The doctor is in

I'm currently working my way through season 13 of ER, but curiosity made me jump ahead to one of the latest episodes from season 15 (which is set to be the final season). For one reason only - episode 7 saw the current ER chief, played by Angela Bassett, flashing back to a time a few years before when she was on the other side of the curtain.

Which lead to a great flashback episode - they've played this trick before, most notably in the episode where James Woods guest starred, but they never managed to do so entirely convincingly because past cast members just happened to be out of the ER at the time or in another room.

Not so this time, however. I wanted to watch this episode because the flashback sequences promised the return of Anthony Edwards as Dr. Mark Greene.

And, in a pleasant surprise, not just him. As the flashbacks continued, Abraham Benrubi popped up as Jerry in flashback (he's been disappointingly absent after being shot in the finale of season 12), Laura Innes as Kerry Weaver (who leaves later in Season 13), along with the wonderful Paul McCrane as Dr. Robert "Rocket" Romano and Eriq La Salle popped up before the opening credits playing tribute to Michael Crichton and raising hopes that he may well return as Peter Benton before the final whistle blows.

What this managed to do is highlight what great characters ER has had over the years and how lightweight the characters in later series seem. There's the roguish, rebellious doctor Gates who doesn't have the charm of George Clooney, the asshole chief surgeon Crenshaw who's not as witty and biting as Rocket Romano and so on. Despite the good work of some of the cast and the drafting in of heavyweight actors in guest slots, ER's retained its quality, but lost some of its magic.

But it was nice, just for a little while, to see some of that magic back in the shape of Anthony Edwards, Paul McCrane and the others. like an old familiar, long-lost friend turning up on your doorstep and bringing pie.

Noah Wyle's set up for an appearance for later in the season and there's rumors that George Clooney will appear too. It would be nice. As ER sails stately into the sunset after 15 years, the reminders of past glories are pleasing.

And damn, I've missed Mark Greene.