ER season 2

ER: The Complete Second Season
Season 2
No. of episodes	22
Release
Original network	NBC
Original release	September 21, 1995 – May 16, 1996
Season chronology

Further information: List of ER episodes

The second season of the American fictional drama television series ER first aired on September 21, 1995 and concluded on May 16, 1996. The second season consists of 22 episodes.

Plot

Greene's divorce becomes final and he starts dating again. At work, he is promoted, becoming an Attending. He locks horns with close friend Dr. Ross, whose reckless professional behavior is called into question by the hospital authorities, and new Chief Resident, Dr. Kerry Weaver. Ross breaks protocol to treat an HIV-positive child and is about to be fired. He has already accepted a job at another medical facility when he heroically saves a child, trapped in a sewer in the landmark episode "Hell and High Water". His heroism creates a media sensation and the hospital reconsiders its decision when Dr. Ross receives an award for outstanding community service. Later in the season, he becomes embroiled in a relationship with his father's girlfriend.

Lewis is left holding the baby when her sister, Chloe, skips town, leaving daughter Suzie in Susan's care. She struggles to find time to care for the child and complete her residency. She considers having Suzie adopted, but at the last minute decides to keep her. Just as Susan starts to become attached to the baby, Chloe returns, a changed woman, and a short custody battle ensues. Eventually, Susan hands Suzie over to Chloe and is left devastated when her sister and her new husband move to Phoenix, taking the baby with them.

Carter, now a fourth-year medical student, starts a relationship with medical student Harper Tracy. He becomes involved in the treatment of an elderly patient and her husband ( played by famous American comic Red Buttons) in order to secure his place in developing a new heart procedure study and a spot in the surgical program. After the surgery is complete, Carter grows increasingly cold toward the couple until the woman's death, resulting in tremendous personal guilt, but still manages to win a place as a surgical intern despite the fierce competition. Hathaway becomes involved with paramedic Shep. Their relationship develops quickly and they move in together. However, things go wrong when Shep's partner, Raul, suffers third degree burns to over 85% of his body during a fire rescure and dies shortly afterward, resulting in emotional crisis and guilt for Shep. Shep grows volatile and violent, and after he refuses Carol's recommendation that he see a psychiatrist, the couple separate.

At the start of the season, Dr. Benton is in a relationship with Jeanie Boulet. She ends the relationship in a bid to save her marriage, but soon starts working as a Physician's Assistant at County General. Benton is frosty towards her and is angry when he finds out about her divorce from her husband. At the end of the season, Jeanie finds out that she may be HIV-positive after her ex-husband, Al, is diagnosed. She informs a dismayed Peter and suggests that he too be tested. Benton also struggles to decide whether to lodge a formal complaint against his mentor Dr. Vucelich, when he discovers irregularities in his research method.

Production

Cast

Starring cast

• Anthony Edwards as Dr. Mark Greene - Attending Physician
• George Clooney as Dr. Doug Ross - Pediatric Fellow
• Sherry Stringfield as Dr. Susan Lewis - Third Year Resident
• Noah Wyle as Dr. John Carter - Fourth Year Medical Student/Surgical Sub-Intern
• Julianna Margulies as Nurse Manager Carol Hathaway
• Gloria Reuben as Jeanie Boulet - Physician Assistant
• Eriq La Salle as Dr. Peter Benton - Third Year Surgical Resident

Supporting cast

Doctors and Medical Students:
William H. Macy as Dr. David Morgenstern - Chief of Surgery & Emergency Medicine
Sam Anderson as Dr. Jack Kayson - Chief of Cardiology
Amy Aquino as Dr. Janet Coburn - Chief of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
CCH Pounder as Dr. Angela Hicks - Surgical Attending Physician
Laura Innes as Dr. Kerry Weaver - Chief & Fourth Year Resident
Ron Rifkin as Dr. Carl Vucelich - Surgical Attending Physician
Scott Jaeck as Dr. Steve Flint - Chief of Radiology
Christine Elise as Harper Tracy - Fourth Year Medical Student
Matthew Glave as Dale Edson - Fourth Year Medical Student/Surgical Sub-Intern
Megan Cole as Dr. Alice Upton - Pathologist

Nurses:
Ellen Crawford as Nurse Lydia Wright
Conni Marie Brazelton as Nurse Conni Oligario
Deezer D as Nurse Malik McGrath
Laura Cerón as Nurse Chuny Marquez
Yvette Freeman as Nurse Haleh Adams
Lily Mariye as Nurse Lily Jarvik
Vanessa Marquez as Nurse Wendy Goldman
Dinah Lenney as Nurse Shirley

Staff and Paramedics:
Abraham Benrubi as Desk Clerk Jerry Markovic
Charles Noland as Desk Clerk E-Ray Bozman
Kristin Minter as Desk Clerk Miranda "Randi" Fronczak
Ron Eldard as Paramedic Ray "Shep" Shepard
Carlos Gómez as Paramedic Raul Melendez
Malgoscha Gebel as Bogdanilivestsky 'Bob' Romansky
Mike Genovese as Officer Al Grabarsky
Emily Wagner as Paramedic Doris Pickman
Monté Russell as Paramedic Dwight Zadro
Lyn Alicia Henderson as Paramedic Pamela Olbes
Scott Michael Campbell as Paramedic Riley Brown
Rolando Molina as Desk Clerk Rolando

Other:
Christine Harnos as Jennifer "Jenn" Greene
Yvonne Zima/Hallee Hirsh as Rachel Greene
James Farentino as Ray Ross
Piper Laurie as Sarah Ross
Marg Helgenberger as Karen Hines
Kathleen Wilhoite as Chloe Lewis
Michael Beach as Al Boulet
Khandi Alexander as Jackie Robbins

Crew

First season executive producers John Wells and Michael Crichton reprised their roles. Wells continued to serve as the series head writer and showrunner. Lydia Woodward and Mimi Leder returned as co-executive producers. New producer Carol Flint filled the third co-executive producer position following the departure of Robert Nathan. Christopher Chulack continued to act as the episodic producer. Paul Manning and Wendy Spence-Rosato also continued in their first season roles as producer and associate producer respectively. Several changes occurred with the production team mid-season - Leder left the crew, Manning was promoted to Supervising Producer, and Spence-Rosato was promoted to co-producer.

Wells, Woodward, Flint and Manning continued to regularly write episodes, with each contributing to 4 episodes this season. First season regular writers Neal Baer and Lance Gentile became story editors for the second season and continued to write episodes. Baer contributed to two episodes while Gentile continued to act as the series medical consultant and wrote a further episode. Both were promoted to executive story editors by the close of the season. First season writer Tracey Stern also returned and contributed a further episode. First season technical adviser Joe Sachs reprised his role and also made his television writing debut on the second season. The series other new writers were Belinda Casas Wells and Anne Kenney; Casas Wells contributed to the story of an episode and Kenney wrote a single episode.

Leder and Chulack continued to regularly direct episodes. Returning first season directors Felix Enriquez Alcala and Donna Deitch each directed further episodes in the second season. New directors Thomas Schlamme and Lesli Linka Glatter each contributed two episodes this season. Crew members Lance Gentile and Director of Photography Richard Thorpe both made their episode directing debuts this season. Cast member Anthony Edwards also directed his first episode. Other directors new to the series include Eric Laneuville, Dean Parisot, Whitney Ransick, and Barnet Kellman.

Episodes

See also: List of ER episodes

"Series #" refers to the episode's number in the overall series, whereas "Season #" refers to the episode's number in this particular season.

Season #	Series #	Title	Writer(s)	Director	Original airdate
1	26	"Welcome Back, Carter!"	John Wells	Mimi Leder	September 21, 1995
Carter is late for his first day as a surgical intern and Benton's not happy about it. Lewis tries to help Chloe and Baby Suzie. Greene has two choices for the new Chief Resident post. Note: Nielsen Ratings: 37.5 million viewers.
2	27	"Summer Run"	Lydia Woodward	Eric Laneuville	September 28, 1995
Hathaway goes on a ride-along with paramedics to get her recertification. Ross deals with a troubled child who sets things on fire to gain attention. Greene appoints Kerry Weaver as Chief Resident and she clashes with Ross.
3	28	"Do One, Teach One, Kill One"	Paul Manning	Félix Enríquez Alcalá	October 5, 1995
Lewis is left to take care of little Suzie when Chloe leaves town. Carter loses his very first official patient. Greene decides to avoid the hassle of his daily commute by staying with Ross.
4	29	"What Life?"	Carol Flint	Dean Parisot	October 12, 1995
Benton hurts his hand, which allows Carter to take his place in surgery. Lewis considers adoption and comes to better terms with Weaver.
5	30	"And Baby Makes Two"	Anne Kenney	Lesli Linka Glatter	October 19, 1995
It's Weaver's day off. Lewis decides to keep little Suzie. Ross gets some help from Harper when caring for a four-year-old AIDS patient and clashes with Greene over the case. Benton treats a woman who has been abused by her husband - a cop.
6	31	"Days Like This"	Lydia Woodward	Mimi Leder	November 2, 1995
Ross might lose his job after he runs afoul of the Pediatrics Chief. Harper has a confession to make. Jeannie Boulet starts working in the ER as a Physician's Assistant, but the relationship between her and Benton remains hostile. Hathaway buys her first house.
7	32	"Hell and High Water"	Neal Baer	Christopher Chulack	November 9, 1995
Ross accepts a private practice position, but finds his inner hero when he helps a little boy trapped in a storm drain. Carter and Harper remain estranged during a case where a child is hit by a car and her divorced parents arrive at the ER. Note: Nielsen Ratings: 48.0 million viewers (highest rated of season two)
8	33	"The Secret Sharer"	Paul Manning	Thomas Schlamme	November 16, 1995
Benton learns that Boulet has filed for divorce. Carter and Harper reconcile. A patient's situation nearly blows up in Carol's face, and she tells Shep about her suicide attempt. Lewis's father surprises her with a generous offer. Ross is considered a hero and gets his fellowship renewed.
9	34	"Home"	Tracey Stern	Donna Deitch	December 7, 1995
Greene rushes to Milwaukee after hearing his wife and daughter were in a car accident only to receive some more surprising news. Carol treats a kind young artist who is schizophrenic. Lewis puts Suzie ahead of an opportunity to present a case at a medical conference.
10	35	"A Miracle Happens Here"	Carol Flint	Mimi Leder	December 14, 1995
Christmas becomes a time for miracles for both patients and the ER staff. Hathaway hosts the Christmas party and receives a surprising gift. A Holocaust survivor who was carjacked awaits news on her granddaughter and restores some of Greene's faith, while Jeannie mediates when gang members want to get revenge after a beloved Catholic priest is shot to death.
11	36	"Dead of Winter"	John Wells	Whitney Ransick	January 4, 1996
Carter gets the chance to control the treatment of an elderly patient without Benton's supervision. Benton gets invited to a formal dinner party by Dr. Vucelich. Greene receives the summons for his divorce. Twenty-two children locked up in an apartment get sent to County for medical treatment.
12	37	"True Lies"	Lance Gentile	Lesli Linka Glatter	January 25, 1996
Carter's relief is short lived when his patient returns to the ER. Benton attends his boss's dinner party and takes Boulet as his date. Morgenstern is admitted to the ER for a fractured leg wearing a kilt. Greene spends the day with his daughter, Rachel, who is unhappy about his separation from his wife and hostile towards Lewis. A woman doesn't care that her alcoholic mom is going to die. Carol tells Doug to ease up on a father who was a drunk but is now sober and trying to be strong for his young son.
13	38	"It's Not Easy Being Greene"	Paul Manning	Christopher Chulack	February 1, 1996
Greene gets bad news regarding the O'Brien lawsuit, and then works on a case where a patient dies for no apparent reason. Carter takes credit for Harper's findings. Benton becomes suspicious of Dr. Vucelich's research.
14	39	"The Right Thing"	Lydia Woodward	Richard Thorpe	February 8, 1996
Benton learns that doing the right thing isn't always that easy. Rumors fly that Greene and Lewis are having an affair, while Susan intervenes in a case involving a couple where both parties are drunk and one has HIV.
15	40	"Baby Shower"	Belinda Casas Wells & Carol Flint (story), Carol Flint (teleplay)	Barnet Kellman	February 15, 1996
The maternity ward experiences some sprinkler malfunctions and eight expectant mothers are brought to the ER. Ross and his father finally have a fun evening together, and Harper faces a pregnancy scare. Benton attempts to fix an apparently hopeless attempted suicide case.
16	41	"The Healers"	John Wells	Mimi Leder	February 22, 1996
Hathaway worries when she learns her paramedic boyfriend, Shep, has run into a burning building to try to save the kids inside. However, it is Shep's partner, Raul, who suffers the worst injuries and the ER staff grieves in the aftermath. Carter has difficulty treating third-degree burns. Chloe returns to Susan's dismay.
17	42	"The Match Game"	Neal Baer	Thomas Schlamme	March 28, 1996
Lewis's sister Chloe says she wants baby Suzie back, but Susan's not interested in dealing with Chloe. Benton feels guilty about his own inability to do the right thing, so he betrays Ross when faced with an ethical dilemma, earning him the enmity of both Doug and Greene. Mark tries a cooler image and gets sympathy from an attractive TV producer. Carter celebrates his match to County in a way that might end his medical career before it begins.
18	43	"A Shift in the Night"	Joe Sachs	Lance Gentile	April 4, 1996
It is Greene's fourth night on the graveyard shift and things aren't looking too great when it is being overrun with patients. Tension continues between Mark and Benton, but the shift work brings greater respect between Greene and Carter.
19	44	"Fire in the Belly"	Paul Manning	Félix Enríquez Alcalá	April 25, 1996
Hathaway notices a dramatic change in Shep's behavior. Weaver begins filming the procedures in the ER. Carter's sneaky moves to get more surgical work ruins his relationship with Harper. Susan finds out she won't win her custody battle because Chloe seems to have cleaned up her act. Benton decides to officially charge Vucelich with fraud.
20	45	"Fevers of Unknown Origin"	Carol Flint	Richard Thorpe	May 2, 1996
Lewis deals with losing little Suzie by working an extra shift, impressing Weaver in the process. Greene comes to friendly terms with his ex wife Jen as their divorce is finalized. Carter works with Ross in a pediatrics rotation.
21	46	"Take These Broken Wings"	Lydia Woodward	Anthony Edwards	May 9, 1996
Boulet learns something disturbing about her ex husband Al. Hathaway covers up for Shep's increasingly violent mood and gets him cleared of work charges, but recognizes he's gone over the edge. Weaver makes a deal with Greene in her quest in becoming an ER attending. Susan has therapy sessions to mourn the loss of little Suzie.
22	47	"John Carter, M.D."	John Wells	Christopher Chulack	May 16, 1996
Dr. Lewis refuses the position as chief resident. Boulet tells Dr Benton he must get tested for HIV. Nurse Hathaway quits in disgust and tells Shep she can't be with him anymore. Dr Carter misses his degree ceremony and then decides to join Dr. Benton's team for his surgical residency. Note: Nielsen Ratings: 34.3 million viewers