Though Dr. Robert Romano’s (Paul McCrane) dying was essentially the most over-the-top one on ER, a season 9 storyline lessened its impression. He seems on the present from seasons 4 to 10, and in distinction to the extra caring medical doctors, he is immodest and harsh. ‘
Nonetheless, when in comparison with other deaths on ER, Romano’s passing is the worst one. It is difficult to kill off a serious character in a method that matches into the general arc of the season and does not really feel prefer it comes out of nowhere, however this wasn’t the best way to do it.
ER Had Many Shocking Deaths, However Dr. Romano’s Is Nonetheless The Wildest One
Many people take into account Dr. Robert Romano’s dying essentially the most over-the-top one on ER. In season 10, episode 8, “Freefall,” a helicopter kills him when it comes crashing down from the roof of the hospital.
Whereas, after all, you count on tragedy to strike at numerous moments on any high-stakes and fast-paced TV drama, it is onerous to wrap your thoughts round a helicopter falling off a constructing. Sure, errors occur, and pilots can lose management, but it surely all felt too handy.
The whole scene feels each melodramatic and extra violent than it must be. Positive, ER has some tacky moments, and that is partly as a result of it aired from 1994 to 2009. Some scenes positively really feel dated now. However, even so, a lot of the storylines are uncooked and stuffed with emotion, which is why ER is still so appreciated.
You all the time care concerning the characters, and also you’re alongside for the experience, it doesn’t matter what they undergo. Regardless that Romano is stuffed with himself, you do not need to see a helicopter fall on him. The foolish second appears pointless, and if the writers wished him to go, he might have moved away as a substitute.
This second in “Freefall” appears significantly horrible when you think about the bleakness of many episodes of ER. As an illustration, a pregnant girl passes away after she arrives on the hospital for remedy. How can that storyline and Romano’s dying exist on the identical present?
Dr. Romano’s Dying Is Harm By His Helicopter Damage A Season Earlier
The most important drawback with Dr. Romano’s dying is the truth that the rotor of a helicopter takes off his arm in season 9, episode 1, “Chaos Idea.” It is even more durable to take his helicopter-related dying significantly after this earlier plotline, and each are two of the worst storylines out of every season of ER.
The season 10 episode even incorporates a flashback to this season 9 second. When Romano sees the helicopter, he remembers when his arm got here off, and he appears scared and nervous. That may be goofy sufficient, but when the episode had moved on from there and he hadn’t died in such a wierd method, it might have made extra sense.
If the season 9 scene hadn’t occurred, Romano’s dying would nonetheless be absurd, but it surely would not be as dangerous. It feels just like the helicopter is taunting him. Even Romano dropping his arm is a bit an excessive amount of, particularly in comparison with how delicately Gray’s Anatomy dealt with the uncooked emotion of Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw) losing her leg after the airplane crash.
We’re additionally imagined to droop our disbelief and suppose that the identical character could possibly be harmed by a helicopter twice, however that is difficult. It looks like ER is poking enjoyable at tragedy, which is not one thing followers would sometimes say.
The medical drama is so good as a result of it delves into the common expertise of being identified with a scary sickness or dropping a beloved one. For those who watch a present that continuously options out-there plotlines, you would possibly count on one thing like the tip of Romano’s arc, and it would not stand out a lot.
Even ER’s Most Unlikable Character Deserved A Higher Dying Than He Received
While you evaluate Dr. Romano’s dying to among the others on the present, it is much more upsetting. Take Dr. Mark Greene’s (Anthony Edwards), for instance. His closing storyline is gorgeous and emotional because it’s all about him connecting with Rachel (Hallee Hirsch), his daughter. Since he has an extended sickness, his character arc emphasizes the unfairness of life.
The conclusion of Romano’s arc might have been a lot extra significant. Though you do not love Dr. Romano, it appears unusual to kill off a essential character in such an intense however foolish method. Some other storylines would have made sense, whether or not he handed away on account of accidents from a automotive accident or was identified with a illness.
Whereas it might have been too tacky to look at the character study a lesson and develop into a nicer particular person earlier than his dying, it is disappointing that he does not have that a lot development by the point the helicopter falls on him.
One other drawback with Romano’s dying is how fast and random it feels. Since he seems in a number of seasons of the medical drama, he turns into a part of the material of the hospital, and he is gone so quick it is onerous to really feel like there’s any closure.
Even Derek Shepherd’s (Patrick Dempsey) divisive Grey’s Anatomy death makes extra sense than Romano’s. Whereas followers might say the medical doctors had been liable for his passing as a result of they did not order a CT scan, it is also plausible that errors occur, and he could not be saved.
Nonetheless, Derek’s dying is as emotional appropriately, and Meredith Gray (Ellen Pompeo) has a correct arc the place she experiences the levels of grief. It is onerous for her to lose her soulmate, however even after his dying, Derek and Meredith’s love story stays vital and delightful.
In distinction, Romano’s dying is distracting, and after watching this scene, you are possible going to ask your self, “Wait, did that simply occur?” Since you have watched Romano for therefore lengthy, you need to really feel devastated by his dying somewhat than confused. He wanted a robust and transferring scene.
Whether or not you come throughout this second on a rewatch or it is your first time going by means of the collection, you would possibly surprise should you’re watching a dream sequence, and it will be revealed that Romano had a nightmare. As an alternative, his dying is among the least plausible moments on ER, and it is inconceivable to not want it had been averted altogether.
- Launch Date
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1994 – 2009-00-00
- Showrunner
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Michael Crichton
