Ep 20. Abby Normal

Abby Normal is the twentieth episode of the tenth season of the medical drama ER that aired on April 24, 2003. The episode revolves around the personal and professional struggles of the nurse Abby Lockhart (Maura Tierney).

Abby is going through a rough patch. She has been struggling with alcoholism, and her relationship with Dr. Luka Kovac (Goran Visnjic) has hit a major snag. Luka, a fellow doctor at County General Hospital, has been trying to help Abby but is increasingly frustrated with her behavior.

Abby's problems are compounded by her difficult relationship with her mother, Maggie (Sally Field), who has bipolar disorder. In this episode, Abby's sister, Eric (Tom Everett Scott), comes to town to ask for Abby's help in caring for their mother. Although reluctant at first, Abby agrees to take on the responsibility.

Meanwhile, the hospital is facing a crisis. Nurses have gone on strike, and the hospital is severely understaffed. Abby is put in charge of managing the temporary nurses who have been brought in to cover the shortage. This proves to be a major challenge, as the new nurses are inexperienced and poorly trained.

The episode also features the story of a young boy, Jeremy (Cameron Bowen), who is brought into the ER after being hit by a car. Abby becomes emotionally involved in Jeremy's case, as she sees similarities between him and her own troubled past.

As the episode progresses, Abby's personal and professional challenges come to a head. She struggles to balance her responsibilities at work with caring for her mother and supporting Luka, who is threatening to end their relationship. Meanwhile, the hospital is pushed to the brink by the strike, and Abby is forced to make some tough decisions.

Abby Normal is a powerful and emotional episode that explores the complex personal and professional struggles faced by the hospital staff. The performances are excellent across the board, with Maura Tierney delivering a particularly strong performance as Abby. The episode deals with difficult topics such as addiction and mental illness with nuance and sensitivity, making it one of the standout episodes of the series.