Ep 2. In A Different Light

In ER season 14 episode 2, titled "In A Different Light," the staff of County General are faced with a busy night as they deal with multiple cases coming in at once. The episode opens with Abby (Maura Tierney) and Neela (Parminder Nagra) working on a patient, who is in critical condition after being hit by a car. Meanwhile, Pratt (Mekhi Phifer) and Gates (John Stamos) are dealing with a young girl who has been sexually assaulted.

As the staff try to treat their patients, tensions rise when it becomes clear that the ER is understaffed and overstretched. The episode explores the difficulties of working in a high-pressure environment, where decisions need to be made quickly and lives are always at stake.

One of the key themes of the episode is the idea of perspective. Several different characters find themselves looking at things from a new angle, and discovering that their initial assumptions were wrong. For example, Pratt initially assumes that the young girl who was assaulted is lying about what happened to her, due to the lack of physical evidence. However, as he spends more time with her, he starts to see things from her perspective and ends up becoming a fierce advocate for her.

Meanwhile, Morris (Scott Grimes) finds himself questioning his own perceptions when he is tasked with treating an elderly patient who seems to be suffering from dementia. Initially, Morris dismisses the patient as confused and difficult, but as he spends more time with her, he begins to understand what she's going through and develops a newfound empathy for her.

Throughout the episode, the staff are also dealing with their own personal issues. Neela is struggling with her marriage to Ray (Shane West), who she feels is growing distant from her. Meanwhile, Gates is still grappling with the aftermath of his brief affair with Sam (Linda Cardellini), and is struggling to come to terms with his feelings for her.

In the midst of all this turmoil, the staff also have to deal with a number of medical emergencies, including a woman who has been badly burned and a man who is suffering from a severe allergic reaction. The episode does a good job of balancing the medical drama with the personal storylines, and it all culminates in a tense and emotionally satisfying conclusion.

Overall, "In A Different Light" is a strong episode of ER that showcases the strengths of the show's ensemble cast. It deals with a range of complex issues, from sexual assault to dementia, and does so in a sensitive and nuanced way. The episode also highlights the challenges faced by the staff of County General, and the incredible work they do on a daily basis.