u/Lefthand-82

One single episode in my opinion can be tolerated. Your favourite character had an off day, made some mistakes, etc. Most of the season acting like someone different is worthy of vent 😢!

Pratt and Morris are usually the pairing most people think of in the latter seasons of S12 to S14. I like the working relationship of Luka's and Pratt's as well in Seasons 12 to S13.

In "Parenthood" (S13 E4), I love how Pratt was complaining about the residents and Luka was like, "umm, remember what you used to be like?" And not only can Luka teach residents, interns and med students, he can teach an attending how to teach the interns/residents.

It's a common story plot in a tv show - a character is about to leave, put in positive or productive moments to make the character reconsider and in the end the character decides to stay. It works, in my opinion.

Don't get me wrong, I can understand why some viewers get annoyed that another woman in the show gets pregnant. But ER made each one special, including Abby’s.

It only occurred to me after a few re watches of S12 E7, that not only was Luka pissed at Clemente for treating girl Sydney in an unconventional way, which ultimately lead to Sydney dying.

Luka was irritated that Abby could possibly be untaught what she had learnt from her studies, from other attending's and from him. I like how the writers remembered that Luka is a dedicated teacher. So for him to see Clemente doing new things in front of the residents, it hit a nerve.

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Luka – You’d do the same even if he hadn’t. That’s your style. Do whatever you want, regardless of what anyone else thinks.

Clemente – You don’t like my style? What is that?

Luka – We were all here a long time before you. We work together. You’re the new guy. You need to fit in, not us. If you can’t, then we have a problem.

Clemente – What is this, a social club? I take risks to save my patients.

Luka – Especially if you start sucking in the residents. They need to be taught fundamentals. Not esoteric unproven studies!

Clemente – I’m about cutting-edge medicine. I see a problem, l fix it, bam!

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This episode was also the start of Dukenbo’s mentorship to Neela, so I got to enjoy one less working together of Luka and Neela. It might just be me, but I love these two working together. And this was another time Luka would let the resident do most of the grunt work on the patient. And say, “Nice work”, isn’t a pay rise but a compliment is always appreciated. As Neela’s smile indicated.

First off, I am very, very pro Luka and Abby but I've noticed this pairing, which were meant to be the 'it' couple, don't get some love.

So, to those Carby shippers out there, what did you like about them? And Luby shippers, we won’t interrupt 😊.

S13 E8 – The episode in it’s entirely isn’t that great, but I absolutely love the scene with Luka and Abby outside the pub.

First, Abby did pick up that something was bugging Luka, which is a sign of a good partner – to pick up there must be something bothering the person to make him/her a jerk on the day.

Second, is Luka going back to one of his faults, which is to take care of the problem so the person, in this case Abby, doesn’t have to “worry about it”. It’s a fault I love about Luka but it’s not a healthy thing to do.

I love when they are walking away and Luka has that sort of dark manner about him with turning his head away, which I see in this community is one of things people don't like about him.

But then he reaches out to Abby’s hand in a gesture of apology for being a jerk and Abby grasps onto it. No words are required. And I loved how Luka’s head is dropped down, which I interpret as him feeling remorseful for how he treated Abby on the day.

Putting this scenes in slides, I’ve now realised Luka is wearing the same shirt and tie lol. Probably the producers didn’t notice.

Those who are also Luka and Abby shippers, I’m sure Season 12 is also one of your favourites with them.

I love their coffee break scenes (not a break in E17 though, that’s a coffee to work).

E14 – Abby deciding to not find out the gender of the baby. Luka suggests Abby to tell her mother that’s she pregnant when she asks should they tell anyone.

E16 – After getting the injection, Abby tells Luka to try to not make her feel better and let her just worry about the baby. I love Luka’s suggestion if it would help if he worried along with her. Then asked how long they should worry for. 10 to 20 minutes should do it. And a hot chocolate sometimes hits the spot.

E17 – Getting the baby baptised. Yes or no? I liked how both Luka and Abby discussed about this and listened to each other. Abby was cheeky about it by changing the subject on caffeine intake and the baby.

E19 – Evidence Luka and Abby had come a long way from Season 7. It was a difficult case for Abby with the 12 year old girl under the care of her grandmother who was showing signs of dementia. For Luka to point out that children shouldn’t be caretakers and Abby saying sometimes they have to be, they listened to their points. And when Luka blurted out if she was better with her bipolar mother, Abby looked at him with disappointment but not anger and Luka apologised.

In Summary – I just love these chats the writers put in. There is nothing over exciting or soapy about them. Just a comfort watch moments to me. They also remind me of Mark and Elizabeth in Season 6 and Season 7 walking to the hospital.

All the doctors have treated teenagers. I’m just focusing on Luka here treating his patients because of his early interactions with Alex, which may have seemed the wrong thing to do (I may have also missed a few more teens Luka had treated).

Two of Luka’s and Alex's earlier interactions – when Luka buys the chocolate ice cream and plays the arcade game with Alex. And the other is when he asks Alex it he wants an x-ray.

These are two scenes which Luka did the wrong thing logically (you don’t buy food for a child you don’t know and x-rays are not used for fun).

But Luka was indulging Alex, who was a weird kid, as Luka said. He had the chance to give the kid something to make him happy, unlike with the other teens he treated. He continued on, trying his best to make Alex’s birthday the absolute best.

Then after that, he liked to see him happy, thus being there no doubt he was wanted to see Alex again.

When this was first broadcast, I was not disturbed or angry with Carter picking up Abby and then dropping her when Abby bit him.

I will be honest and admit that I thought it was a funny scene. Especially when the bar tender comes out and asks them both if everything was okay, and Carter and Abby say in unison, “Yeah.”

Watching over 20 years later, I now see it was disturbing that Carter ran after a drunk Abby, picked her up and carried her over his shoulder, then dropped her after she bit him and didn’t ask if she was okay but more complained that she had bitten him.

Are we all in agreement that Carter’s behaviour here was wrong? How is this scene not discussed more? Is Carter’s armour that he’s perfect eliminated these scenes from most of us? Or do people find if funny like I used to?

In another scenario, Luka grasped Abby’s arms for a moment, forcing her to walk backwards as she begged Luka to not leave with Curtis Ames.

It was a moment of desperation from Luka’s side to get Abby to stay put and I do love the drama of it, but Luka could have tried to keep reasoning with Abby that he was keeping her and Joe safe.

Do you think it was acceptable for Luka to move Abby away with force?

(YouTube spell Luka's name as 'Luca')

A lot has been said about ‘character arc’ of certain characters. Pratt and Morris come to mind often.

In my opinion, Neela also had a character arc, which was caring for patient’s emotional needs, not just medical side. Which I love because I’m into psychology and the mind.

A comparison is the kidney exchange program in Season 13, which she questioned the ethical rule of privacy so the patient who got the kidney could see her donor’s face when he is in her prayers.

Compared to Season 11, when she took a patient’s crying as a biological reason (I love Luka overhearing her explanation of crying).

I believe there was more to Neela than just whoever kissed her.

A few not so great ones to begin with...

7th – Michael’s proposal to Neela (S12 E9)

I’m not one of those people who find proposing during sex to be appropriate. As Neela said, “That’s got to be the wankiest idea I’ve ever heard.”

Michael does make a better, sincere proposal later but when Neela is in the middle of a surgery at that point. So, maybe again, not appropriate.

6th – Carter's proposal to Kem (S11 E1)

Both of them understandably still upset and mourning the loss of their baby, the proposal from Carter was more an attempt to make Kem stay. Although the proposal was genuine, Carter knew their relationship wasn’t too stable at the time and maybe he should have waited until they had both got into a better head space after the traumatic event.

5th – Luka’s proposal to Abby (S12 E22)

I love Luka but his proposal to Abby was not good at all. He should have let Abby continue to keep talking instead of making an assumption she thought they should get married.

I give Luka credit in the next scene when he told Abby that he loved her and worded it that she didn’t have to use the word back to him. “Don’t we love each other?” “It’s not about that. Of course we do.”

4th – Carter’s proposal to Abby (S9 S15)

When I saw this broadcast at the time, I was one of the people who shipped Carter and Abby. So, when this rooftop proposal happened, I was so excited and on the edge of my seat, then disappointed we didn’t get an answer from Abby.

Watching this now, this proposal from Carter was a lot better than his one to Kem. But these days I’m not thrilled this came about when Carter and Abby weren’t necessarily arguing but they were raising their voices to try to get the upper hand in the conversation.

Alright! Got some good proposals now...!

3rd – Doug’s proposal to Carol (S4 E10)

Back when the tv series was not as relationship focused as it was later, I found this Doug’s proposal to Carol sweet... but that’s about it. If there was a list of public marriage proposals in tv series, this would be definitely in the list.

2nd – Mark’s proposal to Elizabeth (S7 E2)

Mark was a roll with his house purchase. To put the engagement ring in the ice maker was unique. I would assume that ring would have been cold though.

This is the only proposal when the guy had an engagement ring and had basically prepared what he was going to say. Mark’s line “I’m a little nervous” to begin with was sweet.

I’ll put the whole proposal in –

Mark - Check it out.

Elizabeth - What?

Mark - The icemaker.

Elizabeth - It’s lovely.

Mark - You have to open it. It has a special ice feature.

Elizabeth - What? Does the ice come in different shaped cubes or something? Oh, my God. Mark...

Mark - I’m a little nervous. So... Let me say it. Elizabeth, I love you. I was hoping you’d give me the joy and honour... Of being your husband. Is that a yes?

Elizabeth – Yes.

I cannot fault this proposal but I think Elizabeth’s reaction makes it all the more memorable to me.

1st – Abby’s ‘proposal’ to Luka (S13 E15)

But my favourite is Abby asking Luka if he would propose to her again.

From the very start when she comes into the apartment and says, “Hey, you”, and sits down and says, “I need to talk”. If there is a scenario when you want something keenly, Abby had it!

Again, I’ll put the whole ‘proposal’ in. I love Abby’s little giggle at the end and she drops her head. As if admitting, “Yes, I said all of that.”

Abby - Hey, you.

Luka - Hey. I decided to put our CDs on the iPod. We don’t need all these anymore.

Abby - I need to talk.

Luka - Is everything okay?

Abby - Um, you know, when you were on the roof, I was thinking about what... what I would do if Joe didn't have a father, and, um, if we didn't have each other. And I realized that if we could get through this, we could probably get through anything.

Luka- What's going on?

Abby - I mean, have you ever wanted something so much, but... it scared the hell out of you?... See, here's the thing, I just... well, I changed my mind and I was wondering if you could ask me again.

Luka - What?

Abby - Ask me again. Ask me to marry you.

I love that Abby mentioned Joe and the possibility of him not having a father. Luka meant a lot to Abby – as her lover and as the father of her son.

I just love everything that Abby said there. The writers got it spot on.

And although I would have wanted to hear Luka’s proposal, I get the significance was hearing what Abby wanted.

There’s my ranking. What order would you rank them? Any additional ones you would add that I’ve missed?

Some of us have had times like Abby’s scenario here - you push the person back who is comforting you, but really you want the person to stay. You're testing the person.

And Luka here stayed.

Luka and Abby in Season 7 did have some low points but there was no doubt, they did care for each other.

Morris needed a bit of “Angry Luka” back when he joined the ER in S10 because his work ethics, was... low and that’s an understatement!

I love in this scene in S13 E15 and also back S13 E1, with Morris looking after his boss (Luka). Sort of like, “You guys gave me a few chances to keeping working here. I’m going to take my job seriously and take the load when required.”

(I've put these clips in order we saw them).

There have actually been quite a few proposals in ER, especially once the show got a bit more relationship focused, which I love. Some proposals were not that great, two especially make me go “awe” every time 🥰 So for a bit of fun, I ranked some proposals from least favourite to favourite.

Please give yours. Obviously feel free to add ones I missed (as you have gathered here, the person does not need to have said yes).

Right, starting from worst to best...

7th Gallant’s first proposal to Neela (S12 E9)

Proposing during sex is definitely one of the “wankiest” things to do.

Gallant however did do better in the observing area when Neela was doing an operation. On the other hand, he should have left Neela concentrating during the operation.

I do love that Neela’s colleagues were so excited for the wedding and offering suggestions where to have the wedding reception, what food should be served, etc.

6th Carter’s proposal to Kem (S11 E1)

Whilst embracing and begging Kem to stay and not leave, he said the sort of things we would expect, like “I want you to stay”. And then, in almost the same begging tone, said, “I want to marry you.”

Carter could have at least told Kem this in front of her face. And maybe not as a way to make Kem stay.

Also, to ask to marry someone, in my opinion, the relationship should be somewhat “steady”. Not when the both are mourning the still born baby.

5th Luka’s proposal to Abby (S12 E22)

I love Luka but that cannot stop me from admitting his proposal wasn’t good. At all.

I put the proposal better than Gallant’s and Carter’s (to Kem), because Luka and Abby were no doubt very happy in their relationship and had known each other for a long time.

But to assume what Abby was going to say and he had been careful during the whole time not to scare Abby with commitment, it was a backwards stop from him.

On a positive, he did improve with the way that he said he loved Abby and Abby replied back that she loved him. “Don’t we love each other?”, “It’s not about that. Of course we do.”

4th Carter’s proposal to Abby (S9 E15)

When I saw this broadcast live, I was so thrilled that Carter popped the question and was disappointed I didn’t hear an answer from Abby at the end.

Some 20 years later, I see it’s not appealing that a proposal comes up when the two of them are arguing or at least raising their voices before the helicopter comes.

But I rank this higher than the other ones I mentioned, as Carter didn’t make an assumption what the other person was going to say (Luka), and at least he was facing her (Carter to Kem)...

Getting to some good proposals now...

3rd Doug's proposal to Carol (S4 E10)

After their work colleagues weren’t surprised when Carol announced she and Doug were together again... Doug’s proposal added some extra. Now their work colleagues weren’t expecting that!

Back when the tv series was more medical drama than relationship drama, it’s an appropriate proposal at the time. Nothing dramatic about it, Doug’s declaration wasn’t no where as near as long as the two proposals coming up. But it was still sweet and cute. Also, Doug and Carol were the original “it” couple.

Drum roll...

2nd Mark’s proposal to Elizabeth (S7 E2)

On a good start with Mark’s purchase of the house, Mark’s decision to put the engagement ring in the ice marker was certainly unique (wouldn’t that ring be cold lol).

Mark was the only person to actually have an engagement ring and along with his words of proposing he had obviously he figured out what he was going to say, Mark’s proposal was, I would say, the most ‘traditional’ one. Thus making it definitely making it a second favourite for me.

Elizabeth’s reaction is what tops it off for me. In fact, Elizabeth’s reaction is maybe more memorable than Mark’s actual proposal.

1st Abby’s ‘yes’ to Luka’s proposal (S13 E15)

My absolute favourite ‘proposal’ is Abby’s request that Luka asked him to proposal to her again.

From the very start of the scene when Abby’s comes into the apartment and says, “Hey, you!” and quickly sits down next to Luka and says, “I need to talk”, if there was one person who was more keen to get engaged out of this bunch, it was Abby!

From reflecting back to her almost losing him and Joe possibly losing his father and they still go through it. Then admitting this is something she wanted, even though it scared the hell out of her (being inspired by the patient she had), this was so Abby.

And Luka, getting the gist of what this was about after Abby’s second request that he would “ask her again,” waited for Abby to say, “Ask me to marry you”. Then he knew there was no doubt this time.

And I loved how Abby giggled and dropped her down. It’s a typical reaction of, “yes, I definitely said all of that!”

I would have loved to see Luka’s proposal but him dropping to his one knee, was sufficient enough for me.

First, in my opinion, this whole scene would have better with Steve 1.0. As “Setting The Tone” podcasters said: Steve 2.0 looked scared to be in Luka’s presence here. Steve 1.0 would have held his ground.

Full scene here -

https://youtu.be/CMKe3LVUVo8?si=95uAyAJzFtL8feX1

I know Luka gets a lot (and a lot) of flack for looking for his “replacement family” phase, as critics call it, but I would say there was no doubt that he generally loves the kid in the replacement family, like he did with Alex.

What I like in this moment is Luka was naive to think Alex would go back inside if he told Alex to in a parental tone, with Steve right there. So obviously Alex refused. Then when Luka told him again, then Steve was all, “hey, wait a moment, he’s sounding like he is trying to be Alex’s father!”

Steve’s point to Luka that Alex wasn’t his kid biologically does get to the point. But, to put Luka and Steve in the same picture here, the year and a half Alex was in Luka’s company, Luka treated Alex more as a son than Steve did. Even if Alex didn’t want Luka to try to be a father to him.

(That’s my last Luka positive post for the day 😂)