A lonely Dr. Carter struggles with his unfulfilled dreams in the wake of his girlfriend Kem's departure -- and lurches toward a dangerous temporary solution -- while new doctor Abby faces resentful nurses and tends to a tearful and injured young woman kidnapped from Mexico and forced into sexual slavery. Elsewhere, Dr. Kovac makes an honest confession to a fleeing Sam while Neela must face the music when her domineering, old-school Indian parents arrive in a huff after she abandoned her Michigan medical assignment. In the meantime, Carter treats an Iraqi war veteran who was disfigured in combat, Dr. Weaver suggests to new intern Ray that he tone down his alternative-punk look in deference to frightened patients -- and two ER staffers recover from their injuries.