes her mind about her "do not resuscitate" agreement. Hathaway ministers to an old widow who has no one to turn to in her last hours. Dr. Carter stumbles into a turf battle with paramedics when he and a new hotshot doctor rush out to help a construction worker who is critically injured just a block away. Dr. Benton parleys with a court-appointed therapist as he tries to stop his ex-girlfriend from moving to Europe with his son. Carter's new friend Elaine visits the hospital again. Jeanie cannot resist taking a special interest in an HIV-positive baby who is virtually parentless. Dr. Corday gets an offer from Dr. Romano that she cannot refuse.

Dr. Greene sees red when he encounters Dr. Lawrence, a newly hired attending physician who is considered a legend in emergency medicine, whose confident ease irritates Greene immensely. Gunfire breaks out in the ER when a gunshot victim identifies his assailant. Dr. Carter tries unsuccessfully to console a family friend. Dr. Finch disagrees with the doctor of a child involved in an auto accident who wants to discharge the boy immediately. Jeanie counts down the hours until her marriage and gets a pleasant surprise among her wedding gifts. Dr. Romano sticks Dr. Corday with shepherding an inquisitive newspaper reporter who is preparing a profile on him. Dr. Benton tries to ignore some disturbing news about his son. Moonlighting Dr. Kovac lobbies to put a husband under psychiatric custody when he suspects that the man has been beating his wife.

Cleo diagnoses a bratty little girl with food poisoning and is shocked when she reappears with more severe symptoms. An annoyed Dr. Greene tries to help his father sort out his insurance problems via long-distance phone calls when the old man runs his car into a tree, while Greene and the likable Dr. Malucci treat a skydiving victim and a distraught teenager who tried to hang himself. Dr. Lawrence -- always ready with an opinion on any case -- argues with the nurses over his prescribed medication for another skydiving patient. Dr. Carter arranges to see recovering patient Elaine Nichols again. A sympathetic Hathaway coaxes a pregnant but uninsured waitress to come to the ER for an exam. As chief of staff, Dr. Romano orders Dr. Corday to do his dirty work and is not happy with an unflattering, tabloid-like newspaper story about one chaotic day in the life of the hospital's ER.

An explosion during a high school science class floods the ER with a variety of burned, gassed and broken patients. Dr. Greene rescues Dr. Carter from one student's irate father. Hathaway urges a young pregnant waitress to enter a drug rehabilitation program while Lucy also pleads with an artistic painter to do the same. Dr. Benton tries to protect a young man who learns he's HIV-positive while donating blood for his injured brother. Carter wonders if he's gotten the final brushoff from Elaine. Jeanie is distracted at work over her young adopted son's wheezing back at home. An inquisitive Malucci courts trouble when he solicits information about Dr. Weaver's disabled leg.

Hathaway can't resist trying to help a fellow single pregnant woman who refuses to quit her unhealthy lifestyle and seems resigned to her fate, while Dr. Weaver questions the work of her former mentor, Dr. Lawrence. Dr. Benton agonizes over taking a self-administered paternity test that will determine if he really is the father of his toddler son. Dr. Finch is blamed for an explosion in the suture room but Dr. Malucci might have a different answer. After a nursing home fire, Dr. Carter is chastised for not convincing a frightened older woman to sign a consent form that would let her terminally ill husband die. Later, Carter is torn when a poor father asks him not to report that his son has diabetes until his worker's insurance kicks in, and after hours, he visits the moody Elaine. Elsewhere: a beaming Jeanie has startling news for Weaver, and a new desk clerk overcomes a rough beginning to his day and soon has the staff in stitches with his comic impressions.

A heroic Dr. Corday works hard to salvage the life of a known carjacker and kidnapper while nearby Drs. Weaver and Kovac strain to sustain his sexually assaulted victim who is desperate for the right kind of blood transfusion. Cleo overrules Lucy and orders toxicity tests for a 15-year-old boy and her hunch pays off. In addition, Lucy regrets her decision to allow an elderly gospel group leader with chest pains, to leave for a performance. A moody and pregnant Hathaway's dull day answering phones suddenly takes a dramatic twist, and she later visits a drug-abusive new mother. Dr. Carter eagerly takes on more responsibility in the ER from Weaver. Dr. Greene has no clue about the whereabouts of his visiting father when the older man doesn't show up at the airport for their Thanksgiving together. Dr. Lawrence receives counseling for his embarrassing medical condition but still shows flashes of brilliance.

A snowy Thanksgiving turns chaotic for Hathaway when she suddenly goes into labor on the subway and fights just to get to the ER -- where the real harrowing battle begins to save her premature twins with the help of an obstetrics nurse. At the same time, Hathaway's Lamaze mate, Dr. Greene, is unaware of her plight as he brings his precocious daughter and his cantankerous visiting dad over to Dr. Corday's for a traditionally dysfunctional holiday dinner. When Greene is notified of Hathaway's situation, he leaves poor Corday with his two relatives who each encounter a personal crisis. Dr. Malucci impresses Dr. Carter with his knowledge of a rare affliction.

On Christmas Eve, a stubborn Lucy tries everything to help a desperate young woman, who is running out of time, get a life-saving heart transplant. A festive Dr. Carter, decked-out as Santa Claus, aids a wounded gangbanger and then offers to trade a gift for his gun, which prompts a flood of other gang members willing to trade their "gats" for choice presents. Dr. Finch regretfully ruins a dysfunctional family's holiday when she places Chad Kottmeier, a besotted teenager whom she previously treated, in the hospital's alcohol treatment program for his own safety. Hathaway gets help from kindly Dr. Kovac when she suspects that one of her four-week old twins might have a fever. An uneasy Dr. Corday must continue to treat a repulsive murder suspect; Dr. Weaver is shown some glitches in the ER's computer that was rated Y2K compliant; Dr. Benton receives shocking news from an angry Carla; and the ER swarms with sickly Santas.

Former emergency room resident Jing-Mei Chen -- once known as Deb Chen -- returns to resume her career in medicine and immediately makes an impact when she treats a runaway teenaged girl who bitterly keeps her identity secret. Elsewhere, Dr. Corday is asked to coax an injured murderer to confess the whereabouts of a woman's body -- to better give her family some peace of mind. The energetic Dr. Malucci tries to fix Dr. Weaver's car while he later discovers that a child hockey player suffering from shortness of breath has a more serious complication than first thought. Dr. Finch reconsiders discharging a talented teenaged athlete who's exhausted by her unrelenting practice schedule and need to satisfy her parents. Dr. Kovac sympathizes over two scruffy teenage brothers -- one developmentally disabled -- who would rather remain on the street than be separated by social services. Dr. Greene bails out of the ER when he learns that his stubborn father ran off from his San Diego retirement home.

A simple water shutoff makes the struggle for life even harder in the ER while Lucy is excited for Valerie, a patient she befriended who finally can receive a new heart -- if she can circumvent some last-minute medical complications. Drs. Carter and Chen duel over admitting an elderly patient with Parkinson's whose daughter pleads exhaustion in caring for her. Dr. Greene also is weary of lodging his troublesome father as he deals with the return of Nurse Hathaway, who is experiencing post-partum depression. Later, Greene treats a patient for seizures and suspects that his boyfriend is physically abusing him. Dr. Corday confronts the murderer whose life she saved before he is taken to county jail. In addition, Dr. Benton makes a tentative offer to Dr. Finch, Hathaway soothes a nervous boy with a broken leg and Dr. Malucci personally checks out a Hispanic pharmacy that also serves as an illegal back-door health clinic.

New medical student Abby Lockhart, the obstetrics nurse who helped deliver Nurse Hathaway's twins, has a chaotic first day when she joins the ER and is spat upon and bitten by a drug-addled teenage wrestler and misdiagnoses a hypochondriac. Dr. Corday grits her teeth when her haughty mother alights in town. Elsewhere, as a flu epidemic sweeps through the ER, Dr. Benton's promise to secure plastic surgery for a badly mauled little girl is in jeopardy and he later uses an unusual procedure to clear an airway on a patient with internal bleeding. Dr. Carter treats a bitter teenager with muscular dystrophy. Lucy tries to make an elderly patient with congestive heart failure comfortable in his last hours.

As Valentine's Day nears, Dr. Corday holds her breath when her domineering mother and surgeon wants to "observe" her at work in the hospital, while Lucy cares for a combative young law student whose headaches and erratic behavior might indicate schizophrenia. Competitive medical students Chen and Malucci jockey for first position but their increasing rivalry only hurts their patients, including a senior doctor with a dangerous tumor. Following a severe traffic accident, Drs. Finch, Kovac and Benton hope to save the lives of the parents of two quaking children who fear the worst. An elderly woman who lost her husband a few months earlier in the ER returns with a serious case of infection.

Valentine's Day arrives as the emergency room staff whirls into action on all fronts as they work heroically on two patients who suffered trauma. Even Drs. Greene and Corday are called from home to help. Meanwhile, the police begin an investigation into criminal activity inside the hospital and begin searching for a missing patient.

An off-duty Dr. Kovac witnesses a hit-and-run accident that leaves a young girl fighting for her life but he second-guesses himself when he elects to transport her to the hospital himself rather than wait for the paramedics -- and wonders if his desperate measures might ultimately kill her. Nurse Hathaway discovers that a promiscuous 14-year-old schoolgirl has cervical cancer and is torn when the frightened teen refuses to tell her parents. Drs. Greene and Corday react differently when they discover that their parents are getting to know each other very well. New medical student Abby disagrees with Dr. Weaver's quick assessment of a sick patient. Dr. Greene learns some sobering news from a patient's x-rays.

In pain, Dr. Carter hobbles back on crutches into the ER for the first time since his life-threatening attack and treats an overdosed suicidal patient with a controversial new procedure while a besieged Dr. Greene tries to take charge of a chaotic shift. Among Greene's runaway problems are his cantankerous father who resists treatment for his lung cancer, a poisonous Gila monster lizard on the loose and a non-stop torrent of complicated cases, one of which concerns his girlfriend Dr. Corday's well-meaning attempt to keep a brain-dead accident victim alive long enough to secure permission to harvest his organs. Elsewhere, Abby is devastated when she makes a simple mistake that could cost a terminally ill cancer patient what little time he has left; Dr. Chen is distracted by a hunky nurse who helps out in between receiving treatment for his own fainting spells; amid the uproar, Hathaway is interrupted by her nanny's calls regarding her crying twins; and Dr. Benton and Dr. Finch enjoy a sensual game of pool.

Dr. Kovac is unsettled about his responsibility to disqualify a series of patients with kidney failure when a precious donor organ becomes available, especially when one prospect is unaware that she's pregnant -- and must choose between the baby or the transplant operation. A few feet away, Dr. Romano decides to mix it up for a day in the ER trenches and clashes with two angry motorists as well as Dr. Weaver over proper treatment of a terminally ill pneumonia patient. Dr. Carter must do some fast-talking when a former patient, a diabetic young boy whose father previously had no insurance, reappears with dangerous symptoms. Drs. Finch and Benton are dressed down by Romano when a pharmacy misreads their scribbled prescription and issues a drug that nearly kills a constipated patient. Dr. Greene gets angry when Dr. Corday conspires with his crotchety father to place the senior Greene in a hospice.

Ex-lovers Dr. Benton and a testy Dr. Corday clash when Benton's current interest, Dr. Finch, asks him to overrule Corday for surgery on a young boy who may have suffered internal injuries in a car crash. Abby takes a big risk when she advises an exhausted pregnant wife with five children to undergo an abortion procedure against the wishes of her unsuspecting husband. Elsewhere, Dr. Greene must intimately care at home for his crotchety but humiliated father after the terminally ill man chases away his latest nurse. Dr. Carter reacts harshly to one patient, offers a misplaced diagnosis to another and later offends Dr. Chen when they try to save a young girl. Dr. Romano assumes personal command of the ER and displays his typically obnoxious charm.

Abby plays with fire when she intercedes on behalf of a sick young girl who needs a bone marrow transplant -- but the most eligible donor is her half-sister whose divorced mother refuses to okay the procedure out of spite for the girl's father who's her ex-husband. In another family, Dr. Greene admits his pneumonia-ridden father into the hospital and shares a rare but memorable father-son moment as the older man's time begins to wind down. Dr. Kovac gallantly offers to help Nurse Hathaway buy a used car and they enjoy their spring day on the town. Likewise, a daytripping Dr. Benton takes Dr. Finch out to Los Angeles to visit his toddler son and meet his sister Jackie who can't help but interrogate her guest. Dr. Carter is tormented by visions of his recent brush with death and draws Dr. Weaver's concern upon her return.

A weary Dr. Greene remains at home to care for his father and shares a tender moment, while a robust Dr. Kovac tries to court Nurse Hathaway. In addition, faulty hospital procedure causes Dr. Benton to assail Kovac for not checking up on a patient who now might lose his leg; likewise, Dr. Chen is horrified to learn that a simple metabolic test for infants could have prevented a boy's disabling brain seizure. Dr. Carter assumes Greene's shift and is a whirling dervish of activity who can't resist taking over other doctors' cases as well. When an anemic teenager refuses crucial treatment, Dr. Corday makes a calculated gamble in order to assist her. Dr. Malucci is enraged when a 6-year-old car accident victim claims that her father has been sexually abusing her.

A wound-up Dr. Weaver goes on the warpath when she encounters sloppiness, incorrect diagnoses and improper procedures among the ER staff, and Nurse Hathaway, Dr. Malucci and Abby all feel the heat of her wrath. A disobeying Hathaway earns Weaver's enmity when she revives a "do not resuscitate" cancer victim so that the patient can spend one last conscious moment with her young family while she ponders her response to Dr. Kovac's romantic interest -- and she makes a life-changing decision. When he's not goofing off, Malucci also gets an earful from Dr. Corday, who offers a sobering assessment of his performance. Dr. Greene re-thinks his father's burial request and determines to spend more time with his daughter Rachel.

Dr. Kovac crosses swords with Benton over prioritizing care for a young victim of a deadly school shooting versus a more seriously wounded gunman. Benton and Dr. Corday share a moment of mutual triumph when they successfully complete a risky but life-saving surgical procedure on a wounded student from the schoolyard. Kovac's draining day continues when he attempts to browbeat a teenaged stabbing victim into allowing him to birth her unwanted and unborn baby despite her adamant wishes to let the child die. A combative Dr. Carter is confronted by Dr. Greene and the other ER doctors over his behavior since being attacked. Greene tries to convince a hardy rugby player that his injuries are more serious than he thinks.

Dr. Carter struggles to overcome his chemical dependency in a detox center while Dr. Greene returns from vacation to find the ER awash in garbage during a custodial strike -- and a riot during a high school football game further clogs the halls with the rival wounded. Meanwhile, Greene finds unexpected complications when he treats the first victim, a likable injured player, and discovers that he must also minister to himself for a rash caused by poison ivy. Abby arrives back from another rotation and tries to help an elderly man whose wife is dead on arrival; later, she's furious when her ex-husband jeopardizes her clerkship when he does not pay her tuition. Dr. Benton grits his teeth when he interviews for an attending -- a lucrative supervisorial position -- with Dr. Romano.

A sympathetic Abby takes pity on a young couple whose premature baby was born far too early -- a cold fact of life which the desperate parents struggle to accept -- while Drs. Greene and Corday re-define their relationship in the wake of domestic hassles. Dr. Benton engages an equally stubborn Dr. Romano in a war of wills over an obnoxious homeless man who once again requires extensive treatment resulting from his chronic disdain for maintaining his dialysis appointments. Dr. Weaver and a caring Dr. Kovac are helpless to assist a severely comatose woman whose longtime life partner is not legally empowered to cease any heroic means of saving her. Elsewhere, Carter ponders the implications of his future return to the hospital and Dr. Malucci stays out of sight from a candy striper who's on a mission to find him.

Dr. Benton learns the sobering price of a previous challenge to the authority of tyrannical chief Dr. Romano while a recovering Dr. Carter chafes under the restrictions imposed on his role during his first day back in the emergency room after his drug treatment. Likewise, obstetrics nurse Abby is peeved when she is beset by nagging hassles and is asked by Dr. Weaver to fill in as an ER nurse until she can re-enroll in medical school. The collapse of an elevated walkway in a sci-fi convention floods the ER with out-of-this world costumed patients while Dr. Corday must talk Dr. Greene through a complicated procedure via an intercom while she too performs surgery. Ambitious desk clerk Frank -- a former cop -- causes chaos when he keeps running computer security checks on suspicious patients with surprising results. Another patient checks in claiming to suffer from spontaneous combustion.

A frustrated Dr. Benton desperately searches for a new position at any local hospital but soon learns that he has been blackballed by the arrogant Dr. Romano, and he must consider other options out-of-state -- even though he risks losing joint custody of his infant son with the combative mother. Elsewhere, a recovering Dr. Carter is cleared to work on a few trauma patients while Dr. Chen labors to offer a young mother some temporary relief as she tries to secure permission to operate on the woman's terminally ill young son. Abby finds herself attracted to Dr. Kovac but their budding relationship is interrupted by tragedy. In addition, Dr. Malucci casts about in a vain search for an extra skilled hockey player for his team's game that night -- even though Dr. Greene is ready and willing to strap on his skates.

Dr. Greene risks his life when he accompanies a dangerously weak heart patient in an emergency helicopter that crashes en route to the hospital. While Greene tries to encourage the sick man not to give up hope of a transplant that will enable him to marry his fiancee, Dr. Benton is ordered by Dr. Romano to manage a flood of angry, hurting people as he substitutes for Dr. Weaver on a short-staffed day in the E.R. Elsewhere: Abby is fearful for a distraught Dr. Kovac when he does not show up for work after a personal trauma; and Dr. Carter gambles when he ignores a relative's wishes not to inform her teenaged grandson that he carries the HIV virus.

An anguished Abby flinches when she is unexpectedly visited by her unpredictable mother while Dr. Benton is shocked to discover details about a severely wounded gunshot victim. Meanwhile, Drs. Greene and Corday pledge to each other that they will escape the ER for a weekend getaway but complications ensue when she must perform surgery on a middle-aged surfer with a bad back. Dr. Kovac suspects that a young teenaged patient -- who proves to be pregnant -- might have been assaulted by her father. Dr. Chen finally confronts the unsuspecting father of her baby.

A stormy Thanksgiving workday in the ER results in a cornucopia of milestone events as a thunderstruck Dr. Greene receives disturbing news while a woozy Dr. Corday is sued for malpractice -- and Abby tries to send her unstable mother off, but the broken woman has no place else to go. Dr. Chen is caught by surprise by her high-tone mother who does not know about her pregnancy. Elsewhere: Dr. Benton's pay is docked by Dr. Romano; Dr. Carter chases down an impatient patient who needs immediate treatment; and an explosion rocks the ER.

Abby's mounting frustration with her bipolar mother goes off the charts when the woman causes a major incident at a downtown store. An uneasy Dr. Corday confronts her accusers during a tense, day-long deposition when she and the hospital are sued by a paralyzed former patient. A mourning Dr. Benton meets his nephew's beaten girlfriend who informs him about the gangbangers responsible for the murder. Greene is concerned that Dr. Carter isn't maintaining the conditions of his drug treatment program. Abby's relationship with Dr. Kovac heats up but she seeks consolation from her family woes with Carter.

Christmas is just days away, and Dr. Greene accompanies Dr. Corday to New York on a mission during the holiday season. Dr. Carter fights fatigue as he assists Dr. Chen during the birth of her baby. However, Carter notices that Chen's attitude toward her unwanted baby may be changing even as the adoptive parents wait patiently for their new child. In addition, Carter must fight against temptation to ruin the progress of his drug rehabilitation program. Elsewhere: Dr. Benton receives an ultimatum from Dr. Finch to remove a wayward teenaged girl from her residence; Dr. Weaver treats a boy whose face is badly mauled by a dog.

New Year's Eve falls as Dr. Greene submits to dangerous, experimental brain surgery in New York with a hopeful Dr. Corday by his side while a guilt-ridden father who is severely injured in a car wreck is only concerned with the safety of his teenaged son who is also hurt. However, the dad's condition deteriorates as the irascible Dr. Romano is called on to begin desperate heart surgery and Greene's radical procedure soon develops complications.

Dr. Benton's relationship with Cleo is further strained when the wayward teenaged girl whom he's trying to help resists his efforts to move her out of Cleo's residence and into a foster home while a bishop who's injured in a fall takes an interest in the brooding Dr. Kovac. Elsewhere: Kovac resents having to treat a drunken driver who's responsible for tearing apart a young family; as Dr. Greene recovers from his surgery, Dr. Corday recents some jolting news about her malpractice suit; Dr. Carter is urged by Abby to confront Dr. Weaver about his recent temptation to take narcotics; Weaver clashes with Dr. Legaspi over personal as well as professional issues.

Dr. Weaver regrets her decision to report a work-related injury in an illegal sweatshop when the corrupt owners panic and try to eliminate the evidence by torching the premises -- with the illegal alien workers trapped inside -- while Dr. Greene returns to work with a curious change in his attitude and personality. Elsewhere, Dr. Benton is sandbagged by the wily Dr. Romano who lures him into a new position without confiding the political implications of the new job. After confessing his temptation to Weaver, Dr. Carter is restricted from issuing controlled narcotics. Abby treats two combative elderly men who are injured while fighting each other. Dr. Corday wavers again during surgery and risks her career.

Dr. Carter must attend a charity event hosted by his grandfather and cajoles Abby into filling in as his date at the last minute while Dr. Kovac treats an ailing Bishop Stewart and a 16-year-old in need of a third heart transplant who both insist on treatment that could threaten their lives. Also, Dr. Malucci is surprised by a patient's reaction to some HIV test results, and most of the staff -- especially Dr. Romano -- takes notice of Dr. Greene's new and aggressive post-surgery attitude.

Dr. Greene is angered when his post-operative competency is challenged by a medical review board that could cost him his career while a tormented Dr. Kovac can no longer ignore his crisis of faith when he accompanies an ailing but stubborn bishop to a priest's ordination. Elsewhere: Dr. Carter struggles to save the life of a child whose parents refused to immunize him against measles; Dr. Benton chafes in his new added role as director of diversity when he encounters a low-rated African-American applicant who reminds him of himself as a young student; Dr. Weaver recoils when she meets Dr. Legaspi's fellow lesbian friends; Dr. Chen returns after her maternity leave.

In the classic drama's 150th episode, a multi-car train accident scrambles the ER and Drs. Kovac, Carter and Corday are overwhelmed by the carnage at the site as they work to save an impaled mother, her young son and a trapped firefighter -- until the pregnant Corday begins to suffer painful contractions. Back at County, Dr. Benton tries to salvage a victim with a shredded aorta and even helps Carter with a tricky amputation over the phone, all of which leaves an observing med school applicant wide-eyed. Meanwhile, the bloody mayhem prompts Kovac to recall the harrowing loss of his own family and he confronts his torment with the terminally ill Bishop Stewart.

Dr. Weaver's difficult life is further complicated when she fears her intimate relationship with Dr. Legaspi might be exposed when the suicidal young woman who earlier caused a deadly train derailment claims Legaspi sexually harassed her, while elsewhere, a guilt-stricken Abby launches a desperate search for a stolen baby under her care. In addition: Dr. Carter is dumbfounded when he learns more about his young new romantic partner; Dr. Greene awaits word on his medical competency tests; a pregnant Dr. Corday struggles back to work and runs headlong into the obnoxious Dr, Romano, who is on the warpath and intends to marginalize her responsibilities; Dr. Malucci also butts heads with a belligerent father; and a newly re-awakened Dr. Kovac re-evaluates his life and relationship with Abby.

Dr. Benton is a horrified bystander as the elderly black patient he is treating grabs a cop’s gun with tragic results. Dr. Carter, who is rethinking his relationship with Rena, teams up with Abby to treat a class of seventh graders who become sick on their bus from mysterious toxic fumes. Meanwhile Dr. Greene learns the results of his review; and Dr. Corday is determined to prove to Dr. Romano that she can still pull long hours in the O.R.

On their rainy wedding day, Drs. Greene and Corday must fight fate to get to the altar as he overcomes several roadblocks until he is waylaid in the street by a nasty bleeding pregnant woman -- meanwhile, she contends with last-minute details and her feuding divorced parents. Elsewhere, several ER staff try to free themselves from work to attend the ceremonies, including Dr. Finch and Dr. Benton, ever mindful of the irony that he once dated Corday. However, the uninvited Dr. Weaver heads for an out-of-town medical conference and meets a friendly and appreciative man. When a prison van overturns, Dr. Carter tries to save the life of a crushed corrections officer -- and gets some ribbing about his young girlfriend -- while Abby treats a teenaged female prisoner. Dr. Chen ministers to a hypothermic boy found asleep on a frozen field.

A tense Abby drops everything when notified that her mentally unbalanced mother is found incapacitated in an Oklahoma motel, and when she insists on driving there, a sympathetic Dr. Carter accompanies her -- risking both of their romantic relationships. In the meantime, the road back is potholed with problems as they try to coax the disconnected woman back to Chicago for more professional help. Elsewhere, the very pregnant Dr. Corday is happily wheeled in for her baby's birth with Dr. Greene at her side. An angry Dr. Benton treats a parade of partying fraternity brothers whose alcohol-related medical problems become increasingly more serious; later, Benton offers special care for his former junior high school teacher who jump-started his interest in science as a youth.

Due to a clerical error, a startled Abby discovers that her suicidal mother is due in court for a competency hearing and she rushes to testify that she should not be released -- but the older woman musters an alarmingly masterful display of sanity before the judge. Meanwhile, Dr. Weaver gives heartbreaking news to a sassy homeless woman who once hosted a children's show that Weaver viewed as a child. Dr. Benton steps in to help a junior high school teacher who was once his mentor and now suffers a cardiac arrest. A busy Benton also injures his hand while helping a fallen biker and learns that an injured Carla has checked into the ER with his young son Reese. A perplexed Dr. Carter treats a stricken pregnant woman and then is angered when her husband informs him about what prompted her life-threatening episode.

A distressed Abby sees a ray of hope in the care of her mentally unbalanced mother when she receives some sage advice from the older woman in a rare moment of clarity while Dr. Benton's old girlfriend Carla squares off against his new love Cleo. Elsewhere: Dr. Greene's suspicions are aroused when he treats a rebellious 7-year-old boy who bears signs of beatings; Dr. Carter's plans to apply for chief resident are brushed aside by Dr. Weaver while he watches fellow candidate Dr. Chen take her best shot at the position; Weaver suffers pangs of remorse when she meets the new woman in Dr. Legaspi's life and is confronted by a helpless, mentally deficient young woman whose only family member lies in critical condition; and the ER gang enjoys a spirited game of softball.

The ER is overwhelmed with gunshot victims when a distraught father goes on a murderous spree at a foster care facility -- and a horrified Dr. Greene realizes that his personal connection with the madman may prove fatal for his new wife and their baby. In the midst of the chaos: Dr. Carter is put in the awkward position of helping Dr. Chen apply for the promotion that he himself was denied, Dr. Benton is unexpectedly assaulted by his ex-girlfriend Carla's husband, and Dr. Finch cuts her hand while treating an HIV-positive patient. Meanwhile, Dr. Romano betrays his prejudice when he tries to force out Dr. Legaspi.

The season premiere offers multiple points-of-view of the same events a la "Rashomon" as Dr. Greene ministers to a sobbing young woman who was injured during a confrontational television talk show melee where she learned bitter family news -- but Greene has to face his own demons when a board of inquiry investigates the case of his serial killer patient. Meanwhile, a stoic Dr. Carter must attend a family funeral which reunites him with his detached rich parents. Dr. Benton keeps a watchful eye on the recovering Cleo while he deals with his grieving sister's attempts to cope with her teenaged son's death. A nervous Dr. Weaver returns from her "African" sabbatical and warily waits to see how her colleagues react.

Just when Dr. Carter thinks he's done for the day, the ER sucks him back in frenetic fashion as he is swamped with problematic patients -- including several heavy metal roadies and musicians after concert accidents -- while Dr. Benton is shocked to hear the full report when his young son is involved in a car accident. Newly appointed chief resident Chen panics when she is overwhelmed with patients -- one of whom she misdiagnoses -- while Dr. Weaver is suddenly AWOL on personal business just as several lives are in the balance. Meanwhile, Abby feels neglected by a distracted Dr. Kovac on an ugly night out, and she especially resents his flirty relationship with an attractive French waitress.

Dr. Greene is surprised when his rebellious teenaged daughter suddenly appears at the hospital after running away from his ex-wife while a skirt-chasing Dr. Malucci flirts with disaster and Dr. Carter and Abby draw even closer to each other. A hesitant Dr. Chen is tested when she struggles to save the life of an abandoned baby -- who some believe has a birthmark resembling a religious icon. A resourceful Malucci does some fast work when he tries to help an ailing patient while stuck together in a hospital elevator. Dr. Romano dresses down Dr. Weaver when a local newspaper investigates the death of a patient who expired on her watch.

Former County General alumna Dr. Susan Lewis returns to Chicago looking for a new job and swings by her old digs to renew friendships -- especially with Dr. Greene -- while a nervous Dr. Chen is accompanied by Dr. Weaver to a "risk management" review of her treatment of a deceased patient. Elsewhere, Dr. Benton is caught between a life-saving surgery and the need to pick up his young son before his school locks up. Dr. Corday meets Dr. Lewis and struggles with the parents of a young boy with a rare and chronic disease who have grown discouraged with his long-term prognosis. Dr. Kovac is surprised when a beautiful French waitress shows up in the ER and asks for him.