The premise of many former cast members returning as guests on the final season of ER is irresistible, especially to those who have followed the award-winning medical drama throughout its fifteen years on the air.  Shane West, who played resident Ray Barnett until he left in season 13, sprang a surprise appearance in the Halloween episode.  Last week, Anthony Edwards revisited Mark Greene, albeit in flashbacks.  Noah Wyle and Eriq La Salle are also returning in the show's future episodes; the former as a guest, the latter as a director.

Not everybody, though, is returning.  Julianna Margulies, who appeared as troubled nurse Carol Hathaway from the drama's premiere in 1994 and for the next six seasons, said that she declined offers from ER producers to return to the show as a guest.  “I feel like I left Carol Hathaway in the best scenario possible,” she said.  “I can't imagine making it any better than that.”

The 42-year-old actress left ER in 2000 despite a rumored $27-million offer for her to stay for three more seasons.  She hoped to return home to New York—the drama was produced in Los Angeles—and pursue other projects.  She eventually appeared in a range of television shows and films, most notably a recurring role on The Sopranos and the lead role in the short-lived legal drama Canterbury's Law.  On ER, her character left County General and moved to Seattle to be with her love, Dr. Doug Ross, which was played by George Clooney; his involvement in the drama's farewell is still up for speculation.

Tonight's episode, entitled “Age of Innocence”, situates Sam (Linda Cardellini) head-on with Gates (John Stamos), who searches for a homeless war hero; and Neela (Parminder Nagra) head-on with her intern for getting the entire surgery department into a lawsuit.  ER airs tonight from 10pm on NBC.


-Henrik Batallones, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: NBC, AP
(Image courtesy of NBC)