Courtenay McWhinney Movies

Originally telecast as a two-hour special, the first episode of ER has since been divided into a two-parter for syndication. In part one, young and inexperienced third-year med student John Carter (Noah Wyle) reports for work at the emergency room of Chicago's County General Hospital. During a hectic 24-hour shift, Carter is brusquely introduced to his future co-workers: his arrogant trainer, Dr. Peter Benton (Eriq La Salle); workaholic chief resident Dr. Mark Greene (Anthony Edwards); the equally hardworking Dr. Susan Lewis (Sherry Stringfield); the womanizing Dr. Douglas Ross (George Clooney); and troubled head nurse Carol Hathaway (Julianna Margulies). All in all, it is a typical shift at the ER, with cases ranging from gunshot wounds, ruptured aneurysms, burns, and even hangnails -- but a few surprises are in store for both the staff and the viewers at home. In part two, inexperienced three-year med student John Carter continues to cope as best he can with his hectic first day in the emergency room of Chicago's County General Hospital. Meanwhile, chief resident Greene weighs the possibility of entering private practice; Carter's supervisor, Benton, oversteps his authority by operating on a patient with an aortic aneurysm; and troubled head nurse, Carol Hathaway, becomes a patient herself after attempting suicide (originally intended as a one-shot character, Hathaway proved so popular with the viewers that she was immediately pencilled in as a regular). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Struck by lightning, Bull (Richard Moll) regains consciousness after a few moments of being technically dead. Still emitting the smoke garnered from his harrowing experience, Bull declares he has experience an epiphany during his brief sojourn to the Other Side--and now he is determined to give away all his possessions to the poor. Meanwhile, Mac (Charlie Robinson) fights a losing battle against the courtroom's newly installed computer system. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Hunter (Fred Dryer) recognizes a murder victim as the mistress of crooked international financier Michael Varn (Jack Colvin)--the man suspected of killing Hunter's former partner three years ago. Making it his personal mission to bring Varn to justice, Hunter winds up falling into a well-laid trap and is framed for a brutal assault. It is up to McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) to clear Hunter, put the existing clues together, and capture Varn--assuming, of course, that she can stay alive long enough to finish the job! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide