10 ER Episodes That Are Difficult to Rewatch

While ER remains a great medical show, some episodes are difficult to revisit. Much of the series holds up well, still being as impactful as when it first aired – whether it’s Doug Ross (George Clooney) rescuing a child or following the journey of John Carter (Noah Wyle).

Even though ER was a hugely successful show that ran for 15 seasons and had many memorable episodes, some storylines were surprisingly dark, and others just don’t hold up well when you watch them again. It’s often cringeworthy to revisit these episodes and makes you question the choices the writers made.

“Impulse Control” (Season 10, Episode 14)

Similar to the intense medical drama The Pitt on HBO Max, many episodes of ER are emotionally heavy due to the serious conditions of the patients. The Season 10 episode “Impulse Control” is particularly hard to watch because of a disturbing case involving Layla (Rheagan Wallace), a 16-year-old pregnant girl who was sexually assaulted by the friends of her fiancé.

It was difficult to watch this story unfold initially, and revisiting it is even more unsettling. Although addressing abuse is crucial, the narrative veers into melodrama when Samantha Taggart resorts to violence against Layla’s fiancé. The story then unnecessarily focuses on Samantha’s defiance, losing sight of the complexities of the abusive situation.

“300 Patients” (Season 14, Episode 10)

Like “Impulse Control,” the show “300 Patients” tackles an important issue that deserves more attention on television, though it doesn’t quite get it right. The story centers on Lowell (Nicholas Weiland), a man with Down syndrome, and the painful revelation that his father considered not raising him because of his condition.

We then discover that Lowell and his mother, Melissa Tanner, were in a car accident. Melissa secretly spends time with Lowell each week, hiding it from her husband.

If the show wanted to explore the topic of Down syndrome, a more positive storyline could have been chosen. For example, they could have shown a couple learning about their baby’s diagnosis during an ultrasound and immediately affirming their love and commitment to the child.

“Reason To Believe” (Season 13, Episode 8)

“Reason to Believe” isn’t a terrible episode, but it’s underwhelming. The story centers on children experiencing homelessness who are patients at the hospital. Tony Gates (John Stamos) explains to Neela Rasgotra (Parminder Nagra) that the children are simply sharing fantasies when they believe she’s an angel who can heal one of them.

The TV drama tried to address the issue of homeless youth, but it didn’t really delve into the underlying causes like mental health struggles, drug use, or difficult family situations. Instead of showing understanding, the characters were often portrayed as odd or unusual.

“White Guy, Dark Hair” (Season 11, Episode 7)

Although it’s enjoyable to revisit some ER episodes, like the love story between Doug Ross and Carol Hathaway (Juliana Margulies), the episode “White Guy, Dark Hair” is difficult to watch again. It features doctors treating a woman who has been sexually assaulted, and tragically, she doesn’t survive.

The most disturbing part of this episode is Sam’s behavior. She intentionally interferes with a woman’s medical equipment – her breathing tube and balloon – hoping to get information about an assault. This interference tragically leads to the woman’s death, and it’s surprising Sam didn’t foresee the potential consequences.

“Death And Taxes” (Season 10, Episode 7)

The episode title is fitting, referencing Benjamin Franklin’s quote about the inevitability of death and taxes. However, the show features a lot of difficult medical cases, making it hard to watch again.

It’s difficult to accept that every patient on the show, from a young girl battling cancer to Ben Hollander, an elderly man losing his vision who chooses to end his life, is facing such profound sadness. The show is most effective when it includes humor or a lighter storyline to provide balance.

“Hit And Run” (Season 1, Episode 4)

John Carter is a central character in ER, and the episode “Hit and Run” (season 1, episode 4) features a heartbreaking situation for him. He has to inform parents that their teenage child died in a hit-and-run accident, and then discovers he mistakenly contacted the wrong family.

This scene was crucial to the growth of his character, both as a person and a doctor, and Anthony Edwards’ incredible acting is a major reason why people still admire the show ER today. It’s a moment that likely stayed with him throughout his career. Even now, it’s difficult to watch because it’s so easy to empathize with the parents’ heartbreak.

Beyond this disturbing scene, the episode focuses on a mother with schizophrenia and the challenges she faces in caring for her son.

Honestly, seeing two separate stories about difficult family situations in one episode felt like too much. It was especially hard to watch with the little boy involved, as he’s too young to grasp what’s happening with his mom. I think it’s okay if I skip this one; it was a bit heavy.

“Baby Shower” (Season 2, Episode 15)

While many episodes of ER focus on pregnancy and childbirth, the season 2 episode “Baby Shower” is more comical than heartwarming. The hospital’s maternity ward experiences a sprinkler malfunction, forcing eight expectant mothers to receive care in the emergency room.

This episode has a bizarre premise, focusing on the pregnancies of the characters as sensational events instead of personal experiences. To make things even stranger, one patient claims alien involvement, which felt shocking originally and is even more uncomfortable to watch now on a rewatch.

“Freefall” (Season 10, Episode 8)

Medical dramas often feature difficult and upsetting moments, but even for seasoned viewers, the death of a main character in a bizarre accident can be shocking. In season 10, episode 8 of ER, titled “Freefall,” a helicopter crashes onto a roof and tragically kills Dr. Robert Romano, played by Paul McCrane.

It’s tough to watch this episode and not question the way Romano died and what the writers were trying to achieve with it. While many medical dramas, like Grey’s Anatomy, have had characters leave over time, Romano’s exit feels particularly underwhelming for someone who’d been on the show for so long.

“Chaos Theory” (Season 9, Episode 1)

The ER episode “Chaos Theory” is just as unbelievable as it is shocking, mainly because it features Romano losing his arm in a helicopter accident. It’s difficult to watch knowing this happened on the show, particularly when there were plenty of other dramatic storylines they could have explored instead.

The situation gets even stranger when you remember Romano is injured by a helicopter again the very next season – this time with deadly consequences. It’s probably best to skip these two episodes, or you’ll be stuck questioning the writers’ choices forever.

“Love’s Labor Lost” (Season 1, Episode 19)

Because ER deals with medical emergencies, it naturally features many heartbreaking moments – viewers expect to see illness, injury, and difficult situations. However, the episode “Love’s Labor Lost” is particularly difficult to watch, even for fans of the show, as it depicts the tragic death of a woman shortly after giving birth via emergency C-section.

This episode is a pivotal moment in Mark Greene’s (Anthony Edwards) journey on ER. He fails to diagnose a patient with preeclampsia, and the resulting loss deeply affects him. It’s incredibly heartbreaking to watch him cope with such an unimaginable tragedy – becoming a single father and raising a baby after the death of his wife is profoundly moving.

2025-11-03 23:34