ER: On the Beach

Forget all that George Clooney malarkey, the real stalwart of ER has always been Anthony Edwards as reliable rock-steady medico Dr. Mark Greene.

Greene’s departure from the show is too major an event to be glossed over and therefore ER’s producers have taken the character on a story arc that has taken almost two full seasons to pan out and has featured some remarkable and emotionally charged episodes which have built up to this genuinely tear jerking finale.

Greene has been suffering from a reoccurrence of his brain tumour and despite the very best medicine has to offer, this time there is no way back and he has decided to forego any further treatment in order to put his affairs in order and go out with dignity.

The action takes place well away from the frenetic pace of the emergency room as Greene takes a trip to Hawaii with his petulant and rebellious teenage daughter Rachel. Here he relives old memories and introduces Rachel to her family history and his attempts to salvage their crumbling relationship before it is too late.

However, any attempt at bridge building is hampered by Rachel’s frostiness and by Greene’s rapidly deteriorating condition.

The scenes where he teaches his daughter to surf are touching but the relationship remains severely strained until Greene’s wife Elizabeth turns up with baby Ella and some much-needed home truths for Rachel.

The fear was that the sort of cloying sentimentality that mars many an American drama would cloud Greene’s exit but ER remains far too classy to fall into that trap. When Greene finally goes you’ll need the tissues (and lots of them) not the sick bag.

If you’re not a regular ER viewer this is probably not the best place to start, most of the regulars make just a fleeting appearance at the end, but if you’ve ever enjoyed the show then this is a top quality must see episode.

Rating 9 out 10

ER: On the Beach airs on Channel Four, Wednesday 17th July at 9pm