Previously on ER: Wendall and Carter shared an awkward kiss. Weaver busted Abby and Jake flirting at work. Pratt said he didn't care about research or publishing, and then asked Luka how he stands the responsibility of his job.
Luka and Sam walk down the street to a parked school bus. A bunch of kids run past them, and Sam tells one of them to slow down. He says, "Sorry, ma'am." Sam is shocked that the kid called her "ma'am," because technically she's a "miss." Luka suggests that she "projects maturity." Sam asks if he's saying she looks old. Luka puts his arm around her and assures her that she's beautiful and doesn't look a day over sixteen. Would you want to look sixteen? I would much rather look twenty-one than sixteen. Sam asks if he would think she had a fifth-grader if he didn't know her. Luka says he wouldn't, and then says he could see her with a toddler. Sam makes a noise of disgust and says, "Sleep deprivation, diapers, teething: been there, done that." Luka smiles, and Sam looks thoughtful, and then she asks if he thinks he might want kids again. Luka asks if she does. Sam says she can't really imagine herself with an infant again, and then continues staring at Luka's face, since he never answered her question.
Typical suburban house. Cynthia Nixon is the mom trying to quell the chaos and get her three kids ready to leave the house to go to various practices. She breaks up a fight between her two sons, and is called a bitch by her teenaged daughter, and then finally shoos everyone out of the house when their father arrives to take them wherever they are going. Once they are out, the phone rings. Cynthia Nixon is still using her outdoor voice, for some reason. Anyway, she says she'll call her friend right back, and hangs up. She walks over to the kitchen table and starts to clean up the mess the kids left. Suddenly, she stops, and then drop to the floor, unconscious. The family dog wanders over and whimpers. That made me more sad than anything else in the episode. What can I say? I don't have kids. I have a dog.
The scene is filmed from Cynthia Nixon's point of view. She's in the back of the ambulance, and tries to insist that she's fine now, and that she just got a little dizzy. The paramedics don't seem to be listening. This is another case where the first ten minutes of this episode would have been a lot more effective dramatically if the previews hadn't given everything away. But maybe you didn't see the previews, so I'll carry on the conceit that she's talking and the paramedics are ignoring her.
The ambulance stops as Cynthia Nixon keeps asking the paramedics to take her back home, but they don't listen. She is wheeled out of the ambulance and greeted by Luka. Hello, nurse! The paramedic gives Luka the bullet as Cynthia continues babbling on about how she might have had too much coffee or had an anxiety attack. Sam and Abby join Luka and report her vitals. Cynthia says that she doesn't have high blood pressure, but that her father does. Luka asks Cynthia's name, and she says it's Ellie Shore. We switch to a normal POV and finally see Ellie's face for the first time -- her right side is drooping and looks paralyzed. She's making incomprehensible noises.
Do you ever think about how rich Michael Crichton must be? I mean, even if you take away his numerous best-selling books, he owns a piece of this show, and presumably a piece of the movie and merchandising for Jurassic Park. That's an assload of money.
Neela gets ready for work in her bedroom as Shane's band practices in the living room. She walks through the living room quickly, trying to get out, and yells to Shane that she'll see him later. He asks if she's heading to work, and says that he'll give her a ride. What I don't get is that the whole band was playing their instruments but all you could hear was one guitar. Neela says she thought they were trying to get opposite shifts, and Shane apologizes that he had to make a switch because he has a gig on Saturday. Then he asks if she's okay with the guys staying there while they are both at work. Before she can answer, he says, "Cool." Neela smiles wanly and says hello to "the guys." One of them asks if she plays anything, and Neela doubtfully says, "Viola?" Silence.
We're back to Ellie's POV as she complains that Abby is shining a bright light in her eyes, and then wonders why nobody is listening to her. Luka notes that she has a right-sided facial droop. Ellie says that it does feel kind of numb. Just assume that when I say Ellie "says" something, it's really just a voice-over. Ellie thinks she might not be talking loudly enough, and then yells, "Excuse me. Where am I?" Luka says that she's at County Hospital. Ellie scoffs, "County? Great." Abby grabs Ellie's left hand and asks her to squeeze, which Ellie does. Ellie continues insisting that she's fine and can go home. Luka grabs her right hand and asks her to squeeze. Ellie's hand flops around limply. Luka raises her arm, and when he lets go, it drops lifelessly to the gurney. Ellie says, with increasing panic, "Was that my arm? Because I didn't feel it. I didn't feel anything. What's wrong with my arm? What's wrong with my arm? Oh my God! Where's my leg, my foot? Why can't I feel my foot?" Ellie's terrified thoughts are interrupted when Sam cuts off her jeans and removes her underwear. Ellie insists that she's not staying. Sam leans in and tells her, "Just try to relax, okay? Ma'am, I'm going to put a catheter into your bladder. There might be some discomfort as it passes, okay?" Um, "discomfort"? I've never been catheterized, but I think if someone stuck a tube in my urethra, it would cause something more than discomfort. Ellie appears to agree with me as she squeals inside her head.
Wendall and Carter jog along a bridge. Carter asks if she does this on her every day off, and Wendall says that usually it's a 10K. God, I hate people who love to exercise. I don't mind people who enjoy it once they get going, or do it because they enjoy the health benefits, but the people who really get off on it, and seem judgmental about those who don't, really bug me. ["Word. The best part of exercising is when you stop." -- Wing Chun] Anyway, Wendall suggests a water break, and they stop. Wendall is barely winded, and Carter is practically coughing up a lung. Wendall says it's been three months, and Carter plays dumb as to what she's talking about. Carter asks what they're doing for dinner that night, and Wendall says she'd like to stay in. She wants to race Carter to the fountain, and the winner will cook dinner while the loser cleans up. Carter agrees, but before Wendall can start the race, he wishes her a happy three-month anniversary. Wendall is taken aback, and Carter uses the opportunity to get a head start to the fountain.
Darlene asks Pratt about a couple who were in a car accident, and can't drive home. Pratt tells her to get them a taxi voucher. Another student asks where to turn in some results, and Pratt gives her the location. Another student asks Pratt if he has any tips about dating on a student budget, and Pratt laughs and tells him not to bother. As Pratt walks behind the Admit Desk, he overhears Susan on the phone, saying that something is incredibly flattering. She hangs up, and Pratt asks if that was good news. Susan says they're being honored at the Trauma Foundation dinner. Really? After Carter's press conference and everything? Susan says they want "an outstanding senior resident to accept," and Pratt asks disingenuously, "So why tell me?" Susan jokes that fishing for compliments doesn't become him, and tells him the date and time of the dinner, and that he'll have to do a seven-minute PowerPoint presentation. Pratt, surprisingly, agrees to do it.
Malarkey walks up and asks whether Pratt is cozying up to management, and Pratt says that won't happen in this lifetime. Malarkey says that a bunch of them are going out tonight to celebrate Weaver's being on vacation. That's a tip for the viewers who were like, "How come last week's episode was all about Kerry, and she's nowhere to be seen this week?" Shane says he's in as long as the third-years are buying, and Malarkey stage-whispers to Pratt that he's trying to shore up support for his Chief Resident bid. Malarkey? Really? And he thinks he has a chance in hell? Malarkey asks Neela if she's in, and she says that it beats going home. Shane asks what's wrong with home, and looks genuinely baffled. Malarkey tries to get Pratt to join them, and he agrees to come, reluctantly. Susan overhears and asks, "What, the big kids aren't invited?" Everyone ignores her.
Ellie is still trapped with her own thoughts. She notes that she thinks her lips are moving, but that nothing's coming out. We can see that her lips aren't actually moving. She says that she feels fine otherwise, not sick, but that she can't feel anything. Then she revises that to say that she feels some things. Luka and Abby continue examining her. Ellie thinks that whatever happened must be bad, and then protests that she's healthy with three kids, and she's only thirty-five years old. She then realizes that someone will need to pick up her kids, and starts trying to get the doctors' attention. Luka tells her that he's going to close her eyes. Ellie tries to tell him that he has to call her husband and tell him to pick up the kids.
Ellie gestures with her left hand. Sam notices and says that Ellie wants to write something. Abby hands over a pen and holds up her chart as Ellie writes a message. Abby asks if TPA could reverse the stroke, and Luka says it would need to be administered within three hours, and that no one knows how long she was down. Luka asks Ellie if she can hear him. Ellie tries to write down her husband's name and phone number as Luka tells her that they think she had a stroke, the kind that makes it impossible to express language. Abby shows Luka the chart, and Luka says that while Ellie can understand them, they can't understand her. He holds up the chart, which is filled with meaningless squiggles. Ellie protests, "That's not what I wrote. What did you do with what I wrote? That's not what I wrote!" Luka says that they're trying to figure out what kind of stroke she had so that they know how to treat it. Ellie hears for the first time that she had a stroke, and adds that only old people have those, and that this has to be temporary. Sam gazes down at her kindly.
Abby walks out of Trauma and spots Jake looking at an x-ray. He explains that he's down on a surgical consult. He asks if he left his watch at her place, and as they walk down the hall together, Abby says it's in her locker. Chuny walks by and asks Abby a question, and then glances at Jake and smiles approvingly. Jake says that he brought lunch, and wonders if she wants to eat together in the break room. Abby says that she was thinking they might not want to be so together at work. Jake says that everyone already knows. Abby says she didn't tell anybody, and when Jake laughs, she admits that she told one person. That's all it takes, Abby. Everybody knows. Jake says he didn't tell anyone. He looks at her curiously, but with a grin, as he walks away.
Neela walks up and asks Abby if her sofa is getting much action these days. Abby says it's not, but that she thought Neela was living with Shane. Neela says that her accommodations are "loud, messy, and a bit crowded." Abby reminds her that she could have taken her time in moving out, and Neela responds, "No, but it's not as though it was any better at your place." Zing! Abby even looks like she just got zinged.
Neela walks into the waiting room and asks for Clayton Davis, a six-year-old with wrist pain. He's there with his big brother, Tucker, and his sister, Bridget. Clayton also has a bump on his head, and Bridget says he fell off the kitchen counter. Tucker says that their dad went to get more coffee. Neela promises to take Clayton back, but says she'll need their dad to sign some forms before she can treat the kid. Tucker promises to go find him. Neela leads the other two kids back, and asks Clayton why he was on the counter. Clayton says he was trying to get a bowl, because he was hungry.
A woman walks through the waiting room with Ellie's three kids in tow. She's Ellie's neighbor. Meanwhile, Ellie is trying to think through her condition. She decides that the stroke has to be minor, because she can think, feel, and hear. Then she realizes that she's drooling. Sam gives Ellie a blanket and says it'll make her more comfortable. Ellie notes that Sam is smiling, so it must not be that bad, or it could mean that she doesn't know what's going on, since she's a nurse. Abby walks in and looks in Ellie's mouth. Ellie notes that Abby, the doctor, isn't smiling, but speculates that she might just be more serious. Abby reports that Ellie has no gag reflex. Luka says that her swallowing muscles are weak on the right side. Ellie looks at Luka and says, "Now, this one. He is gorgeous! What is he, 6'4", 6'5"?" Luka tells Ellie that they have to put a tube in her throat to protect her airway.
The neighbor shows up and asks if Ellie's kids can come in. Abby says that they can, but only for a minute. Sam tells Ellie that her kids are there. The kids walk in slowly, clearly terrified. Luka tells them to stand on Ellie's left side, so that she can hear them better. Abby explains that their mom is having a little trouble moving her right side. In her head, Ellie is cheery and encouraging, but her face doesn't move. One of the boys asks why Ellie's face looks funny. The other asks if she's dying. Ellie tries to reassure them, as Luka says that she's not dying, and asks when they saw her last. Ellie's daughter says that they saw their mom right after school, and she was fine. Ellie starts coughing. The kids look even more scared. Sam asks the neighbor to take the kids outside. The daughter asks what's going on, and Abby says that they need to help Ellie breathe. The neighbor herds the kids out. Ellie continues coughing, and monitors start beeping. Abby calls for etomidate and sux. Luka tells her that she's going to sleep now, and when she wakes up, she'll be breathing with a tube.
Ellie is getting a head CT when she wakes up. She wonders if she's dead, but then realizes that something's wrong because she can't open her eyes or move at all. The examining neurosurgeon tells Sam and Abby that there's no sign of a tumor, so it must be a clot. Abby asks if it's too late for TPA, and the neurosurgeon says that it can cause brain bleed if it's done after three hours. Given the timeline they have, it's too risky. Would they really let Sam observe this whole thing? Don't they need her down in the ER? Abby asks what the other options are. The neurosurgeon says that they can hope that collateral flow develops, and get her into physical therapy. He adds that the chances of a meaningful recovery aren't good. Almost as an afterthought, he says that they could also try "the MERCI." Sam doesn't know what that is, so the neurosurgeon explains that they would use a catheter inserted in the groin to retrieve the clot. Abby asks if it reverses the stroke completely, and the neurosurgeon says it has risks, and that they would need the family's consent.
Ellie is moved out of the CT machine as she screams inside her head that she's blind and begs for someone to help her. Sam, Abby, and the techs move her to the gurney. Sam and Abby start to take her vitals in preparation for transport. Sam asks Abby if she's ever asked Luka about his kids. Abby says she did once. Sam starts to explain the situation, but she stops when she notices that Ellie is crying. A monitor starts beeping because Ellie's heart rate and blood pressure are rising. Sam asks what's going on, and Abby asks when they intubated. Sam says it was ten minutes ago. Abby says that she thinks the etomidate wore off before the sux, so Ellie is conscious but paralyzed.
Shane helps the paramedics wheel in a young African-American male who got hit with tear gas when a non-violent demonstration turned violent. Malarkey grabs the chart as the patient says that he was just picking up his grandmother's medicine at the pharmacy and got stuck in the middle. The paramedic reports that they have other victims coming right in. Malarkey guesses that the mob torched some cars and broke some glass. Shane says that the patient has good vitals after four of morphine. The patient says he still has pain and asks for more, and Malarkey replies, "Soon as we can make sure you're actually hurtin', dude."
Susan and Luka overhear that last bit, and Susan asks disgustedly if Malarkey actually just withheld pain meds. Luka thinks they can remove him from the Chief Resident short list, but Susan says it's too late because he's officially applied. She runs down a list of the other candidates, but Luka has reasons against all of them. Susan thinks the pickings are slim. Luka brings up Pratt, and adds that he's the best they've got. Susan says she has "serious caveats." Luka points out that students and interns already go to him with their questions, but Susan says, "Doesn't make him a leader."
Sam and Abby wheel Ellie's gurney out of the elevator as Ellie continues panicking inside her head. Sam yells out for help as Abby explains what she thinks happened. Ellie keeps yelling for someone to help her, because she's losing it. Under Luka's instruction, Abby gives Ellie fentanyl. Luka tells her that she's experiencing a normal side effect, and that they gave her a narcotic to help her. Ellie immediately calms down and asks, "What is that stuff called, again?" Luka gets right in her face and tells her that when the medication wears off, she'll be able to open her eyes again. Ellie concludes, "'Cause it is good. Really good!" I guess that explains why Carter was addicted to it.
Dubenko steps in and asks Abby for a moment of her time. Luka tells her to go ahead. In the hallway, Dubenko brings up a case they had the day before, and reveals that, in surgery, they found a condom full of cocaine lodged in the patient's jejunum. He thinks it was a "totally fantastic case," and he wants Abby to write it up today. He lists off the journals she should submit to. Abby is surprised that he wants her to write it up, and Dubenko promises to help, because it should only take a couple of hours. Abby says that she's working, and Dubenko says he'll talk to her superiors. Abby continues to object, but Dubenko asks why any intern wouldn't want to be published. Abby finally agrees, and Dubenko tells her to come to his office at 70 PM. He gets into the elevator as Abby nods in agreement.
Neela examines young Clayton's wrist, and says she doesn't think it's broken. She asks if the kids are still hungry, and they are. Tucker returns with his "dad," who I pegged from the first minute as totally not the father of those kids. The "dad" manages to ask how the boy's doing, and Neela reports that he has a mild concussion, and a probable sprained wrist that needs an x-ray to diagnose for sure. The "dad" tells her to do whatever she needs to do. Neela looks suspicious and asks him if he's been drinking. He says defensively that he had a beer. Neela says she'll get food trays for the kids while they wait for the x-ray. Tucker thanks her as she walks out. In the hallway, Neela finds Pratt and starts presenting the case to him, but Pratt cuts her off and tells her to present to Malarkey. Neela says she'd rather present to Pratt, but he bitches that he's busy and she has other options. Neela looks hurt.
Ellie raises her left arm in the air and notes that her left side still sort of works, which she takes as a good sign. Okay, if she can move her arm all around like that, couldn't she communicate by squeezing someone's hand? Like simple yes or no questions? Squeeze once for yes and twice for no? Just wondering. Ellie tries to move her right side with no success. Sam walks in and says that Ellie's heart rate is down. She peers at Ellie and asks, "You okay in there?" She could squeeze your hand to answer that one. Ellie complains that the tube in her throat hurts, and that she can't pee or walk. Sam tells her that she has gorgeous kids, and doesn't look like she's had three kids. Sam adds that the kids are in the family room. Ellie wonders why the kids aren't with her, and who is watching them, and where their father is. Ellie wrinkles her nose in disgust and asks, "Dear God, what is that?" Sam chuckles and says, "Yeah, pretty stinky, huh?" She looks over to the bed, where an elderly woman is wearing a diaper. Sam goes over to change the woman's diaper. Ellie watches, probably wondering if that's what she has in store for the rest of her life. It was at this point that I had a talk with my husband about my health-care wishes, and reminded myself to get some paperwork sorted out. Because, seriously. That would be hell.
Malarkey, Chuny, and Shane are still treating Teargas Tito. Malarkey says, "Add a little police presence, throw a bottle or two, suddenly there's a whole lot of looting going on!" Tito asks what the odds are that he got hid. Shane continues the exam as Malarkey asks if Tito at least got a TV out of the deal. Tito gets angry and says that he was just walking by. Chuny and Shane give Malarkey dirty looks. Malarkey says, "Yep, running errands for Granny during a riot." Tito asks if Malarkey doesn't believe him, and Malarkey says that they've heard it all before, and looks to Chuny for backup. Chuny looks at him like, "Dude, you are on your own here." Malarkey issues the treatment orders, and Shane explains them to Tito kindly. Shane and Malarkey walk into the hall, and Malarkey tells Shane that the guy's full of crap, but Shane shouldn't worry, because it took Malarkey two years to learn how to spot the con artists. He walks off, and Shane looks at him like, "Dude, who thought there was someone on the show that could make me look good?"
As Luka examines Ellie's eyes, she sings in her head, "I think I love you, so what am I so afraid of, I'm afraid that I'm not sure of..." Heh. Everyone loves the Croatian Sensation. ["Even lesbians!" -- Wing Chun] Luka says that Ellie's heart rate is still up, and that Sam should give her more fentanyl. Ellie wholeheartedly agrees. Ellie notes that Luka isn't wearing a wedding ring, and says she likes his sexy accent. Then she decides that she's pathetic, because her heart is racing since Luka touched her. She quickly realizes that Luka's touch isn't the only thing making her heart race, as her pulse goes out of control. Sam reports that her pulse is 240, and Luka gives some med orders. Ellie says she's getting dizzy and can't breathe. Abby asks if this is related to the stroke. Luka says that if her heart doesn't beat properly, blood can pool. Abby adds that she threw a clot and it went to her brain. In other words, the heart problems caused her stroke in the first place. Ellie continues to suffer as Sam pushes the drugs. Luka tells her that she might feel a few seconds of discomfort. Abby bags her as Ellie's one good eye opens wide and she looks terrified. The room fades to white.
There was a time when this show might have killed Ellie off before the end of the episode, but that time has passed.
Ellie is flatlining as her husband, Dan, walks in. From the vignette at the beginning of the episode, I thought they were divorced, but I guess not. Ellie gets a normal rhythm going as Luka explains to Dan what they are doing. Luka checks the paper strip from the monitor and realizes that Ellie has an atrial flutter. He explains to Ellie that they can now give her the proper medication, and that it won't cause problems like what just happened. Ellie's eyes are just kind of randomly rolling about, and Dan asks if she's awake. Abby says that she has shown "spontaneous eye movement." Dan moves to Ellie's side and asks if she can hear him. Her one good eye focuses on him and she thinks, "You're here!"
Luka pulls Dan aside to explain the medical options available to Ellie, including the risky clot-extraction procedures, which could reverse her stroke. Abby explains the risks: "Infection and other complications that could lead to coma or death." Dan asks if she's in a coma right now, and Luka says that she's not, but that the stroke affected the language center of her brain, so she can see and hear, but can't communicate. Well, that should catch up all the people who've been watching another show and just tuned in. Luka asks what Dan thinks about the procedure, and Ellie thinks, "Say yes." Dan asks what happens if they don't do the procedure. Luka says she won't improve neurologically, and Dan says, "But she won't die." Ellie wants Dan to approve the procedure. Dan asks how long she can live like this, and Ellie thinks, "I can't live this way," as Abby answers, "Indefinitely." Dan doesn't know what to do. Ellie telepathically tries to remind her husband about when they talked about his cousin who had been in an accident and she said she'd rather die than live that way. Dan says it's not like she's a vegetable, and Ellie thinks, "This is worse, Dan! I'm aware! I don't even get to be brain-dead." Luka says they need Dan's consent as Ellie screams, "I consent! I consent! Dan, have some balls! If you love me, don't leave me like this." Dan is still unsure about the best course of action, but then he notices Ellie lifting her left hand and races to her side. They stare into each other's eyes as she silently begs him to give consent. Dan says okay. Couldn't she also communicate through blinking if the hand-squeezing won't work for some reason?
Tucker's "dad" is busy eating all the food from the trays Neela brought them. Neela walks in and totally busts him. She says that Clayton doesn't have a fracture, and that she'd like to put a splint on his wrist and have him back in a week for a recheck. She asks where the other kids are, and Tucker walks in and explains that he had to take Bridget to the bathroom. The dad asks if they're done there. Neela says she's already written the discharge order, and suggests that he bring the car around. Tucker says that they took the El. Neela offers them a taxi voucher, and Bridget is all excited about it. Their "father" agrees.
Neela spots Malarkey outside and excuses herself. Neela presents the case to him, and he barely listens to her before signing off and walking away. Neela chases after him and says that there's "a strange familiy dynamic." Malarkey asks if she's talking about physical or sexual abuse. Neela says that she doesn't think so, but she's not sure, but adds that the father has had a beer. Malarkey snarks, "Uh, breaking news. Having a brew isn't a crime." Yeah, but calling it "a brew" should be. Malarkey walks off in disgust.
Sam and Abby wheel Ellie up to Neurology for her procedure. They discuss one particular doctor who has a good reputation, but Sam heard he's screwing a med student. They wheel Ellie into the proper room, and Sam informs Ellie that they have to go back downstairs. Ellie protests that the new people are strangers. The doctor arrives and says that he'll be cleaning the top of her legs to prepare for the catheter insertion. A nurse adds, "I'm Martha, and I'll be shaving part of your pubic hair." Ellie thinks, "Fantastic." Heh. That was such a Miranda line reading.
Abby goes to Dubenko's office to write up her article, as promised. He's busy looking into a microscope. Abby says that she pulled some charts. Dubenko stands up and asks distractedly if Abby likes burgers, because he thought they could have a working dinner. Abby is surprised, but goes along as Dubenko offers up his coat for her. She weakly protests that she's not that hungry, but Dubenko insists.
Carter is trying to cook a roast, which seems antithetical to Wendall's stated eating beliefs. Anyway, the roast isn't done, and they try to come up with an alternate eating plan. Wendall suggests ordering pizza, and Carter is already dialing the phone. As Carter prepares to place the order, Wendall tells him, "I think I love you." That should have been the episode title, since it's the second time we've heard that phrase tonight. Carter doesn't respond, perhaps because he's in the middle of ordering. Wendall mouths, "Brat."
Shane updates Malarkey on the case of Teargas Tito. As they enter Tito's room, Shane introduces Malarkey to Tito's grandmother, who is standing by his bedside. Pratt stands nearby, ostensibly writing up a chart, but actually eavesdropping. Tito's grandmother says that Tito is a good boy, and that she can't believe that Malarkey accused him of stealing TVs. Pratt turns around and says, "What?" Malarkey tries to say that he was kidding. Tito calls bullshit, and Malarkey responds, "Whatever, dude. I'm sorry if you took offense." God, what a douchebag. Pratt calls Malarkey into the room. Shane tries not to bust out laughing.
Once they are in the other room with the door closed, Pratt asks what that was all about. Malarkey says that Tito was part of a mob that got gassed by the cops. Pratt isn't satisfied. Malarkey tries to say that they get guys like that all of the time with "stories about their sick grannies." Unbeknownst to Pratt, Susan is standing behind him, listening. Pratt tells Malarkey that he can't make assumptions about every black kid that comes into the ER. Malarkey can't believe Pratt, of all people, is dressing him down. Pratt tells Malarkey to go in there and apologize like he means it. Malarkey is stunned, but Pratt tells him to do it, and Malarkey leaves. Susan finally speaks up and tells Pratt that he did a good job. Pratt sighs that Malarkey is an idiot. Susan tells him that Carter and Kovac want Pratt for Chief Resident. Pratt asks what Susan thinks. She says that if she sees more of what she just saw, she'd back him too. She asks if he's interested, and Pratt says no.
Luka explains to Ellie's family what happened to her. Her daughter asks if Ellie will stay this way forever, and Luka says she might, but she could also recover. Sam walks in and reports that Ellie is in surgery right now. One son asks if they can fix her, and Luka says they'll try, but in the meantime, he wants them to send their love and good thoughts. Ellie's daughter is upset that she called her mom a bitch. Luka is sure Ellie knows her daughter didn't mean it. One son asks if Ellie is alone, and Luka says he was about to go check on her.
As Ellie has the procedure, she recites the birth weights of her three children to try to stay focused and connected. Luka walks in and asks how she's doing. He walks up to Ellie's side and says he thought she might want to see a familiar face.
Abby and Dubenko walk into a dive bar, which doesn't seem like the best location for doing work. Abby babbles about how she plans to approach the article as Dubenko orders for them and removes her coat for her. As they sit down, Dubenko asks if she's from Chicago originally, adding that he detected "a hint of Minnesota" in her accent. Abby says quickly that she grew up in St. Paul, and tries to swing the subject back to the article. Dubenko says she just needs to write an introduction, a case summary, and the discussion. He then stammers, "Do you...do you like foreign films?" Abby smiles at him, and looks like she might be asking herself how, exactly, she got into this.
Ellie is in the middle of the procedure, and thinking about how there's something actually inside her brain right now. Luka tells her what they are doing. My favorite part is when Ellie thinks, "God, I'm bored." Because you expect sick or injured people to be either calm and religious, or manic and panicked. But it would also be boring after a while, wouldn't it? Anyway, the surgeon finds the clot, and Luka points it out on the monitor, and then explains it to Ellie. Meanwhile, Ellie thinks about how she might be tired, and might just want to let go. Her focus drifts off toward the ceiling as we go to commercial.
Carter and Wendall are in bed, and it looks like they just finished doing it. The sex couldn't have been that good, because she's got on a camisole and panties, and neither are the least bit pushed around or removed or whatever. She sets her alarm early, so that they can go for a morning jog. Ugh. ["Outside? In the dark? In the winter? I would cry." -- Wing Chun] She turns out the lights and they share a good night kiss. Carter stares at her back, probably thinking about how he still hasn't said that he loves her.
Neela and Shane do some grocery shopping at the Jumbo Mart. Shane tells Neela that Malarkey is applying for Chief Resident, and Neela is horrified. She thinks Pratt should get the job. Neela spots Tucker's "dad" walking down the aisle, and calls out to him. She follows him around the store and reminds him that Clayton needs supervision tonight, due to his concussion. The guy turns around and tells Neela that they weren't his kids, and that Tucker gave him seven bucks to pretend that he was their father. Neela and Shane are shocked.
Ellie is still in the procedure, and now she's babbling about memories. She can apparently only get out single words at this point.
Back at the hospital, Neela tries to reach a social worker to go check up on Tucker and his siblings, but there are none available. She asks someone to send a 911 page. Shane tells her that if a kid was smart enough to hire someone to pose as his father, he's probably also capable of monitoring a concussion. Neela wonders why he would need to lie. Shane says that his real parents might be deadbeats, or he didn't want them to know about Clayton's injury. I figured his mom was a crackhead, but I'm all clichéd like that. Neela finds an address on the chart, and Shane says that it's a crappy neighborhood. Neela tries the phone, but it's been disconnected.
Malarkey and Susan wheel in a gunshot victim. Neela tries to consult her on the Tucker case, but Susan tells her to ask Pratt. Neela finds him and says that she needs to leave due to an emergency, and asks his permission. Pratt wants to know what kind of emergency it is. Neela tells him the story. Pratt checks the board and says that they're pretty caught up, so she can go, but that she should take Shane with her, because she'd headed into a dicey neighborhood. On the one hand, Pratt could have shown more concern about the case. On the other hand, he did show way more concern than Malarkey did earlier.
At Carter's place, the phone rings. He answers it and switches on the light. It's clearly Kem on the other end. Wendall stares at Carter, in disbelief that he's actually taking this call while she's lying to him. She gets up and pulls on her clothes. Carter asks where she's going, and Wendall sighs, "I'll see you at work." Carter asks Kem if he can call her right back.
Carter follows Wendall outside and apologizes for being stupid and rude. Wendall asks if she's just a diversion for him until Kem returns to the U.S. Carter says that he and Kem had a baby together, and that he can't just cut Kem out of his life. Wendall asks, "Are you with me?" Carter doesn't answer, and instead asks if they can please go inside. Wendall starts to walk off, and Carter says sarcastically, "Oh, so that's it? One phone call, and you're gone, huh?" Wendall says that he could have told Kem Wendall was there. Carter says that he and Wendall spend every night together, enjoy each other's company, and have fun. Wendall looks like she was slapped in the face. Carter says he knows what he wants her to say, and he can't say it. Maybe he should have told her that earlier, instead of letting his silence give her hope. God, I hate Carter. Wendall still doesn't speak, so Carter apologizes. Wendall says, "Well, at least you're honest." She turns to leave, and Carter says that it doesn't mean that they can't.... Wendall interrupts him and says that it does. She walks away. Is it weird that I never really liked Wendall until that scene? The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Ellie's procedure has arrived at the critical moment. The doctors are trying to remove the blood clot. It works, and everything looks good. Luka happily tells Ellie to wake up. The nurse suggests removing the ventilator, and Luka suggests doing it in the ER, just to be safe. And also, for maximum dramatic impact. You wouldn't want her first post-stroke words to be in the elevator or something.
Shane and Neela find the address Tucker gave, and park outside. They walk into the building. Neela knocks on the door and identifies herself. Tucker lets them in, and then turns and matter-of-factly tells his siblings to wake up. Should Clayton be sleeping with a concussion? I guess that's the least of their worries right now. Tucker reminds his siblings that he told them they would be split up if "they found out." Neela asks Tucker where his parents are. Tucker says it's just my mom, and she's in the bedroom. He gestures toward a door that has a towel stuffed in the crack underneath. I totally thought she was smoking pot in there. I'm that dumb. Shane and Neela look confused and head for the bedroom. After knocking on the door and calling out, they open it. The kids get their coats on. Neela and Shane walk into the bedroom and immediately notice the smell. Neela hides her face as Shane walks over to the bed and pulls back the covers. He manages to look both disgusted, shocked, and confused. Tucker tells them that his mother got sick a week ago. Neela runs out of the room, about to be sick.
A bunch of people from the hospital join Malarkey at the bar. It's Jake, Darlene, and the other two students from earlier. Darlene asks why no one is there yet. Malarkey acts all magnanimous and orders a round. As much as I hate Malarkey, Scott Grimes really cracks me up in this role. I mean, he's no Romano, but he does seem to take pleasure in being a big jerk. I enjoy that. Jake asks where Abby is, and she pops up behind him. Jake asks where she's been, and Abby, evading the question, says she's been around. She asks Malarkey what the gathering is about, and Malarkey says, "In a word? Mentoring." Darlene hilariously asks, "Is Dr. Pratt coming?" Malarkey says he had better be, because he and Pratt are supposed to split the bill.
Pratt walks into his apartment, grabs a beer, and turns on the game with a big grin. If he's home, and everyone else is at the bar, who in the hell is working? I guess Shane and Neela are technically working, but they're not at work.
Ellie's facial droop is completely gone. Luka tells her that he's going to take out the breathing tube. Sam reports on her vitals. Luka removes the tube, and Ellie coughs. Sam promises that the coughing will stop as Luka fits her with nasal oxygen. Ellie touches her face, and then realizes that she did so with her right hand. She stares at it in disbelief. She looks at Luka, and then Sam. Luka asks her to try to say something. She says softly, "Thank you." Her family bursts in at that moment, and she hugs her kids. If I ever have to have a stroke, I hope I have the kind they can completely reverse like that.