Ep 13. Happy New Year

The episode "Happy New Year" in season 1 of ER begins with a bubbly Carol, who is excited to start her New Year's Eve shift at the hospital. But her elation is soon tempered by a series of difficult cases that arise throughout the night.

One of the first patients is an elderly woman, who is brought in by her husband after falling down a flight of stairs. As Carol and Dr. Greene attend to her, they discover that she has a mass in her abdomen and needs immediate surgery. However, the woman refuses any treatment, insisting that she has lived a full life and wants to die.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ross is dealing with a patient who has ingested a massive amount of alcohol and is behaving erratically. When the man starts to convulse, Ross has to act quickly to save his life. Later on, Ross is confronted by the man's father, who blames him for his son's addiction and threatens to sue the hospital.

As midnight approaches, the ER staff gathers together to celebrate the New Year. But their celebrations are cut short when a group of teenagers are brought in after being involved in a car accident. One of the girls is badly injured and requires surgery, and the staff must work quickly to save her life.

Throughout the night, the episode explores the theme of endings and beginnings, as the staff reflect on the events of the past year and make resolutions for the future. Carol comes to a realization about her relationship with her boyfriend, while Dr. Lewis contemplates her decision to become a doctor.

Overall, "Happy New Year" is a poignant and heartfelt episode that touches on the struggles and joys of working in an emergency room on one of the most celebrated nights of the year. It showcases the compassion and skill of the ER staff, and the complex ethical dilemmas they face on a daily basis.